I have been traveling all my adult life. Encouraging others to get out there and travel. Mark Twain once said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” As a travel blogger, I want to break down barriers and shed light on travel as a multicultural family. With that being said I also have to address travel tips for those that are multicultural to ensure a safe and adventurous journey. This tips, however, can be applied to anyone.
**I may earn some cash from the companies mentioned in this post. That being said, I only recommend products that I’ve used and loved! I Thank you for your support. Read full disclosure here.
Know Your Destination
Planning a vacation or trip is so exciting. It can be something the whole family can do together. The first thing is to decide where you are going. Once you decide on a destination. Do some research about the place. Check out local crime, things to do, places to stay and to eat. This will ensure a safe trip. Having a backup destination if the first one doesn’t work out is a great idea. If you decide to travel outside the United States make sure you learn about the culture you are about to visit and what are their customs as this will help you connect with the locals.
Plan
You decided on your destination. Now it is time to plan the rest of the vacation out. This can include your budget. As a family of 5, I can not just get up and go. There has to be a little saving of money before we hit the road. Budgeting is a big part of planning. Knowing how much money you will need and have at the time of your vacation is a MUST!! Here you can check out 15 Ways To Save For Your Next Vacation. Finding an affordable and safe place to sleep at night is also important. Booking.com is a great place to start your search. Here you can find reviews on any hotel.
Another thing to keep in mind other then accommodations is documentation. Many countries, including the United States, are buckling down on who is coming and going. That includes US citizens. In 2019, every US citizen must have a federal ID to fly between states. You can read more about that here. Make sure you have all legal documents before you travel. You will also need all documents readily available in case you get asked to present them.
Let People Know
It is always a good idea to let someone you trust know that you are leaving and when you expect to be back. Another tip would be to leave them with emergency contacts as well. Give the person your information on where you are staying just in case they need to contact you.
Social Media
I have to add this as many people feel obliged to share every detail about their lives on social media. DO NOT DO THIS!!!! This is not safe. DO not post the dates you will be going on vacation. Don’t post photos while on vacation. This opens the doors to thief and burglary. The people you think you can trust will take off with that 55′ flat screen TV.
Being A Superstar
When I went overseas I was gawked at as if I was from another planet. What I didn’t realize is that the places I was traveling to the locals were not exposed to people of color often. People asked if they could take pictures with my family. They were so happy and wanted to know about us. This was awkward and took time to get used to. There is no rule that you are required to pose for photos. However, I have a rule of thumb of my own. I am visiting their home and taking pictures of their lives, culture, and more. They are just wanting a look into mine.
Plan to feel like you are on the red carpet. People will ask for pictures, some will just take them. Remember they are doing this out of curiosity not out of hate or malice. They are genuinely fascinated by your beautiful skin complexion and how you are rocking that natural hair.
Grab Life By The Horns
This last safety tip is for all multicultural families out there that want to travel and just don’t know where to start. You start now. Take baby steps. Rome wasn’t built overnight. Take short local trips and soon you will be venturing out of state and then to other countries. The internet is swarming with great travel tools. From travel planning and booking. If this seems overwhelming contact your local travel agent. Travel agents are free to use and the can find you better deals then the internet.
In the meantime gather important documentation by checking out the local library or post office for passport information. Walgreens and Sam’s Club offer passport photos. Contact your local stores to find out rates.
Last, but not least if I could leave one tip that would be. Grab life by the horns. You have one life to live. Live it to the fullest and fill it with adventure. The first step to anything is to try. Try it first and the second time around do it a little different. The hardest part is getting your feet wet for the first time. If you want to see how I travel:
15 Ways To Save Money For Vacation
Low Budget Trip To Gatlinburg Tennessee
How To Take An Amazing Cruise On A Budget
2 Comments
Great tips! Especially regarding social media!
December 20, 2017 at 8:05 amYes, this one is a great idea. One that can save you and your belongings.
December 20, 2017 at 9:22 pm