To make the most of your short vacation time, it is important to spend time planning the trip itinerary that is right for you, not according to the 'right' or 'authentic' way to travel. Let's have a look at 4 expectations from society and why you should not get influenced by them.
Photo from lake Pukaki, New Zealand
IT IS YOUR VACATION, PLAN IT THE WAY YOU LIKE IT
You know how we feel pressured by society to live our life a certain way: to have a stable job, to raise a family, have a nice car… well it is the same with our travels, society tends to dictate what an ‘amazing’ trip is. We feel the pressure to travel a certain way.
This is the classic comparison where people feel so full of themselves being 'travelers' versus all those 'tourists'. The Huffington Post even as a quiz on the tourist/traveler subject although the introduction of the article finished with the fact that by definition there is not much distinction... Pfffff (French sound associated with shaking the head to be more polite thatn saying BS).
To be a Tourist or a Traveler, That is NOT the question
However like with our life, if you want to make the most of our vacation time and experience memorable holidays, you have to create your own version of it: listen to your intuition, to your need and what you love doing.
There is no right way to travel, it always ends up being your adventure!
There is not one definition, not right and wrong.
As you are planning your next trip, I want you not to waste any minutes of your precious vacation time. Therefore I tear down 4 society expectations about the 'right way to travel'.
1. You have to see all the famous sights
1. You have to see all the famous sights
Photo from the Eiffel Tower, Paris
What people say
You cannot miss that! This is a must see! You might never go back again.
My opinion
Yes, travel guides these days have the top 10 of everything or the places to see before you die. But it does not mean you have to see them all. Maybe you do not want to spend hours queuing to get into the Louvres Museum in Paris when you don't lile museums!
My experience
In Iceland, most people spend a day in Reykjavik, discover the great atmosphere and visit the odd looking cathedral. I did not. As you can discover on my very limited guide to Reykjavik, I wanted to spend time in Nature and saw only one spot in the capital city.
2. You must go off the beaten track
2. You must go off the beaten track
Photo from Petra, Jordan
What people say
This is the big thing nowadays – the main attractions are supposed to be so ‘overrated’ and you have to go off the beaten track to enjoy any holidays.
(I know, it is funny as it is the opposite of the first one…)
My opinion
If those sights are so popular it is for a reason! Yes sure, going off the beaten track can be really nice but if you do not have time to do that, or if you feel safer sticking to well known places, this is totally fine. It is your vacation!
My experience
When I travel on business, I often only have a weekend somewhere, so I do not go off the beaten track. For example at the Grand Canyon, I took the bus and admired the canyon at each location where there bus stopped. No venturing on my own. And you know what, I had an amazing time!
3. You have to limit your vacation to one place
3. You have to limit your vacation to one place
Photo of Flight over Namibia
What people say
What you are going to see 5 European capitals in 5 days? This is not the right way to do it. They might even call you a 'stupid tourist'.
My opinion
A jumping trip can be nice to get a glimpse of different countries and decide where you want to go back later. At least you are getting out there, seeing something different.
My experience
I met a couple on a day tour in Sydney and they had just spent a year in New Zealand. Excited I told them I was going there for 2 weeks and they laughed at me saying that it was not worth the trip, I was not be visiting the famous islands the right way.
Well, I stopped talking to them… They were wasting my time. I do not have a year to visit every country, thank you very much! I am already lucky to be working in France and have 5 weeks of holidays every year.
4. Meet locals – get an authentic travel experience
Photo at Etosha National Park, Namibia
What people say
Staying in a hotel and hitting only the touristic spots does not give you an authentic experience, you have to meet the locals and live with them.
My opinion
Definition of authentic: "of undisputed origin and not a copy" - nothing to do with meeting locals, thank you very much.
Sure meeting local people is a great way to open your mind and discover new ways of seeing life. However with only 2 weeks of vacation, your interest might not lay there. It is understandable if you want the just relax, enjoy nature or architecture.
My experience
I have done both: tours where you stay in your group an the only local you meet is the tour guide (e.g. New Zealand) or vacations where I have spent time conversing and exchanging with locals (e.g. Morocco). And both ended up being great adventures!
Tell me you own stories! Have you ever felt compelled to visit a place?
Hi Claire, thanks for the great article. It is in some ways unfortunate that as humans we seek to be told what to do. I know I do! So when TripAdvisor and Pinterest and other people and sources tell us what an ideal vacation should look like… we listen. In 2013, I was visiting UK for 4 days and then Ireland for 4 days. In UK, I stayed in London and went around taking pictures of buildings and architecture. At the end of the 4 days, I was exhausted and had a camera full of pictures I didn’t even care about. When I arrived in Ireland, I immediately began on my itinerary which was full of things that excited me; hitchhiking, thrift stores, castles, a surfing lesson on the coast, seeing Cliffs of Moher, visiting Killarney National Park, and summiting the highest peak in Ireland. At the end of the 4 days I was on cloud nine and didn’t want to leave. I appreciate your article because we often seem to need to be told what to do, even if it is being told to think for ourselves and plan out what we actually find fun and enjoyable. PS. The Oman and Iceland e-books were SO INCREDIBLE. I can’t wait to see the next ones you produce. You’re guides are by far my favorite. Please keep making them!
Thanks Carsten.
Ireland is definitively on my list.
I hope to be able to travel again next year to create new guides. We’ll see.
I wish you many more wonderful travels!
Claire