Travel tips

 Preparation is half the battle, my friends.  Of the pair of us, I am the “planner”, while Yassine is the spontaneous free spirit.  One of them is far more fun and “sexy”, but trust me, you need BOTH of us!!   That all being said, these are things everyone should do to make their trip as fail proof as possible.

• Check visa requirements

• Place a travel alert on all cards

• Download an offline map via google for your destination

• Understand the local currency.  Is this a cash country or are cards ok?

• If you’re travelling to a foreign country, spend some time learning a few useful phrases, “please”, “thank you”, “do you speak English?” “where is the bathroom?”, “another glass of wine, please”. Be a contributing member of this earth, ok?

• Load up Kindle, tablet etc with pre-flight entertainment.

• Email your itinerary, photo copy of passport to trusted friends/family as a back up.

• Register with ______ 

• Add travelers insurance if you’re not covered with your own plan. You can get it as low as $30, which is low for piece of mind.

• Where is US consulate, emergency number for country

• Check CDC for recommended vaccines

• Use an itinerary consolidator that will keep everything together – hotels, flights, cars. We use Tripit, which can be shared with your companions

• Familiarize yourself with the culture you’re about to descend on.  My mind goes to Morocco…ditch the short shorts ladies, respect the people who are hosting you, this is not the time rebelliously express your “individuality”.  On that note, don’t overthink it.  

• Understand the cab/uber situation before you go.  Don’t get to reliant on comforts you have here.

Once there:

• Get a local SIM card and a data plan.  Trust me, your measly international data plan is for nothing and all of that internetting will ring up a hefty bill.

• Use the ATM…currency exchange will cost you more than the ATM fee.  If you have a clear budget, you can get it all in one fell swoop.