Arcadia Ireland

I recently wrote a Facebook post that outlined a few tips I had when looking for a hostel and it made me realise that I’ve learnt a thing or two from being away for so long. I lived in Vietnam for 2 years and have travelled most of South East Asia. I’ve also been to the States numerous times and have seen a lot of Europe. I’m on a quest to try and see 30 countries before I’m 30 which leaves me with 2 countries to do in 2 years so I’m pretty positive that it's an achievable goal. I love to travel but it can be awkward, daunting and a little bit scary at times so here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re off exploring;

Pack Lightly:

This is down as point number one as I honestly think it’s the most important point. Packing lightly is essential and it’s really just for ease more than anything else. It is likely you’ll be staying in a hostel which means your belongings will be in a locker. If your bag doesn’t fit, your bag isn’t secure, simple as. Remember you will be carrying it from place to place and check out time is usually quite early so you could have it with you for the rest of the day. Main thing, you don’t need much. Backpackers all wear the same thing a million times over so nobody really cares.

A Sarong Is Your Best Friend:

Slightly random but I honestly think this is my most valuable travel tip as it’s something I had never thought about and then became something I couldn’t live without. My sarong was the most versatile thing I owned throughout my travels and I will treasure the ones that I got along the way. It can be used for everything. Even the nicest European climates sometimes get chilly in the evening. Have your sarong in your backpack and throw it on as a scarf. Heading to a church/castle/cathedral? You may be asked to cover your shoulders or legs and a sarong will do exactly that for you. Ever been in a hostel room? Sometimes privacy is hard to come by. Use your sarong as a curtain on your bed for when you want to pretend there aren’t 8 other people in the room with you. Going to the beach but don’t want to bring a big bag? SARONG- you can lie on it and use it as a towel. Best part is that it will dry much faster than any normal towel.

Invest In a Good Lock:

This one’s simple- just buy a decent lock and use it. Lots of hostels either won’t provide them or they will have ones you can rent. Buy your own, then you’ll always have it, never have to worry, and can be sure that nobody else will have a key/know the code. When buying I’d go for a code one- nothing worse than the fear of losing the actual key!

Use the Local Transport:

Ryanair is obviously the best thing since sliced bread when it comes to travelling around Europe but it can make you miss out on some pretty cool stuff. When you’re out and about, look up trains and overnight buses. Rome2Rio is a really good site that gives you all the transport options available to you and their prices. Going local will give you a couple of things; 1) it’ll be cheaper, 2) you will see more of the countries you’re in and 3) it’s SUCH a cool experience. Night trains with teeny tiny cabins, ‘breakfast in bed’ meaning a hard white roll and a container of orange juice may not sound glam but it sure is hilarious- give it a try.

Eat Local:

I can’t emphasise this enough. Yes, try McDonald’s in some countries (it’s not like I never did- sure the burgers might be different!) but try and stick to local cuisine- it’ll make your experience much more authentic and again, it’ll work out cheaper. What I will say though, is the word ‘local’ is important. If you are walking down Les Ramblas in Barcelona you will see paella everywhere. Great and all as that is, that is ‘tourist’ paella. Don’t venture into dark corners, but do go slightly off the beaten track. When the menu is in Spanish you know you’re onto a winner. Another tip that worked well for me travelling with friends was to split the dishes. Everyone orders something different and then you share. This works well because you get to try everything, but it also means that if one person ended up with the baby squid heads by mistake, they can make up for it through everyone else’s meals. (Only problem with this one is when you’ve somehow managed to pick the best one and then have to share!!)

Research Where You’re Going:

I know this seems obvious but it’s a mistake lots of people make. You get excited, get to the city you want to see, and then have no idea of opening times/admission prices etc. Although spontaneity is brilliant, a bit of planning will make sure you don’t leave somewhere without seeing what you want to see. My friends and I always used to do our Top 5’s for a place. Most usually overlapped, and then if there were one or two that didn’t we went our separate ways for a couple of hours to make sure we saw exactly what we wanted to see.

Stick to Your Budget:

Again, I know this seems almost unnecessary to point out but it is so important. That souvenir you buy or the one extra €10 rooftop cocktail will add up- make sure you don’t waste money and then jeopardise getting to see somewhere else. Remember that experiences are much more valuable than things!

Free Walking Tours:

One of the best tips I can give you is to use the Free Walking Tours. They are in most major European countries and are BRILLIANT. The guides are always so knowledgeable and really enthusiastic and they seriously show off their cities. I would advise doing one of these tours on your first day in a city and then see what you would like to go back to. They cover a lot and are seriously informative. Remember though, although they are called ‘free’ walking tours, tips are expected rather than optional… they’ll be worth it I promise!

Protect Yourself:

This is my final tip and definitely the most important. Always remember that no matter how hard we try, when we are not in our own countries we will ALWAYS be tourists. There’s a few basics to remember with this;

• You’ll be walking around twice as much as you would at home so drink LOADS of water- it’s incredible how many people get sick when backpacking due to dehydration.
• Wear sunscreen! I’m serious. Don’t be that person with the red nose.
• Be careful with your money. Don’t walk around with loads of cash and similarly don’t leave big amounts in your dorms. If you’ve done your budget out well you’ll know what you need so take it out in batches.
• ALWAYS let someone know where you are. This is easier if you’re with friends but if you’re traveling solo, just send a quick message home or to a friend when you’re making a journey/changing hostel etc. It’s a good idea for someone to have an idea of where you are.

That’s it. There’s a few tips from me to you that I think will come in handy. Some may seem obvious, but it’s always good to be reminded.

Happy Travelling!!