How-To Last Minute Guide

1. Less is more

How often did you realize after a vacation that you only wore half of the clothes you had packed? Or that the small souvenirs only fit into your suitcase with difficulty? You see: Less is more on vacation. Rather pack less complicated articles of clothing that you can combine with each other – and only half of the shoes. Because first, you can go shopping on vacation and second, there is a laundry service in almost every hotel.

Special tip: Rolling your clothes actually saves room in the suitcase!

2. Little planning does no harm

Even if your last minute vacation starts at short notice: Take two hours of your time and do some web research beforehand. A short search for the best restaurants and addresses on Google, blogs and Instagram is really helpful for not falling into sleazy tourist traps.

3. Check travel rules

Especially for exotic countries you often need a visa. If the time for application is too short you should ask in the embassy if you could get an express visa or a visa on arrival. Often you don’t find this on the online info pages of the embassy.

4. Knigge rules

Did you ever try to stop a taxi in Asia the German way and wondered why not even one stopped? This is because most Asians think that you are waving them away. Different countries, different customs and traditions — like gestures. To get along in a foreign country, you can find the basic rules of decency online.

5. Do you speak Deutsch?

Before I travel I write down the most important phrases of the foreign language in my cell phone. At least I want to be able to say Good day, Thank you, Please and Goodbye. This is not only polite but is also fun since you always get a delighted smile in return.

6. Boarding completed

Nobody really likes long-distance flights – especially when they are followed by jetlag.

My tips: adjust your watch ahead of time to the local time on board, drink a lot of water and try to find some sleep during the night time of your holiday location even though it is afternoon in Germany. I always take off my shoes, wear a sleep mask and listen to slow and quiet music with noise-cancelling headphones.

7. Go home, jetlag!

You can already do something against it at home by avoiding coffee before the flight. That way, it has its full effect at the holiday location. Some other tricks: drink a lot of water when you are there and don’t wear sunglasses when you are tired even if the sun shines strong.

8. Be flexible

So you are on vacation and did a little research. However, you shouldn’t plan too much in order to be spontaneous. When you walk through your holiday location with open eyes you definitely find some places that you like but didn’t read about beforehand.

9. Just ask

If you get in touch with locals and ask them for recommendations or anything else, you not only make new friends but also get insider tips that you don’t find anywhere else.

10. Post show-off pictures

If you are at a holiday location for a longer time and don’t want to waive mobile surfing, you should look for a local SIM card to save the roaming costs. In most countries in the world, so-called prepaid data SIM cards are much cheaper than in Germany. This way, you can make your friends at home jealous with beautiful holiday pictures.

11. Mosquito alert!!

Are you going to a tropical country? Just save yourself a trip to the local pharmacy. Mosquito protection will be cheaper and especially more effective when buying at your holiday destination.

12. Alone on vacation

I know that very well! I got used to having lunch alone over time. If it feels strange you can look for possible eating companions in local supper clubs. Food tours through foreign cities in the evening are not only interesting but can also get you new friends.

Angelika Schwaff

Angelika is the publisher of the blog Reisefreunde. She travels up to 250 days per year for it. She has already visited 82 countries and still isn’t fed up yet.

Text: Angelika Schwaff

Illustrations: Assa Ariyoshi