Lesson 5: Research
You now have some basic ideas of what your preferences are. However, you don’t yet have enough information to fit your idea into your framework. You need to find out a little more information before those ideas can be placed into your framework.
As with anything, before you attempt this daunting task you must learn the basics. Thus, in this lesson you will learn where and how to find travel general information. Later, your search skills will be used to search for more information on your preferences.
What to Search For
The type of travel information for which you are searching varies upon your purposes. In most cases, you will want to search for accommodations, food, transportation, and activities. If you are looking for a route to a friend’s house you will search for a map. You may also want to locate rest stop activities along the way. If you are planning an overseas vacation you may want information on countries information, health concerns, travel insurance, travel documents, and time zone conversions. Guide books and maps on specific areas might also be helpful.
Note, if you are traveling overseas, always do research on the country to plan to visit. It is important to not only understand the health issues but also the political issues associated with a country. Travel agents tend to mention only required immunizations for overseas travel. Often countries merely recommend immunizations or medications for deadly diseases such as Yellow Fever and Malaria. Issues such as recent outbreaks are also extremely helpful.
Political instability and high crime rates might add unwanted adventures on your travels. There are also still some countries in the world where your particular nationality or religion may make you a target for persecution. Further, in some Middle Eastern countries it is extremely dangerous for a woman to travel alone.
It is also important to know economic information about the country you plan to visit. Anyone who has spent an equivalent of $100 on a hamburger can tell you it is important to understand both the conversion rate and value of the local money. Also learn what the money looks like and how to tell the differences between values.
The time zone of your destination is also important. To reduce the affects of jet lag you may want to gradually alter your routine to your intended destination before you travel. This is especially important if you are traveling with children.
