Last month on the blog, we recommended our favourite winter travel destinations. Travel is one reason why it’s so great living in Dubai – there are so many amazing, affordable destinations to jet off to.
This month, we’re offering you 7 tips that can make you a smarter traveller. Follow our tips and you will enjoy safer and more enjoyable holidays.
Bon voyage from all at Sarwa!
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Embrace technology
Nowadays, there’s an app that can help you with every aspect of your holiday. If you’re looking for good value accommodation, use Airbnb. Want a hand translating the local language? Download Duolingo. Need a ride? Uber is now used in cities all over the world. Suffering from jet lag and need to find the best coffee shop in town ASAP? Check out the great Beanhunter … and those are only a few travel services that are now available at the touch of a button.
So use your phone before, during and after your trip. Everything you need to plan a safe and rewarding trip is right there in your pocket.
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Use a quality comparison search engine
Two key parts of having a great trip are planning well and staying on budget. Technology can help here. There are some excellent comparison sites that can get you the best deals on flights, hotels, car hire and activities. Use a comparison site and save money from the get-go.
In our opinion, Wego is one of the best, offering top deals on flights and hotels. They’ve also got a really great blog that can give you all the travel inspiration you need.
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Sort your documentation
Nothing can be more painful than turning up to the airport to find your passport has expired. Nightmare! To avoid a catastrophe like this, check well in advance if your documentation is all in date or whether your destination requires any special paperwork, such as visas or health documentation.
Also, check your insurance before you fly. Ensure that it’s in date and covers you fully for everything you want to do on your trip.
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Pack wisely
If you don’t have to check in a bag, don’t. The cost of checking in a hold bag continues to rise on major airlines. Flying is now much better value if you manage to just take carry on. Take fewer outfits and save a lot of money.
Once you’ve decided on the size of your bag, pack essentials only. And, as we all know, it’s worth leaving a bit of space in your suitcase for bringing home some souvenirs!
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Prepare to fly
If you’re a first-class flyer, we salute you and you can skip this tip. But if you’re a mere mortal like the rest of us, who turns right and heads toward the back of the plane, there’s no surer way of getting your holiday off to a bad start than by having a bad flight.
Check out this great article from Skyscanner for some great tips on having a good flight. We recommend drinking lots of water, taking your own headphones, an eye mask and a neck pillow, and, if you’re feeling lucky, perhaps asking for that elusive upgrade might just pay off.
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Learn some local lingo
A vital part of exploring a new country is being able to interact with locals by talking to them in a little of their own language. Even the most basic effort can make a huge difference, as by saying ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’ in the local tongue, locals will appreciate the effort you’re making and treat you in a friendlier, more welcoming manner.
Don’t get too hung up on learning vocabulary and verbs. Just nail the basic, everyday phrases.
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Save your funds for investing
Few things ruin a holiday faster than worrying about how you can’t afford what you’re spending whilst abroad. So it’s vitally important to, firstly, budget and always spend a little less than your maximum allowance. And you should always invest what you save.
You can invest any money you save with Sarwa. We make investing easy by getting to know you and your goals, offering you a personalized, low-cost investment portfolio, and letting you create and fund your account in minutes. With our platform, you can even watch your wealth grow even whilst lying on the beach.
Sarwa can help you have a great holiday in two ways. First, use Sarwa to save the money for your next holiday. Every week or month, save a little in your Sarwa account. These funds will be invested and then when the time comes for a break, you’ll have a nice pot of money that has been slowly growing over time.
The other way that Sarwa can help is by working for you whilst you lie on a beach. If you stay on budget, the money you save before you travel will make the holiday all the more enjoyable as you’ll remember how the investments at home in your Sarwa account are working whilst you’re relaxing and having fun. You can even check your balance on our app from your sun lounger!
However you use Sarwa, we hope to help you have a great holiday.
Ready to invest in your future?