With many teens already planning their summer travels, we’d like to share our top tips on how to have a fun, safe, and successful summer abroad. No matter where in the world you are going, from Australia to Wyoming, these tips will be sure to get you through your summer of global adventures without a hitch.
1. Keep Your Glass Half Full
We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again (and again…and again)…drinking enough water throughout your travels is important to staying healthy. As mentioned in how to survive international flights, it’s best to start your trip on the right foot by staying hydrated during your flights. This will ensure that you don’t arrive at your destination feeling anymore “meh” than necessary (let’s be honest – jet-lag is enough to deal with upon arrival).
It is also the summer in many destinations, so hot weather means that you need to drink even more water than you might usually drink at home. So make sure that you remember your water bottle when you go on your hike through the Cinque Terre!
2. Wear Sunscreen
This goes hand-in-hand with drinking enough water and is an absolute must. Even when it’s cloudy out the sun can still be super strong. An extra sunny day in Scotland or Ireland can still leave you sunburned! Find a sunscreen that you like before your trip and that works well with your skin type (doesn’t make you break out).
If you like your sunscreen, then you are more likely to want to wear it! Remember to not only apply in the morning but also bring it with you to reapply throughout the day, especially for those beach days on the French Riviera.
3. Happy Feet, Happy Traveler
Travel is all about being on the move, whether on planes, trains, or with your own two feet! Make sure that you wear the footwear that you plan to bring with you before you leave for your trip. There is nothing worse than buying a brand new awesome pair of trail runners for hiking Machu Picchu and then realizing that they kinda sorta maybe hurt your feet.
For hotter weather, sandals can be awesome but make sure that you can put some miles on them. We walk a LOT, so it is up to you to decide which shoes will last the longest while taking you the farthest on your trip.
4. Welcome Change
This is absolutely essential for staying prepared for anything that comes your way, not only while traveling but also in all other aspects of your life. Traveling is an organic process; we cannot predict everything that might happen on a trip, no matter how prepared we think we might be.
Weather changes, the French love to strike, trains arrive late, and major sporting events happen. And that’s all a part of the fun! Welcome unexpected changes and the improvisations that follow.
Cultural Awareness
Just like the ability to adapt to unexpected changes, it is just as important to be aware of the cultures of the countries that you travel to. This way you won’t be totally off guard when the people around you at a Chinese restaurant loudly burp after a meal in order to show their satisfaction with the meal or when a South African calls you “my bru” (my friend) and invites you to a “braai” (barbecue).
When you are open to learning about the culture of a place, you will have friends no matter where your travels take you.