8 Things To Do While Travelling

Travelling is a Privilege

If you can travel, on any type of trip, you are blessed. Therefore, things to do while travelling is an extremely important aspect. Wherever you go, ensure you make the most of your time spent in that place.

Tick-box travel (that is, travelling somewhere just to say you have been) looks great on Instagram. Meaningful travel, however, will become engraved in your memories, and therefore will last forever. 

In order to create a special experience on your trip, there are certain things you can do in every place. Some of these you probably already do, such as numbers 1 and 6 but try and do more. If you take my advice and try something new, I’d love to hear about it in the comments or through social media!

So here is the list of 8 things to do when travelling no matter what your style of travel is. It could be a weekend break, luxury stay, annual holiday, backpacking, road-trip or even a staycation.

If you do even one thing from the following list, you will learn through your travels.

The List

1. Take photographs to capture those moments.

This one is pretty much a given of things to do while travelling. We all love to take snaps and share on socials along with a caption like ‘how is your Monday’ or ‘just another day in paradise.’ Continue to do so, and take as many pictures as you can to use as mementos for your trip. To fully enjoy those times, though, put down the camera and be in the moment.

Read More: 1 Month Itinerary for Vietnam

2. Learn a few phrases in the local language.

It seriously goes a long way. I’m not saying you need to study the official language of every region you visit, but showing just a slight attempt will make a difference. Learning how to say hello, please, and thank you shows courtesy, learning numbers and prices could help you financially, and learning how to say a specific phrase could change your whole experience, i.e. if you are vegetarian then learning how to say ‘I don’t eat meat’ is extremely useful.

Read Next: 2 Days in Bordeaux, France

3. Try as much local food as possible.

There are so many wonderful cuisines around the globe, that to not try any local food would be doing a disservice to your travels. Local food is always cheaper and so delicious you’ll be missing it when you’re home. The locations to get local food are endless, from street stalls for fresh meals in Thailand, to restaurants for a tasty tea in The Netherlands, even a French supermarket for local produce for that picnic in a local park! For more reasons why this is one of the best things to do when travelling, see point 8.

More Things To Do While Travelling

4. Explore the place, where possible, by foot or public transport. 

Understandably, not everywhere is ideal for walking. Sometimes, hotspots are spread out far apart, the weather doesn’t help everyone (rain or sun), as well as personal reasons. If possible, however, do try and walk between activities because you end up finding hidden spots or new things to do along the way. Rome is a perfect example where everything is walkable and there’s always a great restaurant to find on the way.

Another option is to join walking tours (which are free except for a tip for the guide) where you meet new people and learn from informative guides. Warning: walking always leads to being side-tracked. On the other hand, public transport opens more possibilities as well as kind to your budget. Transport such as local trams or hop-on/off buses allow you to view the people, architecture and streets at ease.

Read: Top Amsterdam Tips for First Timers!

Locals Make A Place

5. Interact with locals.

When you visit somewhere new, more than likely it will be filled with citizens. These are the people who give culture, experience and beauty to a place. The locals are as much part of an area as the scenery is. Speak to the locals to learn more about their lives, culture and homeland. Instead of the supermarket, check to see if a local has a stall selling gorgeous fruit and buy from them while interacting.

Note: you do not have to buy from everyone who approaches you and be mindful of where your money is going. If you pass a local wherever you are, acknowledge them, because we all smile in the same language ;).

6. Do something that is renowned for that particular place/region.

This one can be done through famous facts such as eating chocolate in Belgium, or riding a gondola in Venice. However, you can also do some research before your trip and find out what is a well-known thing to do in the place you are visiting. For instance, before my trip to Bordeaux in France, I researched where the best Sunday market was located and visited like French locals do. This can be done so easily through travel blogs these days, all you have to do is search for what [insert place name here] is famous for and you’ll be overwhelmed with ideas.

7. Learn part of the place’s history.

As harrowing and uncomfortable as sometimes History is, it’s important to know what has happened around the world and not to forget. Before you travel somewhere, do some reading about the region’s history, or watch something related. Research if there is anything you can do in the place that will give you further insight to that history.

In Vietnam, there are various museums that remember the war such as the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh city. It was here that I noticed a quote from Goro Nakamura who said the events of the war ‘must be remembered not only by Vietnamese people, but also by all humankind. In hope that such tragedy would never happen again.’ This is true for all types of activities around the world that portray the history. It’s one of the most important things to do while travelling and helps you understand a place a little better.

Read This: Educational Places in Berlin to Visit

8. Copy the locals.

No matter where you are in the world, the best thing you can do is follow the lead of the locals. They are the ones who know this destination inside-out. If there is a local family queuing for an activity, it is probably a fun and worthwhile activity to do. When you see groups of locals drinking the same type of coffee, go find that coffee because it’s obviously a speciality. At breakfast time, go and find the street stall serving pho, with locals huddled around in Vietnam because that’s where you’ll get the best breakfast and it might run out before 9am.

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That’s It!

Are these things that you already do on your travels? Is there anything else you do in every place? What makes travel meaningful for you? 

Let me know in the comments or via socials!

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