Nothing gets me excited like a long trip. The flexibility of not having a set end date, or having an end date so far off that it feels like it doesn’t exist, is a freeness unlike any other. Take it from us. We recently returned from a seven-month honeymoon in which we visited almost a dozen countries. Still, it would be disingenuous to pretend that traveling for such long periods is easy or completely enjoyable the entire time. So here are some tips for a long trip, which will hopefully help you if you’re in the middle of a vacation or make preparing for long term travel a bit easier.
Bring home souvenirs
Yes, this seems like bad advice, I know. But hear me out. If you are on a long trip, it seems like the last thing that you should want to do is add to your luggage. However, there are two things that I would say to this. First of all, a souvenir doesn’t need to be big and heavy. Some of my most prized possessions from my travels are pieces of paper (menus from a fancy restaurant or a train ticket, for example) or tiny tchotchkes that can fit in your pocket. Second, it is extremely easy in many countries to just send home a box! I’ve had luck in India, Thailand and Japan sending home extra clothing and souvenirs. It’s often quite cheap and as you are on a long trip, it doesn’t matter how long it will take to get there.
Don’t shy away from comforts of home if you need them
Five months into our trip, we were in South Korea. Korean food is among my favorite cuisines and we’d eaten our fair share of kimchi and soft tofu soup in Busan and Seoul. Still, over the course of a few days, a very strong craving took hold and we felt the need to have a lunch that we might eat at home. We found a cute French charcuterie recommended in an Eater article and enjoyed a Parisian-style lunch in a playground with a lovely baguette we found at a nearby bakery. There’s no shame in needing a taste of home, whatever form that might take. It can really help to recharge you and get you ready for your next dose of bulgogi.
Don’t be a slave to reviews
Some of our most memorable experiences on our trip were completely uninspired by reviews, either online or offline. There is truth the the adage that you should trust the crowds, especially when the crowds are full of locals. We ventured into restaurants that didn’t even show up on Google Maps and walked down alleys that Lonely Planet would never recommend and were rewarded time and again. Once you have knocked out the big attractions and the restaurants that you really want to visit, wander around and let yourself fall into experiences rather than forcing yourself to do them.
You will find places to do laundry
To avoid packing a pair of socks and underwear for every day that you are away, you have to believe that you will find places to wash your clothes. If you are in a southeast country like Thailand or Malaysia, there are places that will wash and fold your clothes for cheaper than a full cycle at a coin laundry back home. If such places are closed, or if you prefer to take care of your laundry on your own, I’ve noticed on my travels more and more coin-operated laundries popping up catering to both locals and tourists. Coin-operated is a bit of a misnomer, as most of these laundromats accept credit cards now too. Many high-tier loyalty levels also come with some sort of laundry benefit. For instance, if you stay at Marriott hotels in Bangkok and are a titanium member, you will get two free pieces of laundry every night.
Don’t cluster your luxury experiences all at the beginning
Unless you are made of money, you’re probably going to be on some kind of budget on your trip. While it might seem tempting to cluster the most luxurious and expensive experiences towards the beginning of your trip, this means that you will have fewer resources to spring for a high-end hotel or upgrade a red-eye flight. Using miles and points to pay your way once the dollars are running low is a great option to keep things comfy on flights and hotels is a great option that I wrote about last week. Booking a fancy hotel or flight later in your trip gives you something to look forward as well.
Preparing for long term trips: The bottom line
For a planner like myself, it’s important to have some structure for a long trip. And, like anyone, I learn from my mistakes on previous trips. Hopefully, this handful of tips will also help you in planning a long trip. What are your best tips for preparing for long term travel? Let us know in the comments.