Requisites for Travel

Never having had much money, I have never had the opportunity to travel outside of my home country. As a result, over the years it has become a near-obsession for me to find a way to travel and visit other places; the sooner, the better. This has especially been the case with the rise in the cost of air travel. I would like to get 'out there', so to speak, and visit these other parts of the world before travel becomes so expensive that only the most wealthy are capable of it.

Therefore, I ask any readers to provide me with tips about travel for a first-timer so that I may make the necessary preparations. What are some important things for a first-time traveler to do or keep in mind before they board that plane, train, or automobile? Which nations or cities do you recommend visiting for those without much money who love culture and history and wish to make the most of a visit?