Travel Internationally Like a Boss: Top Travel Bloggers Share Their Hacks

For many of us, the opportunity to explore exotic international destinations doesn’t come around that often. After all, it’s hard to pull out that credit card for a $2000 plane ticket when the interstate is just a 10 minute drive away. That being said, when most people discuss the “best vacations” they’ve ever had, they usually involve adventures overseas.

Unlike weekend trips to nearby attractions, traveling abroad requires a certain degree of planning and foresight. Whether it’s booking hotel rooms, finding the necessary plug converters for your electronic devices, or trying to decode the enigma that is international phone plans, making sure your trip runs smoothly takes some work! We’ve all heard horror stories from international travelers who have lost their luggage, booked a “luxury” hotel room that turned out to be a dump, or had their passports and wallets stolen by pickpockets, but it’s important to remember that, even in these “worst-case” scenarios”, a fabulous vacation can still occur.

Like anything, it sometimes takes wisdom from the experts in order to enlighten the rest of us. With this in mind, we’ve collected tips and advice from the internet’s best travel bloggers in order to create a comprehensive playbook for travelers who are passionate about traveling internationally in style.

Tip 1 – Don’t Be Intimidated by the Local Language

Brendan, blogger at BrenOnTheRoad.com said, “I never find it intimidating to travel somewhere where I don’t speak the language, in fact, quite the opposite. Understanding that English is not spoken or even important in many parts of the world is a great lesson in travel, and spending time in places where this is the case can be very humbling and rewarding.

I have always found the best way to connect with non-English speakers is to make an effort to learn at least some of the local language. Just learning the basics (such as 1-10, hello, goodbye, yes, no, please, thank you, nice to meet you, my name is) will take you maybe an hour tops, you can even do it on the plane or bus ride over with a simple Google search or phrasebook.”

Tip 2 – Be Aware of Cultural Differences

“Cultural misunderstandings are far more of a risk or concern than linguistic ones. True, the two often overlap, but at the end of the day, being aware of people, doing a little research on their culture, and fundamentally being approachable helps me avoid, or reduce the negative impact of these misunderstandings when they arise,” said Alex Berger from VirtualWayfarer.com

Tip 3 – Take the Guesswork out of Ordering Food

“Pointing is a great solution. Let’s be honest, the locals don’t eat at the restaurants with English menus because it’s not the best place for local food and it’s expensive. But there are 3 options for pointing: a cafeteria, a place with pictures, or a place where people already have food. If I walk up saying do you speak English? People often feel pressure or anxiety. But if I just say I want what that guy has while I point, if they know some English they’ll help out, and if not they are almost always amused,” was the advice offered up by Drew from travelisfree.com

Tip #4 – Roll With the Punches

Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel offered up some very practical advice along with a story, “The only time I have been truly frustrated was in China. I visited in 2010 for the World Expo and felt like I was banging my head against a wall. Some of this was struggling with the bureaucracy and culture. I had to buy my tickets online while still in the U.S. and pick them up at an office in Shanghai, but when I arrived they said they had no more tickets and said I needed to come back the following Monday, which was the day I was scheduled to leave. I had to raise quite a fuss to get my tickets, which were finally pulled out of a drawer next to the woman who had been telling me all along there were no tickets.

Other than my experience in Shanghai, I don’t generally have misunderstandings, and I attribute this to the ability o keep calm in all circumstances and roll with the punches. Because I have no schedule, I am not bound by the necessity of having to catch a plane or be somewhere at a precise time, so the worst case scenario for me is that I stay somewhere a day or two longer. I realize that not everyone has this flexibility, and that can make travel stressful for those who are on a strict itinerary. One of the lessons I have learned over the years is that most people are good. Most will bend over backward to help you, and I cannot count the times I have had to rely on the kindness of strangers. It has taught me not to be afraid to ask for help.”

Bonus Tip - Take Advantage of Technology

In today’s era of digital dominance and high-tech lifestyles, travelers can maximize their logistical efficiency and make sure that their vacations aren’t bogged down with confusion and unwanted expenses. One of the more exciting tools that has emerged in recent months for international travelers is Elymentz, a smartphone app that offers users the ability to make phone calls and text using a unified interface. The most exciting feature for international travelers is that the app allows users to have text conversations that are translated instantaneously into over a dozen different languages without using an outside translation tool. Elymentz users can communicate for free with other app subscribers or purchase credit for affordable calling to friends and family who aren’t connected. Powerful call forwarding features are also available, as well as call scheduling, multi-language chat and privacy settings.

If you’re considering on embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, there are a variety of simple solutions to some of the most annoying obstacles people often face during international travel. Using your smartphone and a bit of pre-planning, you can ensure that your next international vacation is absolutely unforgettable!