Just like author Stephen R. Covey who gave us 7 Habits Of Highly
Effective People, we now give you our list of what makes a
successful traveller. Check this out and see if you are one.
1. Enjoy the journey as
much as the destination
Oh yes, making the journey can be tiresome, what with the long
flight, long drive or ride.
Delays and
crowds can get on your nerves too.
All these are to be expected.
So plan ahead to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as
possible.
Avoid getting all knotted up or you’ll spoil your holiday even
before it starts.
Bring a good book to read, your laptop, game sets or whatever
gadget that will keep you happy and occupied.
Or use the time to catch up on your sleep.
Bring eye shades and a U-shaped neck support to help you sleep
well.
Nothing beats arriving at a destination feeling refreshed and
energetic.
2. Leave your comfort
zone behind
Don’t just stay in the hotel room to watch TV or lie in bed and
listen to music.
You take vacations once in a while, so it doesn’t make sense to
travel far only to sit in a hotel room or sip coffee in the
coffeehouse.
You can do these back home.
Think of being a real traveller, not a mere tourist.
See as much as you can of the new country and learn about its
people and their way of life.
Adapt yourself to the new environment.
A successful traveller will return home enriched with new
experiences and friendships forged in lands afar.
3. Plan ahead but be
spontaneous too
Yes, you need to plan ahead and have an itinerary so that you can
fully appreciate what it is that you’ve come to see in a foreign
place.
An important part of the planning is to read lots of information
about your destination.
But don’t be too rigid.
If you like a place a lot, spend more time to just wander
around.
Often the best discoveries happen when you follow your heart (and
mind) rather than your itinerary.
4. Avoid doing too
much
Tourists often make the mistake of trying to see and do too much
with the result that they end up seeing and enjoying very
little.
It is better to see fewer places but to know them really well.
Zero in on a few experiences and get the most out of them.
Adventure overload will leave you dazed.
Try to spend at least two nights in a place and visit several
places from one central location.
If you are on the move everyday and changing hotel rooms every
night just to be able to visit more places, you’ll get all stressed
up from just the packing and unpacking.
5. Go where the locals go and learn
some local words
Don’t stick to tourist trails.
Get to know some locals who can give you tips on the best places to
eat and hang out or on where to go for great fun and adventure.
Visit villages, markets and local eateries.
Experience local flavour that will leave you with a more lasting
memory.
Learning a few words of the local language is useful too.
The locals will love your making the effort and they’ll go out of
their way to help you.
Ask them lots of questions to get the most out of your holiday
experience.
6. Expect excitement.
Quit whining
Go with anticipation, not apprehension.
Don’t find fault in everything and everyone.
When you set out with a positive mind to seek excitement from new
places and experiences, you’ll be surprised at how often your
expectations will come true.
Just let your mind be free, open, willing and receptive to new
ideas or the way of life of others.
When you complain frequently and expect to have a bad time, you’ll
miss out on opportunities for better things to come along.
Remember, you are the one who will make or break your holiday, so
plan to be positive.
7. Be aware of security
at all times
Nothing can spoil a holiday more than being attacked by muggers,
and losing your money, passport or other possessions.
Buy travel insurance so you can make a claim on losses, injury or
inconveniences suffered.
Use a money belt, locker, hotel safe, etc. Don’t keep all your
money or cards in one place.
Make a photocopy of your passport and carry it along.
It’ll come in handy if you do lose your original passport.
As you keep your eyes open to everything that’s new or exciting
around you, also keep your alarm antenna up to detect fraudsters
and danger.
Develop all these seven habits, and you’ll find all your travels
highly satisfactory.
Meanwhile, enjoy your holidays!