A 5-Step Travel Guide on Making Traveling More Enjoyable

Just because you've booked a fabulous vacation to an exotic destination doesn't mean it will be perfect. There is a lot that can go wrong and spoil your hard-earned getaway. Developing the itinerary, not feeling prepared, and navigating unfamiliar experiences are just some of the things that can stress people out.

To make travel more enjoyable, we've come up with a 5-step guide for anyone about to embark on an exciting travel adventure.

Step One: Do Your Research

When planning your next trip, you will most likely be knee-deep in questions. What will the weather be like? Will people speak English? What kind of clothing is appropriate to wear? Are there any local customs I should be aware of?

There is a lot of information to discover before you step foot on a plane. The answers you need are out there; you just need to know where to look.

Take advantage of the many sources of information. For example:

Read a good book to learn about your destination's history, culture and people

Read local news stories

Watch documentaries

Visit online forums and chat with people who have been where you're going

Listen to podcasts

Read magazine articles

Email travel bloggers

The research will provide you with a good foundation, and your travel experience will be more fulfilling if you already know some details. But don't worry, the destination will still surprise you as there will always be plenty to learn and discover when you’re there.

Step Two: Choose Your Travel Companions Wisely

If you are not going on a solo adventure, pick friends who you know you're going to get along with. As Mark Twain put it, "I have found out that there ain't any surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them."

It's not enough to travel with your best friend or your closest work colleague. It would be best to evaluate whether they have what it takes to be a good travel companion. Therefore, consider the following criteria:

Have they traveled a lot?

Do they share the same travel interests as you?

Do you like similar activities?

Are there stark differences in your dietary requirements? A committed vegan will want to eat in different places from a carnivore.

Do your personalities gel?

Step Three: Don't over plan

As much as the planning process is essential, don't over plan. Trying to cram everything in at once will only succeed in stressing you out, especially if there are delays and cancellations. This is the complete opposite of what you want to be on your vacation. 

Also, if you have every last detail plotted out, you leave little room for surprises. Give yourself time to explore your surroundings at a leisurely pace, allowing room for spontaneity. Create a loose itinerary and be flexible and open to changing your plans during your trip.

Step Four: Learn a Few Foreign Words and Phrases

You don't have to be fluent in several languages to get the most out of your time in foreign countries. However, it will help you to have a few common words and phrases up your sleeve such as "please", "thank you," "can you tell me the way to....", and "sorry". Speaking slower and raising your voice will not help a Spanish market stallholder understand your English. 

Although people in many parts of the world can speak English or have a good working knowledge of the language, locals will see you as being courteous and respectful when trying to converse in their native tongue.

Yes, it can be frustrating not being able to communicate while traveling, but that's your problem, not anyone else's. In addition to memorizing a few words, bring a pocket phrasebook with you, use images on your phone and Google Translate.

Step Five: Avoid Taking Too Many Photographs

Your vacation is in a gorgeous and fascinating part of the world brimming with snapworthy scenery. So out comes the camera or cell phone to record everything with endless photos and videos. We all want to capture the moment, such as a beautiful sunset, the ruins of a medieval castle set against a mountainous backdrop or a meal in an outstanding restaurant.  

However, when you're fumbling for your device, checking the lighting, framing the shot, and then retaking it to get the "right" picture, you're not actually fully present. You miss a lot when you're just looking at the world through your phone. In any case, most of the time, a photo is never as good as reality. 

For maximum enjoyment, dial down the number of photos you take and spend more time living in the moment, just enjoying the views, the company of your travel companions, and the experiences.