Maybe you have a trip planned, or you are dreaming of traveling abroad one day. Either way, there are some ways to prepare for your trip that I have found to be very helpful. Going to new places and discovering new cultures can be frustrating when you don’t know what to do or where to go. Whenever I’m traveling overseas, I make sure that these five steps are in place that I’m going to share with you today!

1. Get your passport in advance

I’ve found that most people wait until they actually have a trip planned to go ahead and get their passport, but I would suggest you get one way before that. When I was dreaming of traveling abroad, I got my passport in aspirations of traveling abroad one day. Nothing was planned, but I knew that if I “acted as if” something was planned, I would eventually attract it into my life. That’s exactly what happened. The very next year after getting my passport, I was able to go to South America. I believe it was because I spoke it into existence. You can do the same. Just like with success or anything else you want to manifest into your life, take deliberate actions towards your travel dreams by getting your passport now. That way you are prepared when the time comes.

What if I need my passport expedited?

It usually takes 4-6 weeks to get your passport the regular way. If you are in an emergency situation where you are traveling within a certain amount of days, you can get your passport in one day. You will have to see what cities closest to you offer this service. If you live in Florida, you can go to Miami to get your passport done in a day. You have to show proof of your trip within 8 days, and a few other things that can be found here.

{Travel Bag: Lilly Pulitzer; Travel Journal: Around The World In Style: The Travel Journal}

2. Create an itinerary

Before you ever get on a plane to your destination, have an ideal itinerary of what you will do. Make a list of the historical and fun attractions in your area, that way you are able to experience everything on your list before you leave. This will help you stay focused, organized and you’ll get more done while you’re traveling.

Another thing that’s important is to plan your transportation to and from the hotel before you leave home. This way, you are less likely to be overcharged by drivers trying to take advantage of foreigners. When I went to study in Paris, my dad decided to drop me off before classes started. We decided to pay for our transportation to the hotel before we ever left the United States. Once we got there it was so easy to load the bus and get on to our hotel. Once we got there, the driver tried to double charge my father because he thought that my dad would fall for his tricks. Thankfully, we already had paid for the service and we had the receipt. The guy of course left us alone because we had proof of payment. We found out that he not only tried to charge us twice, but the second time was twice as much as what was supposed to be paid. This is exactly why I stress the point of taking care of your transportation and other things before you arrive, and always have your receipt.

3. Convert your money before you go

Converting your money to the proper currency before you go will save you time and frustration. Though you can get great rates from exchanging your money in a local ATM in the country you are visiting, there is no guarantee that there will be one in the airport once you land. This can be really bad if you have to pay for cabs, car service or are in an emergency. Being stuck and stranded is never a good idea, especially if you are traveling alone, so be prepared by having money on you.

I always keep U.S. currency on me just in case I need to exchange more money or for safety reasons. You should always be prepared and aware when traveling outside of your country.

4. Get some rest

Get some rest before you fly overseas. There’s a chance that you could be jetlagged, so be sure to just take it easy before you go. Drinking lots of water will help you stay hydrated and avoid the sluggish feeling that can occur when you travel. You can even begin to implement this a few days before you leave for your trip. Try going to bed according to country you are visiting and get to drinking lots of water!

{Passport Cover: Style & Travel Girl Case}

5. Get a passport cover

Losing your passport abroad is one of the worst feelings ever. You feel vulnerable because it’s something that you need to get back home. The Style and Travel Girl passport case was designed to help you keep track of your passport while traveling. It has a place to hold your passport, important documents, license and travel itinerary. Because they come in bright and bold colors, it’s hard to misplace your passport and you are more likely to keep up with something that is in an organized case.

Shop the entire collection at www.StyleShoppe.com

Traveling is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, but that can only happen with a plan. The five steps that I gave you today are what I use to make my trip smooth and safe. Especially as a woman traveler, it’s important to have things in place before you leave home. On another note, leave yourself space to explore the country you are visiting. The best experiences are usually spontaneous and happen while on the go. While this has been my experience, I’m always looking for new ways to make my trips more enjoyable. If you have suggestions you’ve found to be helpful while traveling, please leave them below in the comment section!