Here’s how to plan your first overseas adventure

The holiday of a lifetime begins with a few simple (yet incredibly important) steps.
Whether you’re dreaming of a Balinese getaway, or desperate for a Japanese adventure, it’s important that you do your research long before you book. You want to know if your destination is safe and whether it carries any travel warnings (remember that your travel insurance won’t cover you if you’re travelling to a country which has a DFAT ‘Do Not Travel’ warning).
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You’ll also want to get a thorough understanding of the country’s customs, traditions, etiquette (not to mention potential faux pas) as well as get a feel for the general cost of accommodation, transport, meals and attractions. Don’t forget to check the local weather for the time of year you’re planning to visit. 
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Long before you book a trip, you’ll need to check that your passport (if you have one) is still valid and in good condition. Some countries won’t let you enter on a passport that expires in less than six months so ensure you’ve got plenty of time and plenty of blank pages.
If your passport shows any signs of damage (rips, for example, or stains), you’ll have to get a replacement passport as even the most minor damage can prevent you from travelling. 
First time getting a passport? You can apply online at Australian Passport Office – just be prepared, the 10-year passport costs an eye-watering $358. 
Visa requirements for various destinations change all the time so a great way to stay up-to-date is by downloading the Smartraveller.gov.au app on your phone and checking what’s required. Be sure to also check the embassy website of your destination for visa information and application procedures. There are a lot of sham sites around, so it’s always a good idea to double-check with the embassy that you are indeed using the correct site to apply. 
Got your passport and visas sorted? It’s time for you to check if your destination requires any specific vaccinations or health precautions. This needs to be done well in advance of any trip, as some vaccinations need to be administered weeks before travel.
You can check Smartrraveller.gov.au and/or Travelvax for information, and don’t be afraid to have a chat with your GP about any further recommendations they may have. 
You’ve probably got an idea of your budget, but is it realistic? A great way to give yourself a decent buffer is to name your budget and then add another 50% just to be on the safe side. Work out a day-to-day budget designed around what you expect to see each day, expected transport costs, meals, accommodation and then add a little ‘breathing’ money to each to arrive at your real figure.
You can track your spending on your travels through apps like TravelSpend and TripCoin. 
Booking the first flight or hotel room you happen upon is a sure-fire way of getting ripped off. Be sure to run your desired flights through comparison sites such as Skyscanner, Kayak and Expedia. You can also check these, as well as the likes of Booking.com for accommodation. 
As soon as you book your trip, it’s important to take out travel insurance. Not only will it be cheaper if you do it several months in advance, but you want to ensure you’re protected from the get-go. Again, it’s important to run a comparison through Finder.com.au, iSelect, or Compare Travel Insurance to find the policy that best suits your needs. 
How do you plan to travel between multiple cities or countries, how will you get from point A to point B and how much will each journey cost? Creating a detailed itinerary (which you should email your next of kin) can help you budget as you travel. Simply map out your travel through Google Maps, Rome2Rio and/or CityMapper, and check thee against official transport sites. 
Flying by the seat of your pants is no longer possible in this post-pandemic world; if you want to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower or tour the Acropolis, you’ll need to book everything as soon as you’ve got your flight and accommodation locked in. The benefit here is that you’ll have to pay for attractions when you book, leaving on-the-go budgeting far easier to manage. 
Don’t forget to leave a copy of all your documents with your next of kin, and alert your bank of your travels before you leave. The last thing you want is for them to put a hold on your card when they see you shopping up a storm in Tokyo. 
Have fun!