Travel Tips I Learned from My Trip to Atlanta

Over the next couple of days you will be seeing posts about my adventure to Georgia. My goal is to recap one day per day over the next week so you all can get an insight into my trip. I have concocted a list of a few things I learned over the past week or so that I would like to share!

Travel Tips and Helpful Hints

1.       Bring an extra phone (prepaid) if you are able to. You never know when you are going to shatter your phone screen in your trunk.

2.       Use the bus/train system. Its way cheaper than any taxi or ber, and you get more acclimated to the city that way.

3.       Travel by map and escape from your phone for a little. Try not to use GPS and really get to know your destination. A map gives you the whole picture and you are more likely to remember where you are going next time.

4.       Talk to people. In restaurants, on the bus, in a train, etc. Ask local people what there is to do and sites you must see.

5.       If you are staying in a hotel, find out if there is a shuttle. Sometimes there will be one for free that you can take within a specific distance of your hotel.

6.       Most, if not all, hotels let you check your bag after check out. You can keep it there if you have a later flight after checkout and go explore until it is time for you to leave. This avoid late checkout charges and having to carry around your luggage all over the place.

7.       Look up the weather of your destination. This prevents you from packing shorts when it is supposed to be cold and sweaters when it is supposed to be warm. Your best bet is to always bring a jacket.

8.       Eat food. Local food. Avoid all popular chain foods as possible. Get food you can’t get at home. Ask around and see what is good.

9.       Look for free things to do. There is always free things to do. If you’re in the military, ask for discounts. Sometimes you get into places for free!

10.   Make a list of stuff you want to see, and then see it. Have a goal to see as much as possible. Don’t waste your day sitting in your hotel because that is lame. Don’t eat at the hotel either.

11.   Try new things. Go to places that you think you wouldn’t like. You might end up really enjoying yourself.

12.   Experience history. Search out historical landmarks and really indulge in the culture of how things started. You will be able to add to the culture and become a part of something that makes that city what it is.

13.   Enjoy every aspect of where you are at: nature, city, outskirts, good, bad, etc.

14.   Always be mindful of your surrounds when travelling alone, especially at night downtown.

15.   Plan, but don’t make that the centerfold of your trip. If you spend the whole time planning, you burn time you could be spending exploring. Be as spontaneous as you can. It allows you to see way more than you ever expected.

16.   Document your trip. Take pictures, write down conversations, places you went, people you met, songs you heard, food you ate: the list can go on forever. I found it more helpful to write down things throughout the day when I was going from place to place. It helped me remember the little things better.