The way we travel has changed- a lot.

I still remember our first overseas trip, our itinerary was planned to the minute. We researched every aspect, planned walking routes, estimated the time we could spend at each location and knew exactly what was next. We wanted it to be perfect.

Below are our top 5 things I wish we had known from the start!

#1 Not everything is as it seems!!

This is probably the biggest one to mention. Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook certainly have a lot of travel inspiration- but trust me, not everything is as it seems!

Photoshop and filters do not exist to the naked eye.

If you’re wanting to get that magical photo of just you and the most amazing backdrop, there is a good chance you will be surrounded by hundreds of other tourists as well, or like us, be prepared to wake up at the crack of dawn and beat the crowds.

We did this for our hike to Preikestolen in Norway. We chose not to hike with 1,000 other people, but rather a small group. This meant we were able to get THE photo that everyone wants, with no one else in it – no photoshop or filter required!

#2 You don’t need a minute by minute itinerary

For those of you who know Jenna, will know that this is hard for her. She is one of the most organised, time orientated people I know. So for her, travelling without a plan is not an option, but 40 odd countries later, she did learn that having a rough idea of what you want to do is sometimes all you need. It allows your trip to be more fluid and just see what happens. It is often those things that were unplanned that was the most exciting!

#3 Know where you’re going!

This doesn’t mean have an itinerary down to the minute- but never assume that the taxi driver knows where you’re going. Print the address, chances are you’re not going to pronounce this correctly! Even better, show the driver a map of where you’re heading. Download google maps offline, click here to see how!

#4 Step out of your comfort zone

For a lot of people, travelling to countries that are a little further than the norm can be confronting. But, it doesn’t have to be! As an example, we really loved our time in Jordan and it happened to be one of the best experiences we’ve had. It may mean you need to be a little more culturally prepared, but it is absolutely worth it.

#5 Try not to rush

It is easy to try and cram as much as possible into a short time. However, where possible – try and extend your stay and enjoy the country you’re visiting and get immersed in their culture and way of living.

Do you have any tips you think should be added? Let us know in the comments below!

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide