Planning a journey: Before the trip

We have gathered some tried and tested tips for planning a journey on this page.

• Study the weather conditions and find out which season would be the best time to go. At the destination you may see, however, that the weather is not typical for the season, so be always prepared to change your plans.
• Get the necessary vaccinations and discuss the need for protection against malaria and other nasty diseases with a knowledgeable doctor.    
• Are your teeth in order? Remember that English-speaking doctors or hospitals up to Western standards could be far away when you need medical help.
• Don’t leave home without good travel insurance! Make sure you know what your insurance covers.
• Do not depend on just one credit card for your travel finances.
  It is good to have at least two cards; we have both Visa and Visa Electronic.
• Compare airfares on-line. Also look through the offers of local airlines; low-price flights are offered and sold on-line. For example, the flight from Helsinki to Hanoi is expensive, but there are cheap flights to Bangkok, and from Bangkok you can get a cheap flight to Hanoi.

• If you travel a lot, it is a good idea to register for a mile-saving program with the airline of your choice. For four round-trip flights for instance to South-East Asia, you might get the fifth almost free, depending on the airline. Read the rules carefully and save money by using special offers etc.
• It is advisable to reserve the first hotel at your destination before leaving. The flight will probably have been exhausting and the thought of a shower and soft bed may make things easier to endure. We usually reserve accommodation for the first two nights in advance. The hotel is usually a pleasant surprise, sometimes a (slight) disappointment, but in a big city what matters most is the location of the hotel. We usually choose small family-run hotels. They are the best value for money in our opinion.
• On the web you can also find train and bus timetables (see our links). It is advisable to book the train tickets on-line before departure; the sleepers, especially, are often sold out.
• During festivals and holidays local people travel a lot, to see their relatives etc., and the trains and the buses are full. The necessary are provided but there are some restrictions, especially regarding the opening hours.
• Read country-specific guidebooks. We prefer the Lonely Planet series, which is one of the best resources for the individual traveller. Get as much information about your destination and its customs as you can. On the web, and in books and papers, you will find descriptions of places and personal travelogues. If you have time to learn a few words and phrases in the local language (“hello”, “thank you”, “you're welcome”, “coffee with milk” etc), it will make your trip a lot easier and enjoyable.
• Pack only what you really need bearing in mind all the packing, carrying and unpacking you will be doing during your trip and also leave room for your purchases; there will be lots of temptations!
• We always make sure that we take along the necessary medicines, suitable sunscreen and insect repellent. You can get sunscreen in most places, but not necessarily your favourite brand. Bring insect repellent for at least a week and then buy more. Our medicine bag contains at least pain killers, antibiotics, disinfectants for cleaning wounds, sticking plasters, and stomach medicine. Imodium or a similar product is a traveller's friend. Sometimes you have to set off according to your plan in spite of stomach problems.
• An elastic bandage may prove useful if you strain your ankle walking in the jungle or on an uneven street. And if you are fortunate enough not to need it, maybe some other traveller or a local person will. Let’s help each other out there.