Traveling around the world sounds like the ultimate adventure and it might as well turn into one, but it’s not as easy as packing your bags and hitting the road. It’s one thing to get ready for the standard two-week vacation that most people take annually or a quick city break, and a completely different thing another to plan a trip that takes you all across the globe, far away from the people and places you’re familiar with.
This bold endeavor requires a great deal of preparation, confidence and a dash of audacity. You’ll have to start planning long before the date of departure and take care of a million things so you can make sure you’re all set and ready to go when it’s time to start your journey. There are not few those who feel like giving up on their explorations or get cold feet before leaving due to the pressure and stress involved and the overwhelming number of tasks they need to carry out.
That being said, if you are determined to step out of your comfort zone and push through the fear and anxiety of embarking on such an exciting and daunting adventure, you’ll get the opportunity to experience new cultures, discover places and people that will change your view of the world and make wonderful memories that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.
But until you get there, here’s what you need to do.
Create an itinerary
The world is big and full of possibilities, but since you can’t visit it all, you’ll have to decide which destinations you’re going to include in your itinerary, based on your interests and preferences. This means you’ll have to start researching different countries and cities and what they have to offer. Think about what you want to get out of your trip and what you would like to experience.
Then you also have to look into more technical stuff like the visa and entry requirements in each of the countries you plan to visit or make a stop, or what vaccinations are required or recommended. It’s equally important to stay connected while traveling the world, so it’s necessary to research the availability of Wi-Fi in each destination or learn about the best sim card for Europe if you plan to visit the Old Continent.
Get all your documents in order
Papers first, travel later. That’s the exact order you need to follow. check to see if your ID, driver’s license and passport are still valid and put them in a safe place so they don’t get lost among all the other stuff you’re going to take with you.
The last thing you want to deal with is an expired ID or passport right before departure. In general, your passport needs to be valid for another six months from the date you plan to exit the country. However, if your world tour stretches for more than six months, you’ll have to make sure it’s going to be valid for the whole period you’ll be traveling so you won’t be forced to cut your trip short because of it.
Check your budget
You can daydream about exploring the world all day long, but if your finances don’t match your plans, it’s not going to be possible for you to put your globetrotting dreams into practice. Traveling the world doesn’t come cheap, no matter how good you are at budgeting.
But the amount of money you’ll need to shell out to go on such a venture largely depends on the duration of the trip, the places you’re going to visit, the activities you want to engage in while you’re there and your travel style. So, you’ll have to do a bit of math and look at how much money you have in your bank account and compare them with the travel expenses you’ll have to cover. This will help you gain a realistic picture of your possibilities and figure out where you can afford to go and how long you’ll be able to stay.
Make travel arrangements
Once you’ve decided where you want to go and what you want to do, it’s time to get your travel plans underway. First, you have to choose the means of transportation you’re going to use to get from one place to another and book tickets in advance so you can find the best deals on flights, car rentals, and so on.
Similarly, you need to research and review accommodation options in each location, looking closely at the amenities and services they offer and comparing rates before you book. There are many apps and online resources that can help you plan every phase of your adventure and make the whole process a lot smoother. You can also take advantage of services like Holafly USA to enjoy great connectivity during your trips and save money.
Get travel insurance
Hopefully, your world adventure will go without a hitch, but you can’t rely on hope and optimism alone to get you through tricky situations or help you overcome potential challenges. You have to be aware that a lot of things can go wrong while traveling the world: lost or stolen luggage, missed or canceled flights and emergency medical expenses are just some of the unforeseeable events that can occur during your trip.
That’s why travel insurance is a must. Travel insurance can protect you against a range of hazards and risks and help you recover your losses should things go awry. So, even if you have to add another expense to your list, you can’t really put a price tag on safety and peace of mind.
Traveling the world can be both unnerving and exhilarating, but it’s definitely an experience you won’t ever regret or forget. So, make sure you plan your trip thoroughly and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
