When traveling for the first time it is beneficial to do a bit of preparation before you set off.
Get yourself a map of the area you are going to visit, many of which have area tourist sites, including historical sites, eating places, and fashionable shopping sites (unless of course your are on a Gorilla safari!).
Look at the destination you are going to be visiting and understand whether it is beneficial to have a car, scooter or bicycle when you are their or whether you would prefer to walk, get the bus or train.
Most public transport can be booked before you get there getting you beyond the entire thing of queuing or attempting to negotiate the fare.
When traveling abroad ensure that you have the necessary jabs for that country and that you get as much health cover as you can afford (being caught out abroad can be a very costly affair.
If you are traveling in an district that is lightly populated ensure you have found out how to cope with any of the countries specific foibles.
If your main idea is having a break away from your everyday it might be worth looking into working abroad, this really allows you to submerge yourself in a culture and pick up the feel of a area and fine hone your area dialect.
There are lots of options for this including volunteer work and learning vacations.
If you have particular needs for your travel be it due to disability or dietary needs ensure you have taken it into account ahead of going, speaking to your travel provider.