The natural comfort of being where you are familiar is not one that can be easily replaced. Though being comfortable is important, it is not always the most satisfying feeling. Anyone who has ever experienced wanderlust knows how trapped they can feel within their comfort zone. Sometimes the deep desire to travel can strike unexpectedly, which then brings forth the question: where should you go? The world is a big place, with many different things to see and many different people to meet. How can you narrow it down to just one part of the planet, or even just one spot? There are many aspects that should be further considered before making this choice, which makes or breaks the experience that you are seeking.
1. The Beaten Path
What type of experience are you seeking? Some want the getaway experience: a comfortable hotel with easy access to all the major aspects of the area, tour guides and all. Others seek a more subversive experience: spontaneously working through their trip in a way that is more an adventure than a vacation. What atmosphere are you looking for? A major city, or a more rural area? Perhaps both? Venturing beyond the more well-known areas of a country can enhance the experience and allow you to discover your own magical sites that extend beyond the beaten path.
2. Food
When traveling beyond your origins, it’s likely that one will encounter many things that they are relatively unfamiliar with, especially when eating. Local areas more often than not, have their own foods that they are famous for, and what would traveling be if you didn’t try the foods at least once? Of course, there are usually restaurants that offer options that are more familiar to travelers, though trying unfamiliar things is one of the best parts of the experience. It’s important to consider the types of food that the country or area typically prepare, and to be aware of the dietary differences across the region. The cleanliness of the local water supply or if their dairy is raw or not, for example, can ruin the trip by making people sick.
3. Climate
It’s important not to forget that different regions experience different weather patterns at different times of year. While it may be fall back home, it could very well be well into winter wherever it is you want to go. One must be packed and prepared for the elements of the area before they go. Traveling during the colder times of year, although it is usually the cheaper option, requires more clothing, which also means that the luggage will be heavier. All things to consider when planning the when and where of the get away.
4. Finances
One of the most important aspects is the cost of the trip. Keeping up with the exchange rates from one currency to the other is a good place to start. If you’re traveling to a place where the currency is stronger than the one back home, it’s even more important to do the research of the area. Find out the cost of things that are everyday products; how much is a typical meal when eating out? That will give you the baseline of how much money you should exchange and bring. Investing in a credit card without international fees, if possible, is also a decent idea to avoid having to travel around with stacks of cash. For the bills you do bring, a money belt is efficient in keeping the money close by and safely tucked away during your travels. When purchasing the flights, shopping around first is a decent way to save on the travel costs. Even just changing the departure and return dates can make a huge difference in the price. Though some hotels and hostels allow customers to pay for their rooms upon arrival, to break up the cost of the trip, paying for as much as possible - in advance and over a period of time - will make the trip itself much easier to manage. The only money that will be needed then will be for souvenirs, food, and additional spending - as opposed to taking away funds that could have been better spent elsewhere.
5. Global Politics
Unfortunately, the world is not always a happy place. Before deciding where to travel, considering the state of the country you are visiting is also important. Are the locals and the government in good standing with your home country? Locals will be responsive to where you come from, so doing further research on the area is important before making the final decision on where you’d like to go.
6. History
Most places around the world are rich in the stories that they have to tell. Do research on the areas that you're considering and then deciding what part of history you want to experience. The type of experience one is looking to have can only be further enriched by where they are in the world. There is no comparative feeling to being somewhere and knowing that the very spot you're standing holds a significant place in the history of the world. Every part of the world has a gem like this, and research will prove to be handy in deciding where in time you want to stop on your journey.
7. Culture
Being familiar with the local culture is important for many reasons. The knowledge can help one decide how to dress, how to act, and what to say or not say. It’s important to be polite to the people that live there; take the time to get to know them and understand them before deciding how you feel about them. Humans are often too quick to judge. Making a decision on where to go purely based off of what you've heard could diminish the experience. If we only based our opinions on the opinions of others, life would be boring and more opportunities would be missed than taken.
8. Comfort Zone
Finally, don’t be afraid to leave that comfort zone. Step outside of what you know and love; take a risk for the opportunity to be a part of something that will stay with you forever. Don’t look back on the trip and wonder what would have happened if you had tried something new. Always take the scenic route, and take the time to appreciate the country and culture for all the little things it has to offer. Most importantly, make every moment count, because some experiences are only once in a lifetime.
