Travelling abroad is both exciting, and can also be very stressful. There is so much to organise and so many different things that could potentially go wrong.
One way of making sure that your travel is as stress-free as possible is to plan ahead. I know that if I spend the time planning my trip, I find it much easier to enjoy everything whilst I’m travelling.
I wanted to share with you my top tips for planning ahead so that your travelling is as smooth and relaxing as it can possibly be and make the travelling experience enjoyable.
1. Treat yourself to a Taxi to the Airport
I don’t do this every time, but sometimes the cost of the airport taxi is as affordable as the train or bus ticket that I’d need to purchase. Taking a taxi to the airport can be especially cost effective when you are travelling in a small group (or even as a couple).
Driving yourself to the airport can be an added stress, as you have to worry about the route you are taking and where you are parking. Taking public transport to the airport is equally stressful as you will have to think about delays and manage your luggage in a crowded bus or train carriage.
2. Research local restaurants
There is nothing worse than walking around a new town looking for a place to eat, when you’ve just arrived, and you are probably feeling very hungry.
This is why I like to research the best restaurants and pubs in the area in advance and book online when I can. If you are travelling this year to Abu Dhabi you can research and book your local restaurant directly via Square Meal UAE which helpfully lists all the types of cuisine and restaurants you might like to visit together with ratings and local reviews.
You can also check out the restaurants menu when booking online and save time when you arrive at the restaurant later.
Finding hidden local gems and eating like locals, is what makes travelling truly special.
3. Check hotel reviews online
Whilst sightseeing is my main focus when I’m travelling; I do like to make sure that I’m staying in a good quality hotel or self-catering accommodation.
It doesn’t have to be 5-star luxury, because I do like to keep my travelling budget fairly frugal, but I don’t want to face any surprises on the arrival. This is why I always check the hotel reviews before I book.
Everyone will have different priorities, but whilst I like to stay on budget I also want to make sure that the hotel is reasonably quiet, in a good location and offers good breakfast in the morning.
Even if you plan on spending a lot of your time away from your hotel room, the living accommodations will have a significant impact on your stay, so choose it wisely.
4. Don’t miss the top local Attractions
Every place offers something different that you probably won’t find anywhere else and it would be a shame to miss it. It could be a local museum focusing on history, a small ZOO with rare animals or an interactive art gallery.
Whilst I like to explore the town without reading too much about it, in a sort of organic way, over the years I found that it’s actually quite good to find out about the top 10 visited places in a particular area to make sure I don’t miss anything.
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