Top Ten Tips for the World Traveller By: nickj69 - 20 Jan 2006 Pack Light Most people drag along half their house when travelling. When it comes to changing plans or exploring they're hamstrung by baggage because they need an articulated lorry and a team of Sherpas. All you need is : a ticket; a passport; a credit card. Plan Ahead I don't mean 'organise your own package tour' - I mean 'do some research'. Sure, travelling on a wing-and-a-prayer can be fun but I've seen lots of impulsive, spontaneous people standing in the middle of Paris wailing "but there's nothing to see!!!" Change the Plan Plans are good but you can follow your nose too! No book, no guide, no story is going to give you the local flavour. Make plans but don't be afraid to toss them away if opportunity presents itself. Timetables are for buses, travel is for adventure. Know Where Your Towel Is Your home while you travel is your pockets, your bags and maybe your vehicle. Give everything a home of its own and know where it should be. That way you can spot when your passport is missing in 15 seconds instead of spending days looking for it. Hotels Are All the Same Hotels with astonishingly few exceptions are dull. Bread-and-breakfasts, pensiones and hostels usually offer a bit more character but ultimately what you're paying for is four walls and bed (running water is nice too). Don't Believe Everything You Read Things change quickly and your blind faith in a book or website which tells you where the best places are could be your undoing. Explore a little and make your own choices, after all that's why you're travelling isn't it? Meet the Locals Remember to talk to the locals. It's nice to meet people from your own country while you're travelling but its the people that make a country unique and if you never talk to them, you never travel. Choose Your Companions Carefully Choosing the number and type of people you travel with can make or break a trip. Even numbers are good, three is bad and one can be best of all. Remember, the amount of time you take to make decisions is proportional to the number of people involved. Go Where the People Aren't I've never had a great deal of success with big cities and big attractions. All of my magic moments in travelling have come from some out of the way place where you get to have a unique and personal experience. Seek the solitude. Pack a Light Soul The more baggage you bring with you, the further you have to go to leave home.