Travelling somewhere new is one of the most exciting things you can experience. When I travel to a new place, I do five things as I get closer to the departure date to prepare and maximize my limited time there.

1. Do Your Research

Reading up on where you are going is necessary to know what you want to do and what you want to see. Along with general Googling of the destination, I frequent a few sites to help me choose restaurants, sites, and neighbourhoods to stay in. Trip Savvy is my first stop as it offers options for all of those mentioned as well as potential day trips, public transportation options, tours, or best things to do on the cheap. On Trip Savvy, you can type in the destination and get a bunch of information with great lists.

2. Create a Custom Google Map

Concurrently, I create a custom Google Map of the destination and save places of interest on the map as I go. As more places are added, it gives me an idea of travel time either on foot or on public transportation, and it will provide me with an idea of the time needed in the city and areas to stay. Creating a custom Goole Map helps in knowing what you could and should be doing in a single day.

3. Use Note-Taking and Travel Apps

I use Evernote for a to-do list, checklist, flight info, links, daily itineraries, etc. Evernote is a good option for me partially because I have been using it for years, and I'm used to it; although many travel apps are available, using one that works best for you is vital. Eventually, I'll probably switch to something more focused on travel than general note-taking. If you don't like Evernote, try apps such as Wanderlog and TripIt. Furthermore, for finding places to stay, I use both Hotels.com and Booking.com to find a hotel and tend to go back and forth between both apps/sites. Airbnb is a must if you are comfortable with their model (and pricing) and want to be able to cook your own food, for example. I usually choose hotels when travelling alone, but we typically opt for Airbnb if it is Lisa and I.

4. Get the Lonely Planet Book

Although restaurants, top sites, transportation, etc., can be easily found online, there is something valuable about having a tangible resource. The Lonely Planet books are available for most major destinations and are updated every two to three years. You will want to find the latest publication for current information as restaurants can go out of business, and travel requirements can change, especially since 2020. The publication date is noted on the back of the book or any online listing. Lonely Planet Books also provides daily itineraries, so if you travel for two or three days, you could follow their suggested guide to get the most out of the city. Of course, you can always choose what you want to do and where to go. Having a book in hand is convenient.

5. Order Sim Cards

This process will probably change as eSims become the standard, but currently, I prefer to order a sim card online that works in my destination country. Usually, it's pretty easy to find a vendor when you arrive at your destination. Still, I find it more convenient to have access immediately by changing the sim card on the plane and having it the moment the plane touches down. In June, for New York, I ordered a T-Mobile sim providing unlimited data, and for Portugal, I ordered an Orange Europe sim with 30GB of data over ten days. I've used the Orange cards a few times; they are great and easy. Both are available on Amazon.

Other Tips

• If in Europe, check the trains. Trains are fantastic for travel and are affordable. If you are considering a flight, a train could be a more convenient and cheaper option.

• If you plan to rent a car, you require an international driver's permit in certain foreign places. No test is necessary, just a small fee, and you can get it at CAA. If you plan on driving, check and see if you need one.

Summary

I start my planning and preparing stage as soon as possible, gradually allowing the process to come together. I also tend to take notes of tentative trips too. As I chip away at different things to do and places to visit, I become more excited about what could be possible and what destinations to watch for flight deals.