This is a sponsored guest post.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
If your goal this year is to travel, you’re not alone! Many people strive to afford vacations to new places each year. There are many ways to experience a new place, but one of the best ways is by walking. Walking through cobblestone streets, along crowded avenues, or down natural paths is a way to see the sights like a native. However, to experience the area like the locals, you’ll need to prepare. So before you take off on your next adventure, make sure your bags are packed with these five things.
- Good Shoes (And Socks)
If you want to take the walking approach to tourism, do it in sensible shoes. Even if you think you’re used to walking in your stylish heels or dress shoes you won’t want to do it for very long. Wear a pair of worn-in sneakers while you walk—you’ll avoid pinched toes, blisters, and the plantar fasciitis treatment you’d need once you returned home. The shoes you wear should have sturdy soles and good arch support to keep your feet comfy for hours as you tour your destination. Wearing moisture-wicking, breathable socks with your shoes will help too. Nothing kills the vibe of a vacation like complaining that your feet hurt.
2. Preparedness Kit
Even if you’re a slow walker, you’d be surprised by how far you can go in a matter of hours. If you are in a place you aren’t familiar with, you’ll want to prepare by packing a kit of essential supplies you’ll need if you get lost or hurt. Your kit should include things like:
- Map
- Language translator book
- Extra money
- Bandaids
- Granola bars
- Sunblock
- Chapstick
- Tweezers
- Bug spray
Your kit may save you from an unfortunate situation. If you are worried about getting lost, keep your map close and mark where you left and places you stopped along the way; this way it’s easy to backtrack.
3. Water
Water is another thing you’ll want to bring when you’re walking. Staying hydrated will keep your muscles from seizing up and causing you extra soreness the next day. Hydration can also help you keep a clear head and prevent any panic attacks you might get if you get lost. Bringing a reusable water bottle can help you remember to stay hydrated and it will save you money if you fill up at public drinking fountains instead of constantly buying disposable water bottles (though this does depend on where you are traveling and if drinking water is safe).
4. Pickpocket-proof bags
Before you leave on your vacation, do plenty of research. You’ll want to be somewhat familiar with the city’s layout, different places you want to visit, and what you should watch out for. In many European cities, people will warn you to beware of pickpockets. To protect your valuables, consider investing in a pickpocket-proof bag of some sort, whether it’s a purse or backpack. These bags reduce the chances of you being robbed, though you’ll also want to know what popular scams people run in the area you’re visiting to avoid pickpocket encounters altogether.
5. Sense of Adventure
The last thing you’ll need to pack for a trip of walking is a sense of adventure. Walking can get tiresome, but if you keep your sense of adventure, it will never get boring. Walking will show you how locals live, it will lead you to unique shops and places to stop and snap a picture. If you want to truly experience a new place, your sense of adventure will guide your feet to it.
