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- Make hard copies of essential travel documents – passport, tickets, reservations, and credit cards. It may seem old-school, but if your devices fail abroad, you’ll be glad you did.
Lesson learned: When our phones died on past trips, having paper copies saved us. We’ve never had a passport stolen, but keeping a copy in our luggage gives us peace of mind.
- Be mindful that banking problems happen. Be prepared by bringing enough cash.
Lesson learned: Arriving in Tokyo late at night, our cards failed at the ATM. Luckily, we had enough cash for a train ride to our hostel. When we called our 24-hour bank service, they directed us to call our local branch. Think about TIME CHANGE, we needed to wake in middle of the night to call our branch and get the problem solved. Always have cash on you!!
- In some European countries, old plumbing means toilet paper goes in the trash, not the toilet. When in doubt, ask—especially in someone’s home.
Lesson learned: It wasn’t until we lived in Ukraine, that we had the realization this is IMPORTANT! Ukrainians never flush toilet paper and only discard it in bins because of old plumbing. While visiting ancient cities in Italy, I had firsthand knowledge of how important this tip is, because I would never want to face an uncomfortable situation.
- Always ask if you should remove your shoes when entering a home—many cultures consider it rude to bring in dirt!
Lesson learned: Living in Ukraine taught us that removing shoes indoors is a must. It’s common in many cultures, like Turkey. Being aware shows respect and cultural sensitivity.
- Don’t shy away from hostels, even if you’re over 50! Many offer private rooms for privacy and have shared kitchens to save on meals by packing lunches or cooking dinner—plus, they’re great for meeting fellow travelers.
Lesson learned: I fell in love with hostels during our Peace Corps service. When traveling through Europe for three months, we saved a ton. I love dorms (eye mask and earplugs help), while John prefers privacy—we compromise. Shared kitchens are perfect for meeting fellow travelers over coffee!
- Enjoy local cuisine when dining out, but save money by cutting costs. Skip appetizers, dessert, and drinks to help your budget.
Lesson learned: John could eat his way through Italy, but our budget shows how much we save by cutting extras. Now, we skip appetizers and drinks—and treat ourselves to gelato in the town piazza instead!
- I always pack a sack lunch for our long waits in airports, and bring plenty of granola bars to avoid hangry moments when sightseeing.
Lesson learned: We’ve fallen for overpriced airport food—I once paid $8 for water in Mexico! Now, we pack a PB&J and some apples, saving enough for an Uber later. The granola bars will get you through the day when you don’t want to stop exploring.
- Many countries offer attraction passes to save money, but we’ve found some tour companies that may not mention them. Check with your hotel or ask your guide about available discounts.
Lesson learned: It took three stops in Peru before we realized attraction passes existed. Fellow travelers, not guides, clued us in—I should have known better, same thing happened in Austria. Don’t forget to check—I’m here to remind you!