If you are an introvert like me, you love the idea of travel, but the execution of it can be a little overwhelming at times. Sometimes, it is the idea of being in close quarters with friends or family for days on end (regardless of how much you love and enjoy them). Other times, it is the oppressive presence of endless crowds at popular tourist spots. Maybe, it’s just the concern that when you go somewhere new, you will miss your favorite pass times from back home. If any of these sound familiar, keep reading, because as a person who is often telling her friends “Thanks, but I think I will stay home tonight,” I have five travel tips to help you make the most of your vacation time and enjoy the adventure.
Travel Solo
First up is… try Solo Travel. If you are hesitant at first, trust me I get it. There is a sense of security that comes from traveling in groups, and it is fun to share new experiences and create memories with friends, family, or your significant other. However, there are positives to traveling solo too. My favorite is the ability to customize my trip itinerary to focus on what intrigues me. Instead of trying to satisfy everyone’s interests, I get to do what I want, the whole time. This has lead to multiple trips being initiated by wanting to see a favorite comedian or band, and then expanding the trip into exploring as much of a city as I possibly can in just a few days.
Another bonus of traveling solo is taking each day of your trip at your own pace. You will come to know your limits the more you travel and begin to get a sense of how much activity you prefer each day. Maybe you enjoy getting to your destination a little early so you can acclimate before diving head long into your adventure, or maybe you prefer to hit the ground running. Either way, you can do what works best for you.
Be Flexible
Plans can change, and that’s ok. I recently went to Phoenix for a couple of days and by noon on day two I realized that I had severely overbooked myself in my head. What I mean by that is, I had a week’s worth of activities that I wanted to try and only two days to complete them in. I was getting exhausted and overwhelmed. So, I decided that for me, a vacation shouldn’t require a recovery period. I prioritized my favorites and let the rest go. Did I get to do all the things I had originally set out to do? No. But now I have a list of things to try when I go back and visit Phoenix again.
Visit Quiet Places
Big tourist attractions aren’t the only places worth visiting, I promise. While amusement parks, sporting events, shopping malls, and concert venues can be so fun and super entertaining, they also tend to have a lot of crowds. If you are looking to avoid large groups of people, I have some recommendations.
My first choice and personal favorite is to find a bit of nature to sit in and enjoy. This can look a little different depending on where you are, but most regions have City, State, or National parks. Do some research and look at photos and reviews before you go, but you can usually find parks that are calm and peaceful, with lovely views or features.
Secondly, take in the arts. Some venues will be quieter, simply due to the nature of their offerings. Art museums not only curate art collections to catch your eye and inspire or intrigue your soul, but also cultivate an atmosphere of contemplation and quiet reflection. Added bonus, for the purpose of art conservation, they are climate controlled. So if you are dying to get out of the heat, cold, humidity, etc., art museums have your back.
Take a Book
Ok, it doesn’t actually have to be a book, but if you have a smaller (i.e. portable) hobby that you enjoy doing at home, bring it with you. A new place doesn’t have to mean a new you. There is generally some down time while travelling, whether it is waiting for your plane to board, or waiting for your traveling companion to finish getting ready for the day, or maybe you visit a park, like I mentioned above, and want something to do while you bask in the beauty of nature for a few hours. Also, if you are travelling solo, a book is a great way to make dining out alone feel less awkward. None of that accidental, extended eye-contact with other patrons because you were staring off into space right where their face happened to be… yeah, I highly recommend books.
Talk to Strangers
This might seem a little counter intuitive, I realize that, but talking to strangers can be really fun and has often been the funny little story that I end up sharing with friends and family when I get back home. And honestly, you can keep it as low pressure as you need. I’m not saying you have to go up and introduce yourself to everyone you meet, instead, just be intentional about making brief eye-contact and smiling when someone walks by or enters the room… After that, just be open to a conversation. Trust me, the people who end up chatting, tend to be good conversationalists, and you will get to hear some great stories. You wanna know the most reassuring part about talking to strangers while traveling? Even if it is a total flop, or ends up being insanely awkward, or you forget their name… It doesn’t matter, because you will most likely never see them again. Like I said, low pressure.
So, there you go. From one introvert to another, my five tips for making travel as enjoyable as possible. If you have been avoiding travelling, hopefully these will encourage you to start. And if you are already an avid traveler, hopefully you got some new ideas for your next trip. Either way, I would love to hear from you. Let me know your favorite travel tip in the comments, and hopefully some day I will get to be the “stranger” you talk to while traveling.
Sojourn Nation 