One of the most important traveling tips is to slow down and experience the local life. This means letting go of your train of thought and paying attention to details that you might not notice otherwise. This will help you remember what you experienced long after you leave. It will also make you feel more comfortable and relaxed in unfamiliar surroundings.
Embrace your own travel style
Every traveler has a different style of traveling. Even those who have been traveling for years have different styles. Embracing your own style allows you to travel at your own pace. It also means that you have the ability to change plans as needed. It allows you to discover unique experiences and gain a lifetime of travel memories.
One of the first steps in embracing your unique travel style is to push yourself outside of your comfort zone. For example, if you’ve never joined an organized trek, it may seem a bit intimidating at first. However, you’ll eventually meet and mingle with people from different walks of life.
Embrace the kindness of strangers
If you’re traveling for a long time, you’ll want to embrace the kindness of strangers wherever you go. Travelers often rely on the generosity of locals to ensure their safety and security. Many TV reporters, travel trainers, and other professionals rely on the kindness of strangers to tell them the ins and outs of their destination. From translating language to finding late-night dining in Rome, to safely escorting tourists to camel rides in Karachi, advice from locals can enhance the security of your trip and the quality of your experiences.
Lutz’s travel essays focus on the intimate connections made with locals across cultures. Each vignette opens with a description of Lutz’s first impression of the place and moves to encounters with people living in each location. Although she references a variety of locals throughout her book, she frequently strikes up conversations with taxi drivers and locals at local watering holes. The resulting warmth and candidness is a testament to her sincere engagement.
Embrace the time difference between destination and home
When traveling, it is helpful to embrace the time difference between your home and destination. This can help you adjust to your new schedule and keep your internal body clock on track. Eating breakfast when you get off the plane and enter the airport will help you adjust to the new time.
Have a hobby or skill that can grow with you as you travel
If you’re not sure where to start, a great idea is to find a new hobby or skill to take with you. It may require a bit of trial and error, but it’s always fun to try something new. Once you find something you enjoy, you can practice it every month, and it will be rewarding to grow and learn new things.
Have a back-up credit card
Whenever you travel, always have a backup credit card available. These cards can be used to pay for purchases while you’re waiting for your primary card to arrive. They can also be used for online shopping and tracking purchases. Just make sure to keep these cards separate from your bank account.
