Travelling is often a great way to expand your worldview and learn about other countries and cultures. Even when you travel within your own country, you can speak to people you wouldn't normally meet and see things from new perspectives. Sometimes, it feels like travelling is different to simply going on holiday. There's more movement involved, and probably less lying on beaches too. Since it can mean a lot of actually being on the move, by train, plane, car or even on foot, you need to be well-prepared. Women can have some unique concerns while travelling, as well as some universal ones.
Learning to Pack Perfectly
Whether or not you're good at packing for your travels isn't dependent on gender, but women are often seen as having a problem with overpacking. While there could be a relation to gender, it's more likely to be your personality that influences how easy you find it to pack everything you need into one suitcase. If you love fashion, you might struggle to choose your favourite items. If you're always super prepared, maybe you can't help packing a raincoat, even though it's going to be 30 degrees the whole time. There are a few things that will help you whittle everything down. Start by making a list of necessities before you pack. Try taking things that have multiple purposes too. A scarf or pashmina can keep you warm if it's chilly but also make a great beach coverup.
Creating a Care Kit
When you're actually on the move, it's not always easy to access the things you need. You might have two bags, including a main suitcase or large backpack, plus a smaller bag. You won't always have easy access to the bigger bag, and even when you do, it's hard to get something out of it without rummaging through it. One smart idea is to create a care kit with all the things you might need during your journey and keep it in your smaller bag (i.e. your cabin luggage). You can include miniature toiletry bottles, sanitary products, makeup for touchups, and anything else that might be essential on your journey.
You're time of the month
Dealing with your period while travelling isn't exactly something you want to do. But unless you take birth control that stops it, planning a trip around when you might get your period isn't easy. If you don't want to deal with it at all, you can take tablets to delay your period. These are useful for anyone who doesn't take the contraceptive pill. They use a hormone called norethisterone and can delay your period for up to 17 days. If you're happy to handle your period, though, you just need to be prepared. Make sure you have your preferred supplies, whether it's pads, tampons or even a menstrual cup. It's worth thinking about which option might be most convenient depending on where you're going and what you're doing.
Staying Safe on Your Travels
There's often a lot of fuss about how safe women are while they're travelling, especially if they're going alone. While women do need to be vigilant, you can travel safely if you learn about where you're going and how to mitigate any dangers. You might feel safer travelling with others, but don't let fear stop you travelling alone if you want to. One of the most important things you can do is research your destination to find out what you can do minimize the risk of certain dangers. If there are any ways you don't feel comfortable modifying your behaviour, like dressing modestly, it might be best to give a destination and miss and opt for somewhere else, where you feel free to be yourself.
Creating Backup Plans
One of the most stressful things about travelling is when something doesn't go to plan. If you miss your train, your coach doesn't turn up, or your hotel has lost your booking, it can leave you panicking. While you don't need to go overboard, it's a good idea to think of backup plans in advance. Find out about alternative transport routes if there's a risk your original plan might not work out. Have information about other accommodation in the area in case you need to find somewhere else. If you're travelling abroad, it's always useful to have information about the nearest embassy or consulate too. They can help you out if anything happens, from a lost passport to trouble with the police.
Travel can be a hassle, but it's meant to be enjoyable. If you get organised, you can spend more time enjoying yourself.
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