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9 ways to intensify your travel experiences

Last updated on December 1, 2017 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

You have spent months dreaming about it and weeks planning it. And it is here…Finally! Time to leave normal life behind and enjoy the trip. And there is no way this is going to be an average holiday. You are going to experience your travel to the fullest! I AGREE. And here are some of the things I keep in mind to live memorable travels.

9 ways to intensify your travel experience

1 - Rise and Shine!

What to do

I know you are on holidays and wan to catch up on your sleep but I think watching the sun rise is one of the most intense and rejuvenating experience. So at least one time on your trip, wake up and go experience this peaceful moment!

My personal experience

I had so many incredible sunrise experiences, it is hard to pick one.

  • The time in New Zealand when the sky was on fire and I was alone to admire it? (see photo below)
  • The time in Morocco, when I just had to get to the rooftop terrasse?
  • Or the time in Namibia when I observed a herd of 30 elephants near the waterhole?
The photo to inspire you
wake up early to intensify your travel experience

2 - Don’t be afraid to get lost

What to do

I have done it several times now. I am in a city and I head towards the center but without a map (still mindful of safety I do not do that anywhere). 

My personal experience

I have done it in San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Munich. Just get the address of your hotel in case you get tired and need to catch a cab. You end up discovering more of the reality of the place and some hidden treasures. Plus when you want directions, you create contacts with locals. Human connections deepen the experience.
I especially loved int in Tokyo I found some great buildings, surprising situations and views with old and new:

The photo to inspire you
Get lost in a city to intensify your travel experience

3 - Practice Gratitude

What to do

At the end of the day, set some time apart to review what happened and express gratitude about what happened to you: a peaceful feeling in front of a landscape, an encounter with a wild animal (like when I swam with wild dolphins or made eye contact with a lion), a great smile exchange with a local…

My personal experience

The one time when I was not greatful enough during my travel is the trip I have enjoyed the least: New Zealand. I now dream of going back and really experiencing its beauty. 
Whereas in Namibia and in Iceland I was grateful every minute for all the beauty I was able to see. Below is my friend grateful to spend the night in the Sahara in Morocco.

The photo to inspire you
Practice gratitude to intensify your travel experiences

4 - Be Mindful of the moment

What to do

Be present, take it all in.

1 -  stop taking photos for an instant

2 - close your eyes, focus on feeling the sun on my skin, the wind blowing my hair​

3 - focus on smell, trying to identify the feeling that each of those scents bring to you

4 - listen to the environment: the wind blowing through the features, the birds, the waves…

5 - Open your eyes and see how the colors are more vibrant, how your heart is pounding faster...

For more information and tips, my fellow traveler Melanie wrote a great article on how to practice Mindfulness to intensify your travel experience

My personal experience

This is something I have learned to do more recently, and I enjoyed the benefits especially in Iceland. While the photographers on my tour where still trying to capture the perfect shot, I stopped sat and enjoyed the view, especially at this off the beaten path location: Sigoldugljufur.

The photo to inspire you
Be mindful of the moment to intensify your travel experience

5 - Spend Time alone & Time Connecting

What to do

Introvert, Extravert, inthe middle… it does not matter. It is important to spend some time alone and some time to connect with other people. The balance is up to you but don’t feel like you cannot escape the group or you cannot join strangers!

I do a lot of organized tours and being with the same people all the time can become exhausting. Don’t feel bad for leaving the group some time and spending time in your tent or in your room. Even on a walk. Some people just do not stop talking. Then slow down and stay behind to enjoy this moment in nature.

My personal experience

In Namibia, everybody goes to the top of Dune 45 to see the sunrise. I did not, I walked away fro the dune and enjoyed the sunrise alone in this vast silent area, watching the dunes slowly change colors. The rest of the group actually complained of the noise at the top of the dune...

The photo to inspire you
Spend time alone to intensify your travel experience

6 - Listen more often than you speak

What to do

I know being the center of attention can feel great. Belive me. But when you spend more time listening that speaking, you will learn and discover so much more and great better connections. Even when you don't speak the language, look at the expressions, the hand gestures, and the tones in the voices. 

My personal experience

This is one I am trying to practice but I have difficulty with… I love talking about myself 🙂

The photo to inspire you
Listen to intensify your travel experiences

7 - Be open-minded

What to do

Open your mind and be ready to challenge your beliefs! Way of living, sprituality, science, emotion, relationships, food… discover the beautiful variety we have on Earth and all the possibilities that are open in front of you

My personal experience

I think I am already quite open minded on a lot of subjects. Where travel has opened me the most is food. I have refused to taste cats, dogs, monkeys and endangered species but I have tried turtle, snake, sand worms, bats and chicken legs:

The photo to inspire you
open your mind to intensify your travel experiences

8 - Push yourself

What to do

Plan at least one activity to push yourself. The rush you will get from completing it will be unforgettable. It can be completing a long hike, experiencing with some extreme sport,  or simply starting a conversation with a local. Discover that your limits are not really there!

My personal experience

I impressed myself when I went swimming with wild dolphins in the middle of the ocean.
There was also the time in Austria when I started a discussion with a Tai monk on top of the highest mountain near Innsbruck. What a fascinating talk!

The photo to inspire you
Push your limits to intensify your travels

9 - Be positive

What to do

You are going to say 'of course'… but I mean it. All is positive even when nothing goes according to plan! This is a special to my fellow Frenchmen, stop complaining! See the good in every situation

My personal experience

I remember the time when the tour company told me that the other canceled and I would be alone on the tour! Positive note: I was able to change slightly the program to have one less night in Amman, one night extra in Petra (which allowed me to also visit Little Petra) and a special night camping in the Dana Nature Reserve, Jordan. Fantastic memories!
The other typical downer is the weather. But remain positive!  For example, in Iceland, you have to make the most of any weather to be able to see the incredible beauty of the country

The photo to inspire you
Be positive to intensify your travel experiences

What are your tips to intensify your travel experiences?

  

9 ways to intensify your travel experience

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Daniel says

    May 5, 2014 at 2:43 PM

    Thanks for this nice sharing your provided information is very useful for all travelers. I am a tourist and visited a lot of beautiful and attractive places of the world. I heard many good things about Italy Travel. And I want to go there in summer vacation. It offers a wide range of beautiful and pretty places to see.

    Reply
  2. Claire Robinson says

    May 12, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    Thanks Daniel. I am glad you found the info useful. Italy is a beautiful country. I have only been to a few places so far such as the northern lakes and Rome, and I really enjoyed it! Enjoy your vacation.

    Reply
  3. John @ GoodPlanetLiving says

    September 16, 2014 at 7:37 AM

    I do a lot of structured trips and being with the same individuals all time can become stressful. Don’t feel bad for making the team a while and hanging out in your covering or in your room. Even on a move. Some individuals jsut do not stop discussing. Then slowly down and stay behind have fun with this time in characteristics.

    Reply
  4. April says

    October 6, 2014 at 4:22 PM

    I usually have this attitude of being scared of exploring new things. I always stick to the plan and I really don’t like being lost in one place. I always travel safe but after reading this, I learned that getting more great experiences in traveling is to explore everything about it and appreciate the greatness of it.

    Reply

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