mdolla: 5 Things You Must Do To Get Your Money's Worth When Traveling To A New Place

Being able to travel definitely takes a lot of effort. From planning where you are going, coordinating the means to get there, and where to stay, to saving up enough money to spend while you’re there, traveling is not an easy task for sure. In addition to the list, you also mentally prepare yourself for the experience, which takes additional effort, no matter how excited you are for the upcoming trip.

Everyone wants to make good memories, learn from their experiences, and get the most out of traveling. Make the most out of every trip by following the tips below. And remember that with everything that you do during your trip, safety should always be your number one priority.

1. Do indulge in the specialty of the location.

Each place has a well-known dish, fruit, or delicacy that the city or place might be renowned for. Sure, you might have already tried burritos from your local restaurant, but nothing compares to a genuine dish that is made by the locals and prepared right where the dish had originated from. So, even if you think you have an idea of what a dish tastes like, try it while you’re in the place it’s known for, whether it’s a burrito in Mexico or ramen in Japan. Trying out authentic dishes when you travel should always be on your list of things to do. It makes your palate richer and your appreciation for new cuisines wide and flavorful.

2. Do go to a landmark the place is known for.

Each place has some sort of history that made it what is now. Whatever that history is, most places have a landmark that played a big part of its history. An example would be the Pearl Harbour in Oahu, Hawaii. If you are going to the island to surf or swim on the beach, why not visit a landmark that is historical and has affected the lives of many people in the past while you’re at it? Going to a historical landmark definitely adds value to your trip itinerary. Also, who wouldn’t want to visit a place that you have initially only read in books before?

3. Do try walking downtown.

Walking arouses your senses from the environment in a different way than driving around does. When you walk past something, you actually have a longer time to linger on what you are passing by. Walking gives you the chance to observe the oldness of the bricks that were used in an old character building, or notice that the paint on a statue that is chipping off and gives it a more classic look. Even bigger than the little things, you can find some lesser known spots to eat or activities to do that are off the beaten-path and can only be seen through the eyes of a pedestrian. Always opt to walk downtown instead of drive.

4. Do people-watch and talk to locals.

You can never know a new place better than a local does. They are the ones that know the history of their native land, and the ins and outs of the place. If you are wondering about a certain part of the place’s history and cannot find it in any book or on the internet, make sure that you do ask a local. A local’s attitude and behavior may also reflect the culture of the place. Busy people hurrying off to go somewhere may indicate that the place has a busy economic activity.

5. Do feel the weather.

Complaining is the last thing that you would want to do when you are traveling to a new place. You chose to go to Japan to ski, so please do not complain that the weather is too cold. Instead, enjoy the extraordinary difference in the weather. Also, you probably chose to go to a certain place because the weather there is the exact opposite from where you came from, so make sure that you soak in every moment of this new weather and temperature because your trip will not last forever. In a few days or weeks, you will be back to your “ordinary” world and routine.

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