How to make travelling a more meaningful experience

Many of us want to travel at some point in our lives. The appeal of travelling to unknown destinations for long periods of time is becoming more attractive, with gap years and work sabbaticals on the rise. Not forgetting, travelling is also a great opportunity for getting some great pictures on your Instagram feed! If you’re new to travelling or just want to maximise the experience, here’s how to get the most out of your time away.

Travel solo

Source: Pixabay

It might sound like a daunting experience but travelling solo can actually be a lot more beneficial than travelling with a group of friends or your best mate. Not having someone to fall back on or rely upon can give you a push to meet new people and experience things you might not have previously thought of doing. Chances are that, when travelling, you’ll be staying in hostels to try and conserve your money and this is a great way to meet new people and interact with other like-minded travellers, who are probably also going solo on their trip. Something as simple as talking to your bunkie can lead to them showing you their favourite destination or activity – which you never even knew existed!

Immerse yourself in the local culture

It sounds like an obvious point, but you’d be surprised how many people accidentally miss involving themselves in the culture of the place they’re in. Even something as simple as not wanting to try a local dish can mean you’re missing out on the local culture. It may not be something that you’d usually try at home, but you never know, it could turn out to be the best thing you’ve ever tasted! Not to mention, you’re gaining major bonus points from the locals by accepting their food. In some cultures, it’s actually offensive to not eat the food you’re given and you don’t want to be upsetting anyone!

Embrace the unexpected

Source: Pixabay

Travelling can be an extremely emotional experience; you may even come back from it feeling like a totally different person because of your experiences. It’s important, therefore, to look after your body whilst you’re on the road. There will always be things that don’t go to plan when you’re away – be it a cancelled flight, getting lost in an unknown part of town or getting on the wrong plane. When these things happen, it’s important to stay calm. Accidents happen and stressing yourself out will only make things worse. If possible, try and do some stress relieving activities. Find a quiet space or even go for a short walk.  Simple meditation, yoga or even online tarot readings to clear your mind for a few minutes can all be beneficial. Remember, unexpected problems can fast become great stories, so try to ride it out!

So, there you have it. Keep all this in mind when travelling and you’re sure to have an amazing, unforgettable time. If you’ve got any more tips on how to make your time travelling more meaningful, then make sure to comment below!