Amy's Travel Tips

Model Amy Kirk tells us that despite the millions of guidebooks out there, there were still some things she wished she been told before she went travelling

1) Pack light. Remember, there will be no one to help you lug your bag around so make sure you can actually lift it without yelping in agony or falling over backwards (no joke, that actually happened).

2) Do your research. I don’t want to sound like your parents but check out what’s going on in a country before you arrive. A friend and I got to India when the banks were on strike and had to survive for three days on a single packet of peanuts. Not fun.

3) Be streetwise. Remember that in certain cultures showing too much skin is offensive. And respect all religious areas and the male/female rules.

4) Try the local cuisine. The best food we ate was often bought from street vendors and best restaurants often tucked away and recommended by locals who don’t want to share them with the guidebooks.

5) Learn the language. Apart from helping you to find your way around and helping to talk to people, I found that my cab fares in Brazil were halved when I perfected my accent.

6) BRING LOO PAPER! I’m not joking. I never went out for the day ANYWHERE without making sure my bag was jammed packed with the stuff.

7) Take lots of photos, keep your tickets and try to write a journal – you will be so surprised how much you forget otherwise. I have cried with laughter reading mine.

8) Try to see the funny side of any disastrous situations and think how hysterical it will be in retrospect. You can always learn from your mistakes.