While wandering in Amsterdam, I got thinking about the wisdom I’ve acquired in the course of my travels around Europe. Why not share that wisdom?, I mused. So here are a whole bunch of tips that you’re not likely to get from your guidebook; advice from the street, as it were, on saving some money and making the most of your time in strange new worlds.
Buy your food at supermarkets. Make your own breakfast and sandwiches, and cook in your hotel/hostel’s guest kitchen if they provide one; you’ll save massive amounts of cash compared with eating out every day. If your shopping or cooking options are limited, fast food is an alternative - with moderation it’s not too bad for you, and is a reasonably cheap fix. And - needless to say - if your hotel/hostel gives you inclusive meals, make sure to take advantage!
Go to authentic restaurants occasionally. No, that’s not a contradiction. Use the money you save in supermarkets and at your hotel/hostel to treat yourself to restaurant meals. Eat local delicacies and national styles - they are likely to be much tastier and various than their equivalent back home.
Don’t buy crap from souvenir shops. It’s nice that you want to take a small memory away with you, but it’s worth it to look a little harder for something more meaningful than “I heart NY”. Markets - flea markets in particular - are great places to find curiosities, and you’ll be supporting local commerce instead of just throwing money at exploitative tat that’s Made In Taiwan.
Always carry a map... though do feel prepared to go off-route. Not knowing what you’re going to find adds a delicious mystery to your explorations, but feeling truly lost in a strange place is no fun at all.
Avoid guided tours... There’s nothing you can’t learn about a city with a decent guidebook and some amount of curiosity.
...but don’t bury your nose in a guidebook. It’s helpful, and usually interesting, to have that background to the area, but keep your eyes up and your ears open, and
Stay on your feet. Try to avoid using public transport whenever possible. The human mind wasn’t designed to process information faster than at walking speed - you’ll notice much more around you at a slower pace, and you’ll later recollect these things much more vividly than your guidebook text can express.
Avoid queues wherever possible. Unless that museum or gallery is truly fascinating to you, it’s not so important that you should wait an hour to get in. If possible, buy tickets in advance that let you walk right in - otherwise, forget about it and spend that time doing something fun instead.
Keep moving. If you feel like you’ve seen everything, or just want a change of scenery, listen to your feet and go somewhere else - whether that’s just to a different district or to another country entirely. Don’t be impatient, but don’t feel forced to stay in one place just to check off key attractions.
Rest. Moving around all the time can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. Feel free now and then to put your feet up for a bit and take some time to reflect; you’re not in a hurry, are you?
Don’t carry a massive camera. Unless you are specifically employed as a travel photographer, your photos don’t need to be perfect; those thirty seconds per shot add up, and you’ll get on everyone’s nerves (especially in a crowd or with a group). If you see something you want to remember, just take a snapshot with a pocket camera - when you look back through your photo album, your mind will do most of the work anyway.
Don’t carry everything. Travelling light gives you freedom of movement. Weather takes a turn for the worse while you’re out? Just duck into the nearest shelter and enjoy the company of whatever other poor sods you’re stuck with. You can’t be prepared for every eventuality anyway.
Maintain an open mind. Again, travel light; leave preconceptions, morals, inhibitions and emotional baggage at home. Seeing new places and meeting new people can have a transformative effect on your perspective, and perhaps teach you some things about yourself too, but only if you’re prepared to be challenged by the unfamiliar.
Befriend fellow travellers. Whether you’re on the move or already settled in your hostel, start conversations and share yourself with the (usually) like minded folk around you, and they’ll share alike. If you get on really well, they just might offer you a place to stay if you’re ever in their area. (Similarly, prefer hostels with shared/common areas; they provide a neutral and convenient location to gather and meet others.)
Befriend locals and hostel staff. They can show you local culture and demonstrate a native perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. Also, go to a local pub in the evening - everyone there will be loosened up and receptive, and perhaps even pleased (or simply amused) to meet a foreigner.
Carry a deck of playing cards. They are a great way to endear yourself to travellers and locals alike, particularly if a language barrier proves to be an obstruction. Teach card games from home, and pick up some more from others - almost everyone knows a game or two that you may not.
There’s nothing wrong with booking ahead. A puristic traveller might tell you to keep your options open - to live in the moment and remain confident that things will work out. But visiting a strange place can be scary enough in itself already, and wanting somewhere safe to stay is totally natural. Don’t over-plan and tie yourself into a strict itinerary, but do find a balance you’re personally comfortable with between forward planning and freedom to act on impulse.
Finally, and most importantly, feel free to disregard any of the above advice at any time for any reason. I offer friendly advice and broadly suggest you stay safe, but every experience is completely unique and totally relative, and I am in no position to decide what is right for you or anyone else to do. As long as you embrace the opportunities that come your way, you’ll do just fine.
Have fun out there - and don’t forget to share your stories with others - everyone else is looking for the same thing you are!
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