Train spotter
I always make sure I have a copy of the maps for the underground/ train system of wherever I’m going with me, seeing as it’s usually the first thing you need to know when you get off the plane. If you have a fancy phone, keep it on there.
Lara Jones, via Facebook
Keep the change
If you are (for example) flying from London to New Zealand via LA (or via anywhere, for that matter), take a few local notes/ coins for the vending machines while in transit. I was once stuck in the airport in LA with kids and no drinks…
Lisa Jackson O’ Connor, via Facebook
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BEST / WORST TRIP
Amelia Scott, 28, Glasgow, Scotland
BEST Six weeks in Mexico, without a doubt. I saw most of the country and don’t have one bad word to say about it. The people, the food, the beaches and the amazing ruins just made for a fantastic trip. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone.
WORST I went on a typical boozing holiday to Malia, Crete with some mates. It was a pretty fun time, but vomiting my guts out every night isn’t something I’d like to do too often!
THE TRAVELLER
Philippa Bermingham, 24. Teddington, England .
Most memorable travel experience?
Skydiving in New Zealand at sunset. It was the first time I had ever done anything like that, and it was well worth it.
Worst travel experience?
I was travelling from Singapore to Malaysia to meet a friend and got on the wrong coach. I then managed to hitchhike but ended up on the wrong island. I found my friend after three days of manic travelling! Ideal.
Travel partner?
Michael Palin. He’d have knowledge to share.
THE INSIDER
Travis Katz, Founder and CEO, Gogobot social travel network
My first ever big trip was when I spent a university semester abroad in Santiago, Chile, right after Pinochet stepped down – a time when there were soldiers with machine guns on every corner. It was a life-changing experience.
My most challenging travel experience was in Vietnam. I was on an overnight bus from Hanoi to Danang and, when we stopped in the middle of the night for a bathroom break, the bus drove off before I could zip up. I was alone in the mountains, with no passport, no cell phone, and no one knowing I was gone. After a couple of hours, I managed to hitch a ride with some Vietnamese truckers.
My favourite place in the world is Alaska. It’s one of the last places on Earth where you can experience true wilderness.
My top travel tip is do less, not more. Lots of people spend their trip frantically trying to visit every famous site. I always find I enjoy myself more picking a few key must-sees.
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Main photograph: A vendor sells dog meat at the Hanoi Beer festival (HOANG DINH NAM/AFP/Getty Images)
