Each of us has our own idea of holidays, but almost always it comes down to one of the most exciting activities — traveling. Traveling is definitely worth it, but it’s better to do it right and wisely. Why turn into a lazy tourist who walks along the beach with his mouth agape and occasionally clicking the shutter of a camera hanging at his navel? Enjoy every minute of the journey! Live your life to the fullest! Become a true traveler, not a banal tourist! And these simple tips will help you do that.
Remember that the country you come to is someone’s home
This needs to be realized as soon as possible. You can go to Disneyland, or you can go to Rome — and there, and there you will find people. But you need to understand the difference between an amusement park and a foreign country. And the difference is considerable: foreigners are also people, and the most interesting “attractions” are always known only to those who are ready to search, learn and understand.
Learn a little more about the country before you go
No, you don’t need to memorize a guidebook or a Wikipedia page, but it’s always nice to know where you’re going. Where do the locals like to spend their free time? What is the culture here? Are tips welcome or is it possible to insult a local employee by tipping? Of course, it’s impossible to be completely prepared for everything, but both sides will make the most of it if you keep awkward moments with the people here to a minimum.
Respect the local culture
Even if you go a little deeper into reading materials about the country where you are going, you will learn a lot, and some things may surprise you, to put it mildly. Perhaps you never knew that, despite the fact that you are traveling to a hot desert, it is not customary to wear shorts and short skirts there. Perhaps in the country where you are going, eating with your left hand is considered uncivilized, and adding spices at a table at a party is simply indecent. Remember that you are a guest in this country, which means you need to be prepared for some cultural inconsistencies (no matter how strange they may seem to you). This will definitely set you apart from the rest of the “tourists”.
Ask permission before taking pictures of anyone
It is very important. It’s also a great way to show others that you respect them. In some countries, it is believed that taking a picture means losing a piece of your soul, in others locals take pictures hoping to get a tip for it. And if this street performer in bright clothes riding an exotic animal refuses to be photographed, respect his desire.
Learn a couple of key phrases in the language of the country you are going to
Even if you have to strain your brains. Firstly, there is nothing more embarrassing than a situation where you cannot explain to a person what you need, especially if they are ready to help, but simply do not speak your language. Secondly, locals almost always appreciate the efforts of foreigners to speak their language. Even knowing simple phrases like “hello”, “please” and “thank you” will show that you are a person capable of respecting someone else’s culture.
Meet people
Seriously, the best thing you can find abroad is friends. You will remember “that very time…” much longer than some ridiculous souvenir that will break on the way home. In addition, you can learn a lot about other countries and cultures by contacting someone who lives here (or even better, if they can show you places that you won’t learn about from guidebooks).
Buy local goods
A good guide will take you to places where there is no pretentious and pretentious glamour, so that you can buy souvenirs made by the locals. Firstly, these are unique products. Secondly, by buying them, you help the artisans and the towns in which they live. If you look at the statistics on how tourism stimulates the economy, you will see that villages and small towns depend on your money much more than a souvenir kiosk in the main square.
Visit foreigners at home
Nothing will give you more knowledge than time spent at home in a foreign country with a foreign culture. There is something unique about homemade food, no matter what country we are talking about. Again, you support local families, you get a glimpse into the real life of the country and maybe make new friends.
Try local dishes
It’s not worth flying halfway around the world to eat a McDonald’s burger in that distant exotic country and wash it down with Starbucks coffee. There is no need to be afraid of local restaurants or street food stalls. After all, the locals eat in them, so what are you worse for? If you want to truly “taste” the country you have come to, try local dishes.
Breathe
One of the main differences between a traveler and a tourist is the goal. Tourists mostly stupidly collect photos of the main attractions, although no one knows that you passed by the Louvre in just 10 minutes on the way to the Eiffel Tower. If you try to do everything in time, you won’t be able to do anything in the end. Slowing down, stopping and taking a deep breath is what really allows you to see everything as it is.
Traveling can be stressful, especially in the hustle and bustle, when you miss the bus, get lost in an unknown place, or, for example, lose your wallet. Stop! Stop and take a deep breath — after all, this is just part of an unforgettable adventure.
Be spontaneous
In your free time from scheduled excursions, do whatever seems appropriate to you at the moment, and do not be afraid to change your mind if you think that a walk there is better than a hike there. Enjoy the freedom to do what you want and see what you want. Your time is limited, but instead of trying to cram everything you can into it, just give yourself up to chance and go with the flow.
Get lost… it’s fun!
No, seriously, get lost. Then take a deep breath and remind yourself that everything is fine. Then give yourself the opportunity to get to know the place for real, rather than looking at the map. Wander through the streets, dive into alleys, ask for directions and explore this city as if for the first time (which, in fact, is truly so).
Forget about groups, walk around the city on your own
Of course, it is convenient to be with a group of tourists, especially since the guides always know the most interesting places and are ready to smooth out any cultural shock. But by exploring the place yourself, you will be able to visit the same places for less money. In addition, it is not necessary to wait until the rest of the crowd stops staring at a sculpture that you are not interested in, or, conversely, you can admire the attraction you like as much as you like, without fear that an impatient guide will start to urge you on.
Choose untrodden paths
And it’s not just about the paths that are not trodden by tour groups, but also about the roads that are not trodden by anyone at all. Surely you know special interesting places in your hometown that few people know about? So, there are exactly the same places in other cities. Maybe it’s time to find out about them?
All the best things in life are free, wherever you go
Stroll through the streets, climb the mountains, splash in the waves of the ocean. Visit the park, watch the people and just soak up new experiences. This trip probably cost you a lot, so it’s time to enjoy what this country offers, in full and for free.
Use public transport
If in doubt, do as the locals do. And all local residents (no matter which country they are talking about) use public transport. It’s much cheaper, and you’ll probably meet a bunch of interesting people and get to know the places much better.
Understand that your perfect vacation can happen where you didn’t expect it at all
It’s been an eternity since your last vacation, and you just want to leave. Thoughts of palm trees and crystal clear water are already filling your head, and you can practically feel the sun on your skin and warm white sand between your fingers. And no one for miles around except you and your favorite book. Well, the first thing you type into Google is something like “vacation in the Canaries”, as hundreds of thousands of other tourists do every day. There is nothing wrong with going to the Canaries, and you will surely find the very place you dreamed of… but you will have to share it with a hundred or two tourists. The sooner the vacation image comes to your mind, the more likely it is that you are not the only one. Perhaps to create your perfect vacation, you need to dig into the details a little bit. Fortunately, there are millions of other equally beautiful and amazing islands around the world where no one will bother you.
Travel
It doesn’t matter who you are — an advanced traveler, a simple—minded tourist, a true “Magellan” or something in between, the most important thing is just travel. We live on an amazing planet full of wonders that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough for. But it’s worth at least trying to see them. As much as possible. As often as possible.
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