There are a multitude of festivals that take place all over the world. But what should you consider when planning on attending a festival abroad?
Whether you’re a seasoned festival goer or this is your first major music event, make sure you follow these tips for an enjoyable and safe time.
Baggage
It’s important to have the right bag when going to any festival, especially if you’re travelling to one abroad. Festival luggage, particularly when it includes camping essentials such as tents and stoves, tends to be heavier than usual. Make sure you know the baggage allowance for your flight and prepare for having to store your luggage in the hold.
Also, if you’re bringing a portable camping stove with you, remember that the gas canisters required for it might not be allowed with your airline. Make sure you can buy the relevant canisters at your destination or consider another solution for your festival meals.
Weather
It might sound obvious buy you’d be surprised at how many people don’t consider the weather when going to overseas festivals and end up dressing inappropriately. One example was when scores of revellers were not expecting a heatwave at the 2019 Glastonbury Festival, resulting in many of them hospitalised with sunstroke.
The right or wrong clothing for the climate can make all the difference in your enjoyment of a festival. Unless your festival is in an arid, dusty environment, then wellies are almost always a must. Even if you’re not expecting rain, the impact of thousands of revellers walking on the ground can turn it into a swamp.
Heat exhaustion and sunburn are no fun for anyone, but sunstroke can be extremely serious. Consider the season and check the forecast before you go. If it’s going to be a scorcher, don’t forget to pack a good sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and cool clothes. Always make sure you have something warm though for evenings, even if your festival is held somewhere warm – for example, the Nevada Desert, the location of Burning Man, is notoriously hot during the day but can be cold at night.
Be safe
It’s just as important to have your wits about you at an overseas festival as it is on an ordinary holiday. Make sure you stay well hydrated and avoid too much alcohol. Always have a meeting point worked out in case you get separated from your friends and keep your valuables on you at all times.
Earplugs are always a good idea. Not only can they protect your ears if you’re standing close to big speakers, but they can also help you get a good night’s sleep if you’re camping on site.
One of the first things you should do when you arrive at a festival is find out where the medical tent is and identify where you can get access to fresh water. Although all reputable festivals will have a designated first aid area, it’s always a good idea to have basic medical supplies with you, such as plasters and antibacterial wipes. Accidents, however, can and do happen, so make sure you’ve got adequate cover for your trip to make it easier to plan for the unexpected.
Ensure you’ve got all your medicines with you, but also check the requirements for each country in case you need you bring a prescription or doctor’s note with you. Some medications that are commonly prescribed in some countries can be illegal in others, so always check beforehand.
Food
Festival food is often expensive, so it’s advisable to bring your own snacks. While you might not be able to replace a whole evening meal with pocket snacks, they should be able to satisfy your hunger during the day and keep your energy up. Nuts, dried fruit, and biscuits are all good high energy snacks that should keep you sustained.
If your baggage allows for it, consider bringing a portable camping stove so you can boil water for hot drinks and make your own meals, such as pasta and rice.
Conclusion
When it comes to travelling to overseas festivals, similar rules apply to when you’re travelling to festivals within your home country. Wherever you’re going, you should not only aim to enjoy yourself, but ensure that you’re safe and comfortable.
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