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Go Backpacking

Round the World Travel Guide

Top 10 Travel Tips (circa 1999)

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I first shared my Top 10 Travel Tips on the World Wide Web in 1999 after having spent the prior Summer in Europe. Some of the advice I had read beforehand (thanks Rough Guides First-Time Europe), and the rest was based on my experience (in some cases having not done what I'm suggesting below).

Nine years later, I still aim to remember these concepts while traveling (please take the exact wording with a grain of youthful salt)…

1. Positive Attitude – No matter what happens on your trip, it is your story to tell. Don't let bad incidents ruin your whole experience. Don't let others bring you down. You worked hard to get to this point, and you deserve to enjoy it.

2. Patience – You will not make every train, bus, ferry, and airplane. Instead of getting angry, take the time to explore your surroundings, get a cup of European coffee. You will have to wait, but at least you are waiting in some exotic country!

3. Pack Light – Make sure your pack can fit on the plane as carry on luggage. If it is too big, take things out. Never take clothing to Europe that you wouldn't be willing to throw out along the way (ex: bring old clothes).

4. Talk to People – Start talking to strangers on the plane trip, and don't stop till you are home again. You will be very lonely if you do not allow yourself the chance to meet new people. You especially need to do this if you are traveling with a friend.

5. Keep a Journal – You will learn a lot about yourself on this journey. Document what you see and who you meet. Make writing in it a habit from the first day, and don't be lazy. You will appreciate your efforts in ten or twenty years.

6. Take Pictures – Bring home the proof that you went cliff diving. No matter what kind of photographer you are, pictures you take mean a lot more than postcards and books. And take more pictures of people rather than objects. Or combine them.

7. Be Flexible – No matter how long you are gone, and what you see, there will always be new places to go. Allow room in your schedule to follow up on travel leads gained on the road.

8. Be Independent – If you think you are unable to go to Europe alone, GO! If you are traveling with a friend, do things by yourself too. Time apart will reduce stress in the relationship and open you up to the people around you.

9. Be Confident – Always maintain confidence in your ability to get from one place to another, whether across the continent or the city. Even if you don't know what you are doing, confidence can cover this up. You will appear strong and driven. Note, this is a great way to deter thieves.

10. Be Yourself – You will meet a lot of people on your trip. Be yourself, and allow them to enjoy the company of a great guy/girl.

Do you have a travel philosophy not listed here? If so, please share for the benefit of all!

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About Dave

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking. For more of his adventures, follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

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Comments

  1. Geedos says

    June 18, 2007 at 3:55 am

    Great list – here’s a few more for you:

    Enjoy yourself! There’s not too many opportunities in life for you to be free of everyday responsibility and work. Enjoy waking up with the toughest decisions being what to do today and where to head to next.

    Ride the train. Locals take the train wherever you are in the world. It’s a great way of gaining an insight into a foreign culture and experiencing everyday life in a strange country.

    Spread your cash around. Don’t keep all your money on you in the same place. Keep some in your bag, keep some in your wallet and keep some hidden in a moneybelt. That way if you have your bag stolen or get mugged you are less likely to loose everything.

    Show some respect for the locals. Keep in mind you are a visitor in their country, and so you should make an effort to speak the language and follow the customs no matter how strange they are compared to what you’re used to. After all, you went away to experience something new – embrace it!

  2. Geedos says

    June 18, 2007 at 7:55 am

    Great list – here’s a few more for you:

    Enjoy yourself! There’s not too many opportunities in life for you to be free of everyday responsibility and work. Enjoy waking up with the toughest decisions being what to do today and where to head to next.

    Ride the train. Locals take the train wherever you are in the world. It’s a great way of gaining an insight into a foreign culture and experiencing everyday life in a strange country.

    Spread your cash around. Don’t keep all your money on you in the same place. Keep some in your bag, keep some in your wallet and keep some hidden in a moneybelt. That way if you have your bag stolen or get mugged you are less likely to loose everything.

    Show some respect for the locals. Keep in mind you are a visitor in their country, and so you should make an effort to speak the language and follow the customs no matter how strange they are compared to what you’re used to. After all, you went away to experience something new – embrace it!

  5. Mike says

    June 18, 2007 at 2:20 pm

    Great tips, Dave. I think #1 and #2 are spot-on. Like most prolific travelers, my girlfriend and I have had our fair share of mishaps while traveling. When I start to get frustrated/scared/etc. with a given situation, I calm down and think “This’ll make a great story when we get back.” And suddenly, it’s not all that bad.

  6. Mike says

    June 18, 2007 at 10:20 am

    Great tips, Dave. I think #1 and #2 are spot-on. Like most prolific travelers, my girlfriend and I have had our fair share of mishaps while traveling. When I start to get frustrated/scared/etc. with a given situation, I calm down and think “This’ll make a great story when we get back.” And suddenly, it’s not all that bad.

  7. Stacy says

    June 18, 2007 at 2:22 pm

    Great tips, Dave, and timeless. Common sense, but things we need to be reminded of. I also like the tips Geedo added.

    I’m shy about your #4, and I always regret it. I enjoy meeting people and talking to them, but I’m bad about making the first move. I try to be approachable by making eye contact and smiling and I’ll make a light comment about something that just happened, but I’m bad about introducing myself and asking questions (unless it’s for directions). I’m going to Guatemala this summer with one of my sons, and I plan to go out of my way to meet people. No regrets.

    • Dave says

      June 19, 2007 at 1:22 am

      Stacy –

      #4 is tough for me, not so much with other travelers as with the locals. It’s part of why I’m so excited about CouchSurfing – I can get to know locals in a more natural (for me) way then striking up random conversations with people in the streets or buses/trains/boats.

      I look forward to reading about your Summer trip. Thanks for Stumbling Upon this post – it lead to my highest 1-day traffic total ever! :)

  8. Stacy says

    June 18, 2007 at 10:22 am

    Great tips, Dave, and timeless. Common sense, but things we need to be reminded of. I also like the tips Geedo added.

    I’m shy about your #4, and I always regret it. I enjoy meeting people and talking to them, but I’m bad about making the first move. I try to be approachable by making eye contact and smiling and I’ll make a light comment about something that just happened, but I’m bad about introducing myself and asking questions (unless it’s for directions). I’m going to Guatemala this summer with one of my sons, and I plan to go out of my way to meet people. No regrets.

    • Dave says

      June 18, 2007 at 9:22 pm

      Stacy –

      #4 is tough for me, not so much with other travelers as with the locals. It’s part of why I’m so excited about CouchSurfing – I can get to know locals in a more natural (for me) way then striking up random conversations with people in the streets or buses/trains/boats.

      I look forward to reading about your Summer trip. Thanks for Stumbling Upon this post – it lead to my highest 1-day traffic total ever! :)

  9. Stacy says

    June 19, 2007 at 2:08 pm

    Hi Dave, it’s the locals I have a hard time approaching, too. Couchsurfing would be a more natural way to meet people who live in other countries. You will have some great stories about your experiences.

    I’m glad you the stumble gave you some exposure! I’ve gotten into the habit of stumbling the articles I like as soon as I read them. I know when Nathan stumbled one of mine, I was amazed at the traffic it drove to my site.

  10. Stacy says

    June 19, 2007 at 10:08 am

    Hi Dave, it’s the locals I have a hard time approaching, too. Couchsurfing would be a more natural way to meet people who live in other countries. You will have some great stories about your experiences.

    I’m glad you the stumble gave you some exposure! I’ve gotten into the habit of stumbling the articles I like as soon as I read them. I know when Nathan stumbled one of mine, I was amazed at the traffic it drove to my site.

  13. The Dino says

    July 8, 2007 at 4:28 pm

    Also good thing is being on time. Otherwise you miss plane and all others are usless :)

  14. The Dino says

    July 8, 2007 at 11:28 am

    Also good thing is being on time. Otherwise you miss plane and all others are usless :)

  15. Hotell Web says

    September 11, 2007 at 12:15 pm

    Sometimes, bad experiences can ruin your entire trip. I remember once some family friends came to visit us, and they missed their flight back because they completely forgot the day they had to return back! (which was actually careless on their part) But it was a big blow for them when they realized what had happened. No matter how much they enjoyed their whole vacations, this was something they would never forget.

  16. Hotell Web says

    September 11, 2007 at 7:15 am

    Sometimes, bad experiences can ruin your entire trip. I remember once some family friends came to visit us, and they missed their flight back because they completely forgot the day they had to return back! (which was actually careless on their part) But it was a big blow for them when they realized what had happened. No matter how much they enjoyed their whole vacations, this was something they would never forget.

  17. Travelhouseuk says

    May 8, 2008 at 10:33 am

    Nice tips in all ways,it will make your travel experience extremely enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommendable tips :grin: !

  18. Travelhouseuk says

    May 8, 2008 at 5:33 am

    Nice tips in all ways,it will make your travel experience extremely enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommendable tips :grin: !

  21. Jagad Guru says

    September 24, 2008 at 9:08 am

    I’ve found #4 to be a bit difficult also. Not so much because I’m shy, but also sometimes the locals seem hesitant or even scared to talk to a foreigner.

  22. Jagad Guru says

    September 24, 2008 at 4:08 am

    I’ve found #4 to be a bit difficult also. Not so much because I’m shy, but also sometimes the locals seem hesitant or even scared to talk to a foreigner.