WINTER ESCAPES
You don't need an excuse to escape
This is not about what to take – what insurance to use - what water to drink, this is a set of tips to get the very most out of any trip and it starts inside your head.
1. Smile and be open. Adventure travel is about opportunity, possibility and discovery. The highlights of an adventure are often accidental and can only be found by being open, smiling, looking people in the eyes and saying ‘yes’ to opportunities, people, and places.
2. The Attraction of Like. In this crazy mixed up world believe in the kindness of others. Approach each destination with confidence and believing in the best of people- ok don’t be stupid but remember ‘like attracts like’.
3. Interact. Follow what you are passionate about and use it to open doors and build bridges. If you love volleyball join in with the locals on the beach. Play guitar or harmonica? Find somewhere to play with locals.
4. Pack light. Traveling light not only makes life easier it gives you ground credits which means it allows you to make better on-the-ground choices – no huge bags to worry out. You need to be brutal when packing, the key phrase is, ‘if in doubt chuck it out?’ It’s a good idea to pack clothes or gear that you can giveaway.
5. Be local. Be respectful at all times, but be curious. Engage. Seek out where the locals go and hang out. Go to the local market, buy local food, ask how it is prepared. Eat where the locals eat. Take part in local activities.
6. Take lots of photos BUT Capturing those moments will give you memories for a lifetime and great bragging rights on social media– but don’t let the taking of the image be more important than enjoying the moment.
7. Do something Adventurous. Climb, swim, hike, skate, ski, sail ,bike. Build sweat equity with a destination and it forever becomes a part of you. The more human powered you can be; bike, tuk tuk, walk, the more you will see the details and it’s the details we remember most. Don’t forget to stop often.
8. Read and listen. Read about the location; it does not need to be from a travel guide, it can be a novel about that country, that location. So many additional insights, places, understanding of cultures, activities can be taken on board by just reading a book set at a specific location. Read the The Far Pavilions By MM Kaye and you'll want to visit northern India!
9. Go somewhere new. Africa, Alaska, Colombia, Greenland, Myanmar… There has never been a better time to be a traveller. Today, so many rarely travelled countries are safe and secure, stable, and open to adventure travellers.
10. Lastly don’t wait. As Tim Ferris put it – (Author of the 4 hours work week). ‘What the worst that can happen?’ There’s always a reason to postpone. So book a trip - just commit, you won’t regret it. Travel can be very affordable; the only thing not affordable is the time you lose by waiting. Whether you have a week, 2 weeks a month or a year, there’s a trip that’s right for you.