Top Travel Tips for 2022

As borders reopen around the world, travelers will discover a new world of possibilities. Whether you’ve been hunkered down at home or traveling across continents, next year offers a unique set of opportunities for enjoying a bucket-list adventure—or two!—in destinations eager to reopen their doors to international visitors after nearly two years of neglect. Change brings about new opportunities, so what are you waiting for? This is the time to get organized in order to make the most of your vacation time. Continue reading to learn travel hacks that will help you have the best year of your life in 2022.

1. Make a plan based on your interests.
What is the best way to cure wanderlust? Make your next trip a reality by planning ahead of time! We can all sympathize with the frustration of being unable to travel, but now is the time to start thinking about where you want to go in 2022. Do you want to explore Spain’s spicy flavors and sunny landscapes? In Tanzania, you can spot wildlife and learn about fascinating indigenous cultures. Or do you want to go on an unforgettable adventure through Patagonia’s remote expanses? Now is the time to make a decision, because when the time comes, you’ll want to focus on the most important thing—having fun! Blogs, travel guides, and our newsletter, where our Featured Destinations series offers in-depth looks at some of our most epic adventures, are excellent resources for planning your trip.

2. Plan ahead of time. 
Even though there is some uncertainty in the air, there has never been a better time to book early. Airlines and travel agencies are providing unprecedented flexibility in their booking policies, which means that in many cases, booking early is a win-win situation for the traveler. The sooner you book, the more options you’ll have, with less financial risk than ever before. Make your plans ahead of time, then sit back and count down the days until your epic adventure begins.

3. Take Care of Yourself
Did you go on your annual family vacation this year? Why not save some PTO? Or perhaps, like many of us, you simply feel that after a few years of “traveling” mostly to the grocery store and back, it’s time for a special adventure. You’re not by yourself. With the possibility of finding famous sights unusually empty next year, there’s never been a better time to cross a destination, or two, off your bucket list. Now is the time to think about where you’ve always wanted to go. If you’re stuck for ideas, your passions are a great place to start. Are you a wine connoisseur? Are you a big fan of wildlife photography? Or are you a world-traveling foodie? Create an itinerary based on your interests and get started!

4. Build Connections – New and Old
If you’re like many of us, you might be ready to shake things up in your social life, whether that means reconnecting with distant relatives or making new acquaintances. But, before you make plans for 2022, consider what kind of connection you’re looking for. If you’re missing your loved ones, consider inviting them to join you on a multi-generational family trip or a private adventure. If you’re looking to meet new people, the camaraderie and fun-loving atmosphere of a traditional group tour could be ideal.

5. Make It Active and Get Off the Beaten Path.
This year has taught us all the value of fresh air, wide-open spaces, and off-the-beaten-path trails and bike routes. 2022 could be the year to forego the resort in favor of a smaller boutique hotel, skip the tourist attractions in favor of a hike, and travel by bike rather than watching the world go by through a pane of glass. Who knows, you might discover that self-powered, small-scale travel has a special intimacy and richness that your previous journeys lacked!

 

Traveling Mistakes We All Make: Tips for 2022

It’s natural to make careless mistakes when traveling and exploring the unknown. However, these mistakes can occasionally make your journey unpleasant and costly.

1. Excessive route planning.
Instead, be adaptable; don’t be afraid to change your plans due to bad weather or a lack of funds. Determine how long it takes to travel from one location to another. Set aside some extra time to unwind in preparation for possible and expected delays. Remember that you don’t have to explore the entire country in one vacation, and you won’t feel unfinished by preparing.

2. Excessive packing or overloading
Pack only what you need and know you’ll use, not what you think you’ll need. Purchase the remaining items when you arrive at your destination (possibly at a fraction of the price). Once loaded, take a look at everything and try again to reduce the load.

3. Don’t blindly follow the first set of instructions from a single source.
Cast a broad net of rules. Request directions to the same location for more than one person. If the person hesitates or searches for a response, graciously accept their assistance and seek additional assistance on the next street. Accept the general consensus.

4. Complete trust in guidebooks.
Guides are provided to inform rather than define your journeys. Download the guidebook and start chatting with other travelers and locals. Allow your intuition to guide you; there’s a lot more to do than any guidebook can tell you.

5. Running out of cash.
You must view your budget as a tool for a more creative and authentic experience of the location, rather than as a constraint. Developing an effective plan that accounts for unforeseen costs and provides some breathing room. If you are traveling for an extended period of time, make regular payments to your verification process (such as a paycheck).

6. Back up your photographs
Back up your photos on a regular basis using a USB drive or a cloud-based service such as iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

7. Flight reservations with a brief flight stopover are not available.
Instead… Allow at least a few hours between flights to account for the possibility of a delay (flight delay, long customs line, long distance between terminals, etc.)

8. Do not double up your paperwork or make incorrect reservations.
Check the documentation and bookings for your hotel, flights, trains, buses, and so on. Time and location are always confirmed, ensuring that everything is in order. Check that your name is spelled correctly on your flight reservation.

9. Buy insurance.
If you spend the extra money, you will be safer if something goes wrong (lost baggage, trip delay or cancellation, medical emergency, etc.). Examine the fine print to see if they meet your requirements. More information on travel insurance can be found here.

10. Failure to notify the bank of any future external transactions.
If you want to avoid having your debit card canceled due to “strange behavior,” please notify your bank ahead of time of all countries you intend to visit. Furthermore, many multinational banks have overseas branches and joint ventures that waive ATM fees.

11. Do not consider different timescales when planning your vacation.
However, confirm the time zones between one location and another, the time it takes to get there, and the time zones crossed. Please include this in your booking schedule. Consider, or even better, plan for, the effects of jet lag during your first few days.

12. Do Not Make Copies of Important Documents.
Please use a physical copy as well as a secure digital copy on a private email account (as a password-protected pdf). You can use your documents while keeping them safe in an email account (passport, IDs, travel policy, credit cards).

13. Making large transfers of foreign currency before departure.
Just trade enough to keep you safe until you reach your destination at the first ATM or reputable exchange. Alternatively, as soon as you arrive, withdraw money from an ATM rather than using an airport exchange. Airports have exorbitant fees and charges. Make sure you don’t do this in public.

14. Arriving at the incorrect airport.
While traveling around major cities with multiple airports, double-check your reservation to ensure that you are flying into the correct airport and terminal.