How is your new year coming along? It is usually about February for me, after the busyness of the holidays and subsequent January recovery, that I begin to get the urge to travel. How about you?
Travel, I find, is an excellent thing to do early in the year because the right kind of travel can significantly impact how the rest of the year unfolds. The right kind of travel? I know you know what I'm talking about. The kind where you pack a small bag, grab your passport, credit card and spirit of adventure and head out of Dodge. The kind where you pick someplace you've always wanted to see, and enjoy that delicious feeling of anonymity for a day or a weekend or a week, in a place you've never been before. Have you ever done that?
Throughout my ramblin' life I've made it a point to ask for tips from accomplished travelers I admire, and here are five of the best pieces of advice I've received.
Tip #1 It's a big world out there. You cannot possibly go everywhere, do everything, or see everything on earth in one lifetime, so it's of vital importance that you craft a world travel experience that's meaningful to only you. Instead of buying a guidebook and then doing whatever the writer believes is a "must-do," think about what really interests you, and focus your time, energy and money on those things. If you're crazy about biking and learning about wine, don't spend your trip to Italy mindlessly bussing from one museum to the next. Are horses your passion? Equestrian friends have taken dressage lessons in Portugal, ridden through the French countryside, and worked cattle on a ranch in Wyoming. You'll learn more, have more memorable experiences, interact more with the local people, and be a better traveler if you do things that you are passionate about. In the words of the poet Mary Oliver, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Tip #2 Do not reinvent the wheel every time you travel. Spend some time after a trip figuring out what worked, what didn't, what you wish you had packed and what you wish you had left at home. Plan on walking through a downpour to get to your transportation; plan on snowstorms and flight delays; running into your old college flame, or friends who want to stop someplace swanky for a cocktail. In short, fashion a reliable travel uniform that looks respectable, and is comfortable, versatile and practical.
Tip #3 Be curious, friendly and humble. If you are not, by nature any of these, it will be difficult to manifest these characteristics specifically for travel. However, it is almost certain that your travel (and life?) experiences will be the better for it.
Tip #4 Do not be in a hurry. To hurry when traveling invites difficulty as surely as washing your car invites rain. It is also impossible to be elegant and be in a hurry. You have all the time in the world because you know that travel is by definition about the journey, and so you leave plenty of time to get to the airport, to make flight changes, to arrive before your tour, or cruise or meeting. And if you are early, see Tip #5.
Tip #5 Bring a good book and a snack. I always have something with me that I'm looking forward to reading. I download books, magazines and movies onto my iPad, and heaven knows there is always Pinterest. But since one can never be assured of WiFi or cellular service, or the opportunity to re-charge, I also have a few things to read the old-fashioned way too. I sometimes cut out articles from magazines that I squirrel away just for traveling. I didn't always bring along a snack, but since it usually doesn't occur to me to eat until I'm completely famished, now I have something healthy like a few packs of almonds and an apple in my bag.
How about you? Please share your hard-won lessons and favorite travel tips!
Images: 1. www. louisvuitton.com 2-3. www.pinterest.com 4. www.theladyslife.com 5. Pinterest via www.beautifulnomad.com 6-7. www.pinterest.com
18 comments:
Hello,
It is so important to be a traveller rather than a tourist.
One does, as you say, need several lifetimes to see all that one would wish to see, so better to return and look closer than to always be into the next thing. We cannot understand why anyone would wish to be on a 'package tour' since it is so much better to have to rely upon yourself and locals to get about and discover things. And, it is always important to 'tread lightly' , respecting cultures and customs as you go.
WOW, now I want to get on the next plane.
I am going somewhere special this year. I just haven't decided where.
Thank you for the great tips.
Teresa
xoxo
Oh I don't know that I can improve on any of these wonderful tips for travel!
I can say with sleet and snow coming down as I write this I would love to be anywhere warm and be the sea!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena New Feature
What a wonderful post. I agree with you, being respectful, patient and kind while traveling will always enhance the experience. Years ago, just before a trip to Paris, several acquaintances warned us that "the French do not like Americans and will be rude". We were pleased and touched that that was not what we experienced. We always tried to use our high school French and they seemed pleased, if not amused, at our attempt. I also believe in dressing as though I'm going to a symphony. Something that looks as though I want to be dressed for the occasion. Never sweat pants and sneakers! :-)
We're headed to Seattle in early summer, a return to a city we love.
Karen
Great tips. Happy travels to you!
Hi, I'm so glad you stopped by! Good ideas. I agree that it is a lot of fun to meander on ones own, and a good tour can be wonderful for all sorts of travelers as well: People new to traveling who want to get their feet wet, the elderly or folks who have a more difficult time getting around on their own for one reason or another, people who want to meet travelers in a group with similar interests, travelers venturing to places where having a guide would be safer, or more prudent--that sort of thing. So true, oh that we had several lifetimes to see everything there is to see!
Hi Teresa! Hope all is well with you. I've been enjoying your pins on Pinterest. Now you'll have to tell us where you end up going, because we'll all be waiting to hear! :) xo, N.
And clear, blue water with a lovely beach. Yes! xo, N.
Hi Karen, I totally agree with you. In fact, everyone I have met while traveling has always been very kind. My first visit to Paris ages ago, I stopped an older French man in the Metro, who was with, probably his granddaughter. I asked him directions to somewhere and he and his young lady actually walked back out of the metro with me to personally point me down the street in the right direction. Even in places when all I know of the language is to smile and use a lot of hand signals, somehow we manage to communicate, and I manage to get from place to place, and eat and sleep and get around, and meet some great friends. I love your suggestion of dressing as though you are going to a symphony! Seattle, lucky you! One of my favorite places in the world. xo, N.
Hi Fran! Right back at you. Have a great weekend!
This was a much needed post especially after being cooped up in the house all week with snow and ice storms. Texans are not to used to this weather.:) Enjoyed the pictures and the post.
This is simply splendid information, with which I agree totally. I have travelled so much, I love every single moment, having all the experiences. You nailed it !! Now, I wish you would post more often. xx's
HI - Nothing to do with this blog post really, but I wanted to stop by and say thank you for opening your home for the Historic Garden Week tour and to say I posted several pics I took at your place in an album at: facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine. Your property was most definitely the highlight of the day.
- Kathy, Washington Gardener Magazine
Hi Kathy, Jennings is having computer issues, but he wanted me to thank you for the compliment and for coming out for the tour! April 21st is very early for Northern Virginia gardens, as you know, we really "bloom" here about 3 weeks later. As a tour though, this was the largest turn-out ever for the Garden Club of Fairfax at a Historic Garden Week. The best part is that the proceeds from the tour go to restoring and preserving historic public gardens and for furthering the good work of the Garden Club of Virginia.
Hi Marsha, Pop over to the Lady's Life, I'm there quite a bit!
What a wonderful post! Thank you for the great tips.
I just stumbled upon your lovely and beautiful blog! I feel so blessed! I was just commenting the other day that I feel "beauty" has all but disappeared from public life. You have so enriched my soul this evening just visiting within your posts on elegance and charm.
Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts and descriptions of your lives and knowledge of the things you learn and know.
With Best Regard, Judith Presgrove
I just found your blog. Lovely post. I am a extremely seasoned traveler and thought each of your points were right on!
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