When Morgan and I were sitting in the airport during a long layover overseas, we started discussing some of our top travel rules and suggestions. We get a lot of questions about how we travel and why we travel. So, we thought it would good to share some of our top travel tips for having a successful overseas adventure.

1. The number one rule is always remember that the country you are in is not your homeland. You are on other people’s turf. You cannot just run home, call 911, or have your best friend come help you. Always be respectful and courteous wherever you are traveling.
2. Always take your passport with you, and never leave it at a hotel or guesthouse unless they have a safe.
3. Always have multiple forms of currency. We always take (2) Debit cards for ATM use, a Credit Card with no international transaction fees, $500 USD, and Local currency. Also, we split the money and cards between Morgan and me. In case of theft or loss, we always have a backup plan.
4. Less is more. We always travel with one carry- on bag a piece. We travel super light. This makes it so much more convenient when transferring airports, walking down the street, and traveling around in general. You can buy 90% of the items you need in foreign countries. Shirts, toothpaste, shoes, pillows, etc. All of these items can be bought. I would recommend making sure you have all the medicines you will require. If you are carrying around items and you don’t use them the first week, then throw them out. They are taking up too much space and weight.
5. Always check to see if you can drink the local water, and if you are unsure, buy bottled water. If the water is unsafe to drink, then items such as fruits and vegetables eaten raw may contain contaminated water.
6. Check to see if tipping is accepted in the country you will be traveling. You can Google this information. Some countries tip and some others don’t. The US is one of the countries that sees the highest amount of tipping. Also, in places such as Cambodia, a tip could just mean $.50.
7. Be careful with milk based products and products that require refrigeration. Most countries DO NOT refrigerate like the US does. Your chicken and milk may be sitting outside in 100 degree weather for 2 days at a time. The locals have adapted to eating these items, but our weak American stomachs cannot hang. I learned this the hard way in India.
8. Always eat local/street food. We are not big on eating at “Westernized restaurants” when traveling overseas. You can eat at McDonalds back in the US. The key is look for the most crowded local spots and eat there. This typically means the food is clean and good. Don’t pick the small food stand with no one around. The best meals and experiences we have had have been eating with locals on a small stool eating $1 noodles.
9. Always negotiate. The US is one of the only countries where prices are set and there is no negotiation. Almost every country besides the US and some countries in Europe, encourage negotiation. Plus, it is fun to negotiate, and the locals don’t get offended. My best deal of all time was negotiating a pack of Oreos in Hue, Vietnam from $2.50 to. $25 a pack. The lady thought she could scam this American white boy, but I knew better.
10. Carry your own small supply of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. These are lifesavers when you need them.
11. Write everything down that you do and see. I have 7 travel journals that I have kept over the years. We all think we will remember our experiences, but in the end, we don’t. When you are thinking about where you ate in Peru in that small town in the mountains that was so delicious, it becomes hard to remember.
12. Don’t be scared to travel. What we have learned in all our years of travel is that as long as you stay vigilant, respectful, and don’t wonder off into bad areas, you should have a pleasant trip. In some countries, you may need to travel in a group or not go out after dark. This may be country specific.
13. Lastly, Just Do It. The trip to Europe or Asia that you are wanting to take will not happen without taking the initiative. There is a huge world out there to see and so much to do. Home will always be the same. That is one truth that we found, and is a comforting thought when traveling. I promise that if you just take the trip, you won’t regret it.

There are hundreds of other travel tips that can be discussed, but these are just some of the ones we have experienced during our years of travel. Hope you find them helpful.

-David