Travel Tips
My entire 2022 has (so far) been spent living on a different continent and it seemed natural that I try and write some travel stuff. The thing is that when I travel I don’t actually like to do much. So what, do I write about “How to Not Do Much On Your Travels”?
I and realized – yeah, that’s exactly what I should write about.
Do you (like me) enjoy the idea of travelling but also:
love sleeping in;
find crowds overwhelming;
like a chill schedule;
need daily alone time?
If yes, then have I got some travel tips for you!
Travel Tip #1: Choosing your companions
The number one thing you can do to create a lovely, chill travel experience is to choose the right travel companion and set clear expectations. This is true for everyone, but perhaps especially relevant for those of us whose daily schedules do not fit into a societal norm. You can’t assume that your travel partner(s) will also want to sleep-in until noon, spend 2 hours by themselves, and plan only one outing for the day (which, obviously, would be a really nice dinner or cocktails): you need to state these needs and desires, clearly and specifically, out-loud. Ideally these negotiations would be done prior to booking your trip.
As many of us learn the hard way on our first adult road-trips (oh, the memories!), just because you love a friend does not mean you will travel well with them, or make good roommates along the way. There needs to be an overall agreement on the daily pace (and style) of life whilst travelling, a willingness to compromise and (this, I find, is key) happily part ways to do things on your own. For example: having a travel partner who wants to wake up at the crack of dawn to take photos of monuments is perfectly grand if they are willing to do so on their own or with a tour group, and leave you to your sweet, sweet slumber.
I’ve found there are a few key things you’ll want to know about yourself and your travel companion(s) before starting a trip:
Extrovert or introvert? Do you gain energy by hanging out with big groups of people, or do you prefer small, cozy convos? Are you perfectly happy to be around other people all day and night, or do you need a few hours to yourself?
Morning bird or night owl? Do you blissfully fall asleep at 9pm and wake up with the sun, or do you find yourself electrified under the dark, starry sky and slumbering until noon?
Energetic or mellow? Are you an energizer-travel-bunny that is eager to be out and seize the day by doing as many things as you can possibly fit in? Or is your ideal day one that more resembles a leisurely stroll?
Structure or serendipity? When you think of your perfect travel day, is every hour and location planned meticulously in advance, or do you prefer to wander and let chance be your guide?
Obviously, there can be a plethora of combos: maybe you’re an energetic-structured-extrovert-morning bird, or you fall somewhere in the middle of a category (a medium-energy traveller, or an introvert/extrovert combo). Knowing the unique mix of personality, preferences and needs of the people you’ll be travelling with (and being honest about your own) is key.
Another offering here – don’t be afraid to stretch your wings and do a bit of travelling on your own!
Travel Tip #2: Avoiding crowds
The thing with being a Canadian from a Northern city is that it’s almost tricky to find a crowd. Loud, packed spaces can feel overwhelming and anxiety-inducing when you’re used to cities that have a higher population of wild bunnies than humans, and you’re basically hibernating in a snowy landscape for 6 months of the year. If, like me, you need some space around you to breath and think, there are a few things you can do:
Travel in the off-season. Perks include everyone seeming more chill, fewer line-ups, and cheaper accommodations. Downsides: restaurants and activities might be closed or have reduced hours. For me, the trade-off is more than worth it.
Plan your outings for non-peak times and days. Travelling for pleasure often offers the gift of flexibility: avoid rush hours by taking the train mid-morning, mid-afternoon, or late at night. Plan to visit sights, go to shows or have your fancy dinners on a Tuesday or Wednesday night instead of Friday or Saturday.
Choose/arrange for your accommodations to be an oasis of peace and solitude. If you get caught in a crush of crowds outside, knowing you have a quiet place to escape to can be a lifesaver. Choose a hotel or Airbnb on a quiet street, with a courtyard or garden, and ideally a quiet nook where go to be alone at any time of the day.
Travel Tip #3: Getting time alone
Speaking of time alone, this is a non-negotiable for my sanity. Missing my alone time for even a few days awakens the irritated fire-breathing dragon in me. Besides choosing your accommodation wisely, here are some other tips for carving out alone time while travelling:
Tell your travel partner(s) clearly that this is something you’ll be doing every day. This seems basic, but it allows you to plan around each other’s needs.
Before folks wake up or after they’ve gone to sleep can be great times for finding some solitude. If you’re up very early or very late, I find a separate room/space in your accommodations is non-negotiable, since being outside at those hours might be less than ideal.
During the day, a walk or run outdoors is usually achievable no matter what city you’re in. If it’s busy or noisy outside, I’ll often put in my earbuds and put on sunglasses too.
Travel Tip #4: Building a chill schedule
It’s funny: we spend so much time dreaming about and planning holidays and trips, and then when we’re on them we end up being swayed into doing things that we dislike very much.
Who actually cares if you go visit that monument or not? Believe me, most of your friends don’t really want to see those photos you took of rocks, buildings or streets when you return, and the monument itself is certainly indifferent to your visit. Would you rather just lie on a patch of grass all day? Then do that. It’s your trip and trust me, there’s no wrong way to enjoy it.
Develop your JOMO: work on saying “no” to an outing you’re not interested in and embrace the Joy of Missing Out.
Practice a One Thing Per Day habit: figure out one thing you’d really like to do today, and then make it a priority, no judgments! Sometimes for me this looks like eating an almond croissant, for real.
Sleep. I know I rant about this one a lot, but there are few things better for your bod or state of mind than rest when you need it. Normalize taking a nap or going to sleep when you’re tired, friends.
Happy travels, y’all!
