Don't need an agency to book your trip (packages with specific pre scheduled routes). We have internet today, you know. Price advantage? Not exactly. I think you'll enjoy more by doing what you like more, even if that means spending a little more - things don't need to be expensive to be good (that's what sellers want you to think) - so, check it out yourself. Check the reviews from people that went there (wherever you want).
Don't let people tell you what you need. You're the one that knows that better.
What I usually do is choose the region I'm going. In between, I never know. And that's the way I like it to be. There's nothing wrong with planning, if that makes you feel better.
So, anyways, here goes a few advices:
So, anyways, here goes a few advices:
Lesson #1: GET ENOUGH CASH FOR 2 DAYS AND A TRAVEL MONEY CARD
You should call your credit card company to release the use overseas. But, even so, unexpected things can happen. Like they happened, to me.
That's when you'll need the cash. It'll be sufficient for the straightning out of things period.
Lesson #2: RESEARCH POSSIBLE PLACES TO SLEEP
This way, you'll always have a back up option, in case you have some disappointment with the first one you chose. Basic sites I visit:
Having a place to stay is the first and pretty much the only thing you need to plan ahead (not that you should book, you can only sort some ideas of where to stay, and decide when you arrive at your destination).
But if you are to arrive late wherever, then I suggest you do book it ahead. I confess that it give's a hard time to find a bed, when it's night time. And it takes up your energy. So try not let that happen.
If it does happen, face it as another adventure. Good things have happened in situations alike, even if I finished sleeping in a table top (great night, by the way).
Note that some countries demand that you have a place to stay ahead of time, in order to go through immigration. Well, I've been to a few, and they did not ask me about a specific place where I would stay. But it's better. So just book a couple nights, or one if you'd rather. You know, facing non sense bureaucracy, use dull strategies. They're the ones asking you to...
Lesson #3: FIND A FREE TOURIST MAP
That's piece of cake. All hostels have one. They point the main attractions in the area.
I find it easier to circle what interests me the most.
I find it easier to circle what interests me the most.
Lesson #4: ASK AROUND!
Then, the other things are just details. And the reason for that is because you'll be around the people that live wherever you are. So they are the ones to be asked.
Be suspicious of some tips, though. Some people will just give you an answer because...I don't really know why. So they'll say whatever...which can mean a wrong direction. So always double or triple check.
Ordinary people are the most sincere, because they have no interest.
Ordinary people are the most sincere, because they have no interest.
Lesson #5: TAKE YOUR TIME...AND YOUR CAMERA
The less is more! What's good in flying by many many places, and not knowing well not even one?
I've had so much fun in unexpected and non touristic places. Use your camera as much as you want! Pictures can only get more special, as time goes by.
Lesson #6: DO WHAT YOU LIKE
Don't go to museums just because other people do. Go if and because you enjoy art.
If you're into underground stuff, check out the underground scene. Why go classical if you love alternative?
I like to see typical things. Things that locals do or go. They're real (not for tourists to see...most tourists are allienated people, in a respectfull way, I mean), cheaper, better, friendlier...
Touristy things are fake (i.e, some carnaval shows in Rio...better stick with the samba school rehearsals at the communities or on site) and a total waste of time.
Lesson #7: BEWARE OF FRIENDLY STRANGERS
Not being prejudiceful, but you have to distinguish real friendly people from fake friendly people.
I'm saying that because they play friends to approach, in order to attack you. Most tourists look or act like tourists, and they're the ones to be approached, misled and stolen.
One example that happened to me: First day in Barcelona, Spain, walking down the Ramblas (very touristy site) and this guy comes towards me, in a friendly way, asking for a smoke. I don't smoke. He insisted in talking to me, asking where I was from, talking about the brazilian girls, carnaval...he wouldn't leave me, as I walked through a side street to check an art monument, by the sea.
That was suspicious at the beginning and more suspicious then.
I kept, since the first minute, a safety distance, for a defensive reaction.
By the middle of the street, when I noticed things were wrong - less than one minute timeframe - I looked back to put together all the strategies possible, in case of confirmation of that bad feeling. That's when I realized he wasn't alone. Another suspicious guy followed us. Luckly, it was just one more.
I'd not attack him, at first, because he could be just an annoying beggar, like many others. I didn't wanna precipitate things.
Bad luck hit and, since I wasn't facilitating, he attacked me, trying to pull my camera out of my pocket.
Let me put this way: if I had an expensive watch, I'd not care if he got it and ran. But don't mess with my pictures!!!
I pushed him away from me, in a more violent way than he did, as he almost fell down.
Automatically, I walked back to middle of the street, to have a better range of the two. If I had given my back to the second one, he could've got me easily.
I started to yell at them, agressively. That was enough to make them walk away, as if nothing had happened. I followed them with my eyes, 'till they turned the street's corner.
I must point that this was all instintively. I had noticed the factors, ahead of time, if I could fight one of them - enough to give me time to flee - if they were armed and if I could search for help - where's the police in those times??? - and so I did what I did. But, of course, it's better to let them get what they want and not be harmed. Discourse and actions are far from each other, at times.
Don't go freaky, about traveling. In many years, this was the only episode of violence I faced. And let's agree, it wasn't that dangerous.
Lesson #8: BE ATTENTIVE WITH BAGGAGE (MOSTLY HANDBAGS OR MEDIUM SIZED STUFF)
Don't doubt how smooth people can be. A medium backpack can vanish from your very next chair. It has happened to me on the day I was in an internet cafe...on the day of my very own b-day. What a present!
The trip was so fine that I just went on. Didn't even waste my time going to the police station. What would they do, right? Plus I was leaving the city the next day, and the country in a couple days. Small things x big things (backpack x enjoying my time left): I chose what matters the most...
So, always attention or, as the french say: fait attention!
(FYI: my thing didn't happen in France)
Lesson #9: BE OPEN MINDED
One of the best experiences, wherever I go, is meeting people from that specific place.
So be polite and proactive. Be talkative.
I saw, a few days ago, and interesting saying that instantly got me thinking, from Shirley MacLaine:
Lesson #6: DO WHAT YOU LIKE
Don't go to museums just because other people do. Go if and because you enjoy art.
If you're into underground stuff, check out the underground scene. Why go classical if you love alternative?
I like to see typical things. Things that locals do or go. They're real (not for tourists to see...most tourists are allienated people, in a respectfull way, I mean), cheaper, better, friendlier...
Touristy things are fake (i.e, some carnaval shows in Rio...better stick with the samba school rehearsals at the communities or on site) and a total waste of time.
Lesson #7: BEWARE OF FRIENDLY STRANGERS
Not being prejudiceful, but you have to distinguish real friendly people from fake friendly people.
I'm saying that because they play friends to approach, in order to attack you. Most tourists look or act like tourists, and they're the ones to be approached, misled and stolen.
One example that happened to me: First day in Barcelona, Spain, walking down the Ramblas (very touristy site) and this guy comes towards me, in a friendly way, asking for a smoke. I don't smoke. He insisted in talking to me, asking where I was from, talking about the brazilian girls, carnaval...he wouldn't leave me, as I walked through a side street to check an art monument, by the sea.
That was suspicious at the beginning and more suspicious then.
I kept, since the first minute, a safety distance, for a defensive reaction.
By the middle of the street, when I noticed things were wrong - less than one minute timeframe - I looked back to put together all the strategies possible, in case of confirmation of that bad feeling. That's when I realized he wasn't alone. Another suspicious guy followed us. Luckly, it was just one more.
I'd not attack him, at first, because he could be just an annoying beggar, like many others. I didn't wanna precipitate things.
Bad luck hit and, since I wasn't facilitating, he attacked me, trying to pull my camera out of my pocket.
Let me put this way: if I had an expensive watch, I'd not care if he got it and ran. But don't mess with my pictures!!!
I pushed him away from me, in a more violent way than he did, as he almost fell down.
Automatically, I walked back to middle of the street, to have a better range of the two. If I had given my back to the second one, he could've got me easily.
I started to yell at them, agressively. That was enough to make them walk away, as if nothing had happened. I followed them with my eyes, 'till they turned the street's corner.
I must point that this was all instintively. I had noticed the factors, ahead of time, if I could fight one of them - enough to give me time to flee - if they were armed and if I could search for help - where's the police in those times??? - and so I did what I did. But, of course, it's better to let them get what they want and not be harmed. Discourse and actions are far from each other, at times.
Don't go freaky, about traveling. In many years, this was the only episode of violence I faced. And let's agree, it wasn't that dangerous.
Lesson #8: BE ATTENTIVE WITH BAGGAGE (MOSTLY HANDBAGS OR MEDIUM SIZED STUFF)
Don't doubt how smooth people can be. A medium backpack can vanish from your very next chair. It has happened to me on the day I was in an internet cafe...on the day of my very own b-day. What a present!
The trip was so fine that I just went on. Didn't even waste my time going to the police station. What would they do, right? Plus I was leaving the city the next day, and the country in a couple days. Small things x big things (backpack x enjoying my time left): I chose what matters the most...
So, always attention or, as the french say: fait attention!
(FYI: my thing didn't happen in France)
Lesson #9: BE OPEN MINDED
One of the best experiences, wherever I go, is meeting people from that specific place.
So be polite and proactive. Be talkative.
I saw, a few days ago, and interesting saying that instantly got me thinking, from Shirley MacLaine:
Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.
Fantastic saying! So truthful!
Lesson #10: IT'S POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL ON YOUR OWN
Believe me, it's the best way. It pushes you to get to know other people. It allows you to do whatever whenever. Travelling is relaxing and should not be faced as an appointment. Some people get more stress out of a trip than at their daily life.
Plus, if you do like me...stay at hostels...you'll always have good company. Thousands of people travel that way. They're the best kind! ;)
Lesson #11: LEARN OTHER LANGUAGES, DAMN IT!
Going to a different country means knowing a different culture. So, if you can't communicate, you won't take full advantage of that! Come on! Don't be a lazy ass! That will be the difference between being as spectator or a participant! Which role will you choose???
How will you interact with people? You'll miss the best part!!!
At least be fluent in English. You'll thank me, later.
Fantastic saying! So truthful!
Lesson #10: IT'S POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL ON YOUR OWN
Believe me, it's the best way. It pushes you to get to know other people. It allows you to do whatever whenever. Travelling is relaxing and should not be faced as an appointment. Some people get more stress out of a trip than at their daily life.
Plus, if you do like me...stay at hostels...you'll always have good company. Thousands of people travel that way. They're the best kind! ;)
Lesson #11: LEARN OTHER LANGUAGES, DAMN IT!
Going to a different country means knowing a different culture. So, if you can't communicate, you won't take full advantage of that! Come on! Don't be a lazy ass! That will be the difference between being as spectator or a participant! Which role will you choose???
How will you interact with people? You'll miss the best part!!!
At least be fluent in English. You'll thank me, later.
In the end, travelling on your own depends of how secure you feel about yourself. If you're not, it will make you feel! So give it a chance.
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