The Golden Rules of Travel

When traveling, some of life's usual rules aren't as applicable anymore. There's no need to set the alarm, and tedious tasks like washing dishes, ruining, and so on are avoided.

However, whether you're somewhere in Southeast Asia backpacking or hopping from train to train in Europe, some rules should always be followed. We would be calling them the golden rules.

Take risks

Bungee jumping, like jumping from a plane, is not for everyone. To take a couple of risks during your travels, you don't need to partake in activities that get your adrenaline pumping (or engage in any particularly dangerous activities).

You could neglect popular attractions like the Eiffel Tower and check out lesser-known places. You could skip going to Paris altogether and visit places with fewer tourists.

Of course, there's a possibility you won't exactly like what you meet when you arrive there, but the potential experience you can get makes it worth it. You may walk into the perfect café, enjoy a spectacular sight, or even meet the love of your life. Positively or negatively, things get more interesting when you don't take the regular route.

Try new things every day

One of the downsides of staying at home is the routine settles into place, making it much more difficult for spice to be added to your life. This is why some people take Zumba classes.

As you travel, you come in contact with new experiences, smells, flavors, and sights throughout. You should make it a rule to do something different every day, and even if you finally get back to Zumba, there'll be a different spring in your step.

Make connections

Resort hotels and cool jet planes make natural encounters with the locals much more difficult when traveling around. It's a great idea to take a step back from your pool for a few hours and make interactions. It can be with a local market trader or even your Airbnb host.

Chances are that you'll be surprised as to how welcoming and friendly a lot of people are around the world, and they're usually as keen to learn from foreign people, just as you are.

Tread lightly

There's the old saying, “Leave only footprints.” This is definitely easier said than done, when you have to drink bottled water so you don't get a stomach bug. Constantly drinking from disposable bottles will create a large mound of plastic waste which will stay in your vacation destination centuries after you've left (some sources say up to 500 years).

Don't get us wrong; no one's saying you should drink tap water in New Delhi to try to save Earth; please don't do that. However, it's important to note that as a guest, you hugely impact the environment you're staying in. Be aware of what you are using, and think again about what you leave behind.

Give back

It isn't always the easiest thing to volunteer abroad. Things like travel insurance, background checks, and visas need to be considered. Frequently, fees have to be paid too. However, you don't need to be a run-of-the-mill "volunteer" to positively impact the region you're visiting.

An action as basic as helping residents clean a beach or helping to donate a couple of books can leave a significant impact. Your effort, however little, can do a whole lot, and you don't need to be part of an NGO to make an impact.

Keep in mind that cheap thrills are great

It's fun to go on a spending spree - It's a vacation, after all. However, doling out more money doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a better travel experience. Oftentimes, the cheaper experiences lead to great encounters with other people and will give you truly unforgettable memories.

Pack lightly

You might want to take nine pairs of jeans and 16 t-shirts for a 14-day trip. The need for all of it isn't likely, though. Taking less is almost always better when you're taking a trip (and your back will appreciate it), and trust us when we say you won't need up to half of the popular gadgets in circulation online.

Take pictures wisely

You can capture all the minute details that can get lost with pictures. However, if you're spending the bulk of your time behind a camera, chances are you won't even be able to create as many memories as you'd like.

Also, remember that people, no matter how hip you may assume them to be, aren't usually fans of having their pictures taken by people they don't know. If you're unsure, you should always ask. Alternatively, you can just forget the camera and give them a wide smile instead.