A new year, a fresh start – a spectacular life is just around the corner! Ok, maybe that’s aiming a bit high. I have no magic to offer you in the life-transformation department at the start of this new year. What I can do is share my advice (which I can hopefully follow too) on how to travel better in 2019, and that’s a good start.
Get out of your travel comfort zone
If you tend to venture to the same places time and again, travel better in 2019 by doing something different for your next trip. Sure, that all-inclusive resort in Mexico is a sure bet for winter relaxation. It likely feels easier and safer than planning a getaway on your own, but consider these facts:
- The more you vary your experiences and activities on vacation, the longer your time away will seem. So, if you spend your week-long getaway moving from the buffet to the bar, to the pool, and your bed at the same resort you visited last year your brain will register a shorter time away than if you challenge yourself with novel sights and activities.
- You can find terrific, less popular destinations that are just as economical as an all-inclusive. We’re sorting out a trip to Puerto Rico, for example, a destination eager for tourists now that it has recovered from Hurricane Maria. It’s a small island that is easy to get around and might be the perfect mix of beaches and urban attractions. Look to the less obvious, and you can likely find a bargain.
Stay at an Airbnb once in a while
I enjoy staying in a hotel now and again. I love coming back to the room at the end of the day to find that housekeeping has made our bed and cleaned the hair out of the sink. Hotels are also the most convenient option depending on the destination, how long you’ll be there, and the purpose of your visit. More often, though, I prefer an Airbnb.
This Airbnb in Mexico City offered lots of room, a cute balcony, and a feel for living in the La Condessa neighbourhood.
If you regularly choose a hotel room, this year, I suggest you give a short-term rental, such as Airbnb, a try. When you opt for a rental, you often have access to interesting residential neighbourhoods. More so than a hotel, you can get a feel for what it would be like to live in the place you’re visiting. A rental also usually allows you more space and comfort—ideal if you have to get some work done while you’re away. Given we try to travel using carry-on baggage only, we also make sure the rental we book has laundry facilities. Airbnb stays do require a bit of a different mindset, and you may have to pack some items that you wouldn’t for a hotel stay, but if you haven’t done so, make 2019 the year you give it a try. Need a primer on how to do it? This post by Smarter Travel is perfect for the first-time Airbnb user.
Stop Overpacking
Even if you’re not aiming to fly with carry-on luggage only, keeping your packing to the bare minimum is an easy way to travel better in 2019. You may think that having five pairs of shoes to choose from will give you on-the-fly options, but when you’re lugging your bag through cobblestone streets and up and down stairs or escalators, you know you’ll be cursing yourself for packing that second pair of boots. Scale back and discover the liberating feeling of minimalism!
Tag Along on Your Spouse’s Business Trip
If you haven’t tagged along on your spouse’s business travel yet, 2019 is the year. Take the kids, ask grandpa to babysit, see if your employer will let you work remotely for a few days. Do whatever it takes to make it happen, and don’t wait for the perfect destination. Remember how well my Columbus, Ohio experience turned out? Under-the-radar cities are often super for tagging along. There are many perks and advantages to travelling this way. Just do it!
If you’re a frequent business traveller – stop hoarding your upgrades!
If you have loyalty status with an airline, you likely get several upgrades every year that you can apply to use each time you fly. These upgrade credits expire annually.
Steve lost out on a few flight upgrades this year because he chose to save them for the perfect opportunity – like that long commute to Australia late last year. Unfortunately, Air Canada didn’t grant him an upgrade on those flights, and now he’s lost out. It’s a tricky balance because your instinct is to hold on to those precious upgrades for the perfect opportunity—but you may not get to use them then. Steve resolves to just take the upgrade when he can get it this year.
Take public transportation
It’s effortless to hop in a Lyft or a taxi when you’re in a foreign place, but don’t rule out public transportation to get around. It will save you money, you’ll see a different side of your destination, and it’s become super easy to navigate buses and subways using Google Maps.
Train station in Delft, Netherlands
Another fun and active option is to use your destination’s bike share program if one exists. Again, Google Maps can help you out with cycling routes, and everything is better on a bike!
Try to learn key phrases in the language of the place you plan to visit
I am so bad at this! I need to make more of an effort than logging in to Duolingo two days before I leave on a trip thinking that I’ll magically absorb something. Ugh. Really.
The sad truth is that our global economy means that more people than ever speak English wherever you go. Combine that with technology such as Google Translate, and it’s easy to get by without a lick of the local language. But, you’re going to have a better time if you pick up a few key phrases such as “thank you” and “where’s the toilet” (trust me on the latter). My experience using the bit of French I know when travelling is that it is deeply satisfying. It really does endear you to the locals more than flashing a smartphone screen at them with a translation.
That’s it! Do you have any advice for making travel in 2019 better that I haven’t mentioned? Share it in the comments.
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The MUJI travel accessories have made bringing toiletries a breeze. The clear case is the regulation size and the clear, stacking, screwable containers hold a lot. Now I don’t have to leave out anything from my daily routine and it’s completely organized.
Thanks for the addition, Ira! I’m a big fan of keeping a permanent collection of filled bottles in a toiletry bag ready for my next trip. That way, you don’t have to think about what you need to take. You’re just ready to go!
I love these tips. I’ve enjoyed AirBnB stays. Another option is university housing between main school terms. I like taking public transport both because of cost savings and the opportunity to see more. I’m still working on the overpacking thing. Puerto Rico has been on my list for a few years – I will be interested to read about your trip when you return.
Resolving the overpacking issue is like a never-ending journey. I have a ways to go on that item too.