Traveling as a couple can be fun and exciting. But it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time away together:

Discuss your travel preferences

When traveling as a couple, it’s important to discuss your preferences and expectations before you go. For example, one person may want to stay in luxury hotels while another would rather save money by staying at an Airbnb or hostel.

You should also determine what kind of activities you’d like to do during your trip. If you enjoy hiking and adventure sports, then plan some days where you go on hikes or take surfing lessons together. If you’re more interested in relaxing at beach resorts or museums, then choose places that offer those kinds of experiences.

Make sure you agree on how much time each activity will take so there aren’t any surprises when it comes time to leave a location early or stay longer than planned.

Resolve any arguments before leaving home

It’s tempting to avoid arguments while traveling because it’s difficult to resolve them when you’re thousands of miles away from home — however, this often leads to pent-up resentment between partners that can cause problems later down the road. It’s better to resolve.

You could do this by spicing up date night. Maybe with the best adventure book for couples. Or something similar.

Backpacking Thailand is one of the most popular ways to travel to the country. Thailand is the mecca of tourism in Southeast Asia. It is cheap, easy to travel, has a fantastic tourism infrastructure, and a great introduction to the region.

Once you have decided on where you want to go, the things you want to do, and what you want to see, then you need to start planning your transportation, accommodation, and packing list. Not overpacking is vital to any trip to Thailand. Select Your Arrival and Departure Dates The season varies drastically. March through June is the hottest time to visit. The monsoon season starts in May runs through October. If you are planning on going to the Full Moon Party in Thailand you’ll want to head there before rainy season.

During the rainy season, expect a few hours of heavy rain each day. If you plan to travel to Thailand during this time, you will need to pack rain gear. The peak tourist season goes from November to February, which means more tourists and higher prices, but the weather is cooler. The low season is July to October, which means fewer tourists and lower costs. Check If You Need A Visa Most people won’t need to get a visa for Thailand. As many travelers from the USA, Europe, and Asia get a stamp on arrival. There is no fee for the stamp, and it’s valid for 30 days of travel in Thailand.

But it is important to check Thailand’s immigration website to see if you need to apply for a visa before arriving. Plan to Enough Time in Each Place Rushing from city to city will leave you feeling worn out and stressed. Stay three full days in each place. It gives you enough time to see the sights, explore the culture, and relax. For example, if you are traveling for three weeks, then plan on visiting 6 to 7 cities. Any more and you risk getting burned out. Buses are the primary mode of transportation in Thailand. Some of the bus rides over 10 hours. You need to account for this in your itinerary.

Pick Your Accommodation Based on Your Budget

Hostels

Thailand has a big backpacker culture for travelers doing the Southeast Asia circuit, so there are hundreds of hostels across the country. If you are traveling on a budget, then hostels are your best choice. On average, a hostel in Thailand will cost anywhere from 8 to 15 USD for a dorm room.

Many of the hostels are clean, offer free WiFi, lockers, and breakfast. It is important you check out the amenities before booking. The general rule is the more beds in a room, the cheaper the cost per bed. Many of the hostels offer private rooms that will cost anywhere from 25 to 40 USD according to this backpacking Thailand article.
Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is another affordable way to travel to Thailand. And an excellent way to save money, as it is free most of the time. Couchsurfing lets you meet locals and discover local events. Head to couchsurfing.com to see available couches in the area you will be staying in.

Thailand has a large number of couch surfers, so it is a relatively safe and affordable way to backpack Thailand on a budget.

Hotels

Thailand is affordable, and even budget travelers can find decent hotel rooms for cheap. Although staying at a hotel is still the most expensive option. Hotels are cheaper in the off travel season. Get a credit card that lets you earn miles and points for each purpose of earning free hotel rooms.

How to Get Around Thailand

Bus

Buses are the cheapest and easiest option when traveling in Thailand. There is an extensive network of tourist buses that will take you anywhere you want to go. If you are headed to the islands, they sell the bus/ferry tickets together. Bus tickets will cost between 10 -30 USD the length of the journey. Take night buses. This lets you save on a night of accommodation.

Train

Thailand has a decent train network, as well. Traveling by train is more prevalent in the north of Thailand and is an excellent way to get to the major cities. Trains are more expensive than buses but are a little faster and more comfortable.

Budget Airlines

Another option for getting around Thailand is flying.

This is perfect for people traveling for only a short time, like two to three weeks. Budget airlines are cost-effective but don’t fly everywhere. The best budget airlines are Air Asia and Thai Smile. Look at the terms, fees, and allowances before booking. If you don’t follow their rules, they will raise the price.

Rent A Motorbike

A popular way to travel around the north of Thailand is by motorbike. A bike is a good option if you want to visit the countryside and small villages. You can rent bikes by the day, week, or month and cost as little as 10 USD a day, or 60 USD a month.

Make sure you have the right international driving license, or you get tickets. Before You Go Travel Tips Picking the Right Backpack Make sure to research your backpack. Picking the right backpack will make traveling much easier. For Thailand, you will want a backpack that has an internal frame, adjustable straps, and is water-resistant. Try to avoid picking a huge pack.

With backpacks, less is more. Get a carry on backpack to avoid airline luggage fees. If you want a backpack you can check, it needs to be between 30 to 40 liters.

Pack the Basics

Only bring the basics. This will reduce the weight and keep you organized. If you discover you left something that you need, then buy it on the road. Bring four to five tops, two to three shorts, one pair of pants, one light sweater, and two pairs of socks. You will also need a good pair of sandals, swimming trunks, sunglasses, a scarf, and basic toiletries. Clothes in Thailand are cheap.

You can get a shirt for 3 to 4 USD. This means you can pack less and buy clothes as you travel. Tell Your Bank Your Traveling When banks see a transaction for a foreign country, they often lock the account to protect you. Call your bank and let them know you are traveling to avoid being able to withdraw money.

There are more fees when withdrawing money abroad. Ask about any international ATM fees. Get a card that has free international withdraw. For those of you from the USA, the best option is Charles Schwab.

Get a Passport

You cannot enter Thailand as a foreigner without a passport. Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months after entering Thailand. Make a photo and electronic copy of your passport just in case it gets lost. Email yourself a copy and keep a picture of your passport on your phone.

Book Your Flights

Start searching for flights a few months in advance, this will help you find the best price. If you are traveling in high season, it is essential to book your accommodation in advance to secure your spot.

A guide to backpacking: hints and tricks

Europe has always been popular amongst both old and young individuals due to the number of interesting places and sites to see. Europe is deep in cultural and historical background, so it is no wonder why it is such as popular place to visit. However, booking your flights from the UK to Belgium via Condor is the simple part – now you need to pack your things and plan your visit.

Here are some helpful hints and tricks to keep in mind when backpacking.

• Keep your passport with you at all times – never leave it anywhere. The number of backpackers who lose their passport every year is frightful. Without a passport you cannot travel beyond the country you are in or get home.
• Pack your bag properly – Do not just throw your things into your back pack – plan it properly. The weight of the bag should always be balanced and the things you will need regularly should be on top. The things you will need constantly – it is best to put them in the side pockets for ease.
• Always carry water – if you are hiking or travelling during the heat (or cold for that matter) it is vital that you keep hydrated. Therefore, always carry water with you – somewhere you can get to it easily. Also, ensure the water you are drinking is clean, if it isn’t you could get seriously ill.
• Have a torch nearby – You never know when you may need a torch. Also, it could help if you are hunting in a big bag. The ideal torch would be a small LED one you can fit in your pocket or on your belt.
• Keep money on you – You don’t want to be caught short without any money. You never know if you will need something for a local shop or food. So, always ensure you have enough on you for this event.

It is also recommended that you pack your underwear at the top of your bag – theft is quite likely during backpacking trips. This method should deter thieves from progressing through your rucksack.

Also, if you are traveling in a specifically hot or cold climate, ensure you have the suitable clothing on at all times. Backpacking Thailand or Backpacking Indonesia are a prime example of this.

But, the most important thing to remember when you are backpacking is to stay safe, have fun and take plenty of pictures to bring back to the UK with you.

If you’re bored of doing the same thing each year, why not take the opportunity to try something new this summer? Watersport themed holidays can offer the perfect middle ground between adrenaline-fuelled adventure and simply messing about in boats. Here are a few ideas below.

Adventure sports

There are numerous ways to have an adventure on the open water. Chances are you’ve tried classics such as jet skiing, speed boating and body boarding – but that doesn’t mean you’ve exhausted all your possibilities. Not by a long shot. Have you thought about kayaking in Fiji? Or surfing in Mozambique? And if you’re looking for something truly adventurous, you could do a lot worse than canyoning in the Azores, a wild, rugged Portuguese archipelago situated in the Atlantic some 900 miles away from the European mainland.

Diving

Similarly, the possibilities here are pretty much endless and a lot will depend on the extent to which you are prepared to step out of your comfort zone. If swimming with killer whales in Norway doesn’t float your boat (excuse the pun) then perhaps diving for manta rays in the Maldives might provide a safer option. If you’re based in Europe, meanwhile, don’t go thinking you need to head all the way over to the Antipodes for some dolphin swimming, as you might do just as well diving on the Gulf of Corinth in Greece. Scuba diving at Yolanda Reef, Egypt’s first and best-kept National Park, remains a perennial favorite.

Fishing trips

There will be many people who object to fishing occupying a separate category to adventure sports, but I suppose it all depends on the size of the fish… Fishing charters can be an excellent way to go out onto the water with some expert advice at hand, while very few serious anglers would be able to resist the prospect of fishing on the Persian Gulf. The UAE has a long fishing season, stretching from October to May, and its geographical location means that it is home to a wide variety of fish. The Dubai fishing scene is growing in popularity, with anglers seeking out species such as queenfish, king mackerel and yellowfin tuna. If you are hoping to catch a barracuda, you can reel them in all year round!

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