Travelling is one of life’s great pleasures; there’s no doubt about it. Complex, exhausting, rewarding and life changing, there’s nothing quite like embarking on a journey. However, the quality of your excursion does depend on how you experience it. So we’ve come up with ten things that smart travelers do to make their journeys unforgettable.

1. They Challenge Themselves

Leaving your comfort zone can be a challenge, but travelling beyond your usual boundaries and escaping normality will open you up to more opportunities that will inevitably impact the rest of your life. Yes, it is scary to leave the comforts you have grown used to, but the experiences you could have by challenging yourself are limitless.

2. They Travel With People They Connect With

Although many choose the daring route of travelling alone, others may feel safer with some company. When choosing a companion, it’s crucial that you have a good connection, otherwise your journey together will be plain miserable. You and your travel buddy should have patience, respect and love for each other, but also the distance to understand each of you needs a bit of freedom to explore.

3. They Know Why They Want To Travel

Throughout our lives, many of us are told that we have to travel the world, but many of us don’t ask ourselves why. For me, travelling is a chance to meet and experience other human beings as we share this Earth in this small bracket of time. For others, travelling can be about seeing the beauty the world has to offer. Why do you want to travel? Are you simply curious? Do you want to experience the unrelenting freedom of the journey? Do you wish to uncover all the world has to offer? Consider the reasons you wish to travel and write them down. Let them guide to your on your journey.

4. They Prepare

This is plain old, practical advice: don’t take unnecessary stuff on your trip! Attempt to make your bag(s) as lightweight and portable as possible and only pack the essentials. If you travel with too many belongings, not only will it be more difficult to get around, but there’s also a higher chance of you losing 

5. They Interact With Natives

Nobody knows the land your visiting better than those who live there, so there’s no one on the planet better to talk to about it. This may seem tricky at first, as chances are you and the locals won’t speak the same languages. However, smiles and hand gestures are pretty much universal, so it can be easy to have simple interactions without having to say a word.
If you do speak the native tongue, or they happen to speak your language, ask them about their lives and open your mind to the endless intricacies of each individual experience. If you find it difficult to initiate interactions you may want to look into Trip4Real. They offer thousands of unique tours created by locals in a variety of places around the world, from Amsterdam to Zaragoza.

6. They Are Not Judgmental

Out there in the real world, you cannot identify an individual human being entirely based on their religion, origin or appearance. Every single person is different, and. just like you, they do not wish to be approached with prejudice and judgment. Be kind, be caring and above all, be tolerant.

7. They Respect Their Bodies

Traveling can be an exhausting experience, especially if you’re moving every couple of days. Throughout your excursion, you must remember that although the world is vast and you want to see it all, your body may not be able to handle it. To ensure you get the most out of your journey, make sure you eat healthily and get enough to sleep. Maintaining healthy habits will fill you with the energy necessary to continue.

8. They Don’t Set Expectations

Chances are you’ve experienced a similar situation in your life where your expectations where far too high and you were ultimately disappointed. Well, you can have the same exact experience anywhere you travel if you have created an unattainable paradise in your mind. Instead, hold no expectations and let your destinations surprise you.

9. They Go With The Flow

Without a doubt it’s smart to begin your journey with at least some sort of plan, even if it’s just a basic route between the locations you want to visit. That said, sometimes things will happen that you cannot control, and you will simply have to go with the flow. You may even find yourself wanting to deviate from your itinerary. Say, for instance, you wish to stay somewhere a little longer than planned: that’s okay! Let the journey take you where you want to go and be flexible.

10. They Are Grateful

Travelling is a chance not many people get to take, so be grateful for the opportunity. We recommend you keep a ‘gratitude diary,’ in which you can list three experiences you are grateful for every day. This will help you to cultivate an attitude of appreciation that you can carry with your throughout your life.