#1 Travel Smart

Safety Comes First
This applies for first time travelers, backpackers, 5-star hotel stayers and avid travelers. Always be aware of your surroundings, theft frequency in that destination, known tourist scams and the overall political stability of the area. Have fun but make sure you know how to get back to your hostel or hotel. Traveling and partying in foreign places is definitely great but things can change quickly, so be careful!

#2 Pack Lots of Layers

Get Warm, Stay Cool
So you're traveling through Europe during the summer and don't think you need anything but shorts and a t shirt? Think again. The best thing to do is to pack clothes that can layer and keep you warm but also peel off to keep you cool. Trains, airplanes, airports and hostels can go from really chilly at night to really hot - so be prepared for all kinds of weather! And socks - don't forget lots of socks.

#3 Journal Everything

Channel Your Inner Travel Writer & Poet
Grab a Moleskine Notebook and carry it with you everywhere. Sketch, take notes, write, jot, record your expenses, Haiku, write a song, a poem or a book - or write down the name and contact info of that old man you met in the cafe who made you change your career in just one conversation. Traveling can open your eyes but don't forget to capture the moment for all it's worth!

#4 Use Your Camera Wisely

Savour the Moment in the Moment!
In the spirit of "capturing the moment," travelers and photographers have become one-in-the-same. But - I argue that it's important to "use your camera wisely." You may want to take a picture of every street, every stone and every fallen column at the Acropolis - and that's fine. Just don't let your need or want to capture the moment to remember when you're 50 years old - keep you from enjoying the moment right then and there. There's no time like the present!

#5 Be Fearless

Try Anything and Everything At Least Once
Okay, so maybe eating sheep intestines cooked in a stomach isn't really your thing. Maybe you'd rather wear your sneakers and tank top rather than traditional garb to cover skin. No matter what your preference, there's no better time or place to try something new than when you're traveling. From customs and rituals to cultural garbs to quirky cultural foods - try it at least once - and if you're not a fan, then at least you can say you gave it a shot.

#6 Plan & Research

But Not Too Much!
We're not trying to kill your spontaneous spirit - but you actually really do get more out of your travels when you have at least some idea of where you're going and what you can see, try, or do when you're there. So plan a rough schedule, learn about the destinations and sights - or bring a guidebook with you that you can read while you're there. Stay flexible and play it by ear once in a while - that's when the real adventures begin!

#7 Take Your Time

Stop to Smell the Flowers
When you plan your holidays, be sure to give yourself time to rest. There's no point stressing yourself out to wake up and line up early in the morning to get into museums if it will give you more anxiety than peace and relaxation! Take your time - sip your coffee rather than pounding it down. Sit in a cafe and watch people walk by. Step back from the busy-ness of the tourist lifestyle and enjoy your surroundings while you can.

#8 Keep Friends + Family Informed

Thank God for Facebook, Wordpress & Twitter
Don't spend an hour each day in the internet cafe writing extensive blog posts of your whereabouts, where you went and what you did. Make quick posts, update your status on Facebook, write a new tweet on your Twitter or send off a quick email to let people know where you are, where you're staying and if there's an emergency, how to reach you and where you can be found.

#9 Always Carry a Map

Or a GPS for Techies
When you travel, it's time to put away your pride - and carry a map. You don't have to take it out - just bring it with you so that you can find your way around and if you get lost, you'll be glad you had it. If you're keen, you can mark the path you walked to trace it later or just to remember where you've been! Keep a subway map and schedule with you, too!

#10 Don't Freak Out

There's Always a Solution!
Ok, so you missed your train by 2 minutes - another one will come (even if it's tomorrow!). Missing flights, stolen passports or extortion by the police will resolve itself. The important thing is that you're not hurt and that you are safe. Relax and come up with a concrete solution to getting to your next destination or contacting your embassy, in the case of a lost passport. The worst thing you can do is freak out and make things worse. It's all about the learning experience!