Travel can be a scary thing. When you first put on those sunglasses and take off your hat, it can seem like the world is ending around you. Do you have no idea where you’re going and when will you ever see those amazing places again? That being said, taking the plunge and traveling is one of the best ways to get out there in the world. Whether you’re doing it for the adventure or just looking to meet other travelers, traveling is a great way to discover new destinations and cultures. That being said, not all travel is created equal.

From Day 1 to Day 5, there are always going to be some trip that doesn’t go as planned and isn’t worth your time or money.

Here are five top tips on getting yourself out there in the world of tourism that might just get you on that very first continent…

Plan your trip

First things first, make sure that you have all the facts and figures you need for your trip. This might seem obvious, but when you’re traveling you’ll never know until you’ve gone the extra mile to get everything you need. If you’re going on a business trip, make sure you have all the documents necessary for your travel.

If you’re traveling for eight months, you may only have your passport and credit cards! Think about those and plan out your trip.

There will definitely be times when you just want to sleep, or simply relax, and forget about everything that’s going on around you.

If you have a specific destination in mind, plan out your trip and get to know your host family and friends. You never know what might happen, so be careful how you word your expectations and directions!

Always be on time

There are many travelers who never make it to the city they’re visiting. Some may even say they’re “forever lost” because they never make it to their desired destination. That could be a huge mistake. While you’re in the middle of nowhere, you need to be on time for each and every task that comes your way.

It’s easy to get preoccupied with what’s happening in the world and ignore what’s happening in your own life. Make sure that you always have time for yourself and your family. When you have a family of your own, you need to take care of them. When you’re on your own, you’re vulnerable and unprotected.

You don’t know where or how anyone could hurt you. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have a solid plan for how you’re going to protect yourself and your family during your traveling.

Have a camera ready

You never know when or what might happen if you don’t have a camera ready. Most of the time, it will. At some point in your traveling, you’re going to have to take some pictures. Whether it’s your hometown, the city you’re visiting, or your vacation destination, you’re going to have to take some pictures.

Whether it’s of the local landmarks, your new house, or your wedding, you’re going to have to take some pictures. If you don’t have a camera ready, you’re going to end up with some really interesting pictures, but don’t get too excited.

There may be times when you’ve completely forgotten about taking pictures and want to start all over again, only to find out that the most amazing ones just might be in your future.

Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback

Traveling isn’t something you ever, ever want to do Alone. You need the feedback to help you improve and make your trip even more memorable. When you have a group of wonderful travelers around you, your self-esteem and travel energy will skyrocket.

You will feel so much more confident and ready for anything because everyone will know that you know what you’re doing. When you have that support network of friends, family, and peers around you, you’re more prepared for anything and you’re able to overcome any challenge head-on.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone going on a trip. Your travel is going to be amazing, but you need to be ready and ready to go. If you have a group of travel friends that you trust to help you on your trip, then put yourself in their shoes and ask them for feedback. You never know what might happen, so be careful how you word your expectations and directions!

Tell a little story and spread it around

Traveling is an amazing opportunity to tell your story. You are visiting a place that you have only heard about because it was mentioned in a story or article.

Some of the most incredible places in the world aren’t known to the general public, and that’s what makes them so fascinating. You might have no idea that you’re in one of these places, but you need to tell someone about it. It might be friends, it might be family, or it might be a business.

Whatever you do, don’t keep it to yourself. Share your experiences and spread those joys, so that the people listening to your stories will feel the same way you do.

Don’t be afraid to range from low-key to high-octane

Traveling is an exciting, diverse, and challenging experience. The more playful and light-hearted you are, the brighter your light shining in the world. As an international traveler, you need to be as funny and light-hearted as possible with your travel.

No one will mind if you go stilted or dour, or if you take a slow, deep, and quiet track, as long as you fit the bill as a “journey” buddy. All travel needs are some fun and some adventure.

Whether it’s walking in the forest with your canine companion, taking a very low-key, low-speed tour of a local city, or going for a short hop across the border, there’s nothing better than having your travel buddy, your travel partner, by your side.

Conclusion

Traveling can be exciting, but don’t forget that it’s also nerve-wracking. So, make sure that you are on time, have a good plan for your trip, and are prepared for anything. When you’re on that first continent, you’re going to meet some really interesting people and make some great new friends.

Travel is a great way to get out there in the world, and it’s never too early to start planning.