“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama
It’s already August; have you gone somewhere new this year? And we’re not just talking about a new food stall that had gone viral.
There’s something magical about travelling, of exploring, and eating, in person what you’ve only seen on TV, or read about in books and other people’s social media posts.
Travelling broadens one’s mind and feeds one’s soul, as many who had been bitten by the travel bug will readily attest. And thankfully, travelling is not solely the domain of the rich. Everyone can travel! In fact, done correctly, travelling on a budget can yield an experience far richer than travelling posh.
What kind of traveller are you?
I have limited time; I want to see as many places as I can.
You have a bucket list of specific landmarks you want to see, and have no time for or not keen on side sights. Unless you’re a whiz at planning, your best bet would be a packaged tour with a packed itinerary. See the Stonehenge, Big Ben and Tower of London, canals of Amsterdam, Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum and Patheon of Rome, and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, etc. all in just a handful of days – one trip, many ticks off your bucket list. That does earn you quite a bit of bragging rights.
I want to take it slow, soak in the local culture
Some cities/towns are so small you can see everything in a day or even half a day; why stay longer? To soak in the local scene and culture of course. There’s nothing quite like sitting on a tiny low stool on the side of the street watching the world go by while slowly sipping some caffeine-packed ca phe nau or even ca phe trung (egg coffee, yes there’s such a thing and it’s yummy!).
Instead of doggedly following a list and see/do things in a hurried pace, some prefer to just explore at leisure, interact with the locals, try out new menus.
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – JRR Tolkien.
Speaking of trying out new menus, how about trying some of the local bug delicacies off the street vendors of Thailand or Cambodia?
If you are allowed to work remotely (e.g. company policy or self-employed), you can leisurely explore even without having to take any leave days! Not everyone can or wants to be digital nomad but staying put in a foreign place a week or many does have its charm.
I’m tired, I just need a break
Believe it or not, sleep tourism is a thing. In fact, it’s the latest vacation trend.
Luxurious sleep retreats and sleep suites at hotels are popping up all over the globe for tourists to get some much-needed rest, relaxation and recovery. A report by HTF Market Intelligence found the worldwide sector is worth more than US$690 billion and is forecast to grow by another $400 billion between 2023 and 2028.
Why not just sleep at home? Well, sometimes we just need to get away from our daily lives and familiar setting of home (and the related demands of everyone) to really relax.
I just want to chill but my family/friends want a packed itinerary
Take a cruise. There are cruises to nowhere and cruises that call to several ports where you can disembark, only if you choose to, for some on-land exploration.
While on board, everything is provided for (in the price) – food, drinks, entertainment. You can happily do nothing but just eat and sleep, while your more energetic travelling companions pick and choose from a plethora of activities. Perfect for families with boisterous children. Works the other way round too – you participate in everything while your laid-back travel companions just sleep and eat. And boy, will there be plenty to eat, round the clock too.
Don’t like the swaying of the ocean, or no sea legs? Some hotel chains offer the same deal on land across many countries, like Club Med.
I travel alone
Many people travel alone for a variety of reasons. Freedom to make decisions on the fly without having to argue your case and reach a consensus with others is rather liberating. And you can make friends while travelling. Some people choose to stay in youth hostels for this reason. Youth hostels are perfect to find likeminded people to explore new places with. Sometimes such brief encounters could even lead to a life-long friendship.
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Loss of deposit or cancellation compensation up to RM15,000 due to unfortunate circumstances
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Earn up to RM150 in TNG e-Voucher with SOMPO Earn Rewards For Every Trip Campaign until 22 September 2024.
For more information on SOMPO TravelSafe+ and some tips on travelling, click here.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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