11 Things You Should Do Every Time You Travel

 

This year, I've traveled more than ever before. I've been lucky enough to go to Australia, San Francisco, Yosemite, Vietnam, Canada, Iceland, Thailand, and New Zealand, to name a few places.

No matter if you're an expert traveler, a solo adventurer with years of experience, a first-time traveler, or a fan of group tours, traveling takes a lot of courage and determination. The best way to travel is to do things that come naturally to you every day. This will turn your trips from ordinary to extraordinary.

Still not sure? Here are 10 things you should always do when you travel. Some of them are obvious, but the most important ones are the ones you might not expect.

When you travel, you should be ready for anything.

1. Take the path that isn't as busy.

For many travelers, it's easier to stay in a resort or visit only the most popular places. But when they get home, they all have the same stories to tell. Take the path less traveled, whether you're traveling alone or with a group. If you are by yourself and want to look around a market, go to the left, where there are fewer people. If you're going to a new city with a group, ask the guide for suggestions for things to do that aren't on the main tourist routes.

2. Take public transport

Taking public transportation is the fastest way to live like a local. Here, you can talk to regular people who are going about their normal lives. Learn a few important phrases and start talking.

3. Start talking to them.

Talking to the people who live there can turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary one. This is the best way for me to meet new people and get better at a language.

4. Don't buy cheesy gifts.

Don't pick the most obvious thing to bring back from your trip. Go to the local markets and buy something that is really from the area. When I was in Marrakech, I could have gone into tourist shops and bought a lot of lanterns and slippers like Aladdin wore. Instead, I went to a market and bought a rug from an old woman who had been making them her whole life. I still love that rug to this day.

5. Don't miss a thing.

Don't get caught up in taking pictures. They're great souvenirs to remind you of your trip when you get home, but travelers often miss the best parts because they're too busy taking pictures.

6. Go somewhere nearby to eat

When I travel alone, I always ask a local about their favorite places to eat, if they are willing to share. When I travel with a group, I always ask the leader where they like to eat when they have some free time.

7. Enjoy the moment.

When I travel, my favorite times are when I go off the beaten path and get lost as I wander around aimlessly. If I start to worry, I know I can always ask for directions or check the GPS on my phone, but it's the times when I don't have to worry that make me the happiest.

8. Give yourself a challenge

Try something different. Talk to an unknown person. Don't make plans each day. Ask your guide for tips that only a local would know. Bring a carry-on bag. Get away from the crowds. Go on a challenging hike. Don't be afraid. Write something every day.

9. Have fun being a visitor

I often forget where I am when I'm traveling because I'm so busy trying to see and do as much as possible. I've been more careful about how I travel this year and have just enjoyed being a tourist.

10. Act like you live there

This is my favorite thing to do when traveling, and you should do it every time. Live like a local for at least one day in each place you visit. Wake up early and get a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop, take public transportation, go to the grocery store and buy ingredients to make lunch, spend the afternoon walking around a local park, and treat yourself to dinner at a restaurant that only locals can go to.

11. Sort out your pictures

Yep. Something that's easy to forget, but important! If you don't edit or look at your photos while you're traveling, it can be a surprise when you land and your phone is full.

Most of the photos you took on your trip probably aren't winners or even worth keeping.

Don't forget to save the photos you like best and get rid of the rest. If you do this right after your trip, you won't forget to do it later, and you'll have more space for pictures on your next trip.

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