Visiting a new country is, in my opinion, both the most exciting and amazingly nerve-wracking thing you can do when travelling!

Nothing beats the emotion of diving into a new environment and discovering a new culture and way of living, even if the nervousness of facing the unknown can sometimes be strong. 

The best thing is to always be prepared. With that in mind, here are 10 quick tips every traveller should know and follow when visiting a new country for the first time!

#1 Check for important travel requirements

First things first, make sure you’re all set to travel. We’re talking not only up-to-date passports and documents, but also visas and vaccines. 

Make sure you’re aware of all the requirements before booking anything, and give yourself enough time to get through approvals and paperwork. One of my trips to Africa required me to have a special visa, three vaccines and a negative tuberculosis test, all of which took a good 4-5 months to get ready! 

#2 Plan your budget

Travelling can get expensive fast, especially in a new country with an unfamiliar currency. Give yourself a maximum spending limit, and plan as many of your stays and activities ahead. 

The more you anticipate expenses, the more manageable they will be!

#3 Make sure you can access your money

Since we’re on the topic of money, make sure you can safely and easily pick up cash or use your cards when abroad. Check if there are any ATM’s available in the vicinity, and don’t forget to also do some research on exchange rates and the value of the local currency!

#4 Travel at the best possible time

Does the country you’re visiting celebrate any special holidays or festivities? 

• They can be an amazing opportunity to explore another side of the local culture, with unique food, traditions and music! 

• Or they can be an expensive nightmare, during which the cities are overcrowded, housing prices skyrocket and sights are closed. 

Do your homework and travel at the best time possible! 

#5 Careful with the weather!

While you’re busy checking for local celebrations, take a look at the weather forecast. Any heat waves or storms on the way? 

Try to plan your trip so it coincides with the best weather you can get. It might sound obvious, but it’s something that tricks even the most expert travelers!

#6 Don’t limit your visit to the tourist hotspots

In our experience, the best places are often the ones the tourists don’t know about. 

Of course, there are some classics that can’t be missed (you’re not going to visit Rome and skip the Colosseum), but going off the beaten path and exploring some local hotspots might be the most fun thing you’ll do during your trip. 

#7 Dive into the local culture

While it might be intimidating at first, let yourself go and take in the local culture! 

Interact with people, learn about the customs and stories of the place, take in the history. Those will be some of the best memories of your trip!

#8 Try the local food

Food is an incredibly important part of a country’s culture, and I find it painful to visit a new location and see tourists piled up inside McDonald’s and Starbucks!

Forget the fast-food chains, stay away from the overpriced tourist traps and discover the local cuisine, you won’t regret it! 

#9 Learn a few of the local words

Let’s be honest, no one expects you to learn an entire language every time you visit another country. 

However, learning at least a few basic words can enhance your experience so much! The locals will love it, it will make communication easier, and it might save you some annoyances.

#10 Allow yourself to get lost

Don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path!

The thing we enjoy the most when visiting a new location is allowing ourselves a couple of days to lose ourselves. Google maps gets turned off, we pick a direction, and just walk. Enjoy the place like a local and you’ll experience your destination in a completely new way!

This is the way we’ve had some of our best experiences and have discovered some of our favourite locations!

So, these are our 10 tips for making the most out of your first travel to a new destination! 

Follow these tips and to make the most out of your adventures, and we’ll see you on the road!