1. Picking flights make sure to budget in an hour or two before and after the flight in case there are delays or longer travel times needed to get food or to your accommodations
  2. Make sure your accommodation are near bus stops and train stations within a 5-15 minute walk.
  3. Learn the basic laws, rules, customs that may impact you: modesty, safety, religion, alcohol, smoking, partying, littering, any fines you could receive
  4. Memorize the safety number in case something were to happen
  5. Learn the pickpocketing tactics that are used in that country, Have a decoy wallet, Split your money (carry a safe that looks like a soda can)
  6. Before you start packing check the weather for various times in the day for each day you are staying in that city
  7. Use google maps to make lists of the places you want to go and check the distance between them
  8. Research how the public transportation works and have an action plan and google translate ready
  9. Find a few restaurants that the locals recommend that are in various prices ranges and within walking distance
  10. Under pack your luggage!
  11. Keep coins on you just in case you need to pay to use the restroom
  12. Keep a bunch of napkins in your bag, maybe even a small travel size thing of soap and water in case you need to freshen up or you get a stain or you need to wash your hands, Baby wipes or antibacterial wipes
  13. Keep a zip lock bag with some paperclips in case you want to keep train tickets and other memorabilia for journaling, scrapbooking, etc.
  14. Have a portable charger, and a mini backup, and multiple wires, at least two adaptors
  15. Limit your major activities to 3-5 and budget in 1.5 the travel times
  16. Have travel alternatives to public transportation because there may be travel strikes
  17.  Buy a rechargeable hand fan ESPECIALLY if you are traveling in the summer
  18.  Keep an empty plastic water bottle on you if you are someplace where the water is expensive to buy but sink water is clean
  19. Sticky notes and a pen in case you need a local to write something down for you?
  20. Have a travel money belt to keep your passport and big money hidden under your clothes and do not ever reach for it in public
  21. Bonus tip: bring a roll of toilet paper and a thin towel that is the size of or slightly bigger than a hand towel