On this page, we share all our tips and experiences to help you plan your trip and pack your suitcase. You’ll find everything that can make your journey easier, safer, and more comfortable.
This information is not sponsored and is based entirely on our own experiences. Sometimes we use affiliate links: when you book or purchase through one of these links, we receive a small commission. The price for you remains exactly the same. This way, you support our work while still enjoying stress-free travel planning.
This information is not sponsored and is based entirely on our own experiences. Sometimes we use affiliate links: when you book or purchase through one of these links, we receive a small commission. The price for you remains exactly the same. This way, you support our work while still enjoying stress-free travel planning.
VISA
When planning a trip, it’s important to think not only about your flight and accommodation, but also about any visas you might need. Many destinations require a visa, which can add extra costs and affect your overall travel budget. Additionally, the application process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the country and type of visa.
Keep in mind that some countries require additional documents, such as bank statements, proof of income, a letter from your employer, or a detailed travel itinerary. It’s therefore wise to check well in advance what exactly you need, so you avoid any surprises and can start your trip smoothly.
Keep in mind that some countries require additional documents, such as bank statements, proof of income, a letter from your employer, or a detailed travel itinerary. It’s therefore wise to check well in advance what exactly you need, so you avoid any surprises and can start your trip smoothly.
VACCINATION AND MEDICATION
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In many countries, diseases occur that we no longer see in Europe. Be sure to check which vaccinations are required for your destination and get them in time.
What do you need as a Belgian traveler? See the following link: https://www.wanda.be/ Do you get motion sickness easily? Ask your doctor to prescribe travel pills. We took RCALM during long bus rides. Are you sleeping at high altitudes? Ask your doctor for medication against altitude sickness. We took Diamox for our volcano climb in Guatemala. |
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travel insurance /Hospitalization Insurance
A good travel insurance policy is essential for any trip, big or small. You never know what might happen, from a lost suitcase or missed flight to illness or an accident abroad. With a travel insurance, you’re covered for medical expenses, cancellations, and sometimes even lost or stolen baggage. This way, you can travel worry-free, knowing that unexpected situations won’t lead to major financial surprises.
Flight Booking Tips & Tricks
Booking cheap flights? Need affordable airport parking? What are miles and how do you use them?
I’ll be dedicating a full article to this soon!
I’ll be dedicating a full article to this soon!
LOCAL TRANSPORT
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Using local transport at your destination can be surprisingly easy, but as a tourist, it’s not always clear which bus goes where or how the system works. Fortunately, staff at your accommodation can usually help you with routes, schedules, and useful local tips.
Want to take a taxi? Check in advance which types of taxis are reliable in the country you’re visiting. In many cities, you can also book rides safely and transparently through apps like Uber or Grab. This avoids surprises and lets you know exactly what to expect. Check beforehand which apps are available in the country you’re traveling to and install them before your trip to save time. Uber is widely used in many countries, while Grab is mainly known in Southeast Asia. In Sri Lanka, we used PickMe. Yes, you can even book tuk-tuks through these apps! :) |
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RENTAL CARS
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With a rental car, you often travel much more flexibly than with public transport. You can stop wherever you want to enjoy beautiful views, and you can easily reach less touristy places that are otherwise hard to access. The downside is that you have to drive yourself, which can be challenging in some countries due to heavy traffic, poor roads, or unexpected situations. In big cities, parking can also be difficult.
We advise against looking for a rental car on arrival, as this increases the risk of unclear conditions or even scams. It’s always better to book in advance through a reliable platform. This way, you can also select full insurance and know exactly what to expect. We’ve personally had good experiences with Discovercars. Want to support us? Rent your car through the link below. Because this is an affiliate link, we receive a small commission on your booking — the price for you stays exactly the same. |
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When picking up your rental car, pay close attention to what you have actually booked. Some rental companies may try to sell you additional insurance on the spot, but if you’ve already purchased full coverage online, this is usually unnecessary. This way, you can start your trip well-prepared and worry-free.
International Travel Adapter
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For many countries, you’ll need a travel adapter.
Looking for an affordable, multifunctional travel adapter? We recently bought this travel adapter on Amazon and are extremely satisfied with it.
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CLOTHES
Laundromat
Traveling with a backpack or for an extended period? Make sure not to pack too much clothing. We recommend bringing enough clothes for about one week, plus a few extra pairs of socks and underwear.
Have your clothes washed weekly at a laundromat. In many countries, you can get your clothes washed and ironed for just a few euros within a day. Some hotels even offer laundry services or have washing machines where you can do your laundry yourself.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are ideal for backpack travel but can also be handy in a suitcase.
They help you keep your clothes organized and prevent wrinkles.
Quick-Drying Lightweight Clothes/Towels
Explains itself :)
Shoe Deodorant
Can be very useful if you suffer from sweaty feet.
Traveling with a backpack or for an extended period? Make sure not to pack too much clothing. We recommend bringing enough clothes for about one week, plus a few extra pairs of socks and underwear.
Have your clothes washed weekly at a laundromat. In many countries, you can get your clothes washed and ironed for just a few euros within a day. Some hotels even offer laundry services or have washing machines where you can do your laundry yourself.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are ideal for backpack travel but can also be handy in a suitcase.
They help you keep your clothes organized and prevent wrinkles.
Quick-Drying Lightweight Clothes/Towels
Explains itself :)
Shoe Deodorant
Can be very useful if you suffer from sweaty feet.
Safe Drinking Water
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Don’t want to get sick while traveling? Make sure to check the quality of tap water.
In many countries, tap water is of very poor quality. It’s even recommended to brush your teeth with bottled water. Make sure you have enough bottled water at your hotel or hostel. There are also reusable bottles with built-in filters available nowadays. In countries with contaminated water and poor hygiene, it’s also advisable to avoid unpeeled raw vegetables and fruit. Avoid ice cubes unless they come from a sealed bag. Be careful with very cheap alcoholic drinks in certain locations. There have been several incidents where tourists were seriously poisoned by diluted or counterfeit alcohol, and in some cases, deaths have occurred. |
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Money Matters: ATMs & Currency Exchange
TIP: When paying by card and asked whether to pay in euros or the local currency, always choose the local currency. The conversion will then be handled by your own bank, which is usually cheaper.
TIP: When withdrawing cash from an ATM, always select “NO CONVERSION” if possible. In Guatemala, we realized this too late. On our first withdrawals, in addition to our own Visa fees (about €6 per withdrawal) and the local ATM fees (about €5), we were charged a 9% conversion fee. This caused us to lose a lot of money unnecessarily.
We therefore try to pay by card as much as possible.
In some countries, it can be much more advantageous to exchange money. This is the case, for example, in Indonesia, where currency exchange offices give you almost the exact value without additional cash withdrawal fees.
Be sure to research the best payment methods in advance for the country you’re traveling to.
TIP: When withdrawing cash from an ATM, always select “NO CONVERSION” if possible. In Guatemala, we realized this too late. On our first withdrawals, in addition to our own Visa fees (about €6 per withdrawal) and the local ATM fees (about €5), we were charged a 9% conversion fee. This caused us to lose a lot of money unnecessarily.
We therefore try to pay by card as much as possible.
In some countries, it can be much more advantageous to exchange money. This is the case, for example, in Indonesia, where currency exchange offices give you almost the exact value without additional cash withdrawal fees.
Be sure to research the best payment methods in advance for the country you’re traveling to.
Travel SIM Cards and eSIMs
Traveling is a great way to spend less time on social media, but it’s still useful to stay reachable in case of emergencies or simply to navigate your route. Always get a SIM card in the country you’re visiting if it’s not included in your mobile plan.
You can often buy a local SIM card at the airport, though it’s usually cheaper in the city.
An eSIM, such as through Airalo or Holafly, is also an option. This is much more convenient (you can even install it before your trip), but for longer journeys, it generally costs a bit more than a physical SIM card.
You can often buy a local SIM card at the airport, though it’s usually cheaper in the city.
An eSIM, such as through Airalo or Holafly, is also an option. This is much more convenient (you can even install it before your trip), but for longer journeys, it generally costs a bit more than a physical SIM card.
Extend Your Stopover or Get a Free Hotel in the Middle East?
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Traveling far? You often won’t fly directly to your destination and will usually have a layover. If the stopover location is interesting, try to extend it by a few hours or even a few days. This way, you can add an extra destination to your trip at little or no extra cost, something that could otherwise cost you hundreds of euros.
For example, we briefly visited New York City after our trip through Guatemala, explored both Dubai and Abu Dhabi during a trip to Southeast Asia, and even spent a few hours in Doha during a stopover to Indonesia. Moscow didn’t escape our travel bug either! Make sure to check in advance if you need an additional visa to leave the airport. Not every country offers a visa on arrival. . |
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TIP: Flying with a Middle Eastern airline, such as Etihad?
Check whether you’re eligible for a free overnight stay or an extended stopover. Often, you can extend your layover for free from a few hours to a few days. You can stay up to two nights at a quality hotel at no cost.
During our flight to Indonesia, we had a stopover in Abu Dhabi with Etihad. This allowed us to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai for a day, including a free overnight stay at a hotel near the airport.
Check whether you’re eligible for a free overnight stay or an extended stopover. Often, you can extend your layover for free from a few hours to a few days. You can stay up to two nights at a quality hotel at no cost.
During our flight to Indonesia, we had a stopover in Abu Dhabi with Etihad. This allowed us to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai for a day, including a free overnight stay at a hotel near the airport.