"Traveling is like eating: the more you do it, the more you want to."
-- Paul Theroux, author of Mad about the World
There's something so exhilarating about exploring new places. It's the challenge of the unknown, finding a place so foreign that it could only be described in terms of the emotions and sensations we know from experiencing something totally new.
Traveling offers us a sense of escape and adventure while allowing us to see ourselves in a completely new light. Traveling can provide a break from the daily routine and gives us a chance to step outside of our comfort zones. While traveling can be an expensive pursuit, it doesn't have to be if you think of it in a different way.
In this article I'm going to describe a couple of tips for traveling cheaply and getting out of the ordinary to maximize the benefits of your trip. I'll also list some tips for traveling with minimal expenses in general, so you can use these same techniques for when traveling isn't possible.
Traveling Cheaply
While traveling abroad, it's important to remember that you won't be spending any less on things like food and accommodation than you would back home. If you're planning to save money on travel, it's important to have a backup plan. That way, even if a flight gets canceled or a hotel is booked for twice as much as your budget, you can still go on your vacation.
When booking your next international trip, consider a local travel agent to handle all the details and help you save money. By using a service like these, you can have peace of mind knowing you aren't going to run into any unexpected issues.
Another great way to save money is to try couch surfing. Couch surfers are basically locals who offer to share a room, a couch, and sometimes even the kitchen in exchange for a night's lodging.
Couch surfers are often willing to host travelers for free when it's not their own home. They can also help travelers find a cheap bed for the night by offering advice on where to stay.
While couch surfing isn't technically considered "traveling", it's similar in concept and offers you the freedom to explore local culture. This is especially true if you choose to meet local residents and form relationships, since it's hard to stay motivated and focused when you're constantly worrying about food, shelter, and safety.
If you're interested in couch surfing, check out this site for links to hundreds of people looking to host travelers.
Getting Out of Ordinary
One of the biggest drawbacks of staying in the United States is the lack of exposure to different cultures. For the most part, we stay in one place and go about our days.
If you're lucky enough to get the opportunity to leave the U.S., take advantage of it. While I'm not encouraging you to move to a different country, I do recommend looking into it to get a glimpse of what life is like in another country.
I need to travel more