How to Plan a Trip to a Place You Know Nothing About

Last Updated: 4/12/21 | April 12th, 2021

A few years back, I went to Sri Lanka and, outside a few facts I’d picked up by reading the news and talking to friends over the years, I realized I knew shockingly little about the country.

I knew it was once ruled by the British, there was a long conflict between the Tamils and Sinhalese, the country produces a lot of tea, it has beyond-delicious food, its capital is Colombo, and there are some amazing jungles and beaches to explore.

But, beyond that superficial understanding, I knew nothing.

I couldn’t tell you if the country was cheap or inexpensive, what to see, one famous ruin, safety issues, where in the country is popular to visit, how to get around, what their currency or culture is, or anything in between.

Sri Lanka was a blank slate to me.

I never like to go somewhere new blind — it’s a sure-fire way to get ripped off, eat the wrong thing, get sick, make a cultural faux pas, and, generally, have something go badly.

Knowledge is power and, given that so much information is available online, I feel like going somewhere without any understanding of that place shows a laziness in your planning and a sign that you’re an unskilled traveler.

So, when planning my trip there, I needed to do some preparation. Normally, if I have enough of a basic understanding of a place, I just wing it — I’ve been to neighboring countries, know people, or have read enough to have an idea. Sri Lanka required some work.

Faced with a knowledge gap, here’s what I did — and you should do — when you travel somewhere you’ve never been before:
 

1. Buy a Travel Guide

To get started, I bought the Rough Guide to Sri Lanka. I think guidebooks are still important for travelers. Even though their practical information is often out of date, I love looking over them to get an overview of how to get around, form ideas on what to see and do, suggest itineraries, and look at the maps and featured places.

It helps me put together the foundation of my planning. Besides, there’s just something enjoyable about holding a book and highlighting places that reading a blog doesn’t offer.
 

2. Read Travel Blogs

Next, I went searching for travel blogs. Guidebooks are a good foundation, but blogs can fill in a lot of gaps as you can find more up-to-date information and off-the-beaten-path destinations, and ask questions of the bloggers. I searched, read, and searched some more for content and stories that gave me a sense of the destination. For reference, these are the blog posts I read:

3. Ask Friends/Family for Advice

Once I had my guide and read over some blogs, I asked friends and family for their advice (or if they knew anyone who could give me advice). It turned out I had a few friends who had been there recently and a few with family there. They gave me advice, tips, and suggestions on hotels and restaurants, and they connected me to family members.

Now when I land, I have some people to stay with, show me around, and help me get situated. Nothing beats a local host.
 

4. Ask Other Travelers

With so many people reading this blog, I figured there must be some readers who had been there. Tweeting, Facebooking, and my blog posts produced a flurry of messages with tips and advice, and some from locals looking to meet up.

It was incredibly helpful, and now I have some people to hang out with when I go!

Since not everyone is a blogger, I would suggest Couchsurfing or The Nomadic Network as an alternative. They are both great ways to connect with locals and travelers alike to get insider tips and information.
 

5. Read Some Books

Finally, I bought books about the country. As I’ve said in the past, you can’t know a place if you don’t know its history. With a long flight ahead, I bought a few books about Sri Lanka’s history so I can get a better understanding of the country’s rich history.

Here’s what I read:

***

Talking to friends, family, readers, and bloggers has now given me a sense of the destination: an affordable, safe place with friendly locals, delicious food, and slow transportation. “Everyone is incredibly nice and helpful, but don’t expect to get anywhere fast unless you rent a driver” was the common refrain.

For the first time in a long time, I am going to a place I know nothing about. I can’t wait to try to backpack and figure things out on the way again! Sri Lanka sees a lot of tourists and it’s not completely “off the beaten track” but it’s different to me.

I’m sure my plans, routes, and ideas will change when I hit the ground. But as of now, I feel I have a better idea as to what I am getting myself into. I have a sense of what to expect and that makes me more slightly comfortable about visiting.

You never know what a place is really like until you go, but now the picture of Sri Lanka is not a complete blur — it’s come into a lot more focus.

Visiting a place you know little about in a region you’ve never been to can be somewhat intimidating. To go somewhere completely different pushes you out of your comfort zone and that can be a tricky thing.

Even after fifteen years of travel, I still have a small amount of trepidation before I go.

Sure, it disappears right when I land and I think “What was I so worried about?” but there is that voice in the back of my mind that sometimes goes “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Doing a little research to get an understanding of a place mutes that voice.

This is not about scheduling all your days and all your activities. This simply is about being more informed about the destination you are visiting.

Because a smart and informed traveler is a better traveler.

There’s still much to learn about Sri Lanka but now I don’t feel as if I’m completely at a loss or ignorant about the place.
 

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Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.