Vicenarian Travel Tips

Posted by Tad Johnson - Feb 28th, 2008 at 5:02

passport.jpgIn the U.S. we work too much and take too little vacation. In an attempt to correct this in my young professional life, I’ve taken off a week in between projects to visit a friend in Brussels. Nothing clears the mind and replenishes one’s internal motivation engine like a week free of work and daily life.

Travel doesn’t mean spending $2000 on a three day cruise. As a vicenarian, there are a lot of great ways to travel on a budget. Here are some tips that I’ve picked up:

  1. Pack light. Regardless of how long you’re planning to travel, there’s no reason you can’t carry all your gear in a carry-on sized bag. By carrying all your gear, you’re able to move quickly (no heavy suitcases or waiting for checked luggage) and you can adjust to flight changes effortlessly. While you may think that you need to bring more stuff, I assure you that you don’t.
  2. Use your network. If you have friends and family in a city you’d like to visit, give them a call. You might find a free place to stay and visit a friend in one fell swoop. Otherwise, you can always get a good recommendation from someone who knows the area.
  3. Pack some snacks. Airports are notorious for low quality $8 fast food meals and $2 bottles of water. Bring some easy snacks like energy bars and an empty water bottle that you can fill at a fountain once you make it through security. A hungry traveler makes poor decisions. Don’t let yourself get too hungry.
  4. Go for groceries. Once you’ve reached your destination, stop in at a grocery store and pickup simple wholesome foods like cheese bread, juice, and fruit. You’ll spend less money and eat a better diet than eating in restaurants at every meal. As an added bonus, you’ll get to rub elbows with the locals and test your basic language skills.
  5. Use the trains. Most large cities outside the U.S. have very efficient and inexpensive public transportation. Since you’re traveling light, it won’t be hard for you to hop on and off a few trains. You’ll save money vs. taxis and you’ll better orient yourself with the city by learning the train routes.

Don’t let your best years slip by without experiencing the world around you. Pack your bags and go travel (and save some money while you do).

1 Comment »

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  1. Also, use your head. Remember that you are not in your country. Misunderstanding and acting against common customs can be rude and worse, dangerous.
    Do your research before you go so that you understand cultural differences. Basically, try not to be a tourist.

    Comment by Ryan — February 28, 2008 #

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