While our checklist gives you a heads up of things you need to keep in mind when you have decided to book yourself a multi city tour, here is another list that aims to elaborate on what you must and mustn’t do, once you have already booked your ticket.
Do’s
As the date for your departure approaches, make sure that you remain relaxed. There is no need to get overwhelmed or nervous before a journey. Keep reminding yourself that you have everything in order and now you just need to enjoy the experience, because trust us, nothing will go wrong if you’re organised.
Speaking of being organised, remember that it is very important you keep the necessary print outs and photocopies of all your documents. Besides being able to provide them whenever necessary, you want to make sure that you always have a fall-back option just in case.
Often there are last minute changes to flights as a result of weather or another problem. Just check up on your schedule a few hours before you’re set to leave.
Run through where what is in your bags when on the way to the airport. In case you accidentally put something that needs to be checked in in your hang bag or vice versa then you can always remove it beforehand to avoid last minute delays. A checklist can prove very handy in this case.
We’re all aware that hunger and sleep deprivation can often make us restless and anxious. You may overreact in certain circumstances that just needed some amount of patience. It is important that you take care of your body to ensure peace of mind.
Don’ts
Pack Unnecessary Items
Only take the essentials, you’ll be happy to be free of the extra load once you’re on your way.
Get Easily Overwhelmed or Impatient
Usually, one harrowing or difficult experience can set us off on the wrong foot. Make sure you don’t get overly stressed or hassled. Take things in your stride and remain calm.
And here is an added bonus, read on for a few more tips to help you along your way
Opting for insurance does not mean that you have doubts about your trip, rather it helps to ensure that your investment is secured in case of an emergency. We cannot rule out the possibility of emergencies, but we can make our choices wisely, factoring in that they may arise.
Generally, the tickets being booked by our RTW experts include the cost for travel insurance but if you wish you can also discuss your preferences with your agent and get the right policy for you. Most insurance policies are design to include the following:
However, incidents such as a political crisis or civil unrest are not covered under travel insurance.
Surely, you have some idea of how much you would like to spend on your trip. Besides travel and accommodation, you also need to set aside a certain amount for other expenditures and some amount for emergencies. This needs to be divided in such a way that you have a daily limit, which will vary from place to place as a result of the general cost of living in different cities. Make sure you have a clear idea of how much you are spending and keep an account of your expenses so that you do not run out before your journey is over. It is normal to overshoot a small amount but that could end up being quite a large sum if you’re not careful.
Here are a few pointers to help you prepare the budget for your RTW trip:
To spend wisely, you may need to choose a certain experience over just your comfort. Sometimes a long train or bus journey is more of an invigorating experience than a flight. While your own bedroom and bathroom are often very important, some cities have beautiful hostels that will offer you much more than an isolated hotel room can, and they are much easier on the pocket. Trying the street food and recommended cafes is a great way to get the real taste of the place you’re in.
When you are constantly moving from place to place, you are exposed to different climatic conditions, topography and food, your immune system can become a little vulnerable. To truly enjoy the experience, you must be cautious about what you consume, how much you rest and also that you stay hydrated. When we say stay hydrated, we also mean that be careful about the water you drink, double check to ensure it is portable. Besides water, food is also a common cause for concern. If you have a sensitive stomach, choose eating joints with hygienic conditions.
You should also take the required vaccinations before you set out and keep a small first aid kit handy, it wouldn’t hurt to have some idea of what circumstances can cause certain illnesses. For example, when you suddenly find yourself at a high altitude, you may experience sickness or dizziness. This is not something to worry about and all you need to do is rest and give your body time to acclimatise. When in a humid tropical zone, you need to keep hydrated and also use insect repellents to keep the bugs away. Carrying out some research in advance will help you be aware of exactly what you need.
While food, water and rest help you stay healthy, another factor that can contribute to warding off any sickness is exercise. You may feel exhausted from the extensive travel but take some time out to stretch, jog or carry out a quick workout in your room. This will help prevent excess wear and tear of your muscles and also contribute to the recovery process from being constantly on the move.