I'm in Ireland with my family. Yea- it's epic. I've missed them so. I swear my mom and dad hugged me for five minutes each. And I loved giving them their gifts. I love that the one main holiday I would have missed with my family I didn't miss- Easter. And of course Grandma sent brownies and Easter goodies. I'm so lucky to be so loved. Ok so here are some tips for traveling! I'm headed back to Swansea Saturday so I'll update seriously after that sharing my favorite bits and pieces of my month of traveling- get excited!
Dos and Don'ts of traveling
Don't engage the peddlers
At all. Eye contact, smile, nothing. Doing so is hazardous to your demeanor and pocketbook. If you're that desperate for directions find a McDonalds- to my dismay at times, they are everywhere you turn.
Do indulge in your impulses
If you don't see something or do something that you're seriously considering, you'll regret it. You only live once and you don't know how long you've got so do it! I went to Disneyland in Paris which I know may seem silly, but I had so so so so much fun- and it was the perfect day for it. So go for it!
Don't expect everything to go according to plan
Cause it won't. You can only hope for the best and do what you can to adequately prepare. And have a good attitude when it does go wrong. Because the rest is out of your hands. Whether you end up flying into Exeter or you pay for a cruise only to find out it's a coach tour... It's all an adventure! Haha
Do take lots of pictures
You will be so grateful you did. And really they're the best souvenir you can get yourself. Not to mention the cheapest. Make sure you get pictures of you and your family or friends though. Those are the ones you'll love the most.
Don't let yourself get too absorbed from behind the lens though
I find that if you're too busy snapping photos, then you miss enjoying the moment, being in the moment. Make sure you balance the two.
Do allow yourself time to mellow
As fun as traveling is and as much as I'm sure you want to see, take time to just relax at a park over lunch or have gelato in a quaint cafe. And sometimes that could be just watching an absurdly cheesy film at the hotel one night.
Don't sprain your ankle
I promise it's not fun. And once you do, they're a lot more liable to twist again. Stupid weak ankles.
Do pace yourself
If you do everything in one day, chances are you'll be exhausted and you might not even remember all of it by the end of the day. Space out things you want to hit and enjoy the journey to places.
Don't be too proud to ask
About anything really. From directions to attractions, don't be afraid to ask. Some of the best places I've seen or eaten at were recommended after asking. And if locals are offering help and suggestions without you're asking, all the better. They tend to be awesome characters.
Do try new things
Especially where food is concerned. You know what you like back home and you know what different things are. So try moussaka and baklava and gyros and cannoli in Greece. Try croissants and creme broulee and escargot and eclairs in France. And in Italy eat as much pasta and pizza and tiramisu as you can- and seafood is good there too.
Don't stress
About money or traveling or hitting everything on your to do list. I know it's hard sometimes but really it's not worth it. Just allow things to work out. And don't be afraid to pay for a cab- though um do try and make sure the cab driver at least knows how to get there or has a gps. You'd be surprised how often this is the case.
Do try and stay in one place for more than one night
I know that you want to see and do as much as possible, but trust me- you'll appreciate this tip. It's nice after that first night to know where you're going at the end of a long day of sightseeing. It's also comforting to have that grasp of familiarity. Plus usually you can take little excursions from main points.
Don't trust people
You can be friendly without trusting people. Make sure you watch your wallet and purse. Of the 4 girls I travel with, 3 have had unfortunate events where money or cards are concerned. I've seen a couple bags lifted- luckily I wasn't the only one so nothing bad came of it but still...
Do travel
Really. It opens your eyes more than you could even begin to imagine. It's life changing. And hey- I'll go with you! Lol
Hope you found these somewhat helpful. I'll update sometime soon. Ciao ciao!
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