Is public transport abroad easy to figure out?

- Ben

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Public transport is different in every country but they do follow a similar system. Metros and subways are all very similar in layout and have maps at stations. Buses usually have their timetables listed at the stops.

Apps like google maps are great when you're in doubt and don't be scared to ask people for directions! There might be a bit of a language barrier but a lot of the time people are willing to help.

We found that planning a route the day before using internet access at our accommodation very useful. It's a good idea to ask the people who work at the accommodation too, as they often have maps or can give you advice on the best routes etc.

Overall, it takes a bit of time to figure out/look up a route but once you've worked it out it's easy.

What determined your choice of accommodation in each place?

- Daniel

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We evaluated a few key factors into our decision making. We looked at:

1. Distance from attractions

2. Public transport links available

3. Online reviews and tripadvisor reviews

4. Price of the accommodation

5. Photos of the accommodation and the neighbourhood it was located in.

It's important to do this because where you are based will make a big impact on your trip. You need to decide how long you are willing to spend travelling from your accommodation to attractions each day and whether the area you are staying in is safe and accessible for tourists. Price is obviously a significant factor too, but you should definitely look at these other key factors to make the most out of your trip.

What items were essential to your trip?

- Rebecca

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We found many items, some of which are quite mundane, become extremely useful/valuable while away. Of course, there are the ‘absolute essentials’: passport, medication, phone, a form of payment. However, some items we found very handy also were; universal travel adapter, power pack, mosquito spray and sun tan cream (these items can be very hard to come by in some countries), sliders/flip-flops (for bathroom and pool areas), and my top pick was our Revolut cards (www.revolut.com) which meant we could spend in every country we visited, at the interbank exchange rate, with no additional fees!