7 Tips for Taking a Trip to Abbotsford

Snuggled into British Columbia’s Fraser Valley region is the city of Abbotsford. Arguably one of the most delightful places in Canada, Abbotsford tempts international travelers from all walks of life. With scenic hiking trails, a rich arts community and heritage sites scattering the lush landscape, is it any wonder why?

Tips for Traveling Internationally to Abbotsford

Even if you have never ventured into the unknown on your own before, this doesn’t mean that you will suck at it. In fact, you can turn your trip into a regular thing if you do it right. With the following tips, we are sure you’ll be inspired to take an international trip more than once a year (if the schedule allows):

Get Important Documents Together – First things first, get your passport at the ready! Make sure it is not wet or damaged in any way, as this may affect your ability to enter and leave a country. A passport should have at least six months of validity on it when you travel internationally. Leave a copy of your passport at home and print out a few extra copies, just in case you need them during your trip. Some other types of documents to pack for an international trip include identification (I.D.) and travel insurance documents.

Booking a Flight: Abbotsford International Airport is based southwest of the city center. Wherever you may be departing from, this is where you’ll arrive at. You can search online for direct flights if you want to keep the travel time as brief as possible or seek connecting flights. This type of journey will take slightly longer, but you can save money by searching sites like Expedia for Abbotsford flights. Shop wisely to track down a flight with a short layover.

Pack the Right Gear – Traveling internationally means that you will likely be exposed to completely different climates, transport systems and, well, a completely different way of life! Prepare for the experience by researching the weather beforehand and packing clothes accordingly. Think about whether you will need to wear closed-toe or open-toe footwear and always dress respectfully, based on the culture. Plug sockets may differ to your home country, so remember to pack a travel adapter. Multi-purpose gadgets, like battery banks, will save hassle and space in your case.And don’t forget to bring a camera to document footage for great video blog content.

Carry Some Business Cards – Do you own a business that has the potential to help people around the world? If so, promote it by distributing business cards around the international destination you choose to visit. You could even hand-out some cards to fellow travelers in the airport. Not to worry if you aren’t a business owner because with printed cards, it will be easy to stay in contact with the people you meet on an international trip. Include your contact number, email address and social media information (if relevant) on the cards.

Learn Basic Phrases – Do the local people speak a different language in the country you intend on exploring? If they do, make a habit of learning some basic words and phrases in the weeks/months leading up to your break away. Downloading a smartphone application like Duolingo will aid you in your quest to speak the local lingo. It’s also a good idea to buy a phrasebook that can be carried in your bag or concealed in your pocket, so that you can whip it out and start conversing with the local people upon arrival at a shop, restaurant, hotel, etc. Remember that the local people will respect you more if you learn how to talk like them, which could translate to discounts, if you’re lucky.

Use Public Transportation – Although you could rent a car when traveling internationally, this can be costly. What’s more, a rental car might not serve you well if you aren’t familiar with the area. Instead, take advantage of public transportation, whether you prefer bus, taxi, train or tram. This is a budget-friendly option and who knows… you could end up meeting someone extra special on the journey!

Dealing with Finances – It is not advisable to withdraw all of your cash and exchanging it into the correct currency prior to visiting an international destination, contrary to popular belief. Carrying a lot of money on your person can prove dangerous. Rather than doing this, withdraw cash from an ATM upon arriving, but don’t do so without first informing your bank of your travel plans. Once your bank is aware of your whereabouts, withdrawal restrictions can be lifted, allowing you to easily use an ATM without the bank being concerned about fraudulent activity. Money will be automatically converted into foreign currency when you use a cash machine in an international country.

Conduct Local Research on Customs, Events and Safety – Seek out the official government page of a country before you arrive, as this will give you a glimpse into the local customs, arts and culture scene, safety advice, visas and the all-important events calendar. Find out what is happening in a destination by researching events online before you visit. Buying your tickets in advance is recommended to save money and time.

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