Top 10 Secrets to Mindful Travel

Top 01.

Embrace the unexpected

Rarely does everything go according to plan when you're on the road. You can either let that ruin your mood for the entire trip, or start thinking about how to make the best out of the situation.

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Top 02.

Forget the itinerary

Travelling to a foreign country without a plan could be a little disconcerting but there is no need to plan every day of your trip down to the minute.

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03.

Keep a routine

04.

Knowledge is key

05.

Have an appetite

06.

Respect the locals

07.

Take your time

08.

Befriend strangers

09.

See with your eyes

10.

Switch off your phone

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01. Embrace the unexpected

Rarely does everything go according to plan when you're on the road. You can either let that ruin your mood for the entire trip, or start thinking about how to make the best out of the situation. A resourceful traveller expects the unexpected, but it takes an open-minded one to happily go with the flow.

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02. Forget the itinerary

Travelling to a foreign country without a plan could be a little disconcerting but there is no need to plan every day of your trip down to the minute. Have a general idea of what you want to do but also allow yourself some room to make changes to your day. Want to take it easy and forget about the three museums you intend to visit? Nothing's stopping you!

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03. Keep a routine

This might be against your instincts. After all, who doesn't want to sleep in when they're on holiday? But if it's your habit to go out for a run every morning, keeping at it not only helps you get back to the grind later, it also allows you to experience a foreign country like you're a local.

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04. Knowledge is key

It's one thing to immerse in a different culture with an open mind, but entirely another to land on foreign soil with complete ignorance of the country's history and culture. Before booking your flight, research the history of your destination and try and see everything without bias and judgment.

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05. Have an appetite

Language and food are the two best ways to experience a culture. While picking up a foreign language takes time, you can get a taste (quite literally) of the local culture by eating what the locals eat. Be an adventurous foodie and go beyond what the travel guide recommends.

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06. Respect the locals

When you're visiting a new country, always keep in mind that you're accepting hospitality from the locals. Be respectful of their culture and habits, even if they are widely different from yours. "Hello" and "thank you" in the local language can go a long way.

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07. Take your time

Be realistic about the time you're spending in a new place and the things you are able to do while you're there. Cramping as much as you can into your trip will make everything you do forgettable since you are so focused on getting your to-do list checked off. Instead, consider taking your time with just a handful of experiences and you'll be rewarded with the trip of a lifetime.

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08. Befriend strangers

An entire wall dedicated to photographs or a cabinet filled with memorabilia are excellent keepsakes from your travel, but neither of those compare to new friendships. Be open to making conversations with a fellow traveller in the hotel lobby, or a friendly local on the same bus. Keep in touch with them and you might just have found yourself a buddy for your next trip.

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09. See with your eyes

The first thing on everyone's list of travel essentials, aside from money and passport, has to be the camera. Admittedly photography is one of the best ways to document your travels, but have you ever thought about what you might have missed between pressing the button and checking if the picture is perfect? There's only so much you can see through the camera lens – know when to put it away, and see the world with your own eyes.

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10. Switch off your phone

The obsession with smart phones is the biggest enemy of mindful travel. Whether it is a ping from a friend on social media or a chain of work emails you’re afraid of missing, bury your head in your phone and all the wonders of walking on foreign soil will pass you by. The temptation to share everything you’ve seen and done will limit your travel experience to one that pleases everyone but yourself.

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