Organiser Un Premier Voyage à L’étranger : Tous Nos Conseils

Are you itching to explore new horizons and want to go on your first trip abroad? Faced with the amount of information available, it’s easy to get lost. To avoid being overwhelmed, organization will be the key to making this trip a success. In this article, we will give you the most important advice, but also ideas for choosing the destination that will suit you best.

Preparing for your first trip abroad

Before you embark on the unknown, good preparation is essential . A first trip abroad is always memorable , whether positive or negative. You have probably been considering this trip for a long time, but you don’t know how to go about it.

You don’t know where to go and you may be worried about what awaits you. You are also excited to undertake this first trip. This is all normal. These few points will help you better understand the situation.

Clarify your goals, desires, wants and needs

Why do you want to go? This is probably one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself. Be clear about your goals. There are various reasons why you might want to undertake such a trip.

• Pleasure and discovery : you want to go sightseeing, discover other cultures, tourist sites, other ways of life. You want to try other culinary arts… Above all, you want to take a first trip abroad to have fun, to escape or to recharge your batteries. Pleasure and leisure are your watchwords. You then need everything to be perfect. You like the sea, choose blue tourism. You like hiking, climbing, fishing or the country air, opt for green tourism or mountain tourism. Perhaps you like the excitement of cities, nighttime attractions, choose urban tourism.
• Adventure: You are more of an adventurous spirit and want to go where the wind takes you. You are the type to think “we’ll see when we get there”. You want to, or are already part of, backpacking travelers. You don’t care too much about comfort, but your first goal is to discover, fully experience your first trip abroad and savor the surprises that will come your way.
• Business travel: in this case, your trip is somehow imposed or is a constraint. You will participate in a seminar, an incentive, a congress, a meeting. You can also make the trip to meet a new client or negotiate a contract. In this type of trip, everything is planned in advance. You just have to go there and focus on a specific objective. If it is your first trip abroad, you will still have time to make discoveries, although it is limited. In the context of an incentive or a seminar, relaxation is even on the agenda.
• Studies: Going to study abroad is a completely different matter. Whether it is through an Erasmus program or in another setting, your trip will then be a long stay. You will appropriate the culture, the lifestyles of the country where you are going to study. If it is a school trip, it will be shorter and will generally consist of a discovery trip. You will be in a group, with your classmates.
• Humanitarian or social travel, solidarity tourism: if you like exchange or helping your neighbor, you will choose this option. This type of travel emphasizes the human dimension. You can participate in solidarity projects, you will meet the inhabitants, you will share their habits, their life…

Evaluate your means for a first trip abroad

Once you agree on your goals, desires and needs, take into account your means . You will therefore adapt your stay to your budget. The means at your disposal will determine the duration and the terms of your trip. If you have the means, you can treat yourself to the trip of your dreams. If, on the other hand, you have a tight budget, you must prioritize what you will do there. But this small budget does not mean poor quality travel. Moreover, several providers offer low-cost travel packages.

Small or large budget, you will have to determine or take into account:

• The level of comfort you want for your trip: this allows you to decide on your accommodation, your means of transport, your food, the length of your stay, etc.
• The destination: in faraway lands or staying in the Schengen area… (see our ideas at the end of the article)
• The number of people: will you be traveling alone, as a couple, as a family or in a group? The number can have a big impact!

Prepare and plan your trip

Unless your first trip abroad is already organized by a third party (the company you work for or the school for example), you should prepare it several months in advance .

• Choose your destination: the destination you choose will therefore depend on your desires, objectives and means. If you already have a destination in mind, find out about local cultures and the mistakes you should avoid. If you don’t know where to go yet, you can glean information on the net, visit forums, talk about it around you or take inspiration from the suggestions we put forward in this blog.
• Prepare the paperwork: As this is a first trip, you will need a passport if you want to travel outside the Schengen area. Travel insurance is also necessary. Depending on the destination, you may also need a visa, either electronic or stamped in your passport.
• Think about your transportation: in the case of a trip abroad, it is often by air. The earlier you make your reservation, the more attractive the rates will be!
• Think about your accommodation: you have several options such as hotels, campsites, youth hostels, vacation rentals, a van or a camper van, clubs…
• On the health side, think about prevention : some vaccinations are mandatory in some countries. Ask your doctor about the vaccines recommended in the country where you want to travel.

Preparation question:

It can never be said enough: “Easy” travel already requires good preparation . Take care of the administrative formalities in advance. Once you have chosen your destination, find out about and find out about the sites you want to see and plan your stay day by day. Establish a schedule like this:

Question finances :

It is difficult to estimate a precise budget for a first trip abroad, but we can give you some ideas. Choose the options that best suit your real needs. Regarding accommodation, for example, it will not be the same depending on whether you are traveling alone, as a couple or with your family. In the first or second case, a hotel may be suitable. If you like adventure and have a small budget, it is possible to do couchsurfing or opt for youth hostels. If you are going as a family with children, renting a vacation home or exchanging apartments will be profitable for you. You can also join vacation clubs that offer various activities where the whole family can enjoy themselves. Taking advantage of your stay by working or volunteering is also a good idea to finance it.

The time of booking tickets reduces the cost of the trip. The earlier you book, the lower the price. The same goes for the periods to travel. If you go during high season, you will pay more: so choose to travel off-season.

Question of comfort:

• You can organize your first trip abroad yourself, especially if you have a taste for adventure. But for a first trip, it can be reassuring to entrust your project to a professional . Agencies and online service providers offer a variety of packages to suit all tastes, needs and budgets. In any case, do not conclude anything without ensuring the veracity and reliability of the offers.
• For this big first, the ideal would be to choose a country whose language you know , unless you are part of an organized trip. Otherwise, using a French-speaking tourist guide can be a good option.
• Your attitude will be of great help to you. You will encounter a culture that is not your own. You may see customs that do not suit you, values ​​that do not correspond to yours… There will probably be unforeseen events. Preparing yourself psychologically in advance that there could be “bad surprises” will prevent you from being caught off guard.

Security Question :

• Visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the French embassy of the destination country. You will find safety instructions and various useful tips there. You can also contact the embassy or consulate of the country concerned directly.
• It is easier to use your bank card rather than exchange money. You can also benefit from insurance through Visa and MasterCard on certain health expenses.

Destination ideas for a first trip abroad

In truth, for a first trip, there are neither ideal destinations nor recommended destinations . We are just putting forward suggestions here, travel ideas . The only downside will be that of security: it is imperative to go to a safe country , especially if you are a novice. But the ideal destination is the one you have chosen. It just needs to have been well prepared.

Europe: ideal for a first trip abroad

If you don’t want to go too far, but still want to get away from it all , Europe is a great idea. Here are the destinations to consider:

• Spain is very close and accessible by car. The climate is favorable for a good part of the year, the currency used is unchanged, the administrative formalities are simplified… it is an ideal destination! Museums, historical monuments and cultural riches are there to charm you. Gastronomy, sports, breathtaking landscapes, nightlife… in short, it has it all! Madrid and Barcelona are the most popular flagship cities.
• Italy is full of art and history . You will choose St. Mark’s Square in Venice and go on a romantic or family gondolas trip. You will go shopping in Milan, the fashion capital, in Sardinia or Sicily. And then, you will enjoy the gastronomy that makes the country famous: the famous pizza in Naples, chocolate in Turin and pasta throughout the country.
• For a stay that combines relaxation and culture , why not take a trip to Croatia or Greece? Heavenly beaches, enchanting islands and cities full of history are yours.
• The Nordic countries are perfect for a first trip abroad. Whether it’s Sweden, Norway, or Denmark, you’ll be amazed! The further north you go, the more breathtaking the landscapes are. Lovers of nature and wide open spaces will be in paradise. As for the cities, there’s dynamism and beautiful architecture and the evenings can be very lively.

Other continents to discover other cultures

You can also take the plunge and go further afield to explore another continent. Here are our favorite countries for a first trip abroad:

• Close to Europe, but also very different culturally, Morocco is a very beautiful destination to take your first steps abroad . The cities are full of splendid sites, the food is delicious and the mountains are perfect for hiking. The cherry on the cake is that you can live a unique experience by spending a night in the Sahara desert.
• If you dream of meeting wildlife, head to Africa ! With its unparalleled wealth of wildlife, incredible landscapes and multitude of cultures, it is a fascinating continent. You can go on an unforgettable safari in Tanzania, in the Serengeti National Park, in South Africa, in the Kruger Park, or in Namibia, in the Etosha Park. Don’t miss the elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo and leopards that form the famous Big Five !
• Asia is a very easy continent for a first trip . Everything is simple and the locals will do their best to make your trip easier. For example, you can explore Thailand, discover the splendors of Vietnam, Cambodia or Malaysia. You can also enjoy the sweetness of Bali or live a unique experience by going to India or Sri Lanka. One thing is certain: oriental culture is a real enchantment!
• Mexico could be a good idea to discover Latin America. No need for a rental car, the buses are comfortable, punctual and reasonably priced. On site, everything is there to experience an incredible first trip abroad: dream beaches, major archaeological sites, colonial cities and a relaxed and unique atmosphere.
• Another option: take a trip to the United States . If you are a fan of city trips, take a flight to New York and its famous Statue of Liberty, San Francisco and its Golden Gate Bridge, or Los Angeles, a true Californian paradise. If you are more of a nature lover and love beautiful landscapes, go on a road trip to the national parks of Utah and Nevada.