10 Ways to Travel Smarter in 2016
2015 has been a fantastic year for travel, with an expanding number of flight options, obscure destinations, and tours catering to everything from foodie adventures to volun-cations. However, each year brings with it learnings for both novice and seasoned travellers alike. With these lessons in mind, we’ve put together a list of 10 ways to travel smarter on your journeys abroad in 2016.
1. Plan ahead
While spontaneity may have been the rule of thumb for some of our earliest travel experiences, the appeal of sleeping in another over-crowded hostel or eating spongy “tourist food” has started to lose its allure. With an ever-expanding number of websites, apps and tools dedicated to finding and rating accommodations, food and restaurants, things to do and more, it’s easy to plan ahead and make the most of the destinations you travel to this year. While this does take a bit more prep time than your “wild and free” backpacking adventure, it’s well worth the investment. Trying new and delicious foods, staying in comfortable or unique lodgings, and discovering an activity or location you never would have known about otherwise—these are just some of the many benefits that come with doing a bit of research and planning prior to embarking on your next trip.
2. Respect local customs
Planning ahead should also involve researching your destination’s unique culture, traditions, and customs. When visiting other countries, it’s important to respect the values and beliefs of the locals. Whether it be by how you dress, how you speak, or how you eat, be mindful of those around you. Not only will this save you from potentially awkward situations, it will broaden your perspective and enrich your knowledge of the world.
3. Lighten your load
You’ve heard it before—travel light. But when the time comes to pack your bags for a trip abroad, somehow you always end up with double what you’d planned. This year, make the extra effort, and pack efficiently. If taking a trip for a week or less, avoid the line-ups and hassle of checking baggage and try to manage simply with a carry-on and small hand-held bag. For longer trips, pack versatile clothing and footwear, and limit things like hygiene and beauty products to the bare essentials. You can also make use of things like vacuum-pack bags and compartmentalized suitcases to ease your baggage prep. Not only will this make transit easier (no lugging a massive bag through a congested airport), but a smaller amount of “stuff” will allow you to focus less on what to wear and more on the amazing travel experience at hand.
4. Journey off the beaten path
While there will always be a desire to see or experience a destination’s top sights, in 2016, we encourage you to find some of the “hidden places” that locations around the world have to offer. This could mean exploring a neighbourhood in a city’s outskirts, visiting a lesser-known park, taking the “long way”… something outside the bounds of your typical tourist guide. These less popular places provide a taste of the local flavour, more often than not becoming trip highlights.
5. Live in the moment
When travelling to a new place, it’s easy to get caught up in snapping photos or videos of every sight you visit. In 2016, make a small effort to lower your lens once in a while and be conscious of where you are and what you are experiencing. Photos and videos are a great way of recalling old adventures you had completely forgotten, but the moments you experience with your own eyes often become the memories that will bring a smile to your face for years to come.
6. Travel by bicycle
Most cities around the world now offer a bicycle service that usually only costs a few dollars a day. Weather permitting, biking offers an eco-friendly alternative to public transit by allowing travellers to see unknown parts of the city in-between the main tourist attractions. But plan ahead and Google the rules of the road of your destination before getting behind the wheel.
7. Choose to support local economies
We always have a choice when we travel, just as we do when we shop, eat and live our lives at home. Next time you’re looking for a souvenir, find out where you can buy products made by local artisans as opposed to ending up at the usual tourist-trap shops. Buying local ensures the money you spend remains within the country and contributes to the economic wellbeing of the locals.
8. Pick ethical, sustainable options
If you’re against things like animal cruelty, human trafficking and underground drug markets at home, your choices abroad should be no different. If you want to ride an elephant in Thailand, for instance, make sure you know how the animal is being treated. Intrepid Travel recently conducted research revealing the unethical practices of most of the elephant riding outfits in the country. Being aware of what effect your actions have on the local people, wildlife, etc. will ensure you remain true to your own values and avoid causing harm to the country you’re visiting.
9. Travel solo
This is a scary concept for many people. You may have travelled with family and friends before, but what about solo? Those who do it will tell you that travelling solo is a completely different kettle of fish. Having to rely on only yourself to get around, stay safe and make your trip a success is a rewarding challenge. You may even find you engage with the place you’re visiting in a different way. It can be easier to immerse yourself in a culture when you’re travelling alone, as you have nobody else to fall back on. Instead, you’re more free to meet locals and spend your time the way you really want to. It’s getting safer to travel as a solo female these days, so don’t let that stop you. As long as you do your research, you’re in for a seriously rewarding experience.
10. Don’t be afraid
In many ways 2015 has been a tough year. International conflicts and violence may seem closer to your doorstep than ever before with the ubiquity of digital news and media channels. Places like Paris that many would have assumed a safe destination in the past have experienced this conflict directly. However, the first thing any well-heeled traveller will tell you is not to let fear dictate your life. Travellers are adventurous, courageous, open-hearted and full of positivity and ambition. They’re the first to show us what the world really looks like: it’s full of genuine, loving, human-to-human connections, amazing cultures, places, foods and life-changing experiences. Embrace the transformative power of travel in 2016!
Have any tips for travelling smarter in 2016? Share them in the comments below!
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