Individuals that are unfamiliar with traveling are certain to be in for a mind-numbing experience when circumstances dictate a trip, but with proper planning the stress can be diminished somewhat. Even travelers that are well-versed in the processes have an occasional bad trip, usually due to situations that are beyond the scope of their control. The key for any traveler but especially for a novice is to plan as thoroughly as is possible, with an eye toward the “what-ifs”. Unless the reason for travel is an emergency situation, a novice traveler should take the advice of seasoned veterans in the field, and make as many inquiries as is possible to ensure a pleasant and safe journey.
Before ever leaving home a novice traveler should make a checklist of necessities that need to be taken along such as clothing and medications. Inexperienced travelers tend to over-pack considerably, and a good idea for a newbie is to go back several times before a trip and reduce items that are not useful and absolutely required. Monetary considerations are also an area of confusion for novice travelers, in wondering how much to take along. Cash that is carried should be kept to a maximum of $100 at any given time, and should never be placed in luggage. A single credit card should be taken with a decent credit limit that is available, and a debit card to access bank funds is really all that is needed. While travelers checks are an excellent idea as they can be replaced if lost or stolen, a novice traveler needs to realize that they are not excepted everywhere – especially internationally.
It is very important for a novice traveler to confirm reservations whenever possible, including hotels, rental cars, and of course travel arrangements. If this is not possible, a contingency plan for each aspect of the trip should be figured out before departing. In every single travel situation something is assured to go wrong, from canceled airline flights to rental car agencies and hotels that tend to overbook – so a novice traveler needs to hope for the best but plan for the worst.
While it can be difficult for experienced travelers to retain their composure at all times, novice travelers need to remember to check their emotions along with their luggage. The uncertainty of sudden changes in itinerary can result in tremendous stress when mixed with an emotional response, so a novice traveler needs to retain an objective view of assorted travel issues, secure in the knowledge that the difficult moment will only be temporary.