5 ADVANCED TRAVEL TIPS

Here's a Brief Overview of the Secrets Shared in this Video:

1. Don’t Overcomplicate Everything. 

• Travel is not as hard, or as dangerous, or complicated as you think. People are good, and people will help you. I can't count the amount of times a stranger has come to the rescue when I'm lost, or confused. This applies 2 fold in countries that tourists generally go to.
• The dangers you encounter are non-confrontational. Things like pickpocketing, or bags being stolen. Which after 8 years of travel has only happened once.
  I also believe that if you feel like a victim, you'll become a victim. If you feel like the boss, you'll be the boss. Don't underestimate the power of confidence.

2. Don’t take Experiences at Face Value.  

• You can order "off menu” on the tour brochure. Ask things like "do you know anywhere else with a waterfall?”, or "If we wanted to be there by ourselves, what time should be go?"
  These sorts of questions unlock doors. 
• It's intimidating to plan everything yourself at first. You can see it all in action by taking group tour through G Adventures, or Intrepid Travel. They lead you through a backpacking experience where you can see first hand the booking and planning

3. Local Contacts are KEY to your Experience.  

• I know it feels more comfortable to travel with friends, but trust me… everyone who I have ever spoken to who travelled by themselves says it’s the best thing they ever did. 
• The best stories have twists and turns. Ups and downs. Unexpected moments. The best trips too. Travel is about ending up in circumstances you could never expect. The fast track to this is meeting locals. Couch surfing, Instagram, and Tinder are great for this.
• Talk to locals. You’d be surprised what can come out of it. I went clubbing with a Starbucks barista in Kazakhstan. Wild things can happen.

4. My Resources to Finding Unique Places.   

• Atlas Obscura is my top resource for finding the places I do. Also I use Google My Maps (different from Google Maps) to pin everything and keep a black book of locations I like.

5. Disaster-proof Yourself.  

• Photos of all documents in are in Google Drive. (Passport, Old Passport copies, driving licence, banking info, SCUBA licence, travel insurance coverage...) I also have these on my cellphone in a folder in my photos app. I've Unlocked my SIM card to be able to pop in a local SIM, and before I land in a location, I download an Offline are on Google Maps for the taxi ride. Download the local language in a translate app, and the currency info as well. I use an app called XE for this. So when I land, I know everything I need to know. Too many times I can't get the wifi to work in the Airport.