20 golden rules of travelling

Travelling is an art and not all of us have it down pat. Fast Cover has compiled the top 20 ‘golden rules’ travel tips anyone can find useful. Happy and safe travels!

1. Book yourself a good hotel for your first few nights - your jet-lagged, sleep-deprived body will thank you! 
2. Planning the trip is half the fun! Another travel tip is to remember to be really clear about your travel expectations with your travel companion by having a candid conversation to make sure they are on the same page as you. See which travel companion you and your friends are here!
3. Take pictures of your credit cards, drivers license, and passport. Keep a copy on your phone, tablet or computer and email it to a trusted friend or family member. 
4. Scan or take photo's of your receipts of the items you will be travelling with (luggage, gadgets etc) in case you need to make a claim. 
5. It's a good idea to have a loud whistle handy to discourage potential attackers and animals. 
6. Register with Smartraveller and the local consulate if you are going to be spending a significant time in a country like over 12 months in case of an emergency or you go missing. 
7. Purchase cash in a different currency like US dollars and Euros as they usually convert really well. 
8. Keep your foreign currency in a separate wallet in case your main wallet gets stolen. 
9. Make sure the currency notes you're issued are clean and readable - some countries won't accept dirty notes. It is entirely up to the discretion of the vendor whether they will accept your money. 
10. Try not to overpack your holiday with activities. Allow for downtime to relax and take into account unexpected encounters. 
11. You don't need to avoid street food, but just watch how it is handled and choose fruits and vegetables that are peelable. 
12. You are a vegan or vegetarian check out The Happy Cow for the best places around the world which are vegetarian and vegan-friendly. 
13. Don't leave a sign on your door saying 'Make My Room Up' as it shows your absence which is an advertisement for thieves. Use the 'Do Not Disturb' sign instead and let reception know how you would like your room cleaned. 
14. Ask the hotel if they can do a better rate if you are staying for more than three days. The worst thing they can do is say no.
15. Check out The Guide to Sleeping in Airports for the best and worst airports and how to make the most of your stay, whether it's needing a place to shower, charge your phone or bite to eat. 
16. Download the app Prey to protect your phone and laptop. This helps you reunite with your device if stolen. 
17. If you are renting a car while overseas take pictures of all sides of the car and any damage before you leave the parking lot so you've got proof in the event that they wrongfully charge you for damages you did not do. 
18. Take pictures of the number plate if you are driving through tolls in the event of unexpected toll charges if you are driving on highways.
19. Take a picture of the rental contract in the event of an emergency and you are not near your rental vehicle. 
20. A smile is a gesture everyone can understand - it goes a long way. 

All in all, enjoy the experience. Be open-minded and flexible. Have fun. But most of all, be grateful for the wonderful experience of travel!