When you decide what is most important about travel you can have great experiences. Here are some things to keep in mind so you’ll have a good trip wherever you’re going:
Pack as lightly as possible. If you forget something look for it at a local grocery store or shop. I still have pads of writing paper, toothpaste, bars of lavender soap and other necessities from local stores. I should include snacks and candy but since I eat them immediately I’m not sure why I’m mentioning them.
Bring sunglasses. On my first trip to Rome I forgot my sunglasses. This was an interesting situation because I wanted nice sunglasses to wear but I didn’t really want to spend a lot of money. Each time I decided it was time to buy them it would rain, and I kept putting it off until my trip ended and I never did get any. I’m still a little perplexed about this.
Gather information before and during your trip. I typically visit the library, bookstores and online resources to learn as much as possible. I can never resist maps and brochures of places while I’m there. They make useful souvenirs and are easy to take along as you travel.
Don’t be in a hurry and take time to explore. Get a gelato (depending on the season) and stroll around whether you’re in Italy or somewhere else. Or sit on a park bench and people watch. I take lots of pictures but I also put the camera away and enjoy my surroundings.
These are some of the best things about travel. I don’t think there will ever be a complete list.
Meg Travels 
I particularly like your tip to take time and explore and sit on a park bench and peopel watch :-)
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Thanks – sitting down and looking around provides a good opportunity to appreciate where you are!
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I agree with travellingbag above – I love to people watch!
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And I also agree that it’s really interesting!
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I think that’s a very good list and it’s definitely a good idea to try the local snacks and candy. I also agree about putting the camera away sometimes, it’s nice to just stroll along and not feel you have to take photographs of everything.
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Thanks Lorna! I think that taking pictures and simply enjoying a place is an ideal combination… :)
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I eat all my snacks right away too!
Great list, Meg.
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Thank you Elisa – I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who likes snacks!
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I can so relate to your tip about stepping away from photography and taking the time to truly experience your surroundings. Taking pictures is fun, but it really doesn’t allow you to live in the moment when it’s your primary focus (no pun intended LOL). And your tip about buying things in your destination takes a lot of stress off the whole packing ritual! :)
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I really like that – being in the moment is just as important as the pictures! And it’s so much fun to buy a bar of soap or a box of crackers I don’t mind if I forget something… :)
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I like the idea of traveling light. There’s nothing worse for ruining a good day than having to lug around a heavy suitcase.
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I definitely learned this from experience! It’s so much better to pack light and buy things along the way that you might need… :)
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Love the last photo. It’s important to have pictures, but I also love to set the camera aside, take it in and spend more quality time with the better half.
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Thanks! It’s so helpful to find a balance between picture taking and having memories of the things you see… :)
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Loving your post – thanks for sharing:) I love to plan a little bit as well as just explore when traveling. Happy Tuesday:)
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You’re welcome! And planning is a great way to make the most of your travel time :)
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I like the part about experiencing where you are, not just running from place to place. Good tips.
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Thanks Patti! I think it’s really important to enjoy travel experiences and not be in too much of a hurry… :)
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This was a great post, especially for me. I tend to focus on what went wrong instead of enjoying what went right.
My husband and I are not light travelers though. The camera equipment is part of it and we just like having our stuff with us. Here’s my post on it:
http://livingtheseasons.com/2012/03/26/thoughts-on-not-traveling-light/
Obviously we’d have to change that if we start flying to travel!
Nancy
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I read your post and I enjoyed it! There are so many great ways to travel and that’s part of the fun… :)
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It’s hard to put the camera away when traveling, but that’s great advice. Otherwise, you’re always taking pictures instead of really experiencing everything. I remember that Pinocchio! And of course, I have a picture of him!
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I had to take that picture of Pinocchio! But there were other times I told myself to put the camera away and just take everything in… :)
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That’s so funny about the sunglasses. That’s one thing I always take because I use them, not just for the sun, but to sometimes hold my hair back. I’m kind of particular about sunglasses (not in the sense of price/brand, but how they feel on my head), so I always try to pack a couple pairs.
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I think sunglasses are versatile too! After that experience I make sure I’ve packed them – good ones are hard to find when you’re traveling… :)
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Reblogged this on Whisk Me To… and commented:
Great traveling tips!
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I confess that I did a speed walk through the Louvre! There was so much to see – and I wanted to see everything. That was when I realized that I wouldn’t see everything that I wanted to see because life is too short. I came home and bought a book on the Louvre. Now, when I travel (even in my city), I slow down, measure my steps, breathe deeply, feel the sunshine or rain against my cheek. Less is more when you truly live the moment. An excellent post, as always. It is a joy to stop by for the discussion.
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I understand – I did the same thing when I visited the Prado in Madrid. I got a floor plan and raced around to see as much as I could! When I went outside I sat down to rest, and then I saw families walking together – grandparents, parents, and children. And that’s what I remember… I’m so glad you stopped by!
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Very well said :-)
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Thank you so much, I appreciate it!
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Reblogged this on AirportsMadeSimple™.
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I love the puppet. Did you bring him home?
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I’m sorry to say I didn’t! I’m glad I have the picture though – it’s a great souvenir :)
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A timely post, as my husband and I are traveling to visit our daughter and her family next week. It’s a short visit, so the reminder to make the most of it is welcome. Thank you for visiting and liking my blog.
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Have a wonderful trip! And you’re welcome, I really enjoyed visiting your blog :)
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I love the Pinocchio ono the bench! How great is that. I think the idea of “packing light” is a hard one for me, but it is so necessary!
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I’m glad I had my camera handy to get that picture of Pinocchio! I like packing light because it gets tiring pulling along a heavy suitcase… :)
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I agree about putting the camera away. In the past I’ve got too wrapped up in taking photos and missed the experience…
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That happened to me, and then I decided it was just as important to experience a place as it was to take pictures… It’s really worthwhile to find that balance!
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I love Pinnochio on the bench!!
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I did too! It was a really unique scene and I’m so glad I took that picture… :)
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Great tips as usual to make a trip more pleasurable.
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Thanks Karen – I wanted to share tips and fun!
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Great tips Meg. I’m working on the packing-light skill. It’s challenging in the wardrobe department, wrong clothes, wrong shoes, not enough clothes… YIKES! :-)
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It’s definitely a challenge! I usually bring one or two colors that coordinate and lots of scarves. But I still pack too much most of the time… :)
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Love to people watch. Yet I prefer a café to a bench and they are everywhere here! :)
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I agree that a cafe is a marvelous place to people watch!
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Awesome Post :) Good To Know Things , Pretty Inpiring .
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Thank you – there are so many great things about travel!
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That’s good advice. I love the Pinocchio photo ;-)
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Thanks, and I really liked seeing Pinocchio sitting on the bench too!
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