Essential Preparations for an Amazing Trip

Dreaming is free, and as Rober learned during his Erasmus in Italy: “tutto quello che é gratis é buono.” Yet, dreaming can also be comfortable; when you idealize something, you create a comfort zone where excuses can easily arise: “It would be great, but…”, “I would love to, only if…”

Then comes the day when the stars align, Uranus is in conjunction with Venus, and even though your favorite TV show is still on and chips are still fattening, you couldn’t care less because your dream is no longer just an illusion. It stops being a desire and becomes a reality. The airplane ticket you’ve longed to hold in your hands… well, it’s not quite there yet, but it’s in your inbox, right before your eyes!

The longest journey begins with a single step, as Lao Tzu said. This moment is YOUR step. The feeling of happiness is immense; what you wished for is finally yours!

But suddenly, TA-DA! How do you organize a trip like this? Where do I begin? How much money do I need? Do I need to get vaccinated? Oh no, I need to renew my passport! What about travel insurance? And my work? My clothes? My home? My dog?!

• STEP ONE: Don’t panic! Remember, you are fulfilling a dream; enjoy the journey and don’t lose your excitement.
• STEP TWO: Get informed! It’s not about studying every detail or planning a year-long trip day by day, but the digital world is filled with information and travelers who, like you, once faced the scientifically recognized panic attack known as “oh no, now what? I could have gone to an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana to drink coco loco all day and dance salsa and bachata!”

Feeling calmer now? Good, because you have more to read. Here comes our travel preparation guide, divided into four sections to make it easier: HEALTH, MONEY, LUGGAGE, and FREQUENT QUESTIONS.

If you’re looking for information to prepare and organize a trip for a few weeks, a month, several months, or even a sabbatical year, you’ve come to the right place!

How to prepare for an amazing trip

Health considerations for your journey

First and foremost, prevention is better than cure. Staying informed can help you avoid unnecessary scares. In this section, we will discuss the necessary vaccinations for traveling to Southeast Asia (or any other part of the world) and everything related to health preparation for a great trip.

Before setting off, especially if you plan to be away from home for an extended period, it’s essential to secure a good TRAVEL INSURANCE. We’ll share key points to consider when choosing the travel insurance that best meets your needs.

→ Health information for preparing a great trip

Financial planning for your trip

Another significant concern when planning a long trip is money: How much do I need? How can I save? And once I’ve managed to save some funds… how do I access them during the trip?

HERE you can check what we spent during our previous 9-month trip to Asia!

→ How to manage money abroad

Packing tips for long journeys

One of every backpacker’s nightmares is making a list of essential items for their backpack. Deciding what to leave behind can sometimes be difficult, yet it’s necessary if we want to simplify our luggage and keep the backpack as light as possible. Here are some tips on what you should and shouldn’t take with you on your trip.

• Essentials: Always pack a first-aid kit, important documents, and necessary medications.
• Clothing: Choose versatile outfits that you can mix and match to save space.
• Electronics: Bring only what you need, such as a smartphone and a portable charger.
• Personal items: Limit cosmetics to travel-sized containers.
• Don’t overload: Remember, you can always buy items on the road if necessary.

→ How to prepare your backpack for a long trip

FAQs: Common questions before your trip

As the departure date approaches and you think everything is under control, a multitude of doubts and questions inevitably arise, causing anxiety! Here, we compile some of the most common questions that travelers encounter; let’s see if you have them too!

→ Main questions before starting a big journey

Now, let’s go! Tell us if our travel preparation guide has been helpful 🙂

Here are some tips to help you save money during your travels:

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