What to Do Before Visiting a New Place

Posted on: January 18th, 2019 in Mindset, Uncategorized by Pat Mesiti | No Comments

It’s high summer in Australia and many people are either returning from holidays or planning trips away. Do you like to travel? Are you good at it, or are you a reluctant tourist? I’ve been thinking about the best way to prepare for trips away. How do you prepare before visiting a new place? In many ways we are already on a journey – a journey through life. Just as you must prepare for a new destination, it works best to be prepared and ready for life! I’ll return to that thought later, but let’s run through how to get ready to visit a new place.

1. Arrive with a map

Hey, I’m old fashioned I pack a paper map of every destination I visit but it’s also a good idea to get a Google map and save it to your phone or ipad.  

2. Mark your accommodation on your map

Basically you need to know where home is – you need to know your destination at the end of every day. Yes, this is definitely an analogy for life – always know where you are headed. 

3. Research the main attractions

Research is vital in life and travel. Know what’s ‘out there’, know what’s worth seeing and mark these on your map. To find out about the main tourist attractions and the attractions off the beaten track get onto websites like the LonelyPlanet and TimeOut. You should also visit some travel blogs. My favourite Australian travel blog is written by Kerry Tolson. https://www.kerrytolson.com/  

4. Check out public transport options

When you are travelling you don’t want to spend all your money on public transport, nor do you want to walk until you are exhausted. Is your destination well serviced by trains, trams or buses? Would Uber be the way to go? Again see what TripAdvisor has to say.

5. Find out where the best eats are

You know I’m a foody. You know I love to cook and eat. I’ve heard Instagram and Trip Advisor are fantastic for this. TripAdvisor has lots of posts from other travellers. I’m told on Instagram you put in the name of the destination and food.

6. Investigate the weather

Do you know the Crowed House song, ‘You always take the weather with you?’ Well, I’ve got news for you –  you don’t. You may be flying into extreme heat or cold. Before going away google a long-term forecast so you can pack the right clothes. 

7. Mark public toilets on your map

Alright, this isn’t romantic but it is damn practical and pragmatic. It’s no fun being caught out without being able to find a toilet. You might want to search for the toilets of restaurants in coffee chains like Starbucks. Public toilets can be pretty dodgy, especially in the developing world.

8. Check ahead for free public WiFi

Europe is the capital of free public WiFi but that isn’t the case in Asia. Mobile service overseas costs big time, so find out where you can get free WiFi before you travel.

9. Put the WhatsApp phone on your mobile

This tip comes from the young people in my life. It really is a fantastic App! On WhatsApp you can send texts through WiFi, you can make normal phone calls through WiFi and you can video chat. Do not leave home without WhatsApp on your mobile. It is invaluable for keeping in touch with friends and family. I’m a technophobe and I’ve been converted!

10. Look at photos and videos and even Google streetscapes

In some respect this ruins the surprise of travelling, but on the other hand you are super prepared. It also gives you a better idea of which places you should visit. I’m told that Instagram is a great place to look at photos of other destinations.

11. Check out Facebook for festivals and events in your destination

So many cities and towns now have their own Facebook pages. Get onto these pages to find out what cultural events and festivals are on while you are visiting.

12. Buy tickets in advance

Sometimes it is cheaper to buy tickets before leaving Australia. European rail passes can be bought here, or you can just wait until you arrive at your destination and search for cheap airfares. Air Ireland is always good value. It can also pay to buy tickets in advance to avoid queues. Don’t even think about going to Wimbledon unless you pre-purchase your tickets in Australia.

13. Check out visa requirements 

If travelling overseas make sure you know what visas are required to enter that country. You should also register your trip with the Department of Foreign Affairs before going overseas. This can be done online.

14. Book your first few days accommodation

Sure, it’s fun to be wild and crazy and wing it but you might feel differently when you find yourself dragging your suitcase through the streets after a long flight. What if your flight is delayed and you arrive late at night? Book at least a couple of nights in advance. Never ask a taxi driver for recommendations. They may be working on a commission for a hotel and the only hotels that pay commissions are the bad hotels that seasoned travellers avoid.

15. Other basic tips

Wear flat shoes and take layers of clothing so you can take things on and off depending on whether you are hot or cold. Remember, people in some countries have a different sense of personal space. Betolerant of smokers. There are lots of countries that haven’t cottoned onto the fact that smoking is a public health risk. Don’t take photos of people without asking. In some cultures this is insulting. Avoid touching people. In some countries you even need to avoid sitting next to people of the opposite sex. Also avoid pointing your feet towards people and touching people on the head. Again in some cultures this can be insulting behaviour.

When we travel we meet people with different values in places we are unfamiliar with. We tend to have a less-stressful, more successful time if we plan ahead. Again I will say the travelling is a microcosm for life. We travel through life encountering people with different values. Sometimes we don’t recognise this at first because we assume people from our city or town share our beliefs. That is not always the case! At least when you are travelling you expect to meet people who think differently. In life we never know what’s around the next bend. That is also true when in a new place, but if you are well prepared you will be better placed to deal with what’s around the bend!

Happy travelling to you on your holidays and in life!

ABOUT PAT MESITI

Pat Mesiti is a best-selling author, coach and educator in the area of personal development. Having built some of Australia’s largest people-driven organisations, Pat understands the power of harnessing human potential. He has shared the stage with some of the world’s great business minds and has sold over millions of copies of his books and materials.

 

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