5 important things to do before traveling to a different country

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Traveling is the most sought thing to do nowadays. This is due to the travel requirements being loose. Although the pandemic is yet to totally end, almost all countries are opening their borders now to tourists and digital nomads. People who love traveling are dashing through the airport and flying to their favorite destination countries.

Even people who don't love traveling are now wanting to travel. Well, this is because the pandemic lockdowns were no fun at all. We were a prisoner in our own house and country. Although some are enjoying being in their house since there is still a lot of fun stuff to do while you are at home, such as gaming, reading, and watching movies and series. However, it's still nice to go out once in a while and breathe the fresh air. However, it was indeed difficult to do so during the pandemic. Now that the endemic has started, countries are starting to open up their borders.

So, here are the five things to do before traveling. This may be subjective and might differ for a lot of people but I hope this will help you in planning your travels or if you have plans to travel in the future.

1. Do your own research

It is still best to do some research on the countries you are planning to visit. Especially after the pandemic, things may have changed in that country or each country may have different requirements for tourists and digital nomads. Doing your own research will give you ideas and load you with information on what to expect from the country you are planning to visit. It's important to know the travel requirements and documents that you need to prepare, from visa requirements to other travel checklists to enter the country you are planning to go to.

In your research, make sure to not just go for general information about the country but also the culture. It's nice to learn more about the culture to give respect to the locals that you are going to meet while you are traveling. Immersing ourselves in the culture of the country we are visiting is a good experience when traveling.

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2. Get yourself good luggage or travel equipment

Sometimes, we just buy luggage or backpack really quick that we forgot their quality. Having reliable luggage or travel equipment is also important when traveling. You need your things to be safe in your luggage or backpack. Invest in a padlock (if your luggage doesn't have one) and luggage cover as well, that way no one will steal your stuff. Pick the best travel equipment for you while traveling.

It's always your preference on what type of travel equipment you want to bring. If you wish to travel light, it's best to use a backpack. If you are planning to stay for a while in one country, then luggage would be the best. Otherwise, you can use both. 

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3. Subscribe to a travel insurance

While traveling, it is best to have peace of mind and optimize the experience. To do this, a travel insurance subscription is very important. You don't need to worry about getting sick or injured while traveling if you have travel insurance. Even lost luggage and travel delays can be covered. Travel insurance is also one of the requirements to enter some countries, so it's better to secure one, days, or weeks before your travel. It's fairly easy to sign up for travel insurance like Nomad Insurance by Safetywing. They have great medical and non-medical travel benefits. Of course, not all insurance can cover all countries so better check as well if the country you are planning to travel to is included in their coverage.

Travel insurance can be tricky sometimes. A lot of people think of it as the usual product that they can use and take for granted but this is not the case. There are rules in making a claim and deductibles that you need to consider. However, we are lucky that there are companies such as insurance providers that give people peace of mind while traveling. We should be thankful that there's travel insurance because we never know what will happen to us while we are traveling. Having said that, it's super worth it to get an insurance policy.

4. Set goals when planning

Setting goals is not just for sports, business, school, and career. It's part of life and traveling is also part of it. While you are planning, make sure to set what you want to do per country you are visiting, setting goals can also optimize your experience. It's like ticking a bucket list, it's already a goal that you've achieved when you tick a bucket list. No matter where you are, there's always an experience in that place that you want to try. Put that on your bucket list, then do it when you are there, be it food, activities, or meeting new friends. It's also good to keep a journal in every country you are in. It's not just taking photos while traveling but a journal entry is also a nice way to keep a memory while traveling.

Always remember that a plan without goals is just a dream. So, set a goal as you plan, then claim your dream.

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5. Check your financial situation

Of course, you need to make sure that you have enough funds to support your travel. It's good to save funds from your salary and then plan to travel. That way, you will have motivation, not just personally but also professionally. As much as possible, avoid taking loans just to travel. You don't want stress when you arrive from traveling. You're supposed to feel relaxed when you arrive home. Each situation might be different but always make sure that you can support your travel financially.

On the other hand, this can be different if you are a Digital Nomad. This is because they earn wherever they are in the world. As long as they have a laptop, VPN, and internet, they are good to go. They can earn while traveling. It's the beauty of becoming a digital nomad. However, I'm not saying that you need to be one. You can save your current earnings and income from your current work regardless of what may be, and then use it as travel funds.

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That's about it, folks! I hope you liked the information I gave you. Feel free to comment down below on how your travel plan is going so far. What's the challenging part of planning a trip? What are your top destinations?

I hope this article helped you in some way. At the end of the day, it is you who decides what you want to do and where you want to be in your future travels. I wish you success, not just in your travels, but also in your life. Enjoy as much as you can and explore the vast world that's ready for all of us. Have a safe journey!!