- Keep a journal / blog to remember your adventure (plus you're never alone with a pen and notebook).
- Lose the travelers cheques, they’re more hassle than they’re worth and bank cards do fine
- Start somewhere mildly challenging, but don’t start off in India or Africa
- Most bags get stolen on night buses, when travellers store them above the seats. Always keep your bags with you.
- When traveling in high season, plan ahead to avoid frustration. Use online hostel booking sites, which have recent reviews and updated vacancy calendars.
- Travel light
- Shop around for tours, the biggest is usually not the best, nor the cheapest.
- Try learn a little of the language in each country
- Bring hand sanitizer
- Avoid planning extensively – you find the best spots by speaking to the people you meed
- Be bold with the food (except in India, and stay away from street sushi, Gary I'm looking at you!)
- Don’t believe the bad stories
- Keep an open mind
- Don’t always believe the advice or directions of the locals, sometimes they’d rather give the wrong information than admit they don’t know.
- Be positive about traveling solo!
- Don’t listen to other’s advice, it’s so personal you’ll want to experience it yourself
- Buy on the way, pack half, it’s cheaper
- If you like your boy/girlfriend, go travelling with them!
- Shop around for your ticket, even reputable agencies can be rip-offs
- Don’t be embarresed about doing an organized tour
- Be weary of “cosmic” travellers who seem to know everything!
You see, the universe wants you to book your ticket!
I know these things, because I'm the starshine travel guru they're warning you about.
Feel free to add your nuggets of wisdom.