Salman Al-Azmi, a renowned travel blogger and adventurer, shares his top 10 tips for making the most of your travels.
With years of experience exploring the globe, Salman offers valuable insights into planning, packing, and immersing yourself in different cultures.
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first adventure, these tips will help you make the most of your journeys and explorations.
Who is Salman Al-Azmi?
While pursuing a career in mechanical engineering, Salman Al-Azmi never lost sight of his lifelong dream: to explore the world, and discover different cultures and societies. His passion for travel led him to document his adventures on Instagram, sharing honest and detailed accounts of his experiences.
Salman's journey began in 2013 when he started documenting his visits to various countries around the globe with a camera in hand. He meticulously documented his trips, including itineraries, travel times, and costs. Over time, his Instagram account became a trusted resource for travel information, offering other globetrotters valuable insights into accommodation, attractions, and more.
If you're planning a vacation, Salman Al-Azmi will guide you in choosing your destination, the best time to visit, booking tickets for the best price, selecting the right hotel or resort based on your budget, and the best mode of transportation in the country you’re visiting. This will help you have a hassle-free trip, equipped with everything you need for a smooth journey.
Salman's Top 10 Travel Tips
1: Take into account travel seasons
Before planning any trip, Salman considers several factors and uses both a primary plan (Plan A) and a backup plan (Plan B), which makes his trips flexible, easy, and successful. He says: “I choose the destination for my next trip based on the peak season for visiting. For example, the best months to visit the Maldives are between December and April because the weather is sunny and ideal for tanning, swimming, and water activities."
He continues: “I place great importance on the timing of my trips, choosing cities that host global or local festivals, celebrations, and events that enhance the trip’s enjoyment, like the Sakura season in Japan, which usually runs from March to April — a perfect time to visit Japan to experience the beauty of spring and the events associated with the Sakura season." (Sakura: Cherry blossoms, which hold special symbolic meaning in Japan, where festivals and events are held.)
2: Use trusted applications
Salman advises travellers to use trusted apps. He says: "Google Maps is not only helpful for getting to places but also shows photos taken by previous visitors, along with nearby restaurants and their reviews, which helps form an initial idea about the place. The same applies to hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist attractions."
3: Time of year and weather
Salman mentions that time of year and weather conditions are very important factors to take into account.
Timing is everything! Research the best seasons to visit your destinations. Some cities are more enjoyable during specific times of the year, so plan accordingly and keep an eye on weather forecasts to ensure a pleasant trip, and to make packing for your journey easier.
He says: "Make sure that your top tourist attractions will be open during your visit. In European countries, for instance, some tourist spots close after October as winter approaches. Each country has its specific times of year that make the trip even more exciting, but this requires a bit of research."
4: Determine your travel goals
Often vacations pivot on one core element such as relaxation or exploration, and this is likely to influence your choice of destination. For example, those looking for a glimpse of the past and impressive ancient architecture, Greece or Italy could be great choices. And for those looking for indulgent relaxation, the Maldives or Seychelles would make for excellent trips.
5: Always have a backup travel plan
When travelling, Salman always advises his followers to have two travel plans: the first plan should be your ideal one, but your back up plan should also be one that you might enjoy should your initial option no longer be a viable choice.
6: Consider your travel companions
Choosing your travel companions is important, be sure that you have shared interests in your destination, so that it is an enjoyable trip for everyone. For family trips, it’s important to choose destinations with suitable facilities, whether that be for children or older family members.
7: Be smart when booking tickets
When travelling with a budget in mind, adding a stop over to your journey may result in a cheaper final flight price. Salman explains: "It’s almost always preferable to book tickets directly from airlines, as travel apps sometimes have different prices." The travel blogger recommends using Expedia should you be looking for flight ticket comparisons.
As for booking hotel rooms and resorts, Salman recommends contacting the hotel directly for reservations, as this they may offer deals or prices that are not available via booking websites. He adds: "It's important to research multiple times before booking tickets or hotel rooms to get the best deal that fits your budget and provides the best service for your trip."
8: Make a list of restaurants and landmarks
Before your trip, be sure to carve out some time to plan your itinerary by researching the must-see attractions and top-rated restaurants using resources like TripAdvisor, Instagram and Google Reviews. Group your 'need-to-see' destinations by location to maximise your time, be sure to have several options in case your preferred spots are closed or unavailable.
9: Research transportation options
Every city has its ideal mode of transportation; research the best options for getting around to save time and often public transport options like buses, trains and metros might be cheaper than private transportation such as taxis.
Salman explains: "Each country has its preferred means of transport. In Japan, for instance, trains are the best option because the railways cover most cities and tourist spots. In London, buses and trains are ideal, while in Europe, I recommend renting a car to visit neighbouring countries. In the Maldives, no transport is needed since visitors spend most of their time in resorts that provide transportation for guests."
10: Carry cash for convenience
While cards are widely accepted around the globe, Salman mentions that its always a good idea to have some cash on hand, especially for smaller purchases or off-the-beaten-path destinations. US dollars or euros are generally accepted in many countries, making them a convenient cash option for travellers.
