What’s the Best Travel Advice You’ve Received?
We asked ten seasoned travelers, including founders and co-founders, to share the best travel advice they’ve ever received. From embracing spontaneity in their journeys to traveling with an open heart and mind, their insights offer a wealth of wisdom for enhancing your own travel experiences.
- Embrace Spontaneity in Your Travels
- Rent a Car for Freedom and Flexibility
- Experience Solo Travel for Personal Growth
- Balance Connectivity and Disconnection
- Immerse Deeply by Traveling Slow
- Learn Local Language for Cultural Immersion
- Treat Vacations as Real Breaks
- Tailor Travels to Personal Interests
- Insure Your Trip for Peace of Mind
- Travel with an Open Heart and Mind
Embrace Spontaneity in Your Travels
I’ve been traveling a lot, and one thing that’s helped me out is just going with the flow. It’s easy to get carried away with all the planned travel plans, but some of my best trips were where I just went with the flow.
Imagine finding a secret spot in a random town that wasn’t on your itinerary or getting lost on a cobblestone street that led to a bustling market. This advice taught me that travel isn’t about ticking off places on your bucket list; it’s about getting lost in the world.
If you’re a globetrotter, leave some room for chance next time you hit the road—you never know what amazing stories and connections you’ll make!
James Smith
Owner, Travel-Lingual
Rent a Car for Freedom and Flexibility
Rent a car if you can. For our last few international trips, my wife and I opted to rent a car the entire time. Yes, it adds to the overall expense of the trip, but it also opens it up in ways that make it unforgettable.
We stayed in beautiful countryside houses. We visited restaurants only locals would go to. We never felt rushed and were always on our own time. It affords you the freedom of being able to travel like a local would through their own country.
Alex Borkin
Marketing Manager, EITA
Experience Solo Travel for Personal Growth
Travel alone at least once in your life. I traveled to China on my own, and through this journey, I met my wife, Yanling, learned a new culture, and grew as a person.
Remember, traveling alone isn’t the same as being alone when you travel. Many people find it easier to meet new people and immerse themselves in local cultures when they’re on their own. We recently conducted a survey with 522 US consumers and asked what their best travel tips are.
Surprisingly, 11.7% of respondents recommended traveling alone. It’s always great traveling with friends and family, but try venturing out on your own, preferably somewhere outside your comfort zone and completely different from where you live. It changed my life, maybe it’ll change yours too!
Scott Sidders
Co-Founder, Scott & Yanling Media Inc.
Balance Connectivity and Disconnection
Staying connected and having the ability to unplug when necessary is one of the most beneficial travel tips I’ve received. It helps me have a balanced and pleasurable trip. I can locate local attractions, navigate unfamiliar areas, and get crucial information about my trip much more quickly with access to maps, translation tools, and travel apps.
On the other hand, it’s equally essential to disconnect at times to enjoy the present moment. Constant connectivity can distract me from experiencing my surroundings. I usually participate in activities like hiking, meditation, or camping in state parks because they naturally encourage me to stay away from screens and technology and appreciate the beauty and experiences around me.
It is a personal decision to strike the correct balance between connecting and disengaging. I prioritize my travel activities and connections based on the purpose and the goal of my trips.
Immerse Deeply by Traveling Slow
The best travel advice I ever received was, “Travel slow and immerse deep.” Instead of hopping between cities, I started spending more time in fewer places. This allowed me to dive into the local culture, make lasting connections, and discover hidden gems off the beaten path.
It transformed my trips from standard sightseeing into rich, meaningful experiences. Whether you’re on a brief vacation or a longer journey, slowing down and deeply engaging with your surroundings enriches not just your travels but your understanding of the world. Give it a try; it’s a game-changer!
Matthew Sims
Personal Injury Lawyer, Rapoport Weisberg & Sims, P.C.
Learn Local Language for Cultural Immersion
By learning a few basic phrases of the local language, I have been able to communicate with locals more effectively and immerse myself in the destination’s culture. For example, during my trip to Japan, I learned how to greet people, ask for directions, and order food in Japanese.
This effort not only allowed me to navigate the country with ease, but also opened doors to meaningful interactions. I could have engaging conversations with locals, receive insider tips on hidden attractions, and even understand the historical significance behind certain landmarks.
Learning the local language enhanced my journeys by fostering a deeper connection with the people and places I encountered.
Roy Lau
Co-Founder, 28 Mortgage
Treat Vacations as Real Breaks
Holidays are for recharging, not stressing over work.
I remember my trips where I’d sneak in some work emails. But once I started treating my vacations as real breaks, everything changed. I genuinely relaxed, explored, and enjoyed my surroundings.
Your brain needs a break too. So, shut off the work notifications, stash away your devices, and dive into the vacation vibes. You’ve earned it.
Burak Özdemir
Founder, ozdemirburak.com
Tailor Travels to Personal Interests
Tailor your travels to your interests. This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people fall into the trap of focusing on visiting the “top” or “most popular” sights or experiences in a certain place. It’s almost as if people feel FOMO (fear of missing out) while traveling if they don’t get to hit these spots, or they feel like they are obligated to visit them since they are in the area.
Don’t fall into this pressure. It’s important to have a purpose when you travel, and this purpose stems from your genuine passions and interests. What is important to you? How can you pursue that further in your travels? For example, if you are passionate about cooking, focus on trying amazing local cuisine or take a cooking class. Don’t get caught up in visiting a random sight that other tourists are flocking to, that will more likely than not, fail to live up to the hype.
Adam Shlomi
Founder, SoFlo Tutors
Insure Your Trip for Peace of Mind
The best travel advice I’ve ever received is to insure your trip. This was proven to be highly important in 2020, when all trips were canceled because of the lockdown. You never know when a hurricane or a war can interrupt your plans when you are traveling abroad, so it’s always best to spend a little extra and buy insurance in case you have to make last-minute changes for whatever reason.
Bruce Tasios, CEO, Tasios Orthodontics
Travel with an Open Heart and Mind
I remember an old friend once told me, “Travel with an open heart and an open mind.” Initially, it sounded like a cliché, but as I ventured into different parts of the world, I realized how profound and transformative this advice truly is.
Approaching travel with an open heart means being empathetic and understanding towards the people you meet. It’s about connecting on a human level, appreciating the differences, and celebrating the similarities. Traveling with an open mind, on the other hand, encourages you to embrace new ideas and perspectives. It allows you to absorb the beauty of diversity and learn from every encounter.
This advice has been my guiding light in my journeys. It has enabled me to appreciate the beauty of every destination, not just in terms of picturesque landscapes but also in the richness of its people and their stories. When you travel with an open heart and an open mind, you’re not just a tourist; you become a part of the global tapestry of cultures.
Isaac Robertson
Co-Founder and Nutritionist, Total Shape
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “What’s the best travel advice you’ve ever received, and how has it enhanced your journeys? Share this valuable advice.”
