Things You Should Know About Your Destination Before You Leave

Going to a foreign land, far from your hometown, can sometimes lead to a state of confusion and culture shock. To understand another culture and get used to the new streets, you should do some research of your own. Here are some tips about things that you should research prior to leaving for your trip, some of which you can find easily using Global Travel Plus’ travel information feature on our Mobile App and website. 
 
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Weather

 
First things first, going to a place further away from home means you will have to adapt to a different climate. Researching how the weather is will help you pack the appropriate essentials for your trip far from departing and allow you room for revision, addition, subtraction, and maybe even substitution. You may want to replace your hiking boots with a train boots depending on the weather. 
 

Map

 
Figuring out the roads at the place you will be travelling to can help determine the best route for getting around. If you are travelling to the mountainside and the roads are rather crooked, steep, and rugged, you might be better off hiring a driver or using public transportation if you are not used to such environments. Maps can also help determine how near or far your hotel is from certain destination points you want to visit. If you are traveling abroad, remember you can pre-download maps using the Google Map app on your phone. This way you won’t be using your data plan to find your way. 
 

Traffic

 
The last thing you want to happen during your vacation is to get stuck in the morning’s rush-hour traffic. If you plan on renting a car, knowing the traffic at the place of travel is extremely important. Knowing the rush hour systems and finding the best route of travel can help you decide what mode of transportation to be used during the trip. Knowing how much time would be sacrificed at the hands of traffic can help you better manage your time for the planned activities you had in mind. 
 

History

 
Before going on your trip, find out more about the history of the place. This may help you better understand the key landmarks, clarify why the said places are so popular, and put meaning into the destination. You might want to pick up a history book or read a book written by a local. If you are unable to read the whole book or just short on time, you can read the local guidebooks which stress historical significance as well. 
 

Social Media

 
Social Media can express a lot about the destination you are travelling too. It can tell you about local restaurants, top places to visit, best views, non-touristy spots, and other information. Posts about the destination and what it has to offer can help you plan your itinerary and give you an idea of places to see, eat at, and explore. You can try finding more content through searching hashtags or keywords such as: secret spots, romantic restaurants, affordable options, family options, must see places, and more.
 

Phrases

 
Knowing a couple phrases that locals say can prove to be highly helpful as it helps with basic communication. It might come in handy when you need help with directions, want to know how much an item costs, what time an event is. In addition, locals always appreciate when tourists know the basics such as: hello, goodbye, please, and thank you. 
 

News 

 
Lastly, another important thing to know about a location is what has been happening in recent news. News searches can help alert you about potential problems that may arise relating to health, safety, environment, and more. The local news can tell you how polluted the air of the destination is, if there has been any recent viral breakouts in the area, or which areas to avoid during your travels due to safety reasons. Keeping this in mind during your travels may help you stay safe, alert, and improve your overall experience on the trip. 
 
 
When you are planning for your trip, remember to check out the Travel Information feature on Global Travel Plus’ Mobile App (hyperlink to http://www.globaltravelplus.com/Global-Travel-Plus-Mobile.aspx) and website (hyperlink to www.globaltravelplus.com). After selecting your country of destination, you will see a comprehensive country-specific report listing important information ranging from cultural etiquette tips to security alerts and health advisory if applicable. 

 
Posted: 6/15/2018 7:00:00 AM