Ten Tips to Creating Unbelievable Travel Memories
To travel is to open yourself up to a wonderful world of new discoveries and grand adventure.
It broadens your mind, your understanding of culture and your worldview. To take in the sights and to see with fresh eyes as if you’ve never seen before.
It gives you a greater appreciation for life. It makes you thankful for the experience and all the more thankful for the familiarity of home.
While there may be moments of unknown if we lean into them rather than fear them we open ourselves up for the sweetest of memories.
Each trip I’ve taken has been filled with it’s own experiences, moments of culture shock, and amazing discoveries.
I’ve shared a train sleeper cabinet with random strangers, braved the subway during rush hour in St. Petersburg, and wandered the streets of Paris lost.
I’ve ridden a rickety ski lift up a mountain and hiked back down in the rain. I’ve wander cobblestone streets and dirt trails.
Each trip with its own stories.
I’ve stood in awe and I’ve curl up in a ball of exhaustion.
And I wouldn’t trade one moment.
Ten Tips to Creating Unbelievable Travel Memories
Each trip I’ve taken has been filled with it’s own experiences, moments of culture shock, and amazing discoveries.
I’ve shared a train sleeper cabinet with random strangers, braved the subway during rush hour in St. Petersburg, and wandered the streets of Paris lost.
I’ve ridden a rickety ski lift up a mountain and hiked back down in the rain. I’ve wander cobblestone streets and dirt trails.
Each trip with its own stories.
I’ve stood in awe and I’ve curl up in a ball of exhaustion.
And I wouldn’t trade one moment.
Ten tips to creating unbelievable travel memories
Live like the locals.
I’ve had the pleasure of staying in homes on several of my trips. Renting a home from a local allows you to experience what their life is like and provides them with a little extra income. From mutual connections to using a site like Air B&B I much prefer staying in a home than a hotel. This also allows you to go food shopping at the local mart and prepare traditional dishes at home.
Spend time in locals homes.
On my first trip to Czech Republic (now Czechia) we spent an afternoon at our friends countryside home. We had driven through the countryside the day before and watched a herd of sheep brought in from the field for the night. I asked if there was somewhere I could go to take pictures. A couple of our translators lived on a farm outside of town and they graciously took a group of us for the day. Going to the countryside was one of my absolutely favorite things we did in Czech that summer. We picked mint for our tea and awed in excitement over the sheep, which greatly amused our hosts. There is something so refreshing about stepping away from the hustle and bustle of life and just slowing down. We sat outside at a table they’d made themselves and ate spoonfuls of honey from their own beehives as we enjoyed a picnic lunch.
Try the traditional dishes.
You can’t eat in all the time and I think you’ll agree a big part of travel is the food. I love trying new foods when I travel. Find out what’s popular and authentic in the city and country you are visiting. Real Italian pizza, pasta and gelato; Parisian macaroons, cappuccinos, croissants, crepes and charcuterie; and Russian borsch, blini, and shashlik and topped with sour cream of course. Each country with its delicious way of preparing and serving their unique dishes.
Wander.
Take the time to wander the streets or countryside. Dare I say risk getting lost? When I travel I find it so exciting to turn every corner to new views and sights. When you are in a new place there is so much discovery to be had. Give yourself time to explore without an agenda.“Not all those who wander are lost.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Learn some history.
Take a tour at a museum or historical landmarks. While in Poland we toured Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Schindler saved over a thousand Jews during World War ll. It was a chilling and moving experience to move through the factory now turned museum reading stories, hearing interviews and seeing pictures. Go to a Performance. See a local show. Immerse yourself in the culture by going to a traditional performance. In Petrozavosk, Russia we went to a performance of traditional Karelian dances. It’s still one of my favorite travel memories. It was absolutely amazing to see them in their beautiful costumes dancing. I love to see something cultural because it’s unique to the area and something you won’t get to see at home.
Go to a bazaar or outdoor market.
I already love trips to the farmer’s market, flower market and flea markets. The best thing about local markets is that they vary so much from place to place. You really never know what you are going to find. Of course if you are traipsing through a touristy market I don’t think you be surprised to find such items as keychains and magnets. I like to look for the more vintage and antique markets. It’s such fun to bring home vintage postcards and keys. I like to image the quaint villa or chic abode my keys may have belonged to.
Take in the view.
Climb a tower, go on a hike. From a clock tower view of cobblestone and tile roofs, castles and cathedrals, bridges and rivers to mountain top vistas and fresh air I love a good climb. There is not like getting to the top of a tower or hill or mountain to see all the wonder that lies below.
Linger and people watch.
Grab a local treat like gelato, crepes or trdelník (a rolled and fried cake dipped in cinnamon and sugar) and sit in a square or on the steps of a city building. From tourists to locals this is people watching at its best. I love to sort out locals from tourists, catch snippets of languages and conversation I don’t understand.
Ride a train.
A trip by train to another city or country is sure to be a memorable experience. It’s a great way to seen a country put the window and definitely a cultural experience. I certainly had one of my most surprising cultural realization on a train! When traveling overnight on a train we booked beds in a sleeper compartment. It was quite a shock when the fourth bed was booked by a stranger. The thought that we did not have the cabin to ourselves had not even crossed my mind until drunk Russian man wandered into our cabin. It taught me not to make assumptions or take things for granted!
