Travel is like the any normal relationship.
The ups and downs are just like real life. It is often full of happy, smiley moments.
Sometimes it’s full of WTF laugh out loud moments and at other times, it’s full of feelings of f*ck this sh*t I’m done.
That’s the truth.
The trouble is that in today’s social media landscape, we only see the happy, smiley moments. The highlight reel.
Even then, there are people acting ‘vulnerable’ and crying for the camera in the aim of ‘being authentic’ to give a different perspective (while they sit on a tropical island with a sunset behind them).
Travel has changed.
Travel has become a popularity contest in many ways – it’s hard to know what to believe any more.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the truth about travel. Sometimes, it is uncomfortable to talk about. That’s why the highlight reel is the popular default. No one wants to talk about the other stuff.
But the reality is (like in life) the truth always helps.
When your travel expectations are often set by what you read on the internet, a slap in the face with what it’s really like often goes a long way.
In this article, I’m setting the record straight with some common (and not so common) beliefs about travel that are wrong.
'Travelling is Crazy Expensive"
This myth has been dispelled more than most, but judging by what I was told at work the other day, it still goes around.
The truth like in many things is ‘it depends’. Let me explain.
When I was 19, I moved to London by myself with 400 pounds to my name. 400 pounds, a bag of nerves, my cricket gear and a heap of pimples that made me look like I was 16.
My dumbass self, somehow managed to survive. I got a job. I figured out how to get around and still had a good time in between all of that.
Because I made it work.
I didn’t go high-end clubbing, I didn’t go on luxury escapes. I did things on a budget and had an incredible, life-changing experience that eventually lasted years.
“You don’t need thousands in the bank to travel. What you do need is a plan.”
Here are a few ideas that can turn your trip from being an expensive one to a trip that can become far more affordable.
– Book budget airlines and forms of transport
– Choose cheaper destinations friendly to your currency.
– Self-cater instead of eating/drinking out all the time
– Use coupon and voucher sites along with free activities
– Travel in the off-season and avoid holiday periods
The opposite also applies, you can spend thousands more doing the exact opposite. Choose your own path.
After 10 years travelling the world, I’ve learned that travel is only as expensive as you want it to be.
Tell that to John in the account department next time he tells you how rich you must be to travel.
"Avoid the Tourist Traps and Get off the Beaten Path"
This one annoys me more than the ‘Tourist vs Traveller’ debate.
If there is one myth that I hear time and time again then it’s this one.
Anyone who has avoided the ‘tourist’ areas their whole travel life will have had a far more frustrating and unfulfilling time than the person who has.
Tourist areas are busy for a reason. Why?
It’s generally where the cool stuff is. You know, the things that made you want to visit in the first place?
Things like the Colosseum in Rome, or the Eiffel Tower in France. They are packed with tourists because, duh, it’s often the bucket list destination they have been after.
Sure there might be alternatives in other towns and cities.
There are other ‘colosseums’ in many other Italian towns and cities. But anything like the one in Rome, nah. It’s famous for a reason. Concentrate on enjoying the experience as much as you can. It’s what you came for.
In tourist areas, you do pay a premium for the privilege. So be it. It happens at home as well. But you also get the best facilities, transport options, dining and everything else.
The ‘off the beaten path’ experience is different.
“Many travellers often talk about this mystical place where there are no tourists, you mix with the locals and get the experience no one else does.”
Some people wear it as a badge of honour. Good on ’em – whatever makes them feel special, I guess.
I love going away from busy areas – it’s good for the travel soul.
But be careful what you wish for.
In these ‘Off the Beaten Path’ areas, you should prepare for language difficulties, a lack of public transport, as well as a lack of tourist infrastructure such as public toilets and accommodation options.
In some cases, you might not even be welcomed like the curious tourist you are by the locals.
If you can handle that – fine. But don’t go into this promised land of exploration and adventure you often hear about without understanding what might happen.
Tourist areas can be overwhelming and chaotic (you’re contributing to that, remember). But the flipside sometimes isn’t always so pleasant either.
My suggestion is to dip your feet in both, enjoy the crowds for the big ticket items, but find time to enjoy some quiet time in the less busy areas.
Just do your research beforehand.
'You have to speak the language or you're screwed'
A good friend of mine called Tom backpacked through Asia and Europe in the 1970’s.
If you met him now, you would wonder how he survived. Even he doesn’t know.
Anyway.
Tom spoke about Asia and parts of Europe in the 1970’s being a place where English was so rare, it was a genuine surprise when he saw a sign in English let alone anyone speaking it.
Maps weren’t much help and rare travel advice books weren’t common. It required a different type of resourcefulness, like weird types of communication and random awkward body language to get what you needed.
He always found a place to stay. A bite to eat. Even beer drinking friends and the odd romantic encounter on the road.
He just figured it out. 40 odd years on you have no excuse.
Let’s get one thing straight.
“You are living in a golden age of travel. Everything is so f*cking
easy compared to even what it was a decade ago. “
With smartphone technology you can translate dozens of languages in seconds. Take photos of menus and activity prices and have them translated for you instantly.
The language barrier will always cause challenges – initially in some cases.
It will always give you uncomfortable moments from time to time.
But one thing a more connected world has given us is not only the benefit of this technology, but education systems around the world have recognised the importance of speaking more than one language.
This goes for you too.
Learning a second (even third) language has been something I’ve been doing. Even just for fun as I do with Duolingo as I try and understand the mysteries of Italian and German.
The language barrier won’t ruin your travels. Only your attitude will.
'Solo Travel is a One-Way Ticket to Trouble Town'
One of travel’s greatest myths is the idea of venturing alone as you explore the world.
The reality is often the very opposite.
Solo travel in recent years has taken on a whole world of its own. The ‘Solo Travel’ style now fits easily next to backpacker or luxury traveller. I’ll be honest. I’ve never really understood why.
I don’t know how it came about, but solo-travel has been going on for centuries.
People have always gone out and explored for themselves. We’re all curious, us humans.
Just because we don’t have a mate to join us has never stopped us. But, I guess in the age of social media with personal branding so prominent, the idea has come to the forefront.
Let’s talk what ‘Solo Travel’ is for a minute.
The first thing we all agree on is the idea of solo travel begins with you. And only you.
You’re concerned friends and family say goodbye to you as you head off an adventure all by yourself.
“Go forth, brave soldier” they say as you give teary hugs to worried Mum’s and soon to be ex-girlfriends.
That’s where the ‘Solo Travel’ idea ends for most people. Let me explain.
People need people It’s a human thing – we need other people around us.
So, just because little Johnny has gone off on his own to travel the world, it doesn’t change that. Solo travellers naturally seek out other people.
The hostel bar was always my go to. But so were group tours and activities. I would go so far as to say, my years of solo travel were spent more with other people (usually in similar situations to mine) than on my own.
“Solo travellers look after each other. It’s what they do. You often decide where to visit together, where to stay, even when to do it.”
Sure, it all comes down to your decision however when you find your people, you tend to stick together. It keeps you safe and brings a shared experience you can never get on your own.
During times you are alone, common sense applies in many places around the world. Like it does at home.
– Watch the alcohol (and never leave drinks unattended)
– Confirm how you’re going to get back to your accommodation (take a photo of the address too)
– Trust your gut, if it feels dodgy, it probably is
Venturing off to explore the world on your own is an incredible thing. Go do it. But you will rarely be alone.
Even if it means finding a travel buddy for a few hours, or sharing a drink with someone in a hostel bar, you will find people along the way. In my solo travel days, it was the moments I was alone, admiring a beautiful cathedral or museum, where I craved the company of others more.
The dangers of solo travel are overplayed. Usually by people who a) have never done it or b) have had an unfortunate experience (that can happen to anyone).
Solo travel is as risky as you make it. Take a few sensible precautions, and you can (and probably will) have an awesome experience.
"The world is a dangerous place and everyone wants to rip you off"
If you sat on your butt in your living room watching the news and scrolling social media all day, it’s easy to form this opinion.
But for such a strong belief, it has a quicker cure than two panadol and a Powerade for a hangover.
This opinion is often shattered the moment you start travelling. It doesn’t take long to learn that other cultures and countries share similar values as your own.
– The love of family and conversation with friends
– Storytelling and learning from other cultures
– The value of friendship and generosity
If the news reported this, it would be boring. Media is entertainment. Therefore, there needs to be a bad guy. There is no better bad guy than the one portrayed in the news and on TV.
The reality is often the opposite.
Some of the most beautiful people I have met have come from so-called ‘dangerous places’.
Certain precautions do need to be considered whenever you visit somewhere new, – it’s sensible.
However, basing your whole perception and judgement based on what you see online is going too far the other way.
The supposed dangers of global travel are widely documented.
But for the best part, these risks are isolated. By all means, follow official guidance and plan accordingly.
But if you take the right precautions, there is nothing stopping you having an incredible experience.
“Challenges to your perceptions will happen every time you travel somewhere new. ”
I remember being in Vietnam for the first time and being physically manhandled by market vendors.
“Come in my shop, sexy man”. It was very flattering at first, but soon got tiresome.
But they did it with a smile. They were just making a living. Understanding both sides of the deal changes your perceptions.
The reality is you will find yourself ‘ripped off’ from time to time in some countries. It’s easy to kick off and be annoyed.
But that says more about you than any one else. You just lost the game. The game that locals play far better than you.
Fortunately, the more you practice, the better you get.
As you can see, travel isn’t as black and white as you think. More often than not it’s a shade of grey that those with inflated travel opinions and social media audiences rarely acknowledge.
Travel is about forming your own beliefs and opinions based on your personal experience.
You do you. That’s all that counts.