I have mixed feelings about turning 30. While I cherish the memories and experiences I have gathered during this time, I have also however, had my share of setbacks. The most important aspect that has inspired me are the experiences that I have gathered during my travels. Meeting new people, understanding their culture and trying new cuisines have changed my perspective towards life in general. While I am still a child somewhere in my heart, turning 30 is a big deal because it is assumed that I am an adult now. Therefore, I wanted to share the top travel experiences that I cherish from my 20s. Moreover, it is going to be a great throwback 10 years from now.
1. Exploring my home country
For those of you who do not know, I belong to the wonderful country of India. I have explored a lot of my country before moving abroad. I think everyone should appreciate and travel within their own country so that you know more about one’s self and culture.
Sometimes, I feel if I had more time, I would explore more of it. Definitely on my list of top travel experiences.
2. Travelling solo
One of the best things I did in my 20s was to get out and travel solo. I enjoy every bit of traveling solo. Above all, it helps you be a more organized and self-reliant person.
3. Choosing a travel style
I tried to travel with trip organizers and also did some backpacking. However, very soon I realized this did not suit me at all and I could plan trips in my budget, and within my comfort. So now, I conveniently use the public transport and sleep in Airbnbs and enjoy all of it.
This is a very important thing I realized in my early travel days and I think everyone should in order to enjoy a destination.
4. Learning a foreign language
I was quite skeptical about this, but I learned a little bit of Italian and a lot of German to get accustomed with the locals. Trust me, if you even learn a little Hello or Thanks from a local language, you will consequently get a lot of respect and acceptance in a foreign place.
5. Saving money for traveling
I was not very inclined towards saving money before starting to travel. However, travelling helped me value money and I would often have dinner from a Supermarket instead of a restaurant to pay for the museum ticket that I really want to visit during a trip.
6. Making friends while traveling
I am shy by nature, but I did make a few good friends while traveling. Often, you meet some amazing people and encounter their culture in their stories. This brings out another side of you that makes you curious and makes you want to share your own stories with strangers.
7. Cooking traditional dishes
I love to cook. Period. Over time I have cooked the perfect Aglio Olio and the not-so-perfect Paella. I have tried my hand at different cuisine and whether it’s edible or not, it is always a rewarding experience.
8. Trying traditional food everywhere I go
Those who know me know that I am very picky about food. But this changed when I visited Greece and tried almost all kinds of local food in the restaurants. Since then, I have decided I will try at least one traditional dish everywhere I go.
9. Overcoming my fear
I was always scared of something or the other while planning my trips mainly because I was a female solo traveler. But at one point I had to plan my trips around that fear and learn how to do the things I like by avoiding the unprecedented circumstances.
10. Trying something new
I could easily get accustomed to doing things that I am used to. However, travelling made me try and learn things that I never saw myself doing a few years ago. For example, I tried Paragliding in Switzerland and it was one of the top travel experiences of my life.
11. Travelling with family
It is harder than you think especially when you are an adult. There are always differences in opinions. I tried traveling with my parents after years and it was one of the most gratifying travel experiences.
12. Travelling with friends
I have only been on a few trips with friends, but they were one of the best holidays I had. I look forward to doing much more of it in the future.
13. Travelling for myself and not social media
This is an important one. At one point I was only traveling to destinations that were already popular and posted pictures on social media. I realized soon it is a waste of time. The top travel experiences you have are in places where you can have a moment of peace and not think about that Instagram feed.
14. Getting out of my comfort zone
Travelling constitutes getting out of your comfort zone to enjoy raw nature. I have constantly gotten out of my comfort zone to witness nature at its best. Being out on a frozen lake at -35 degrees to watch the northern lights in Finland is one of the top travel experiences I cherish the most.
15. Living in a foreign country
When I decided to move to Milan I had no idea about living abroad. But it is one of the best things that ever happened to me. You learn so many new things when living in a strange country and it also gives you a chance to rediscover yourself.
16. Packing like a pro
I was bad at packing, like really bad. I learned to pack like a pro while planning my European trips. Often, you can only travel with one small bag in budget airlines in Europe so you have to pack smartly to avoid paying a hefty charge at the airport.
17. Visiting Paris
Well I know a place should not count as an experience. But to me Paris is an experience. I dreamt about visiting Paris since I was a child and had very high expectations of it. I think it is the only place in the world that has exceeded my expectations and will always be my number one.
18. Falling in love in a foreign country
This goes out to everyone including the married couples. Go out there and rediscover the spark and passion in a foreign land with the one you love. It sure is special. I met my husband for the first time in Paris and it is one of the special stories that I like to tell people time and again.
19. Blending in with different cultures
I realized how beautiful it is to blend in and fall in love with other cultures. Moreover, I love taking part in local celebrations of a particular country. Once, I attended an Italian wedding and also a night-long traditional festival at a remote village in Portugal. I crave these experiences.
20. Taking a piece of every place with me
I love buying or collecting something from every place. I usually get something handmade to help the local artisans and decorate my travel wall with them. It feels great to just look at them once in a while and remember the good times.
21. Learning to say no
I was a very naïve person who usually said yes to everything. Travelling made me realize I have to say no sometimes to avoid a bad situation or save some money. This has helped me a lot during my trips.
22. Learning to take decent pictures
This is a must. If you intend to travel or write blogs about them you need to know how to take decent pictures. Be it on your phone or your DSLR you need to know how to compose a good photo. I am not a great photographer but over time I learnt to take some modest pictures.
23. Documenting my trips
Instagram is usually where I document my trips. I don’t care how many people liked it or how many hashtags I used, it is a great place you can go back to and look at all the amazing memories I made.
24. Valuing experiences
I used to follow itineraries that I followed strictly and usually it was rushed and I hardly got to enjoy a place. With time I learnt to be a patient tourist who does not want to see everything at one go but dwell on the things she values.
25. Making memories
My 20s are the time I made some beautiful memories and I intend to keep making them. Avoid conflict and focus on yourself and the people you love during your travel and you will surely make some amazing memories.
26. Backpacking across East Europe
This was surely one of the top travel experiences in my 20s. I traveled across 9 countries and 11 cities with my husband (then boyfriend) and it is still one of the most talked-about experiences that we had.
27. Rediscovering my favourite places
One of the privileges I have of staying in Europe is that I can often revisit the places I have already been to. The perspective about a place changes as you grow as a person and that is truly a divine experience.
28. Planning elaborate itineraries
Whoa! That is definitely one of the most worthwhile things I learned. I can make the most elaborate itinerary to almost anywhere in a given timeframe and it takes time to be good at it. I still make mistakes now and then.
29. Learning to distribute my budget
This is gold when you are planning your itinerary. I learnt how to splurge on experiences of my preference rather than norms that tourists follow. I spent on an unforgettable Paragliding experience rather than taking a trip to Jungfraujoch as mountain viewing platforms are not my thing.
30. Finding my comfort zone and sticking to it
The initial stages of managing a budget while planning an itinerary was challenging for me. I came to a point where I was comfortable enough to help people with their travel plans by starting a blog.
