We are always in a rush. Even when we travel, we only have a short time and in that time we need to see everything that is written in the Lonely Planet. We rush from one highlight to the other one. During our short trip we spent a lot of time on Google to find a restaurant and using Google Maps to find the easiest way to move around. And before you know, the trip is over and you are back home. And it all fades away like it was only a dream.
This is not a mindful way of travelling. Before you arrange or book a trip, ask yourself first what do you want to achieve from this trip? Is it relaxing and not doing anything at all? Is it exploring new places? Do you want to visit highlights? What do you want to see and do? Connect first with yourself.
When I speak about myself, I am a traveller and not a tourist. I don’t really care about the highlights of a place or country. I travel to explore, experience, to learn and to meet. To see things I have never seen before, to visit places where I have never been before, to experience other cultures and to be part of that, to enjoy nature and the scenery, to learn from the culture so I can bring that with me, to meet new people and to make memories that I will cherish the rest of my life. Travel is something that makes me rich in so many ways. So this means I need time to prepare for a trip. To do research in advance and check what I want to see and do that is not written in the travel books. As travelling is my passion, it also means the trip I make has to match me. And this research in advance is also part of the fun of travelling.
Hereby I share 15 tips to travel like a traveller:
- Before you choose a destination, connect first with yourself and make clear what is important to you. Why do you want to travel and what do you want to see and experience?
- Before you go, do some research to learn more about the history and culture of the place you will visit. As a traveller you are a guest in another country. It is important that you are aware of the basic customs of the country.
- Before you travel, learn the language. You don’t have to become fluent in the local language, but if you can speak some basic words like ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’, it is always helpful. If people see that you take some effort to speak the language, the local people will be more open to you. Knowing some basic words will also helps you with getting around. Check the apps Duolingo or Memrise to learn a language.
- Before you go, read a book (a story, not a travel guide) or watch a movie about the area you are going to travel to. It helps you to understand a bit more of the culture.
- Don’t book a hostel, as it is mostly full of foreigners. Check a place in a local neighbourhood, which is mostly outside the city centre.
- Even better, book a stay with a local family. You can check AirBnB or Homestay.com to find these places. If you have any connections in your network, ask them for advice.
- When you stay at a hotel, ask the staff if they have some tips for less touristic places. Tell them about your interests and maybe they can help you.
- Book a free walking tour. The guides are mostly locals who grew up or live for a longer time in the city. Of course the tour is not free, at the end you give an amount that you want to give.
- Plan some time to get lost. Don’t check your Google Maps and just walk around. Be mindful and explore.
- Eat at a local restaurant and try local food.
- Visit a local supermarket and just get lost. Find things that they don’t have in your own country and buy and try these products.
- Visit a museum where you can learn about the history or culture of the place where you are.
- Have a drink at a local place and just be in the moment. Watch people, try to read a local newspaper and connect with people. Maybe you will meet some new friends.
- Travel with public transport and skip the touristic tours. Take a bus outside the city to visit a village nearby and take a walk for example. Escape the tourist crowds.
- When you are back, learn from your travelling, reflect and give it a place in your daily life. It can be a healthy habit, maybe a new friend or a new dish that you like. What has changed in yourself after the tour? Cherish this new growth in yourself.
Jane Regina Sauer 