Sanna and Stina's Travel Tips
Recently I met up with my dear friend, fellow writer and nomad Sanna Hellberg. We met for the first time at a Circle Way Camp at Mundekulla Retreat Center in southern Sweden a few years ago and have since kept contact. Now, as we both happened to be in the UK at the same time, we decided to meet up in Edinburgh, Scotland, where we got talking about our travel experiences and started writing our own list of travel tips. So, here they are!
1. Try travelling alone.
Travelling alone is a real
eye-opening experience and a brilliant way of discovering who you are as a traveller. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but both Sanna and I
love the freedom of travelling solo, and also find it the best way of making new
friends.
2. Stay long enough to really get to know a
place well.
Stay for more than a few
nights in one place – stay for a week, or several weeks if possible. Long enough
to discover your favourite sanctuaries, cafes and walks. Long enough to make
some new friends. Slow down. It takes time to truly get to know a place. When
you stay for a couple of weeks, you will be amazed by how much there is to discover.
3. Listen to your heart
Listen to your heart. It
won’t let you down! Be open, be brave, and let the guidance of your inner compass lead the way. Sometimes you will find yourself drawn to places without knowing why. Perhaps something is waiting for you there – a gift, a friend, a new insight? Go and see!
4. Don’t over-plan things.
Don’t plan more than what is
necessary. Leave some space for unexpected things to happen. Go to places
without having a list of all the things you “must see” there. Go and see what
happens of its own accord!
5. Talk to strangers.
Get to know new people and listen to their stories. Ask them about their lives, their
hopes, their dreams. Let the locals show you their town. Be open to different ways of living. Travelling is such a wonderful way of coming into contact with all sorts
of people from all walks of life.
6. You don’t need a fortune to travel.
Both Sanna and I have found
on our travels that many people believe that you have a lot of money in order
to travel. That isn't true! There are so many different ways of travelling. If you're on a budget, do your
research before travelling to find affordable accommodation. Look into
combining travel with work. Look into volunteering. Camping. Airbnb. Couchsurfing.
Hostels. Stay for longer periods so that you get a weekly or monthly discount.
Look for self-catering options. Don’t eat out all the time. Walk everywhere!
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Photo by Sanna Hellberg |
7. Be present.
Tune in to the present moment here and now. Put away your camera and give up the desire to document
everything all the time. Capture the moment in your heart instead of photos.
8. Learn some of the local language.
Learn some simple words and
phrases in the local language. Be willing to look a complete fool! It makes
people happy to see you try.
9. Travel light.
You don’t have to bring
everything with you! Pack your bag lightly and you will thank yourself for it
later. If you should forget anything then you can always buy it later. I often
find things at second hand stores while travelling. Bring
comfortable clothes that match, can be worn in many different combinations, and
that dry quickly. In cold climates, bring clothes that you can layer. Bring a
good rain jacket and good shoes. Send things home that you don’t need anymore.
Skip the books – you will find plenty of things to do and read along the way!
While travelling I find books everywhere – far too many. Leave some space in
your backpack for new things to come your way!
10. Skip tourist attractions
Both Sanna and I have found
on our travels that the best experiences often come from simply walking around,
meeting people, sitting at cafes, trying new food, going to local markets and checking out what's happening in the area. Go to the local library and check out the notice board. Attend a
workshop, a local concert, a storytelling night, open-mike event, or a yoga
class. Go see what’s happening! We also urge you to travel to small and isolated
places where not many tourists go! Skip the attractions and create your own
adventure unlike any other. See what “normal life” is like in the country where
you are travelling.
11. Don’t decide when the journey will end.
Leave the journey as open as possible
and see where it takes you.
12. Walk
Walk everywhere and let your feet lead the way. Don’t plan
where you are going to go. Wander, and let the path surprise you!
13. Forget the time.
Forget
the time and go with the flow.
14. Be open.
Be open to trying new things, local food and customs. Let go of old routines as much as possible and look at the world
from the eyes of the people you meet.
Useful links:
Paulo Coelho's travel tips
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