What are some useful travel tips for Muslims? Trips with the family always mean chaos and the undying notion of unpredictability. Having said that, there is obviously no right way of travelling but there is a productive one. In this day and age, the usage of apps and the internet has surpassed extremely popularity and become almost an obsession. There are apps for pretty much anything under the sun and if used efficiently, they can help save time and money.
This article shows you how to travel the ‘productive’ way with a little help from apps and the internet. Top 5 tips for a Muslim-friendly family trip.
1) Research well in advance
Having a productive holiday means planning from the get-go. Families usually have a horrible habit of “winging it”. Proper planning is key to ensuring relaxation and enjoyment on trips.
Make sure you do your research on the destination well in advance. List out all the places you and the people you are travelling with, want to see. Having done that,
Research each place individually. Check out reviews by travelers like yourself. Note down opening & closing times so you don’t travel an hour away to only find out the place is closed and has been for a few hours. Talk to friends & family about the places you wish to visit. First-hand experience is always the best. Be realistic and shortlist. Visiting 100 odd places within a 3-4 day time frame is virtually impossible. Make sure you pick things the entire family will enjoy. List everything out clearly and brief the family. This way everyone knows what to expect and changes can be made if necessary.
Lastly, plan each day individually with time to make unplanned stops. Remember when noting down times; this is just the time you expect to spend in a given place. It may vary vastly, so don’t schedule too many things per day. Make sure you have some breathing room. Use the GOOGLE CALDENDER app and create, edit and delete events conveniently. You can list out and highlight all your plans, set reminders and much more.
2) Pack in advance
Put in the things you know you cannot live without. Have a checklist and tick it off as you add in things. Carry only what is necessary. The fewer things you take the better. This reduces the hassle of getting through airport check ins etc. Remember that you need to leave space for memorabilia, knick- knacks & souvenirs for family and friends back home.
And, don’t forget your travel documents!
NOTESHELF is an easy to use note-taking app. You can create a checklist on this instead of an actual piece of paper, that way you know you won’t lose track of it over time, your list will always be in a convenient place, on your phone.
PACKING PRO is an app travelers swear by. You are requested to add in all the details of your trip and the app will list out things you should be taking and will help you keep track of all your travel essentials. How convenient!
3) Talk to the locals
Once there, talk to the locals. Get a feel for the place. Make sure the local attractions you have on your list (refer point 1) are actually worth your time. Get some insider tips. Locals always seem to know of charming, quaint areas of the city/county no one else is aware of.
In addition to that, regarding food and Salah; ask around for Halal hotels as well as areas to pray. Not all cities have huge mosques that are visible from all over. If you are in a city where the majority is not Muslim, it is likely that they have much smaller, less obvious prayer areas. The same goes for finding halal food. Make sure you note down directions & prayer timings. It is super easy to lose track of prayers when you’re having fun!
4) Try new things
Make sure your holiday is as productive as you wanted it to be. Don’t stick to what you usually do. Don’t play it safe. Being on vacation is meant to be fun! Try new things. Taste different kinds of food. Be adventurous!
5) Just relax
Planning a trip can be stressful. Keep the last day free for a bit of R&R. Or do something you weren’t able to previously. Lounge by the pool, sip some virgin mocktails and unwind. Realize that this was why you planned a trip in the first place!
Instead of stuffing bulky novels into your suitcase, use Readmill. This app helps you form a book club so you can read, review and discuss all your favorite pieces of literature with fellow book lovers.
Following these will ensure you have a hassle and stress free, fantabulous time. Happy vacationing!
