Some the hard way
Lessons learned
Here are the most important things I have learned whilst wandering through 20+ countries.
1. Always buy a new sim card that works in the country you are visiting.
If there is one thing that that is more important than the rest, it is buying a new sim card for your cell phone when you arrive in a new country. You no longer have to worry about getting lost, or having some ridiculous fee for calling your family back home. You will not regret it.
2. Walk, bike, or use public transit.
The best way to explore a new city is to take your time and walk the streets! My personal favorite is to bike through a larger city like Berlin or London and walk through smaller towns like Lauterbrunnen or flåm. You will start to notice details, and find small shops / restaurants that you would never find if you drove. This will also force you to embrace the culture instead of hiding in the bubble of a vehicle.
3. Adapt don't react.
You can't expect anything to be the same as it is back home, and you will cause yourself a fair bit of stress if you begin reacting to everything that isn't how you want it to be. Allow yourself to roll with the punches and adapt.
4. Learn a few phrases if you are going somewhere that doesn't speak your native tongue.
There's no need to be fluent, but knowing a few phrases will get you far. Locals tend to be much more friendly if you attempt to speak to them in their language. this will help you embrace the culture as well!
5. Always leave some room in your pack.
It is inevitable that you will bring something back with you, and if you are like me and travel with just a backpack you will need room for it. Not only that but for some reason my clothes expand throughout my trip and I can't quite get them to fit the same way they did at the start of the trip.
6. Carry some cash.
No matter what country you are in, carry some of the local currency. Cash allows you to take full advantage of all the spontaneity you can handle. Also, smaller towns and street vendors don't always take credit cards, and sometimes ATM's are hard to find.
7. Plan
Plan your trip! Even if you are only going for a day. I have quite a few stories about not making it to my final destination because of bus times or train times or assuming that everything is open on Sundays. You will be able to accomplish more if you plan ahead.
8. Limit your phone time
Travelling is about being in the moment. Don't let social media or email or something else distract you from staying present.
9. Bring a friend
Travelling alone has some benefits, but most of us are social creatures. The bigest difference I have found is that when you bring a friend you know you will have someone to keep you going!
10. Enjoy your time
The entire goal of traveling is to enjoy yourself. I have been on trips that have been terrible in the moment, but are actually kind of funny when you look back on them. No matter what happens, enjoy your travels!