20 Tips before Traveling Abroad

Are you planning to go to the other side of the world? Since you can never be too careful, here are 20 tips before going on a trip abroad!

Our advice before leaving: 

1. We prepare our suitcase in advance ! Tidying up your things at the last minute is the guarantee of forgetting something important at home. This is an important step, reserve the necessary time for it. 
2. We take stock with his telephone operator . What type of package do you have? If in Europe, the borders of 4G have fallen, this is not the case everywhere. Depending on your destination and the length of your trip, you may want to opt for a special package. 
3. We leave with full pockets . Even if you plan to withdraw cash on the spot, it is safer to leave with a small envelope of local currency. 
4. We think of taking a credit card or visa in addition . The glitches don’t only happen to others … A backpack forgotten in a train station, a pick-pocketing … Without your credit card, the rest of the trip can become more complicated. Some banks may provide you with two cards, one that you will leave to sleep at the hotel. 
5. Duplicate identity papers are photocopied . We photocopy passport and identity document and send them to each other by email. In case ! If you ever find yourself without a passport, you will need these documents for the police and the embassy.
6. We do not ignore the international adapter. Since electrical outlets are not the same everywhere, it is better to plan ahead. We recommend that you take several: phone, camera, tablet … At the end of the day, you will need to recharge the batteries. Did you completely forget to take it? Some hotels lend it, fingers crossed! 
7. We take a picture of his suitcase. The advice may seem preposterous but if one of your luggage gets lost, you will be asked for some details to be able to recover it. The more precise you are, the faster you can find your things. This is usually the moment when we completely forget what color and brand our suitcase was, a little photo and voila! 
8. We take stock of vaccines. Do you need to be vaccinated to go to Thailand? Should I protect myself against yellow fever? Depending on the destination, it is in your interest to do a little pre-departure assessment. We recommend two very useful sites: Vaccinations info service and the site of the Institut Pasteur de Lille which has a search engine and a wealth of advice sheets.
9. We choose a credit card free of charge abroad. Some dematerialized banks (like Revolut, N26) offer to make cheaper international transfers, to considerably reduce withdrawal fees or even to pay free of charge in foreign currencies. If you are going for a long time, it may be worth it, find out well beforehand! In any case, avoid exchange offices, which are generally very unprofitable. 
10.  We keep the essentials with us . A suitcase is quickly lost … and it can take several days to find its way back. Be careful and take what you need in your hand luggage: a change of underwear, your toothbrush, your medicines…

Our advice on site: 

1. We report to the embassy. If you are going to a risk area, it may be prudent to report your presence to the French Embassy. If you are traveling for less than 6 months, you can also register on Ariane. A site that will send you information in real time if the situation in the country changes and will warn those around you in the event of danger. In all cases, follow the safety instructions. In case of doubt or to inform yourself regularly, do not hesitate to consult the government site . 
2.  We prepare his excursions . We walk around with our hands in our pockets, but they are full. If you are going on an adventure, do not forget to take local currency with you (your credit card may not be accepted), a map or guide, a flask filled with drinking water, your medicines, some bandages. .. and a portable battery. And if you go on a hike, remember to tell those around you about your route.
3. You don’t overfill your agenda. Abroad, we tend to want to see everything, do everything, know everything. However, the most beautiful encounters are often those that we do not foresee. Show spontaneity! Take an unexpected bus, walk into a random restaurant or shop, ask a stranger for advice … 
4. We mix things up. When traveling as a couple or in duo, we tend to each pack their own bags. However, some savvy travelers advise to mix things up, so that if one loses their suitcase, they still have some emergency clothes! 
5. We reserve online . Some attractions, restaurants or museums are literally taken by storm. Rather than being left with your spout in the water on D-Day, remember to book in advance, by phone or online. In France, this is particularly the case with the Louvre, which now only accepts reservations on its website.
6. We consult the agenda of the city or region where we are staying. Ceremonies, festivals, parties … You would be wrong to miss out on a sausage festival or a folk dance festival. 
7. We are thinking of downloading useful apps. Citymapper, Lyft, Grab … Some applications can be very practical for getting around. 
8. We avoid charging for nothing … with material memories. Leave the seashells near their natural habitat and the corals at the bottom of the oceans. Forget the fridge magnets made more than 3000 km from the place visited. 
9. We opt for guided tours. This is undoubtedly the best way to really get to know the place you are visiting. As professionals, guides have access to certain places that you might not be able to go as a free visitor. Take the opportunity to ask any questions that itch you.
10. We remain optimistic! Has your plane been delayed, you’ve lost your wallet, and your friend is stuck in the bathroom with indigestion? The pips are an integral part of the trip, and if at the moment you boil inside, know that they will make very good anecdotes when you return. Don’t let the little inconveniences of life ruin your stay!