1. Get your Passport
Even if you don't have any plans or any ideas of where you want to go you should GET YOUR PASSPORT now. I find that just having a passport increases your chances of traveling internationally because not only don't want it to go to waste, but if a good deal or a trip with friends is pending, then it is one less step you have to take. Getting your passport can be a pain and combined with planning flights, hotels, etc... you can easily get overwhelmed. Your passport is good for 10 years, so just go out and get it today!
2. Where should I go?
If you are very risk averse the easiest option would be Canada. It is not too far away and they speak English. I would at least recommend visiting Montreal if this is the route you want to take as they primarily speak French, but everyone also knows English.
The other option for short flights would be Mexico. A lot of people are worried about crime, but I have never had a problem. I still don't recommend Mexico as your first international trip as visiting a local area might be too much on your first trip and staying at a resort won't end up being too different from visiting Florida.
Now that we got that out of the way, I would recommend that your first international trip be to Europe. Overall life is fairly similar to the United States, but with the different cultures you have a lot to learn. In some cities there will be language barriers which can be exciting, and the food will be quite different. Most places in Europe are very safe and you won't struggle too much overall. For your first trip to Europe I would recommend one of the following cities in no particular order:
London / Paris / Munich / Amsterdam / Barcelona / Rome / Athens / Lisbon / Dublin
These cities all have many attractions and are used to having many international travelers come to their city and know how to accommodate them.
3. Where should I stay?
Hostel: If you are traveling alone or with friends I would always recommend to stay at a hostel. Don't watch the horror movies and listen to all the terrible stories. I have stayed at some really nice hostels and some really disgusting ones. Make sure to research them and read reviews before booking them. Also, be sure to book ahead especially at busy times of the year and on weekends as they can fill up.
The reason I say hostels are for two reasons. One they are usually the cheapest option. I have seen hostels for $7 a night in China and the most for around $40 a night in Europe. There is no better option if you are alone. If you are traveling as a group, a hotel may be cheaper. The second reason for staying in a hostel is that you are forced to meet people and sometimes you end up traveling together. Every time I stay at a hostel there are at least 4 different countries represented in the room. It is great to hear new perspective and talk about the different cultures and stereo types. It is always interesting to hear about America from international travelers. In many instances a lot of people from the hostel like to go to a bar together and just have a good time. Sometimes they have been in the hostel for longer than you have and can tell you what to see and what to avoid or the best ways to do something. I always try to share my experiences of how to do something when new people come to the room. The best place to find a hostel that I have found is hostelz.com . You usually only have to put down a deposit of 10% and pay the rest on arrival.
Be sure to bring a lock with you as sometimes it is the only way to secure your luggage and belongings. I've never had any problems with this method, so just always have a padlock with you. Also, keep in mind that hostels typically will charge you for everything, although small amounts. Usually internet is by the hour at a cost, but just pay the amount or find a nearby internet cafe, which is very common in Europe.
Hotel: If you are traveling as a couple or are not in the mood to mingle with others, the obvious solution is to book a hotel. However, keep in mind that European standards when it comes to space is much different. My friend and I traveled to Paris and it was his first time to Europe and he said we should get a hotel with a hot tub. I told him we would be lucky if we had anything other than a bed. Rooms can be quite tight and bathrooms can also be very small. Book your hotel based on price and location. Don't worry about the amenities. In a large city in Europe, you want to be near a train line. This way you will be able to access everything without needing any other form of transportation.
The best rewards program I've found for hotels is through hotel.com. If you book 10 nights within a 12 month period, you get a credit for the average amount you spent over the 10 nights. I've probably earned well over $1000 worth of credits that I've used that I have earned through hotels.com. Also, since they have a price match guarantee, they will always be the cheapest.
Stay with people you know:
There is no better way to see a city than with a local. If you have any old roommates, friends or classmates that live abroad, send them an email and see if you can stay with them. I often find that travel books only take you to places where other people with travel books go. Locals can show you the real places and you can have a way better time this way. This would be my number 1 choice if this is an option for you.
4. Getting Around
Never rent a car! I have traveled all over and have never rented a car. Use public transportation. It will save you money and almost everything you want to see will be located near a train station. There are a few destinations where you should rent a car, but I would say 99% of the time you won't need one.
Get the unlimited pass
Even if it is a little more expensive and you don't get the full use out of it, having the unlimited pass always will allow you to relax. You won't need to figure out how much it costs to go from A to B and it will keep you from walking more than you need to. Often when buying one ticket at a time, if you are going only a few stops you will force yourself to walk to save money. If you do this multiple times throughout the day, you will really wear yourself out. Just get the unlimited pass even if you spend $10 more.
Conclusion:
For your first big international trip, visit one of the cities above. Don't buy a flight to a less known city for your first international trip. Think of it as someone visiting the US and going to Kentucky as the first trip. Although it might be interesting and a cultural experience, they just aren't setup for international travelers. Taking the first big international trip is a big step and will open the door to all future travel. Bon voyage!
3. Where should I stay?
Hostel: If you are traveling alone or with friends I would always recommend to stay at a hostel. Don't watch the horror movies and listen to all the terrible stories. I have stayed at some really nice hostels and some really disgusting ones. Make sure to research them and read reviews before booking them. Also, be sure to book ahead especially at busy times of the year and on weekends as they can fill up.
The reason I say hostels are for two reasons. One they are usually the cheapest option. I have seen hostels for $7 a night in China and the most for around $40 a night in Europe. There is no better option if you are alone. If you are traveling as a group, a hotel may be cheaper. The second reason for staying in a hostel is that you are forced to meet people and sometimes you end up traveling together. Every time I stay at a hostel there are at least 4 different countries represented in the room. It is great to hear new perspective and talk about the different cultures and stereo types. It is always interesting to hear about America from international travelers. In many instances a lot of people from the hostel like to go to a bar together and just have a good time. Sometimes they have been in the hostel for longer than you have and can tell you what to see and what to avoid or the best ways to do something. I always try to share my experiences of how to do something when new people come to the room. The best place to find a hostel that I have found is hostelz.com . You usually only have to put down a deposit of 10% and pay the rest on arrival.
Be sure to bring a lock with you as sometimes it is the only way to secure your luggage and belongings. I've never had any problems with this method, so just always have a padlock with you. Also, keep in mind that hostels typically will charge you for everything, although small amounts. Usually internet is by the hour at a cost, but just pay the amount or find a nearby internet cafe, which is very common in Europe.
Hotel: If you are traveling as a couple or are not in the mood to mingle with others, the obvious solution is to book a hotel. However, keep in mind that European standards when it comes to space is much different. My friend and I traveled to Paris and it was his first time to Europe and he said we should get a hotel with a hot tub. I told him we would be lucky if we had anything other than a bed. Rooms can be quite tight and bathrooms can also be very small. Book your hotel based on price and location. Don't worry about the amenities. In a large city in Europe, you want to be near a train line. This way you will be able to access everything without needing any other form of transportation.
The best rewards program I've found for hotels is through hotel.com. If you book 10 nights within a 12 month period, you get a credit for the average amount you spent over the 10 nights. I've probably earned well over $1000 worth of credits that I've used that I have earned through hotels.com. Also, since they have a price match guarantee, they will always be the cheapest.
Stay with people you know:
There is no better way to see a city than with a local. If you have any old roommates, friends or classmates that live abroad, send them an email and see if you can stay with them. I often find that travel books only take you to places where other people with travel books go. Locals can show you the real places and you can have a way better time this way. This would be my number 1 choice if this is an option for you.
4. Getting Around
Never rent a car! I have traveled all over and have never rented a car. Use public transportation. It will save you money and almost everything you want to see will be located near a train station. There are a few destinations where you should rent a car, but I would say 99% of the time you won't need one.
Get the unlimited pass
Even if it is a little more expensive and you don't get the full use out of it, having the unlimited pass always will allow you to relax. You won't need to figure out how much it costs to go from A to B and it will keep you from walking more than you need to. Often when buying one ticket at a time, if you are going only a few stops you will force yourself to walk to save money. If you do this multiple times throughout the day, you will really wear yourself out. Just get the unlimited pass even if you spend $10 more.
Conclusion:
For your first big international trip, visit one of the cities above. Don't buy a flight to a less known city for your first international trip. Think of it as someone visiting the US and going to Kentucky as the first trip. Although it might be interesting and a cultural experience, they just aren't setup for international travelers. Taking the first big international trip is a big step and will open the door to all future travel. Bon voyage!
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