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The Experience of Travel

There is more to travel than itineraries and guidebooks. Travel should be an experience. A time to try something new. To discover a new place. To step out of one’s comfort zone. To make the most of my travel experience, I try to remember four guidelines:

Eat somewhere . . . or something . . . new:
Travel is a time of discovery. Discovering new places. Meeting new people. That discovery should also extend to dining. When traveling, I always try to eat a new type of food. If the options are limited, then I at least try to find a restaurant where I have never eaten. Even if it is a city I have visited many times, I still look for these new foods.

Go where the locals go:
Guidebooks can provide great information on any number of destinations. They can offer suggestions on sites to see, places to stay, even how to get from place to place. But, they cannot cover everything. Sometimes, the best recommendations can come from local residents. Whether it is a friend who lives in the city or the concierge at the hotel, do not be afraid to ask locals for their recommendations.

Take photos:
In the days after returning from a trip, the memories are fresh in one’s mind. The sights, sounds, and experiences of the trip can be easily recalled. But, as time passes, the memories may become less and less vivid. One way to ensure that travel will always be recalled is to take photos. Photos of the places visited. Photos with the people you visited. With these visual reminders, vacations will be remembered for some time to come.

See the city by foot:
Only so much of a location can be seen speeding by in a car or bus. If you have the opportunity - and it is safe to do so - explore the city by foot.
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