Getting the most out of your travel experience

This is an interesting question and I'll bet there are as many different answers as there are people on this board.

I can only speak for myself. I'm like you. I like a mixture of seeing sights and just wandering.

It all starts with research. Once I've decided where I'm going, I do lots of research to find out what sights are available and what the area is like. I then decide what things I want to see and which areas I want to wander in. I always leave extra time for the unexpected.

I'm also a big fan of walking tours. I like the fact that you get up close and personal with what you're seeing, not just from a bus window, and get a knowledgeable guide who will answer questions. I've also met other interesting travelers on these tours.

As to what to see, it's really up to you. There are those who love art and can't get enough, others into history, or culture, or architecture. You go see what interests you, not necessarily what someone else suggests you see.

My best memories have usually come from the unexpected--a mixture of sights, people, food, events, etc. They are the ones that stick out the most.

One of my big interests is seeing how the locals live. How much is it different than in the U.S. and how much is it the same. I've learned by traveling overseas how myopic most Americans are to the world. I believe you can't understand another people or another culture until you visit it. And if you want it to be like home, stay at home.

Lastly, there are times I will read a book about a place and it will inspire me to go. Ernest Hemingway's "A Movable Feast," stories of his days in Paris, inspired me to want to go there. I made my first trip many, many years ago and purposely went to see some of the places he mentioned in the book. It was magical.

Frank (USA) said everything I would have told you. Thank you Frank. Do read and read and check things out on the internet before going.

For me the key factor for getting the most out of a travel experience is the research that I do before I leave home. Whether it's guidebooks, websites, like this one, or talking to people who've actually taken a similar trip. The more prepared I am the better able I am to maximize my time and not waste precious minutes figuring out how to get from the airport to the hotel or trying to decide what to do next.

Then, it's important to keep your itinerary loose--not too much structure, not too many destinations. Make time to sit in a cafe, linger over a great meal, and enjoy meeting the local people--even if you don't speak the language!

It's also important to get as much rest as possible so that you have the maximum amount of energy to enjoy your trip. If you have to nap on the day you arrive, keep it short and then go for a walk, go to a museum, etc. Go to sleep early the first evening so that you can be on the local time the next morning.

In addition to the museums I love visiting local markets--I think that experience provides a real view of the culture that you're visiting.

I would encourage you to go off the beaten path to discover things that aren't in the guidebooks! You'll have a great trip and it will change how you view the world!

Elena,

It's good to take others' views into account, but ultimately what matters is what you want from your trip.

I think it's good that you're thinking about this ahead of time. It's also good that you're planning on taking time to just soak up the city. You probably don't want to spend all of your time racing around; some of the best moments will happen while you just wander and observe the locals.

When I plan a trip, I usually plan one "big" activity for each part of the day, morning and afternoon. Unless I have something specifically planned for the evening, I let the rest of the day take care of itself. I have usually done a lot of research to know what is around, and if I finish my main activity by midmorning I'll slot in something else. In other words, have lots of alternatives lined up so that you can be flexible. It's awful to plan an outdoor activity only to wake up to pouring rain, and have nothing else in mind to do instead. In answer to your question of what the best memories are, I'd say it's the things I have learned -- about the area, about the people, and about myself. Once you visit an area you will never again think about it the same way when you hear a mention on the news of something going on there.

While doing research and making a list of the important museums or sites is useful, some of our best experiences have been in the smaller museums and towns. We've had wonderful conversations with shop-keepers, pension owners and fellow guests in restaurants. In the smaller towns, and out of season, people seem to have more time for you, and we've learned so much about the history and culture of the area from these wonderful people.

We used to move around a lot when we first traveled, but now we like to stay longer in one area, and explore what it has to offer. Some of our most satisfying discoveries, that weren't in most of the guide books, have come from pamphlets and information at local tourist offices. We like to scout out all the restaurants close to our hotel/pension, and then eat where most of the locals eat. You tend to get lower prices, and more importantly, it will bring closer to the culture and authenticity of the food and people.

I like to return to places I've already been to; it makes me feel more like a "local." Each visit I explore some new places. This way I get both the familiar and the new. I usually have hotels lined up, but I like to be flexible about activities once I've arrived and settled in. Frequently my best memories are of conversations I've had while in Europe; that's one reason I travel mostly by train. Some of my best conversations have been with people I've met on trains. Hostels are good places for meeting interesting people. If someone wants to talk politics, I'll participate. There seems to be a lot of curiosity about our (American) political system.

If you're wandering around seeing the sights, and you see a little street that interests you.....go down it. If you're driving down a highway and see an attractive little village on a hilltop across the valley.....turn off and go see it. If you're heading past a train station, drop in and look at the destination board, and if you see a destination that appeals to you...head out there for a day trip. If there's some place that's held your imagination since you were a kid......go there!

Elena;
I think that a common theme of the observations above is that in order to make the most of your travels, do not plan to cram the most into your travels. Many people starting out book every minute of every day attempting to see every site, for fear that this will be your only chance. Accept that you cannot see everything in Paris (For example) even if you had weeks. Plan on seeing a handful of critical sites (based on your interest) and then have a second, or even third tier of sites if time and opportunity permits. I too like the idea of planning on a major site each morning and each afternoon, then filling in with minor sites. Of course, all this means plan, learn, and explore before you travel. Learn about the country, the history, the sights, the people, and what you see will be in context and meaningful. As mentioned, many of your favorite sights and memories will be the little things you cannot plan on and must leave time for to maximize your travel.

Everyone has said much of what I would offer. I will add this : be ready to change your plans and go with the flow. The most meticulous research & planning can come to naught if there is a rail strike, or the weather stays consistently nasty or the ferry crossing is cancelled. Be open to changes in your itinerary.

As to travel leading to personal growth, that's too lofty an aim for me. I'm just a simple soul wanting to see as much of the world as I can before I croak.

Lots of good advice here, and I'll try not to be repetitive. The number one piece of advice I give people who ask me about travel is "know yourself and to thine own self be true". If you do not spend day after day in Museums on other vacations, don't fill your itinerary with museum after museum. Mix in activities that you do at home and enjoy. When my husband and I travel, we always spend some time hiking and biking. Some people might say (and have said) "I can do that at home". But for my husband and I, our best memories have been hiking in the alps, climbing to the top of Croagh Patrick, biking in Tuscany, the Cotswolds, the Dingle penninsula, down the Danube river, etc. After a couple of days of historic sites and art museums, a nice bike ride rejuvenates us. My second bit of advice: I do extensive research at home- and there is lots of good advice on that here. You don't want to be wasting 1/2 of a day trying to figure out what there is to do in a place. Know what is available and have rainy day options. However, once you are there, don't be a slave to a preplanned schedule. "Stay in the moment". You will ruin your time at Warwick Castle, if you are constantly checking your watch to see if you can make it to Shakespeare's Birthplace. When we picked my sister and brother-in-law up in Munich, we had plans to get to Hallstatt in time to check out the town. Then we passed a luge that was open. We spent the next hour having a blast going up and down the luge. The ride up was as good as the ride down, since the views were incredible. As for Hallstatt- all the stores were open the next morning and still had lots of stuff for sale. My third piece of advice will have to go in my next post

My last bit of advice: You will have things go wrong. It will rain the day you have an outdoor activity planned, something you wanted to really see will be closed for repairs, etc. I could tell you lot of examples of these from my own trips. Just shrug your shoulders and move on to the next thing. My husband and I planned for 9 months to do a hut to hut hike in the Berchtesgaden area of Germany. We found the perfect route (2 nights in huts), made all our reservations, took extra gear with us just for that part of the trip and got there a day early and checked everything out. We woke up at 6:00 the next morning to get an early start only to find out that a huge "freak" September snowstorm had closed all the huts for at least 3 days. There was no way we could take our hike and no way to reschedule since we had family joining us after the 3 days. We just looked at each other, grieved for a few minutes, then said "We are in Europe, how bad can it be" We drove to Melk where we spent the 3 days touring Vienna, Melk Abbey, Mauthausen, and biked the Danube River. These were all things we had never done before and it was a blast. Que Sa ra sa ra. What will be will be. Have a great trip.

Hello Elena. Part of my answer to your question, for a person going to Europe for the first time, is different than for people who have been to Europe. In your first trip to Europe, see a variety of things : a museum, an art gallery, a gothic church, a palace or mansion, and walk on a narrow street in a medieval town. Sit at a small table at a sidewalk cafe and look at all the people walking by.
After doing that, for a future trip to Europe a person's priorities can change. For example, for me : after I went in some good museums in Europe, going in more museums is not important to me : I can see good photographs of those items in a book. I am talking about artifacts in display cases in a museum, not paintings. See a variety of things. And plan for time for resting. In some cities in Europe, it is important to know what your transportation will be between the places you want to go to. Know where the bus stops are. And the locations of Taxi stands. And get the address of the place where you want to eat lunch. I wasted much time searching for a place for eating lunch in London. In London I could not find a specific eatery that was recommended by Rick Steves in his book. He did not put the street address of that eatery in his book. When I was searching for it, I was near it, but I could not find the street it is on, and people on the sidewalks (residents in London) did not know where that street is. I did not find the place. Before I go to a country in Europe, I read the Rick Steves book on that country. In the INTRODUCTION in each of his travel guide books is "Sightseeing Priorities". I am very glad that I read that in his book on Germany and Austria. I went to the places in Germany that were at the top of his list of Sightseeing Priorities. I liked those places, I had a good trip in Germany and Austria. Choosing places in ITALY is not that simple: many good places, not enough time to go to all of them. But, choosing a good place in Italy is easy to do.

I really like Franks post, though actually everyone said things that were very worthwhile. I cannot add anything much other than I like to go on walking tours, go in grocery stores and I like to talk to people. Drove my son nuts when we were in Agadir. "mom, why are you talking with the camel guy on the beach, the henna lady, the waiter, the taxi driver, the shop keepers?" I just like to, thats all. I feel like I get to know a country by chatting with its people.

My favorite memory of a country though, was when we were in Greece 18 years ago. We whisked through Athens on our way to the Peloponese and I got a fleeting glance at the Acropolis. We stayed in a little village for a month and almost every night we walked to the beach to the one restaurant there. My daughter was just 3 months old and the village girls were enchanted. They all asked to hold her while we ate and afterwards too. They often tried their English on me at the beach too and we laughed a lot. On my birthday though, we were seated in the restaurant, when all the village girls walked in with flowers picked from their mothers gardens and proceded to sing "happy birthday" to me. Believe me when I tell you tears came to my eyes. The sweetness of it all has made me a Greece lover ever since. One of the girls stayed a pen pal with me for about 5 years. That to me is what travel is all about. Seeing and feeling the heart of a country or city. Though I never got to see the star tourist attractions of Greece and believe me, I still want to, I can still honestly say I have "seen" this country. So my advice is to talk with people, go where they go, and dont stress about the tourist sites.

Jo, Ron, Frank and the others have said it beautifully already!
Pick a few sights you are intent on seeing, but please leave yourself TIME to experience your surroundings, open yourself up to them.
Europe is best enjoyed in a side-walk cafe, or strolling through the town squares. If you cram to much into your itinerary, you'll cheat yourself out of really 'seeing' Europe, as Jo put it so aptly!
My best travel memories are always a collage of tastes and smells and feelings, and the unplanned, the unexpected :-))
My first time in Prague, I abandoned all my plans and let myself be completely swept up by the energy of the place, it was an incredible, memorable day! But! I knew about the history, about the lay-out of the city and therefore there wasn't any wasted time, just precious moments.
Spontaneity while traveling requires that you do a little research before you get to your destination.
Will you tell us where you are heading?
At any rate: have a marvelous journey!

I would say essentially the same, research the area and study some language.

Study the places you will go so you know all the options of what to see and do. You shouldn't try to do everything but knowing what is available will help you make the best choice about how to budget your time.

My nightmare scenario is to come home and have someone ask if I went to ____? and not knowing it was an option. If I don't see something because another site was higher on my priority list, it's one thing. Not to know it was an option is another. Rick's books are great for practical advice for the beginner. His sites are like a greatest hits album, everything is good but not necessarily what you would choose for yourself. Do lots of studying and check out other guides.

Learning some of the language is also very helpful. You aren't going to be fluent but learning how to say hello, good bye, please, thank you, sir, maam, excuse me, how much is this?, where is ____? will help you stand out from the tourist crowd. You can take online courses like BBC languages (free) or pick up tapes/disks at the library.

Of all the noteworthy advice already given, I would highlight only these two elements as keys to fun and meaningful travel: your frame of mind and your prep before you leave. Your frame of mind, in my experience, should be balanced between openness to unplanned/unexpected cultural opportunities and experiences AND the comfort and sense of security and confidence one can only really get from having devoted at least a few months to studying the language and the customs and your itinerary (not just where you're going and when, but the homework on HOW and WHY). Even if you're the type of traveler who likes to hang loose, knowing how and why likely stops and sites interest you, before you leave, will limit frustration, save you precious time, and enhance your ability to 'get' the culture you're visiting. I've not mastered it, by any means, but I imagine some of the most experienced and capable travelers could make a tremendous memory out of the most mundane activity abroad, i.e. doing your laundry. So my advice is read and study a few months before a trip, do what you like, but be open to new likes, too. I think it's that simple.

Oh, yes. The thing that goes wrong is often the thing I remember best and that makes the best "travel story" for later. My favorite: getting stranded on a beach on Crete and having to sleep in the sand because the boats weren't running and there was no place to stay in the town. Also, the only food available in town was Spam. I've taken the wrong train, the wrong bus. I've fallen off curbs a couple of times, missed a train, gotten food poisoning and viruses. None of this was fun, but I survived it all. Seems there is always someone available to help; there is always Plan B.

Simple advice:

1) Plan, but don't overplan. You can never do too much research, though.

2) Use travel guides as "guides", not Bibles.

3) Go slow.

4) Eliminate the term "must-see" from your vocabulary.

5) Look at Europe as a fascinating continent with centuries of history and traditions, but never loose sight that it's also a living, breathing, working place that millions of people call "home". Avoid falling into the trap of viewing Europe as "Disney World for adults".

Thanks for all of these replies! They have offered lots of great advice which I will definitely think about further. One thing I'd thought about was wanting to engage with the locals and strike up conversations; however, is there a good way to go about this when you don't know the language and whether someone speaks English?

Regarding language, the common advice is to learn a few words and phrases for basic survival and out of sheer politeness. I find if I greet someone in their native tongue and make an effort to communicate, they respond graciously, using what English they know. The barrier broken, it often leads to a great conversation. You will be surprised at how many people will be able to speak, if not fluently, at least some English. Conversely, if you approach assuming they will speak English, they can be reluctant to be as accomodating.

Read everything you can before you go. With our Paris trip this year, I read Julia Child's book--My Life in France, Amy LeDuc murder mysteries (set in Paris), a Moveable Feast by Hemingway, etc. You learn a lot about out of the way things you really want to see. La Poillane bakery was one of this year's highlights and it came from reading.

Keep a journal while you travel and be brutally honest in it. I can look back over the ones I have kept and know what things were great and memorable, and what things were a waste of time.

Mix up what you see. The must sees are must sees for a reason, but some of the out of the way things can be the most memorable. Wander the cities--you will grow in ways you never thought possible. Just learning to get around a city can be a real experience. We are always proud of ourselves when we arrive by car to the place we meant to go!

For me, a lot of the experience is always food based--great meals and food experiences. This year, for example, I decided I wanted to cook a Bresse Chicken after I read about it in Peter Mayles' book France with a Knife and a Fork. It was a great experience, finding the chicken and buying it. Cooking it was another, which culminated in a grat meal we will never forget. AND the Bresse label went into my journal.

People are also important. Some of the folks we have met are still dear to us and we have recieved many email messages this holiday from our international friends.

Elena, a few thoughts on my travel methods, to add to the others.....

• Plan well, especially transportation and lodgings! I prefer to pre-book lodgings so that I don't waste ANY time looking for a place to sleep when I arrive in a new place. That way I can get busy with touring right away.

• Research sights to see! I use Guidebooks and the net to determine which sights I'm most interest in and make a list. My lists include a mix of famous Museums, etc. but also places that specifically interest me. I don't plan these in any particular order, but just pick whatever looks most interesting to me each day. If I miss any sights, hopefully I'll be able to get to them on a future visit. "Little out of the way museums" are worth it if you think you'll enjoy them.

• Especially if you don't think you'll return to a location, be sure to get lots of photos!

• Talk to people! Often other tourists can provide lots of good tips on interesting sights in the area. The tourists are easy to spot, they're the ones with RS Guidebooks! Visiting with "the locals" is good too, and you'll probably find that many have at least some ability to function in English.

• To me "the best memories" are a blend of everything - sights, people, food and general experiences that I have.

• How can travel lead to personal growth. Interesting question! I've found that travel has changed me in ways that I can't really articulate at the moment. I'm certainly more confident now and also more accepting of people from other cultures.

• Ways to bring you closer to the culture. Using Rick's "back door" travel philosophy is a good start. I tend to stay in smaller local places and Hostels rather than big chain Hotels. I've found these a bit more "informal" and more likely to find locals staying there also.

• I usually do a quick familiarization "walk about" when I first arrive, just to get used to the area.

continued.....

Elena, part 2...

• Once I've got the "basics" out of the way (lodgings), I tend to take a somewhat relaxed approach to touring. I wander around and look at whatever interests me, and try to find smaller cafes or other places. However, I do patronize some of the "touristy" restaurants as well.

• An important component of my travels is to photograph the places I visit (I'm also very aware of the fact that I may not return to some of these locations). I try not to get so focused on touring and that I forget about the scenery and the people. I try to photograph the "famous sights" (eg: Eiffel Tower, Colosseum) but also try to capture unusual aspects about the character of each location. I often take a "hop on/hop off" Bus tour soon after I arrive, just to get some idea of the layout and where all the sights are located.

• Try not to let minor "bumps in the road" influence your enjoyment of each place. There will always be a few minor difficulties (trains late due to strikes or whatever). For example, on a previous visit to Rome a "manifesto" occurred one afternoon which created major chaos for a few hours (I never did figure out what it was about?). I had planned to take a Bus tour that day but decided to stop at Termini for a long lunch and had a good time watching the performance! The demonstration eventually moved to a different part of the city, and I got my Bus tour after all. For me that was a memorable travel experience!

• During my travels (especially if my first impressions of a location are not too favourable), I always try to keep one of Rick's favourite sayings in mind - "If something's not to your liking, then change your liking".

Happy travels!

Elena : Yes, I intended to say : plan time for being in conversation with European people that you will meet there. Starting a conversation with European people is easy, in my experience. I begin by saying, in that person's language : "Can you speak English". Nearly all the people younger than age 55 will say "Yes". Many Europeans like to talk in English, with Americans, especially if they are residents at small towns or on an island. Of course, not all European people have time for talking, at the time you see them. But you will certainly have good experiences talking with European people, and/or British people. My best memories of being in Europe and England are of conversations with the people there. I have found the Cadogans guides books on countries in Europe to be excellent for acquiring understanding about a country, and some of those books are a joy to read. Oh, a good topic of conversation : "Do people in this country like American people ?". And : "What place in this country do you like to go to when you are on holiday ?". Greek people like to talk about international politics. Norwegian people are likely to respond to your humor. (Norway is one of my favorite countries). Do not say any negative opinion of any thing or person in the country that you are at. What total number of days will you be in Europe ?

I have had a great time preparing for my trip by spending lots of time researching, reading and watching movies about the places I'm going this spring. I've read several books on Henry VIII, the Tudor's and his 6 wives, I've watched a movie on Marie Antionette and read a book on her life, I watched the two part series on Victoria and Albert, and I'm now watching the HBO "Rome" TV series (just to name a few!). Some is historical fact, some is fiction, but it has been so much fun and has really educated me on the places I will see. Now seeing the Tower where Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard were beheaded, and seeing Queen Victoria's wedding dress and the portrait of Anne of Cleves in the Louvre and understanding what the Coliseum was used for will have MUCH more meaning to me....and I can hardly wait to see it all! I feel it will greatly enrich my experiences.

All of these suggestions are great. I would reinforce the need to be flexible. If you're flexible your plans can shift to something new that you never expected. Also I would reinforce finding other ways to absorb the culture of the place. People have mentioned reading histories and biographies about an area. I like to read stories that are based in the cities and towns I'm visiting. If I'm going to York, I'll read Candace Robb or if I'm going to Edinburgh I'll pick up some Ian Rankin or to Sweden Henning Mankel. In the UK I always look in the bookstore for the local books. I've found fascinating stories that don't make it to Amazon.com. I also try to pick up a CD with local music. Sometimes this is challenging, but it's great to have the local tunes on your ipod or CD player rather than Jimmy Buffet who I will save for the Caribbean. Although, there was something really fun about listening to Margaritavile while driving through a downpour on the A9 between Perth and Pictlochry! I'm sure you'll have a super trip.

For me it is always 'the surprises', the 'road less traveled' that makes my trip. My first trip to Europe 12 years ago truly shaped my travel philosophy.( I have been more than 20 times since) If I read too much about a destination it can never compare to what my imagination conjures up, so now I typically read as little as possible and just let my trip happen. If I miss some 'list item', I know that I have replaced it with a wonderfully serendipitous moment. You can never see it all, so why not just relax and see what Europe has to offer? Being a professional photographer I tend to find the beauty in everything and want to see it all in a new way. You can view my travel images at terrykathrynlawrence.com and see some of the 'surprises' from my trips.