Choosing to travel is the best decision you’ll ever make, whether you opt for short-term expeditions, or take the expat route, and go for something long-term. You will get to see more of the world, experience new cultures, and discover more about yourself in the process.
Too many of us take the safe route, only sticking to ‘touristy’ things to do and not stepping out of our comfort zone. Our experiences can be muted because we don’t fully explore the possibilities that are open to us. So, if you want to make the most of your travel adventures this year, there are a few things you need to do.
1. Choose destinations you have never been to before
Sure, you could visit those places that you have visited a hundred times before, but why? You might answer ‘familiarity,’ and that’s fine. You may not want to risk visiting somewhere new in case you hate it, but you will never know unless you try. And we aren’t just talking about new towns, cities, and countries, you should also try alternative accommodation ideas and eat in diners and restaurants that you have never been to before.
It’s about discovering new experiences, and breaking out of personal traditions and routines as you might discover something awesome in the process.
Related Read: Our worst travel experiences and why we still love traveling
2. Stop hurrying around
Yes, there will be lots of things you want to do and places you want to visit! So, the temptation might be to cram too much into your itinerary. And that’s okay, but let’s face it, you aren’t going to get the full travel experience if you are constantly rushing around trying to experience it all. Take your time. When embarking on a long-term trip especially, stay in one place for a longer duration, opt for an apartment for rent, so you have the time to fully explore your surroundings.
Cut down your itinerary by focusing on those things that are a priority to you. Take time to enjoy the experiences, instead of viewing them as things that need to be ticked off your checklist before rushing off to the next thing.
3. Put down your phone
Okay, so you might want to Facebook and Instagram photos of the places you visit. And, that’s fine, to an extent but the more time you spend taking photos of everything, the less time you will have to enjoy the amazing things you are seeing with your own eyes. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on your phone each day.
Fight that addiction to social media!
Don’t just look at that amazing view and see it as simply another stunning photo for your Instagram account. Instead, take the time to be fully present in the moment not spending ages setting up the perfect photo. It’s about engaging yourself, and while photos do trigger memories, you don’t want those memories to be about you endlessly fiddling with photo filters and trying to come up with witty captions for your friends.
4. Get travel insurance before you leave
Travel insurance provides coverage for a range of situations, including flight delays, canceled flights, injuries, illnesses, etc. Depending on your policy, you could be reimbursed for hospital stays, meals, hotel stays, transportation, or even the entire cost of your trip.
This is how we find the best travel insurance for our trip, it’s a search engine for travel insurance companies so you can find the best travel insurance for your trip. On their site you can compare the plans side by side so you can get the best insurance for your particular trip! As I always say, no trip is the same so your travel insurance shouldn’t be too!
The key to travel insurance is understanding your coverage before you travel. So, make sure to read your policy carefully, so you know what’s covered and what documentation you’ll need to submit. Keep all receipts for additional expenses, such as food, accommodations, or transportation.
5. Meet the locals
Try to learn the language of the place you are visiting or at the very least, try to pick up a few words and phrases. To fully make the most of your experience, the ability to communicate with locals is really important. Not only will they be able to help you find the nearest toilet, but they will be able to share their culture with you, answer any questions burning inside you, and point you to the best places only locals know about.
By talking to the locals, you will get a better sense of the place you are visiting, and you may then be able to better immerse yourself into the area you are staying. Here are some suggestions on how to meet local people in the places you visit, but to be honest, the best thing you can do is smile when you’re out and about and say ‘hello.’
Related Read: The coolest cheap places to travel to this year!
6. Don’t eat at restaurants near major tourist attractions
When we travel we always try to abide by the rule ‘eat where the locals eat’ and they certainly don’t eat at the pricier tourist-centred restaurants close to big tourist sites. These restaurants tend to not care so much about quality as in most cases, their customers won’t be returning. And as I said, these spots are at least 25% more expensive than restaurants further away from tourist sites.
Another top tip is to avoid restaurants that have a menu in multiple languages. This is a clear sign that they cater to tourists and not locals.
7. Be careful of exchanging money at the airport
Airport money exchange spots always charge more than those in the city you’re visiting – their exchange rates are notoriously the worst. Instead, wait until you get to your hotel and ask them where the best places to exchange money are. Or many credit cards now offer the best exchange rate of the day when taking money from an ATM. I know my Irish card does.
8. Consider renting a car
If you love road trips, then it’s a no-brainer to rent a car in a new destination. After all, the best way to get to hidden gem spots in a new place is by hiring a car. Public transport can be limited in some places so renting a car is a great option to have.
Sure, the cost of renting a car can be expensive. However, there are some ways you can save money. We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
Our top tips – you should always try to rent your vehicle from major cities and in the low tourist season months as this will work out cheaper.
Thanks for Reading!
Travelling is good for the mind and soul, but not when you’re hurrying around, staring at your phone, and cowering away from trying new things! To make the most of your travels, consider the suggestions I’ve made above, and try to spend more time ‘in the moment’ when you’re away.
Below you can read my most recent blog posts –
What to Do When Your Flight is Delayed or Canceled
How You Can Afford To Travel Long Term? We Did It & You Can Too
11 Unique Things to Do in Santorini in the Summer
Last Updated on April 23, 2025 by snaphappytravel