5 Essential travel tips for your next escapade

Traveling in the Philippines is not only fun, it’s really an awesome adventure.  What makes it awesome is that in almost every place you go, there’s a story behind it.  And the Filipinos, being known as hospitable, are very accommodating and very much willing to share those stories.   To ensure that you wouldn’t miss any of those exciting stories and Instagram-worth places, get some travel tips and be ready every time you travel.

Here are some travel tips that you should take note:

Prepare an itinerary

Whether you’re just booking an overnight accommodation in a local Philippine hotel or will have a grand week vacation, it would be ideal to have your own itinerary. Especially if it’s not a travel package, you have to carefully plan your adventure.  This will not only maximize your travel time and adventure, but it will also give you the proper rest while you’re staying there.  Of course, you wouldn’t like to post a selfie or even a groufie picture of yours in a haggard-looking state, right?

Have a “things to bring” checklist

In most instances, due to excitement, we tend to forget important things that we should bring.  So, it would be best if you create a ‘things to bring’ checklist depending on the place you are about to visit.  If it’s a hotel and only indoor swimming is available, you have to bring the acceptable swimming outfit.   If it’s a beach, aside from the swimming outfit, it would be nice to have the appropriate attire not only when you dived into the water but also when you’re just roaming around.  If it’s a historical place or it depicts a particular theme, i.e, Vigan, you could bring a top or a hat (if not a cultural costume) or anything that would fit you in.

Aside from your vitamins and any maintenance pills that you’re taking, have your handy first-aid kit.  Bring anything for immediate relief of headache, dizziness, fever, muscle relaxant, allergy, and any stomach or abdominal -related (diarrhea, dyspepsia, vomiting) medicines.  If you’re the type of a person that keeps a special ointment being applied to your body, don’t forget it too.

If you’re wearing contact lenses, bring your back-up glasses and/or backup pair of disposable contact lenses and cleaners/solutions.

Check your gadgets

Apart from curiosity and excitement, one of the goals why you travel is to create memories.  And nobody wants to miss out those best photos, right? Hence, before you pack things up, make sure you have double checked all the gadgets you’re going to use.  From smartphone to your SLR camera, make a backup of your precious files and empty your storage as much as possible.  This way, you are guaranteed that any unfortunate circumstance you met along the way, all other previous and valued videos/photos has been kept safe already.  Emptying your image and video storage keeps you assured as well that you have enough space to cover and document your next escapade.  And just in case you ran out of storage, Facebook Live is there for the rescue if the place has a good internet connection.

Bring extra flash drives, power banks and cords too aside from the adaptors.  Make sure your lenses are clean and all the gadgets are still functioning well.

Check the place you’re about to visit

Rarely we visit a place for the second time, so most probably you are unfamiliar with what your next destination has to offer.  So you won’t regret for missing out on any awesome and remarkable features in that place, check out the web.  Visit some blog sites aside from the official website of that particular hotel or place you are about to visit.   By doing this, you will also have an idea where to dine during your stay there and what you can watch out and expect.  Some even share how much you’re going to spend for transfer fares, the cost of food and drinks, etc.  Some travelers also share where to buy souvenirs and those “pasalubong” or products and foods that place is being known for.

Bring enough travel funds

Lastly, make sure you have enough funds before you go.   Though it’s ideal that you squeeze your budget for every travel, enough funds don’t just mean your expected expenditures, but additional funds for unexpected expenses, too.   Bring your ATM with you so you can phone in your family or friends for emergency cases.

With all the travel tips above, you’re good to go on your next adventure!