1. so you want to travel?
tips & tricks from an amateur adventurer

2. my story
Distributed the Polio Vaccine to villages in Mexico
Rode Vespas through the streets of Florence, Italy
Hiked 100 miles around a peninsula in Ireland
Volunteered building houses in a Transylvanian
Village
Rode 26 hours on a train through the heart of Bulgaria
Partied with Turkish Locals on the rooftops of Istanbul

3. Learn more about the world and the people in it
why should you travel?
Grow your confidence and resourcefulness
Memories and stories worth more than money can
offer
Why not?
Stop dreaming and start DOING

4. reasons you say you
can’t travel
Not enough money to afford a trip.
Not the right time. There are too many opportunities!
A secure job, apartment, or commitments.
No one to go with to experience the adventure.
Concerns from parents, friends or family.

5. tip 1: you can (and
should) still travel.

6. Step 1: Research

7. research your travel
interests
Figure out what interests you...
Pinterest
Travel Books from the Library / Amazon ($1.00 used)
Travel Podcasts
National Geographic / Travel Chanel Magazines
Online forums & travel groups
Make your Travel Bucket List

8. tip 2: know your limits
and your style.

9. Step 2: plot your map

10. plot your trip map
Figure out what your next travel experience
Week? 2 Weeks? Month? Longer?
One destination for a more in-depth experience
Multiple destinations for a tour type experience?
Alone? With friends? With a tour group?
Set a date for your trip and plot out the key points
above.

11. tip 3: change “I want to”
to “I am going to.”

12. step 3: plan your plan

13. plan your plan
Work backwards from the date you’ve set.
Plot out details you need to figure out - depends on
length of trip and destination.
Finances - What do you need to save to make it
possible?
Trip Needs - Passport? Visas? Gear? Vaccines?
Insurance?
Lodging & Itinerary - Hotels vs Hostels vs.
Couchsurfing? Museums vs. Outdoors vs.
Partying?
Set dates for yourself and hold yourself accountable.

14. Tip 4: set out a little time
each week to plan.

15. step 4: count the days.

16. counting the days.
Continue to execute the plan you’ve set for yourself save money, shop for gear, plan your itinerary and
more.
Tell friends & family. Arrange coverage (job
/pets/apartment /car) where necessary.
Continue to research and be inspired by where you
WILL be going.
Plan out any final last-minute details you didn’t
account for.
Cell phone abroad? Last minute gear? Etc.

17. Step 5:travel it up.

18. packing tips
Pack your pack then unload 1/2 the gear = less is
more
Pack SMART rather than quantity
For longer trips, investing in quality gear makes a
difference
Most things you CAN buy in other countries (laundry
detergent, shirts, food, etc.)
Leave room for souvenirs!

19. travel resources
[research]
Pinterest - Make Travel Boards of interest
Amazon - Find cheap used travel books
Online Forums & Travel Sites
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.fodors.com
www.nomadicmatt.com
www.matadornetwork.com
www.bootsnall.com
www.travelfish.org

20. travel resources
[research]
Podcasts
Rick Steves Travel Podcast - More serious, adult travel
Amateur Traveler Podcast - Great for solo backpackers
Indie Travel Podcast - Great for group travelers
Other
Couchsurfing.org - Local meet-ups with other travelers
HelpX.net - Great for solo or couple backpackers
Rotary Travel Fellowship / Rotaract International

21. travel resources (flights)
Kayak.com - www.kayak.com
STA Travel - www.statravel.com
Travel Zoo - www.travelzoo.com
RTW Trips / Tickets - www.bootsnall.com

22. travel resources
[lodging]
Travel Zoo - www.travelzoo.com
Air B n B - www.airbnb.com
Couch Surfing - www.couchsurfing.com
Help X - www.helpx.net
Rotaract Network - My Rotary Network www.rotary.org

23. traveling tips & tricks
Don’t try to do too much in one day. Pace your travel
experience.
Push your limits - particularly in traveling alone.
Try new food, new cultural experiences, talk to
strangers!
Be SAFE and SMART.
Know your surroundings.
Be respectful & honor the culture YOU are in.
Embrace the culture & learn more about yourself in the
process.

24. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow­mindedness, 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.”
­ Mark Twain
­ Mark Twain

25. questions?

26. Question s?