It’s so tempting to favour the familiar sometimes, rather than explore and engage with the destination you’ve spent considerable money travelling to.
I encourage travellers to take a break from home in every sense and cop a more humble attitude: You are a guest in someone else’s hometown and should act accordingly. It’s best not to measure other cultures and countries by your own – not every person in the world has bacon and eggs for breakfast. As well, punctuality in many countries is, in fact, just a concept.
Instead of tourist-area restaurants, find places filled with locals, look at what they’re eating, and order the same. Carry a phrase book, so you can order if there’s no English menu.
Tell your friends that getting out of the confines of the holiday resort is a great way to learn something – engagement is enlightenment. Travel is supposed to broaden your perspectives, and part of that means going with the local flow.
Flight advice: How to pack lighter than ever before
I recently had to help my older siblings pack just a carry-on for an extended trip abroad. Here are some of our pack-smart work-arounds:
- No one is going to notice that you’re wearing mostly the same outfit every night – except your travel companions, who are in the same boat.
- Rather than layers of sweaters and multiple pieces of outerwear, bring one extremely light puffy jacket instead. It takes up less space and you can just wear it over a T-shirt. I also use mine as a pillow for long flights, so I don’t have to drag around one of those neck pillows.
- Leave all the heavy, bulky and ultimately smelly cotton at home. You will get more wear out of activewear with antibacterial properties – like golf wear – which will dry quickly if you have to rinse things in the sink.
- Tuck in scarves, a signature statement necklace and inexpensive jewellery – nothing flashy. Take one handbag and perhaps a clutch. Two pairs of shoes and a pair of sandals – period.
- All the hotels have such excellent, natural bathroom amenities now, you don’t need to bring much with you.
