Why do you travel? Why are you going to a particular place?
Is it to do some sightseeing? Is it to visit a relative or friend? Is it to attend a meeting or to look for business opportunities? Is it to study? Or is it to tick off something on your bucket list, shade a country in your map, or collect stamps on your passport? Is it for a blog, vlog or your social media platforms?
Whatever your purpose for your travel, make sure to make the most out of it. Others do it just to add to the number of places they’ve been to, while others do it to expand their horizons and perspectives.
You see, there’s really nothing wrong if you’re doing it just for the numbers. If you find joy in doing so, that is fine, there’s no judgment there. However, my point is that, traveling cost something, whether you are on a backpacking trip or doing luxury travel. It may be money, time or your energy — so don’t let them go to waste.
Now, if you get the opportunity to be in a particular destination, enjoy your time and have as much experience as possible. What’s the use of going to a far-flung place if you will just coop yourself inside your hotel room? There are plenty of things to see that may not be familiar to you or quite unique from your place of origin.
If you are a shy person or bit of an introvert, you can still go out and enjoy some alone time communing with nature or familiarizing yourself with the place.
If budget is a concern, then look for things that are free or affordable. There are various travel hacks that you can look into. Many write-ups are available that can be your guide for your travel, sometimes offering tips and recommendations that can be worth trying.
1.) Try something new or different
Whether it’s food, a traditional outfit, an activity, or something else, it’s exciting to try something new at a new place. Of course, you have to know your body, especially if it’s sensitive to a particular food or if you allergies to deal with or if you have fears to face or you don’t have enough stamina to do something. But if you think it’s safe enough, you can be a bit adventurous. Taste exotic local food. Get off the beaten path. Go where the locals go. Sometimes, those less touristy places are quite a gem. If you’re off to a business trip, maybe there’s something in this place beyond your itinerary that can give you a pleasant opportunity.
2.) Connect with people
If you know someone from that place, get in touch with them. If you know no one, you can engage with locals you meet along the way. They may be taxi drivers, service people, or fellow passengers in a bus. Don’t be afraid even if you’re traveling alone. You can join a group tour and make new friends. Check out local bloggers and ask for recommendations. Although caution is always a priority when you travel, don’t be afraid to be nice to those you get to interact with. If you are traveling for business, then this is even the best time to network. Maybe visit a local market or a place that is related to your field of industry and learn about how they do things locally. You might just stumble on a best practice or tip that you can bring home with you to your business.
3.) Collect experiences
Maybe it’s time to brush on a skill you are trying to master. There may be different things to do that you can check out, such as volunteering in a community, attending a local event, or watching a theater play. There are several things to do in a destination. The key is to do your research and plan your trip well. Get out of your room and explore the vicinity. You never know, there may be a beautiful park nearby or an attraction that is unknown to some tourists. If you encounter a problem or hiccup while you travel, don’t let it ruin your trip. Embrace it and learn from it.
4.) Make memories
Take photos and document your trip. Sometimes you don’t need to do something extraordinary to make your trip memorable. Note that when you travel, you don’t have to spend too much if you are low on budget. You don’t have to buy some knickknacks to preserve the memories of your trip. You can pick up a fallen leaf along the road, stroll by the beach and gather some seashells, or simply enjoy your day with the locals.
Traveling is not just being in a different place. It can be a learning experience that can open doors for you. So, next time you are spending your whole day inside your room doing nothing, ask yourself, “why am I in this part of the globe, in the first place?” Why are you traveling? How do you make the best out of it?
