Useful tips before your travel

Travelling seems to be the best thing in the world, especially if you are constantly working and can't wait to change the sceenery, relax, and enjoy free time, calm you mind and just feel free and happy.

To make sure that this doesn't turn to the opposite direction, you can make some steps, and get prepared for almost anything. I will list some general things in this post, and also add camino-specific ideas, so the only thing on your mind should be excitement for your upcoming walk.

If you have ever travelled before you know that there are some important things to keep in mind:

• your safety - depending on the country you want to visit, or the sports, activities you'd like to do

• safety of your values

• most important things to take

We would all like it to be a pleasent experience and memory, but anything can happen on the go, so better be prepared and feel safe than sorry. Here are some tips which I always keep in mind before and during a travel, hope they will be helpful for you too.

Your safety

Always read and learn about your destination:

• read blogs, listen to podcasts, join facebook groups to know more

• check with the embassy if there are any mandatory or suggested vaccines, visas, special insurances to enter the country. If you are going on a camino in Spain and not an EU resident, you will need a visa, which means limited days for stay. Plan your itinerary accordingly.

• always have a good travel insurance if anything happens you get a good health care. As an EU resident you can ask for an EU health insurance care card, which is completely free and you can get the same medical service as at home for free (dental care if you have a toothache, ER if you twisted your ankle, etc.)

• save the address and phone number of the local embassy of your country and also the local emergency numbers. For Europe it is 112.

• if you travel solo, keep someone updated of your daily plans, so they know you are safe or if not where to send help. Share the embassy informations with them too.

• don't go on cliffs, sea shores, forests, etc which you don't feel safe or is forbidden to visit. They might have a good reason for the restrictions.

Safety of your values

• have a little waist bag that can be on you under your clothes, and take it with you everywhere

• don't leave anything valuable in your accomodation, if you are sleeping in a dorm take your money and documents with you to the shower too (that is why the small waist bag is useful). When I say take it with you everywhere, I mean everywhere! bathroom, shops, sitting outside in the garden or to bed at night. Most people are nice on the camino, but you can never know. There are some people acting as pilgrims asking for help with money or steeling values from others at the albergues.

• always check if you have your money, documents and electronics (chargers too) before you leave in the morning. Other things like clothes can easily be replaced.

• before travelling take a photo of your documents and credit cards and email it to yourself and someone you trust. If you loose them or they get stolen you can download them anywhere to show it to the police or identify yourself at the embassy. If your card dissapears you will have the data on hand to block it by your bank

Most important things to take

• obviously your documents that are needed to enter a foreign country

• money and card (always have some cash, card is not accepted everywhere or can be used only above a certain amount)

• medicine: whether you are taking medications regularly or not some of them are good to have on hand. Make sure you have enough of what needs prescription. Take some painkillers, bandage, charcoal tablets, and disinfectant with you.

• based on the location and weather, don't forget the sunscreen, hat, scarf, sunglasses to protect yourself from the environmental conditions.

• if you are going to travel for a longer period and you have the possibility then take a backup phone in case yours stops working.

Hope these tips helped you to prepare for your next adventure, and you found something in the list you haven't though of before. If you still need more details or build up confidence and courage for the start of your journey, don't hesitate to contact me or email me, I'm happy to help.

You can also find me on social media with more useful advice and travel pictures at @wander.with.dora name. Safe travels everyone.