5 Tips for Your Next Winter Vacation
It’s pretty much winter here in the Northern Hemisphere and we’re all gearing up for a few months of hot tea and cozy evenings by the fire. However, for some of you lucky ones, it’s time to start preparing for your winter vacation! Whether you’re visiting the infamous Christmas markets in Germany, spending a long weekend in Stockholm or getting your ski on in Whistler, Tandem is here to share some top tips for your next winter vacation.
The Tandem app is not only for those on a language learning journey but also for those brave nomads and travelers out there. Speak the language of the locals and meet new people in the country you are traveling to. Download the Tandem app now to connect with people all across the world!
1. Learn the basics in the language
Languages are always on our mind at Tandem HQ, so it’s no surprise we’re starting off with this one. Plus, we love to encourage our members to communicate with the locals whenever they are traveling. Before you jet off on your winter vacation, try and learn the translation of the following phrases:
- “Hello”
- “Thank you”
- “Please”
- “Can I order a taxi for tomorrow morning?”
- “I would like to reserve a table for this evening, please."
- "Do you have free WiFi?" (It is 2019 after all)
This is also a great opportunity to make the most of our fabulous Tandem app! Ask your Tandem partner to teach you some handy phrases that you’ll need to get around for the duration of your vacation.
2. Research accommodation options
You’d be surprised how much of a difference the location of your accommodation makes to your vacation. It’s worthwhile taking some time to surf the web and find out about the best areas to stay in. Double check how far away it is from the nearest public transport and if it’s a safe place to stay. Keep the cost down by making use of handy price comparison apps. You should also consider planning which restaurants you want to visit beforehand. This is a great tip to ensure you avoid tourist traps when it comes to eating out and means less time spent wondering the cold streets. A little bit of research can go a long way!
3. Organize travel insurance
This one is particularly important for winter sports vacations, in case you require any medical attention while traveling. For our German readers, we’d recommend online insurance company, hepster. They are a fantastic company offering a wide range of insurance options from ski insurance to snowboard insurance and even electronic device insurance for your valuables! Hepster pride themselves on their simple booking process, flexibility and transparency. Say goodbye to hidden cancellation periods and automatic renewals! Looking for a handy hint from the experts themselves? Our friends at hepster recommend you to "take out insurance instantly after booking your trip to make sure that you don’t forget about it. With hepster, however, you can also buy your travel insurance shortly before your trip.”
4. Book activities in advance
If you’re the type of person who prefers an action-packed holiday, as opposed to lying on a beach, booking activities in advance can save you a lot of money. Most ski resorts offer packages that enable you to pre-book ski lessons and lift passes at a discounted price. In case your winter vacation doesn’t involve snow, you can always book a day trip to go hiking in the mountains or a bus tour to visit the next nearest city. The opportunities are endless!
5. Be a savvy packer
If you’re traveling to a country where the temperatures plummet below zero, chances are you won’t have much extra space in your luggage alongside all those winter clothes. It’s important to pack clothes that will keep you warm and dry, so the fashionista side of you might have to suffer for a few days. Try layering up and wearing multiple thinner jumpers rather than one bulky one. Buying a down filled jacket will be an investment you’ll never regret! They’re incredibly warm, compact and lightweight, leaving you extra space in your suitcase for the things you just can’t live without.
Talking about upcoming vacations is a great way to start a conversation with your Tandem partner. Download our app on Android or iOS here.
