Whether you are planning your first big trip or you are a seasoned traveler, there are a few things you should learn if you want your travel experience to be awesome. From learning how to budget properly to picking up a few practical skills, there are many ways you can enhance your trip. So here are the top four things you need to learn before you step foot on the plane.

How to Budget

If you already have travel plans in place or you have taken one or two long trips already, then chances are you have an idea of how important budgeting is when it comes to travel. Not only will you need a certain amount of money to get your trip off the ground, but it is also handy to have a budget in mind if you want to travel for longer. You need to budget for the bills you need to pay while you’re away, travel expenses, and the amount of money you will realistically spend every day. Creating a personalized travel budget will give you a clear idea of your limit per day and prevent you from spending beyond your means. Not to mention the extra fees incurred from using certain cards abroad, and the currency exchange rate can rack up quickly. Do some research into the forms of payment that will incur the least fees before you travel.

How to Communicate

A huge part of travel is connecting with a diverse mix of people from around the world. Learning how to communicate with other people is not only crucial for a hassle-free trip, but it can also deepen your experience and help you build long-lasting connections. Communication isn’t all about learning a new language. However, picking up a few key phrases can be incredibly useful. Locals often appreciate foreigners who make an effort and learning how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ can go a long way. In addition, do your research into the culture and subcultures before you travel so that you can pick up unique customs and adapt to your environment easily.

How to Play a Musical Instrument

Music is a passion that is shared by different people around the world. Although music may not seem necessary to travel, it can help give you and the people you meet a common interest. One of the best ways to socialize with individuals is by picking up some music skills and sharing them while you travel. When you are exploring a new place, you will find many instances, such as around a campfire in the wild or in the common area of a hostel, where you can practice your new music skills. If you’ve never played an instrument in your life, Cranes Music is based in Worcester, and they provide music lessons for people of all abilities. Visit cranesmusic.com for more information.

How to Take Good Photos

The phrase, ‘leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos, kill nothing but time’, cannot be more appropriate for mindful travelers. While it’s true that you don’t want to be stuck behind a camera on your travels, you should at least know how to take a decent picture, especially as you don’t even need a fancy camera to take nice pictures either. Get to grips with different functions on your smartphone and download a few apps to jazz up your photos.

It is important to keep a keen eye for things when taking photos. It all starts with that. The rest is all technical and there are plenty of guides and lessons online on taking better photos. Techniques like the rule of thirds, lighting, composition, shooting at unique angles, and even using a tripod can really level up your travel photos.

So what do you think of these 4 lessons?

Thumbnail Photo by Joshua Welch from Pexels