I've always wanted to travel around the world. Even around the country but those are adventures for future dates. Even though I haven't been to many different places I have complied a few things that makes my travels 10x better. Just keep a few of these tips in your mind and you'll see the places in a completely new perspective.
1. Explore
Leave a day to just drive around town or walk around a neighboring city. Plan an excursion that a tourist would do. But, don't spend all of your time around tourists. You don't need any destination; just wander throughout your surroundings and pay attention to everything you can.
2. Look at the tiny things
Document the details that make that city or town unique. Look at the people; notice what they are doing. Slow down, put headphones in and just take in all your surroundings. The smells, the colors, the human interactions. What makes it different from every other place you have been to. Look at the daily life.
3. Take lots of pictures
But, don't spend to much time trying to figure out how to share this with the entire world. Forget about making it look aesthetically pleasing. Eat something spontaneously you've never eaten before.
4. Try a random restaurant.
Ask a local, ask someone working at a public place, ask the person at the front desk of your hotel what their personal favorite is, and then go there.
5. Wander Around
Always be safe. But, you don't always need a schedule when you a traveling. It's always good to make a rough outline of what you want to see or do when you visit, but don't set so many time restrictions. Resist the temptation to plan everything.You can do one thing a day, and that is okay. Try and not plan everything out to a T when you are traveling. Plan one thing a day. Plan one thing every other day. Get lost; you have a GPS on your phone.
6. Get a souvenir.
I'm personally a fan of stickers and postcards. Postcards, if you're abroad, can be sent to a loved one with a small note on the back saying what you're up to, and that you are thinking of them. I pick one that represents where I am, so when I look back on them, I remember the feeling I had when I visited. As for stickers, I like sticking them everywhere. Get a sticker that says where you were and put it on your computer where everyone can see it. Show your travels off proudly.
7. Free Souvenirs
Also, find a free souvenir. It could be a ticket and brochure, something you can keep from where you went. I went to a Chinese restaurant in Philly, and I took the chopsticks they gave me. I'm not condoning stealing, but just to live adventurously.
8. Meet new people
Strike up a conversation with someone sitting next to you, or a local working behind a counter. Learn their name and something about them. You'll remember even more about the place you are visiting because of the people you meet. Make your visit personal; who knows who you will meet?
