There are lots of ways to travel: from cruising to camping, all-inclusive resorts to backpacking. Our travel style as somewhere between luxe and adventure. Most often we steer away from the “must-do” attractions at a destination. Steve’s work travel has led to our great fortune of travelling frequently to popular as well as under-the-radar places. Based on that mix, here are 10 travel experiences that will make you want to book a flight.
Beyond the bus tour
I can’t say I’ve never done the big double-decker tour bus. They have their place—especially if you are short on time–but there are so many other terrific options for getting to know a new destination and its culture. Consider something a little different:
Airbnb Experiences: We’ve pedalled around Mexico City sampling delectable street food on the Bikes & Munchies Tour, and we’ve made our own Mexican wrestling masks and attended a match with the Design Your Mask, Luchas, and Beers experience. Both of these fun events were offerings from Airbnb Experiences – an off-shoot of the vacation-rental brokerage company. We’re eager to try others as they are created and operated by locals who are passionate about sharing their culture. It’s a personal, homegrown encounter.
Running in Bangalore: You’ve done a walking tour? This is just like that, only faster! Steve and I are avid runners and when you’re in a new place (especially a hectic, crowded city like Bangalore, India) it’s not always easy to find a straightforward, safe route. I was lucky to stumble upon Bangalore Running & Walking Tours. What a fantastic idea! Life-long Bangalorean Praveen Singh combines his loves of long-distance running and local history. He was so engaging that I didn’t even notice how we weaved in and around rickshaws and honking cars as we jogged from park to park. We’ve done three of Praveen’s tours, and each one was outstanding.
Over-the-top cultural events
You really get to know a culture when you party with locals. Although we have never travelled specifically to attend a festival or event, when schedules collide, it’s always special. Two of our favourites:
Holi – India’s spectacular festival of colour and goodwill, experiencing Holi in Mumbai with the family of one of Steve’s colleagues is something that will always get me smiling when I think of it. Be ready to get wet and colourfully splattered!
Canstatter Volkfest – Stuttgart’s version of Oktoberfest, Canstatter Volkfest is all about beer, dirndl dresses and lederhosen. Everyone is filled with the spirit of gemütlichkeit (and beer) which translates to “good cheer” and a sense of belonging. Even if you have no clue about what you’re doing (as was the case my first time), some nice German will help get you sorted out. You will make new friends!
The romantic meet-up
Miami Beach! It’s not so much the destination I am recommending here as it is the experience of flying to meet your significant other somewhere. One time, Steve worked about eight weeks straight away from home. To break up the separation, we met for a long weekend getaway in Miami.
We rented an Airbnb in Southbeach, swam in the ocean, did a fun cocktail Art Deco tour and soaked up the sun. Miami’s a fun, sexy place, but what made that weekend special was the anticipation of spending time together after being apart and the romance of jetting off to meet up. I highly recommend it.
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The restorative upgrade
Chillin in the airport lounge: Until you ’ve experienced waiting for a flight in the peaceful tranquillity of the airport lounge, you don’t realize how much it lowers the stress level of air travel.
Steve’s frequent business travel and Air Canada loyalty status offer us access to worldwide Star Alliance lounge access. However, if we didn’t have this privilege already, there would be situations that would trigger a decision to purchase access.
Premium Economy – We most often fly economy, but on long overseas flights we always check out how much a premium economy seat costs. The extra leg room and upgraded meals are a fraction of the cost of business class and are often worth the splurge.
Seeing the world by bicycle (and maybe add a boat)
One of our favourite ways to take a vacation is via a cycling tour. We’ve done self-guided bike trips (which offer luggage transfers and accommodations booking), and we’ve gone on group tours. Both have merits. Some of our favourite vacation memories combined cycling and boating from place to place. Check out highlights of our bike trips to these locations:
Eastern Townships, Canada
Ionian Islands, Greece
Taking a risk on adventure
You might not think you have an adventurous spirit, but travel has a way of making it easier to move beyond your perceived limits. I never thought I’d repel down the side of a waterfall in Costa Rica or paddle through rapids down the Moho River in Belize. Whatever your comfort zone, use travel to extend it just a wee bit to experience a new kind of thrill.
The charm of an off-beat museum
Yeah, the Louvre in Paris is grand, and so is the Uffizi gallery in Florence. Sometimes, though, the occasions where I’ve asked incredulously, “They made a museum for that?” turn out to be travel highlights. For example:
The Pig Museum in Stuttgart is one oinking fun time – I’ve never seen so much adorable and fascinating pig memorabilia!
The Bols Museum in Amsterdam is a less-than-transparent marketing device for the Dutch company’s genever alcohol. But, it’s also educational, interactive, and a fun way to kick off an evening out. You can even try your hand at flair bartending.
At first thought, Zagreb’s Museum of Broken Relationships seemed like a depressing prospect, but it is surprisingly uplifting and affirming. We’ve all had relationships that failed to click or that disappointed us bitterly. This museum uses personal stories, artifacts, and audio accounts to tell poignant (and often hilarious) tales of past relationships good and very bad.
Hometown Travel
A tight budget and many other factors can leave you grounded at home instead of venturing to other parts of the world. That doesn’t mean you can’t be a traveller. Wherever you live, I’m betting that there are attractions and places you haven’t explored. That’s true for me. In the past couple of years, I’ve discovered a few Winnipeg gems that I will not stop talking about when promoting my hometown:
Photo Credit: NORDIK /PHOTOLUX
Thermëa Nordic Spa – An unexpected year-round indoor/outdoor spa that we experienced in winter. Yes, winter in Winnipeg outside—in water! The unique sauna ritual alone makes visiting this spot worth it.
Hermetic Code Tour – I had no idea our provincial Legislative Building held closely guarded secrets hidden in plain sight in its architecture. This tour has more twists and turns than a Dan Brown novel, and it’s just as much fun!
CMHR – The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is stunning in its design and the innovative way it conveys the struggle for and evolution of human rights in Canada and abroad.
Get under the radar
One thing tagging along on Steve’s business travel has revealed to me is that under-the-radar destinations are often just as impressive (sometimes more so) than popular ones.
We visited Iceland several years ago before it became everyone’s “hot” destination. In fact, when our travel agent suggested it to us, he had to convince us that we’d love it. We were blown away by Iceland’s incredible beauty and non-stop natural wonders. We love that we can say we visited Iceland before anyone else knew about it. 😉
On the same trip, we also ventured via ferry from Iceland to the equally stunning Faroe Islands. Picture sod-roofed dwellings (some with sheep grazing upon them), hikes rewarded with otherworldly views, and endless daylight during summer. Pleasantly, it has not yet become a sought-after Instagram moment as yet. Get there before it happens!
Columbus, Ohio was also a surprising gem of a destination. It has an excellent and expanding foodie scene, walkable city centre, a redeveloped waterfront perfect for a pleasant run or walk, and galleries and markets that make it an excellent place to tag-along on a business trip.
There have been a couple of occasions I have met someone from Bulgaria. When I tell them I loved visiting the country’s capital, Sofia, they react with surprise because not many people have even heard of it. Honestly, if this hadn’t been a tag-along business trip with Steve, I likely would never have visited in my lifespan. A shame, because this post-communist city is speedily becoming a smart, cosmopolitan urban centre with a fascinating history.
The off-season advantage
Hate crowds of tourists? So do we. That’s why some of our fondest getaways are to destinations in their off-season. Venice in January, for example, is perfect.
You have the streets and canals mostly to yourself, there are no lineups, and you don’t need a reservation at a nice restaurant. Take a chance on visiting popular spots in their most unpopular season for a unique, hassle-free experience.
So, where is your next travel adventure? Did these travel experiences inspire you?
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