So many people try to cram as much as possible into a trip as they can. Hard to blame them, since everyone claims to have such limited time and a huge city to explore. They often spend a lot of money on transportation and tours to cover all the highlights and must-see spots, wherever they might be. Is this the right way to travel? Or should you slow down and take time to enjoy the little things the location has to offer?
There is no right or wrong answer to these questions. As a frequent flyer and avid traveler, the trips I tend to enjoy more are the ones where you slow down a little and take your time to wander through a place. Sure, you are not going to cover as much ground, and there is always the fear of missing out on something (FOMO!). There will always be opportunity costs in every aspect of life because of your choices. However, taking the time to immerse yourself in an experience, whatever that task is, will pay out great rewards in the long run. You will enjoy the little things and unexpected treasures that much more as you stumble across them on your journey.
One of the easiest and best ways to assimilate into a culture or location is simple: walk around… EVERYWHERE. You will be able to soak in the vibe of wherever you may be. You will find the little nooks and crannies hiding out of plain sight as you meander through the streets. Of course, you can take the subway or a cab, but walking allows you to see things you won’t in the subway. When you start walking, you end up following your heart and intuition, leading to more fulfilling experiences that can’t be found in any guidebook. The hop on hop off buses are a nice alternative, but those only take you to the tourist hot spots. Walking through a city and getting off the beaten track will lead you to many more surprises, adding to the enjoyment of your trip.
Imagine you are in Amsterdam for a moment. What experience sounds more rewarding:
A) Taking a small motor boat run by a local to go across the channel in Amsterdam, coupled with the view of windmills in the background.
B) Waiting in line for an hour to get into the must-see museum that is crowded with hundreds of people.
I know what I would pick any day of the year. Granted, huge crowds and touristy spots really aren’t my thing, but when you roam around a new city, blazing your own trail, you will be doing what YOU want and not what anyone else says or tells you to do. This will lead to a very enjoyable time. You will enjoy the local culture that much more because you are doing it how you like and at your own pace all while taking in the new sights and sounds.
All in all, the point I want you to focus on is that you will relish your trip exponentially more when you follow your gut and do something you love to do normally. Don’t listen to Trip Advisor or the Lonely Planet. BE YOURSELF. Do what you want, and your vacation will be that much better.
So go ahead, find a quaint little cafe to sip on some coffee. Sit in the park and enjoy your lunch. Take a hike to get away from the hustle and bustle of a city. These are the things people take for granted, however, they are all wonderful chances. The saying is very cliché, but I truly believe that “everything will find a way” has a lot of meaning when traveling.
