The Norwegian Standard

Each year, there are hundreds of thousands of tourists in any given foreign country. People love vacationing in different countries to experience something new. For some people, it will end up as their dream vacation come true. On the other hand, a handful of people will experience a downright horrible experience for one reason or another.

There are plenty of things you need to take into consideration when vacationing in a foreign country, and some of these things are completely forgotten by even the smartest of travelers. Hopefully, you won't make some of the worst mistakes that travelers and tourists do, but it can happen.

So then, here are some things to consider when staying in a scandinavian country!

1. The Surrounding Area

You need to know everything you can about the city or cities you'll be staying in. Obviously, some cities are more dangerous than others. Each city will have its own area that is considered the worst area for tourists, and we're not referring to tourist traps where travelers buy things they don't need. The chances of being robbed or worse are much higher for tourists in foreign areas than for the local population, especially in "tourist cities." Therefore, you will want to do some research on the city you are vacationing in before you actually go there. The last thing you want is to end up going to all of the dangerous areas for tourists and having something bad happen to you or your fellow travelers. Make sure that you are aware of all of the following locations and areas in the foreign city you have chosen:

• Embassy (if one exists) 
• Your Hotel 
• Safe Tourist Areas 
• Areas Tourists Should Avoid 
• Local Police Station

2. The Local Population

When you travel abroad, you need to know a little bit about the local population. For starters, you'll want to research a few of the basic customs of the country or city you are visiting. You don't want to upset everyone you encounter because you don't know the customs of the region. It's simple enough to get the basics down for a city or country by doing some research. Of course, you won't be able to learn every custom, but that's not a huge issue. On top of this, you'll want to get a few statistics on the local population in general. Check out crime rates throughout the region you are staying in and pay close attention to theft rates with regard to tourists. Without a doubt, tourists usually stand out in foreign countries and are prime targets for thieves. Gather any other information about the local population that you are interested in. Being prepared and knowledgeable will put you miles ahead of the usual or first-time tourist.

3. Foreign Exchange Rates

Always be aware of the foreign exchange rates when you go on a vacation, especially if the country you are visiting has a currency valued higher than the dollar. Of course, it isn't a problem at all if you end up discovering that your dollar is worth a hundred whatever in the local currency. On the other hand, being unaware of the rate and finding out that your dollar is worth only half of a "dollar" in foreign currency can cause some problems. Make sure that you check the exchange rate each day because it can fluctuate. You could simply exchange all the money you plan on spending before you travel or after you arrive in the city. Either way, you need to be aware of how much you want to spend in U.S. dollars and then know how much that translates to in the foreign country. If you don't plan ahead, then you could possibly end up spending hundreds of dollars more than you originally planned.

4. Where You're Staying 

 Are you staying in a house, hostel, or hotel? Obviously, each one is different, but most people end up staying in hotels when they travel abroad for a simple vacation. You'll want to get some information on the hotel you're staying at to make sure that your experience will be enjoyable. Look up some traveler reviews on different websites to gauge how good your hotel is. Of course, you won't want to stay in a hotel that everyone before yourself has hated. Just make sure that you are staying in a place that is safe for tourists, friendly, and honest. Don't stay in a hotel where tourists constantly fall victim to thieves. Basically, you should do the same kind of research you would do when staying in any hotel in the United States. Also, get an idea of what restaurants and other things are available in or around your hotel.

5. How You'll Get Around

In a foreign country, you'll probably be getting around by public transportation of some kind, or you'll rent your own vehicle. Always be aware of the traffic rules in another country if you're driving because driving on the wrong side of the road is a stupid reason to die. Anyways, be careful when using public transportation because you'll be a prime target for thieves if you look like a tourist. Never use unlicensed taxis because the driver could be anyone, including a thief or something worse - stick to licensed taxis. Simply put, use common sense and don't do anything you wouldn't normally do in the United States. Being cautious and aware can save you a bunch of problems during your vacation.

6. The Water

Always be a way of removing water from the tap because it could send you to the hospital. No, that doesn't mean that the foreigners are trying to poison you, but different countries treat their waters with different chemicals. Just because the local population can drink the water does not mean that you can, too. You should always research the local waters to know if they are safe for tourists. To stay on the safe side, you can simply drink bottled water at all times or order something that isn't water. Nobody wants to drink an innocent glass of water and end up in the hospital for a few days, so take all precautionary measures that you can. Many people prefer to drink bottled water when they visit a foreign country, even if the local tap water is perfectly safe for tourists.

7. Your Appearance

It's pretty easy to spot an American in a foreign country. Without a doubt, they tend to stick out, even when they try to blend in. Therefore, you should do your best to look like a local person. You should adhere to the "dress code" of the region you are in. For instance, you wouldn't walk around in a bikini in the Middle East. Take a look at how everyone dresses in the country or city you are visiting and try to match their dress. You don't have to blend in completely, but you should at least give a person the impression that you aren't a tourist. In foreign countries, tourists are always the target of thieves, so you're doing yourself a favor by dressing like a local person. Also, you need to follow the "dress code" in a foreign country to avoid making local people angry. Most Americans won't have a problem with this in Eastern Europe, but other areas can be a bit different, such as in Asia and the Middle East.

8. The Language

No, you aren't expected to learn the language of the foreign country you are visiting. On the other hand, you should at least learn a few phrases, assuming that the area you are visiting isn't English-speaking. Just learn how to do basic greetings and ask basic questions. Consider learning the following questions in the native language of the country you are staying in:

1. Where is the Embassy? 
2. Where am I? (Have a map handy) 
3. Where is the ____ Hotel? (Have a map handy) 
4. Does anyone speak English? 
5. Where is the hospital? (Have a map handy)

Fortunately, a city that has many tourists usually has many individuals who can speak broken English. These people will know enough to at least help you get somewhere or order something to eat. This situation occurs frequently in northern Mexico and Eastern Europe. Of course, you'll need to do some new language learning if you aren't visiting an area in these regions. Just learn enough to get around the city and take care of yourself in case of an emergency.

Have Fun On Your Vacation

You should be taking a vacation to enjoy yourself, so don't fret too much about the details. Honestly, you don't need to know every single thing about the area you are visiting, but you should have some basic knowledge about the area, people, customs, and language. Just don't travel to a foreign country without doing any bit of research, or you could find yourself in some trouble. Anyway, make sure to keep the previous list in mind when you are planning a vacation to a foreign country. There are plenty of other things you should consider, but these are the most important. In the end, you should just have fun on your vacation in a foreign country!