Before setting off on your adventure to exciting foreign lands, you will want to make some preparations to increase the chances of your trip going smoothly and to keep yourself safe.
One of the best ways of getting ready for your travels is to ask yourself some key questions, covering topics such as your financial arrangements and visa requirements for different countries.
What is the best way to prepare my finances?
If you are setting off on a trip that will take you to a range of countries using different currencies, you will want to think about financial arrangements before setting off.
According to advice website MoneySavingExpert, the cheapest way to spend abroad is by using the right credit card. Specialist cards for travel offer good exchange rates and can be used just for spending overseas. Making repayments in full each month will ensure that you do not pay any interest.
If you have a bad credit rating that prevents you from getting a credit card, you could opt for a prepaid travel card that can be pre-loaded with certain currencies before you set off.
Using debit cards to spend abroad can be highly expensive due to the charges that are imposed for overseas withdrawals and transactions.
Another option is simply to take cash, but this always brings the risk of loss or theft. Once you have reached your destination, only carry the cash you need and keep the rest in a safe place. It is also advisable to be vigilant about pickpockets in busy areas and popular tourist hotspots.
If you need someone at home to give your finances a boost while you are travelling, one of the easiest ways of doing this is through a currency transfer service. You can quickly transfer money to Australia, Canada, the US and other destinations at bank-beating exchange rates. Find out more here.
What documents do I need to enter different countries?
If your travels will be taking you to far-flung locales across the globe, you should make sure you are aware of visa requirements before leaving.
To visit Australia, one of the most popular travel hotspots in the Asia-Pacific region, you need a tourist visa if you are staying for less than three months. You can also apply for a working holiday or visitor visa allowing you to remain in the country for up to a year.
Visas are also required for trips to destinations such as China, Cambodia and Vietnam, although places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan allow short stays without visa approval.
New Zealand offers visa-free stays of up to six months to British passport holders who can provide evidence of the right to reside permanently in the UK.
Britons heading to the US do not need a visa if they are staying for fewer than 90 days, but you will need to gain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation before entering the country.
How do I make the most of my time?
If you are visiting several different countries during your trip, you will want to make the most of your time in each destination.
Travel website Don’t Ever Look Back gathered together various pieces of round-the-world trip advice from experienced explorers and bloggers, one of whom, from the Edventure Project, recommended slowing down and taking your time.
Allow yourself to relax and enjoy the experience, and don’t panic too much about sticking to itineraries or sightseeing checklists.
Another suggestion, from I Should Log Off, is to come up with your own ideas of what you would like to see and do. Travel guides can be helpful, but you will get much more enjoyment out of your trip if you pursue your own tastes and interests rather than sticking to recommendations from a book.