10 tips to make the most of your vacation

Published on 26 December 2023 at 15:36

I have travelled a lot; I have been to 18 countries, numerous cities within these countries and travel multiple times a year.   I have been on tour groups, travelled solo, went on language exchanges, on boys trips, with my girlfriend and fiancé and with a baby.  Some of the best memories I have made during my life have been while travelling.  Along the way I have picked up some tips to make the most of your vacation.  Here they are:

 

Learn the language

Whether it is just the basics, such as saying hello, asking how you are doing or ordering a beer, it is always fun to learn and practice a new language.  It is even better to take the learning further and learn how to carry out a basic conversation, but that will be more work.  While attempting to speak the language, you will meet locals and they will be more helpful and friendly with you.  Not to mention it is extremely rewarding.  Try using Duolingo or Rocket Languages, these programs will help a lot.

Listen to the local music

Nothing is better than having fun, dancing with locals and taking in the music scene.  This is especially true in Latin America.  Try to get into the local music ahead of time, but if not, embrace it while you’re there.  This may even help on your language learning journey.

Meet the locals

Learning the culture in a foreign country is great, and what better way than meeting and conversing with the locals?  It’s always great to hear their stories and learn about the country you are in.  They will likely provide useful tips and may even watch your back.  Even better, you may end up going to a local bar which will be cheaper and a lot of fun.  Talk with the locals, practice your language skills and even buy them a beer or two or give them a smoke.  It goes a long way.

Get outside of your comfort zone

Sometimes going to certain travel spots will take you out of your comfort zone.  Or travelling solo too.  So, first of all get out there and go on an interesting trip, but also try something new while on vacation.  Eat a dish that seems “weird” to you, take a dance (like salsa) lesson or do something adventurous (like bungee jumping or paragliding).  These types of things make for the best memories.

Stay out late

This is where you’ll meet some interesting people and have a lot of fun.  Be careful while out late, but with proper precautions you should be fine.  Stay late at a bar or mingle with the locals in a street plaza.  You’re likely to witness something interesting, crazy or hilarious.  You’ll also have a blast!

Dance

While staying out late or going to a party/bar, dance.  Who cares if you look like an idiot.  You’re on vacation and no one back home will see you.  Dance to the local music and move your body.  The locals will love it and again, you’ll have a lot of fun!

Do an off-beat tour

Embrace in some dark tourism or just an adventurous tour.  Again, you’ll make good memories and have a good story to tell.  Go on a unique food tasting tour, or do something you won’t be able to do back home or on your typical vacation.  I went on a Pablo Escobar tour and I also went to a museum honouring the victim of the violence in Colombia.  I went on tours of rough and forgotten neighborhoods in Puerto Rico, Panama and Medellin.  These tours were amazing, they were extremely informative and interesting.  There was also a sex show in Amsterdam… that was interesting to say the least.                                                        

Learn something

In addition to doing an off-beat tour, take a tour or go somewhere where you can learn something cool.  You can also go to museums.  I am not a museum guy, but each vacation I go on, I will either take an interesting tour where I can learn about the culture or go to some kind of interesting museum.  It’s always good to come back with great stories but you should come back with some knowledge too.

When in doubt, spend the extra cash

If there’s an activity like Jet Skiing or paragliding that’s on the pricey side, but something you really want to do, just do it.  Or go on an expensive excursion or tour... you'll probably go somewhere really remote, unique and cool.  Or if there’s a really cool souvenir you want or some cool clothing you can only get there, just buy it.  I still regret the shirt I passed on in Guadalajara and the hat I didn’t but in Puerto Rico.  I also regret not parasailing in Miami.  But I still drink beer from the authentic beer stein I got in Germany and still reminisce on some of the expensive activities I have done.  Who knows when you will have the chance again.  You can make the money back, just don’t use this tip like 10 times on your vacation. 

Negotiate

Don’t be afraid to negotiate.  Most of the street vendors or even tour operators (especially in third world countries) will know you’re a tourist and try to squeeze some extra money from your pockets.  Negotiate in stores, with street vendors or even small tour groups/activities.

 

 

Honorable mentions:

 

Do it solo

You need to travel solo once in your life.  It’s exhilarating, liberating and rewarding.   You also have the freedom to go where and do what you want… free of judgement. Click here for my tips for solo travel.

Travel like you’re in a movie

This isn’t one of my main tips because it can get you in trouble, but it can lead to some wicked memories and a lot of fun.  Imagine that you’re in the Hangover, Eurotrip or some other funny movie.  Do something crazy or reckless (but within reason) and be funny a long the way.  Some of the locals will love it and so will you.  Or pull off an epic prank to one of your boys or someone while on a tour group.  Another option is to get a travel tattoo, just don't get something stupid!

No regrets

Like the heading says, travel with no regrets.  Spend the cash like above, do the tour you want, go out and have fun.  I learned this motto on Contiki Tours and it’s a good one to live by.  You only get one life and it may be the only time you’re on a vacation like that, so do what you want and travel with no regrets!

 

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