1. Make Friends (And Save Money) By Staying in a Hostel

If you are a young solo traveler, staying in a hotel can get lonely. Meet fellow travelers at youth hostels, which offer cheap accommodation in private or dorm rooms. The quality of the rooms or amenities may not match a 5-star resort, but many hostels have communal areas or activities where travelers can mingle and enjoy a drink. 

Hostels are (usually) not available for travelers over the age of 50, but solo travelers can meet people through a variety of websites or apps

2. Check The Dates Of Your Trip For Public Holidays

Different countries have different religions and holidays that may affect your travel plans. In some cases, the rates for accommodation may be higher, or hotels will book up fast. Other holidays may affect the hours of popular tourist sites or local businesses. In some countries, religious holidays may affect the sale of alcohol. On the other hand, visiting a country or city while they celebrate a big holiday can be very enriching and make your trip more special. Plan your trip accordingly, and know what to expect when you arrive during a holiday season.

3. Read Blogs or Visit Social Media For Inspiration

If you pop your destination into Google, you may find a handful of the same restaurants, sites, and hotels in the first page of results. Dig a little deeper and get recommendations from Bloglovin or other blogging platforms. Bloggers, especially bloggers with smaller followings, are more likely to give accurate and authentic information about what it is like to travel; if they are paid by a tour or company to promote their product, they should disclose that information throughout their blog posts. 

4. Know the Weather and Culture of Your Destination Before Packing

In order to properly pack for your destination, do some research about your destination and your itinerary. Check how hot, and also how humid, the weather will be during your trip. If you are traveling during a “rainy season,” you will want to pack more breathable clothes and waterproof shoes. If you are packing for colder weather, you will have to pack layers.

5. Choose Luggage That You Recognize 

A square black suitcase can be hard to find at baggage claim, and harder to identify if your luggage gets lost. Bring a unique suitcase or backpack with bright colors or patterns. Take a picture of your suitcase before you check it, just in case it gets lost. If you do need to pack a more common suitcase, add a bright luggage tag or tie a ribbon around the handle to easily identify the bag. 

6. Learn a Few Local Phrases 

If English is your native language, you may not have a lot of trouble navigating big cities or popular tourist destinations. Learning a few phrases, like “thank you” or other greetings, will show that you are making an effort to respect the local culture. Learn how to pronounce the name of the street where you will be staying if you need to hop into a taxi outside of the airport or at the end of the day. 

7. Avoid Jet Lag While Flying

If you are traveling across multiple time zones, you may spend the first few days of your trip with “jet lag.” Jet lag can cause serious fatigue, headaches, or stomach problems. In order to overcome jet lag, you must prepare your body a few days in advance for the time zone change. Travelers heading east should sleep and wake up earlier than normal; travelers heading west should do the opposite. Taking naps during your destination’s nighttime will also help to prepare your body before you hop on a plane. When you fly, bring a sleep mask and earplugs so you can sleep comfortably if you are flying during your destination’s night. (A sleep mask and earplugs are also worth packing if you are just going on a road trip.) Keep yourself hydrated on the flight. Drinking alcohol or caffeine will make your jet lag worse. 

If your trip is only a few days long, take naps during the day to prevent jet lag when you go home. If you are traveling long-term, take it easy the first few days of travel to account for possible jet lag symptoms. Spending an extra day or two by the pool relaxing will help you get over jet lag faster, and give you energy for the rest of your trip.

8. Purchase Insurance 

Whether you are traveling within your own country or internationally, travel insurance will give you peace of mind in case of any emergency. Travel insurance may cover cancelled flights, lost luggage, or medical expenses during your trip. Before you purchase insurance from a third party, talk to your current health insurance provider, and check on the warranties and insurance policies of your electronics. Knowing what is covered without travel insurance will save you money when you are picking a policy.

9. Volunteer While Traveling – With Sustainable, Ethical Organizations

If you are looking at a volunteer program that requires you to pay big bucks for accommodation and food expenses, be cautious. Conduct thorough research and read reviews of the program. Volunteer work and exchanges can be done without shelling out big bucks. Other volunteer programs do not have a sustainable, positive impact. 

10. Know That Not Everything Goes As Planned

Even if you have your itinerary and budget planned to the last minute, you may have to improvise on the spot. Flights could be delayed, weather could cancel your cruise, or your accommodation may not be as glamorous and relaxing as you think. No matter what happens, remember to relax and have a good attitude. These surprises may end up making your trip more memorable, in a positive way! Be open to itinerary changes and delays. When you have to find a last-minute restaurant or make up plans on the spot, you may end up with a more enriching experience.

Taken from: https://www.your-rv-lifestyle.com/travel-tips.html