When you’re going on a vacation for a few weeks, preparation is relatively simple, especially if it’s within your home country. You pack the right clothes and accessories, and you’re good to go. However, embarking on a solo journey to foreign countries for several months is an entirely different story. I’ll break down the preparation process into various sections and share my perspective on how to organize for such an adventure.
EMOTIONAL PREPARATION
It’s perfectly normal to feel fear and apprehension when planning a journey that will span several months, alone, in an unfamiliar region, especially if you don’t speak the local language. It’s essential to acknowledge these fears and try to understand precisely what you’re afraid of. Many of these fears can be alleviated and overcome through logistical preparation.
For example, if you’re afraid of getting lost and not knowing your location, you can pre-download the map of the area using Google Maps to access offline maps, ensuring you always have access to navigation even without cellular coverage. A healthy dose of fear can be beneficial as it keeps you alert and sharpens your intuition when making decisions in unfamiliar environments.
It’s essential to accept that you won’t always have everything you need on hand, and you must be flexible and ready to improvise. This may require stepping out of your comfort zone, which is a skill worth practicing.
If you’re traveling solo, remember that you can choose to be alone when you want, as there are countless opportunities to connect with people during your journey. Whether it’s fellow travelers, locals, guides, or people you meet in hotels, restaurants, or museums, every encounter can enrich your experience. Embracing a social life is part of the travel adventure, and you’ll likely return home with more friends than when you left.
LOGISTICAL PREPARATION
This is the most extensive part of the preparation process and can be further subdivided into several categories:
- Planning Your Route
Your travel route will depend on your interests, available time, and budget. Gather information about your destination from books, movies, friends, travel guides, and documentaries. To draft a preliminary route, consider analyzing the tourist itineraries offered by tour operators and travel agencies. They’ve already calculated distances between key points of interest, travel times, and visit durations. Additionally, these itineraries contain valuable tourist information. Once you have a rough route in mind, you can dive deeper into research by visiting tourism offices, reading travel blogs, and consulting specialized magazines. Ultimately, the depth of exploration depends on the time you have available and will help you create a solid itinerary.
For independent travelers, it’s advisable to book accommodations for the first few weeks and any necessary flights before your journey begins. This helps ease you into the travel mindset. Also, check the local holidays at your destination, as they can impact accommodation availability and overcrowding at tourist attractions.
- Documentation
- Ensure your passport, ID, and driver’s license are up-to-date. Renew them if necessary, as many countries require a minimum of six months’ validity to issue a visa.
- Check visa requirements for all the countries you plan to visit and apply for them well in advance.
- Verify any additional entry and exit requirements, such as proof of onward travel, accommodation reservations, and proof of sufficient funds.
- Make photocopies of all your important documents and store them securely in your luggage. It’s also wise to email scanned copies to yourself on an email account or cloud storage that you can access from any device.
- Obtain an international driver’s license if you plan to drive in foreign countries.
- Note down or print the contact information of the Spanish embassy or consulate in the countries you’ll be visiting.
- Money Matters
- Check the expiration dates on your bank cards and renew them if necessary. Also, confirm the spending limits on your cards and have emergency contacts readily available.
- Consider getting one or two additional bank cards for travel purposes. Revolut and Bnext are popular choices among Spanish travelers. These cards often come with apps for easy money transfers from your primary bank account. This way, you can load small amounts for daily use, reducing the risk of carrying your primary card and limiting potential losses in case of theft.
- Familiarize yourself with the mobile banking apps of your primary bank and securely note down your access credentials.
- Open a PayPal account, as it may be the only way to make certain purchases in some destinations.
- Establish an account with Western Union, allowing you to transfer money from your primary bank account to a Western Union account and withdraw cash from any Western Union office.
- Ensure your ongoing expenses at home, such as utility bills, are set up for automatic payment, and arrange for someone trustworthy to collect your mail.
- Mobile Phone
- Take precautions not to lose your phone. Note your PIN, PUK, IMEI (the number required when reporting a stolen phone to the police), and emergency contact information.
- If your destination isn’t covered by your phone’s data roaming package, disable data roaming directly. You have two primary options for accessing data beyond public Wi-Fi: either carry an unlocked secondary phone and buy local SIM cards along the way, or opt for digital SIM cards (e-SIM) that can be installed on your primary phone. Services like Airalo and Holafly offer e-SIM cards tailored to specific countries.
- Ensure you have ample storage space on your phone and cloud storage to upload photos and videos.
- Install and update the essential apps for your trip, such as Google Maps, Maps.me, Waze (for road trips), Uber, Cabify, Bolt (for local transportation), Skyscanner, Booking.com, Airbnb, Polarsteps, World Clock, XE Currency, translation apps like World Lens, and any other apps you anticipate needing.
- Remember to pack any necessary chargers, a multi-port wall charger for efficient charging, a power bank, and a universal adapter.
- Food and Health
- Research the local cuisine at your destination and be prepared, especially if you have food allergies or intolerances.
- Take precautions with water and opt for bottled water. Ensure the seal on the bottle is intact and avoid ice in drinks if you’re unsure of its source. When in doubt, steer clear of salads and stick to fruits like bananas and avocados, which are generally safer options.
- Carry a small bag of nuts or cookies for snacks while on the go.
- Security
- Invest in travel insurance that covers potential incidents based on your travel type and planned activities. Compare policies carefully, as prices can vary significantly for similar coverage. Insurance costs depend on coverage, trip duration, and age.
- Popular options among Spanish travelers include insurance providers like IATI and Chapka. Some policies are tailored to specific sports or activities.
- Print a copy of your insurance policy and keep emergency contact numbers handy. Share your policy details, itinerary, and travel draft with a trusted person. Consider sharing your real-time location as well.
- Physical Preparation
- Schedule a medical check-up, including dental examination.
- Get any necessary vaccinations.
- Carry a vaccination card for diseases like yellow fever if required.
- Obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if applicable.
- Make photocopies of all documents and scan and email them to yourself.
- Social Preparation
- Communicate your travel plans to friends and family. Be prepared for a variety of comments and opinions.
- See if you have any friends or acquaintances in the area who can provide local contacts or assistance.
- Check if any organizations you’re a part of have activities or branches in your destination, as this can facilitate local connections.
- Reach out to anyone who has recently been to your destination and can provide firsthand information and updates.
- Packing
Packing is highly individual, but the general rule is less is more. Try to travel with a carry-on-sized suitcase and a backpack (max 30L). There’s plenty of information available online about packing efficiently. Keep in mind that you can purchase essentials along the way. Opt for layered clothing and minimal footwear. Choose accessories for your devices wisely to avoid carrying unnecessary weight. A multi-port wall charger is useful for its speed and efficiency. Don’t forget to include a portable charger and a universal adapter. Consider carrying a spare pair of glasses and a shoe horn to avoid untying your shoes :-). And always carry a few passport photos.
- Miscellaneous
Consider enrolling in a program like Priority Pass, which grants access to airport VIP lounges.
In-Flight Tips
- On long flights, carry empty water bottles and ask the flight crew to fill them. Pack some snacks (e.g., nuts) and bring a long-sleeved garment, a cap (in case of strong air conditioning), an inflatable cushion, and any other items that help you sleep comfortably.
Dealing with Insects
If you’re prone to insect bites, take precautions. Spray repellent on bus and public transportation seats and backs, especially if they have velvety fabric. I always wear clothing with hoods to protect my neck and head.
Beverages
Opt for bottled beverages whenever possible. Ensure that the bottle’s seal is intact and that it’s opened at your table. Avoid “filtered river water” and steer clear of ice in drinks.
Swimwear
If you’re heading to a beach destination, keep your swimwear easily accessible in case the rest of your luggage gets lost, ensuring you can still enjoy the water.
Useful Apps
- For trip planning: Lonely Planet
- Accommodation and restaurant reviews and reservations: TripAdvisor
- Currency conversion: XE Currency
- Local information: Radio Garden (tune in to radio stations worldwide to get a sense of local conversations)
- Entertainment: Spotify and Audible (subscription required)
- Wi-Fi finder: WIFI map
- Local transportation options: Uber, Cabify, Bolt (consider local apps for buses in each country)
- Flight booking: Skyscanner (download airline-specific apps for online check-in)
- Accommodation booking: Booking.com and Airbnb (choose options with free cancellation)
- Travel journal: Polarsteps
- World clock for time zones: World Clock
- Currency exchange: XE Currency
- Translation apps: World Lens and other language translation apps
The journey begins with preparation, and it’s also a process of discovery in itself. Have a wonderful summer and safe travels! Thanks for reading, and see you on the next adventure—next stop, Africa, in a few months!
