Several countries, thousands of flights and endless road trips. That is the life of a travel writer, and he teaches you many good things. I would like to share some of my travel tips with you as I have found them very useful on every trip I have taken.

Be upset

It’s time to talk to different people. The waiter, the concierge, the bar staff or that customer sitting at the next table who looks good. Ask them questions about what to see and you’ll find that people will love to share their tips and insights with you. Trust me, a lot of people get nervous, but if you randomly start a conversation, you’re one step away from the next hidden gem.

get out of bed

This is the hardest thing to deal with, especially for those who love to stay in bed a little longer than usual. You better get up early because a lot happens before brunch time. So get out there and head to a Washington restaurant for breakfast or hit the best beach in Italy before the hordes of tourists arrive. Trust me, you won’t regret this one; you can sleep as much as you want once you get home.

Keep your phone charged

There is nothing worse than running out of technology due to a dead battery. Keep a power bank with you so you never run out of battery.

join the cloud

That iPhone is worth nothing, and that’s for one main reason: the photos. Memories are the best thing to do in travel, and without them the charm of embarking on a trip would be lost. Gone are the days when you used to keep manual backup. Apple now has you covered with iCloud, set up your cloud and get access to every photo and video from anywhere.

remember your favorites

Remember that fantastic restaurant you went to the last time you visited New York four years ago? Nope? That’s bad! Next time just ask your phone to remember it, in Google Maps just type the name of the place and then press “save”. This method will help you star it so you can always go back and check it out.

Bring cash

From Amsterdam to Cambodia, being strapped for cash is not a big deal. You won’t find an ATM everywhere, and you won’t always be able to use your debit/credit cards to pay for hotels, bars, and restaurants. Carry emergency cash with you around $150 in USD or the local currency of the destination you are visiting.