In a new Covid-normal world, it comes as no surprise that many Australians are eager to grab their passports and set off on adventures to foreign and exotic lands. The truth is that travel has the potential to refresh and recharge, but if you over-plan, it can become just as stressful as the situation you’re trying to leave behind. Whether it’s New Zealand cycling tours, Nation Park exploring, getting a jetski license in QLD, or a beach holiday. The last thing you want is to end up feeling stressed after meticulously planning your travel itinerary, and whilst improvising does invite some risk, there are also huge rewards to gain.
If you’ve grown tired of the usual routine travels, you’ll definitely want to stick around for today’s article.
Today, we share 5 tried-and-tested top tips to inject spontaneity into your travel itinerary, so read on to find out more!
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Do A Little Less Research
While it definitely pays to do your homework on matters relating to travel safety, weather, visa entry requirements and exchange rate (we love using an online currency converter), doing too much research can equal over-planning. This is definitely the easiest way to lose some of the fun out of your travel adventure. When you know everything about your destination before you even step foot on a plane, it takes some of the pleasure out of the experience and can lead to less spontaneity and exploration, which is definitely not what you want!
Travelling on a whim is about not having a strict itinerary to follow. If you don’t want to completely abandon your habit of planning, we highly recommend making a rough skeleton of things you would like to do based on the destination. With this in mind, you’ll have a rough idea of the sights, sounds and activities you’d like to experience, while still leaving a ton of room for last minute or spontaneous adventures. Find out more about the secrets to not over-planning your trip here.
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Walk Everywhere
The best way to discover a new city is to wander, and nothing beats exploring a new destination on foot when you’re on holiday. While rental cars and public transport are indeed quick and efficient, walking is a fantastic way to stray off the beaten path and explore the hidden gems and unique experiences. While walking, travellers can notice the fine details of trees, homes, pubs, towns and restaurants, instead of just glancing at sweeping scenery out of a car window.
Additionally, because you’re using your own two feet instead of hiring a car or catching public transport, walking holidays are far less expensive than many other forms of travel. If you really want to take spontaneity to the next level, you could even consider turning off your smartphone and leave the map at home. Learn 7 reasons why walking holidays are good for you here.
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Talk To Strangers
Contrary to what every parent warns against, talking to strangers can sometimes be an incredibly eye-opening experience, especially when you are travelling. Talking to strangers along your travels can change your trip into an adventure. It can take you into the unknown, unexpected hearts of places and people, trading what is predictable for what may turn out to be an experience of a lifetime. In particular, socialising with locals and getting to know about your destination through a completely different lens and viewpoint.
So, whether it’s someone at your hotel reception, your Airbnb host or the lovely barista down at the local coffee shop, be sure to ask around for suggestions on the best sights, sounds and eats to enjoy. You never know, you may just come across something incredible that conventional travel guides, blogs and magazines have missed out on!
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Stay In Someone’s Home
Nothing against spending a luxurious night at a 5-star hotel or resort (we all deserve a treat once in a while), but spending your vacation in a hotel can sometimes get a little predictable and, well, boring. You’ll always know what to expect: the breakfast buffet, a lobby packed with leaflets about local attractions, the pool, the spa and the friendly hotel staff. Been there and done that? Well, it’s time to try something different. Luckily, there are a variety of home-stay and Airbnb experiences waiting to be enjoyed, many of which allow you to spend some quality time with a local at your destination of choice.
As a homestay or Airbnb guest, you can expect your own private furnished room in your host family’s home, with a private or shared bathroom. On top of that, you’ll get to completely immerse yourself in local traditions and practices, while experiencing your destination from a whole new point of view. You certainly won’t be having the usual (boring) tourist experience!
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Use Apps and Memberships
Last but not least, using apps and memberships are fantastic ways to inject instant spontaneity into your travel itinerary with little to no effort on your part. Thankfully, in 2022, there are a myriad of options to choose from when it comes to travel apps, many of which will help find your way around any unfamiliar place on the globe. Additionally, apps are a fantastic way to snag yourself the best running offer and save on costs. You can also do the same thing with travel memberships!
A simple spontaneity-friendly tip is to download travel guides, restaurant guides and more apps that are focused on your destination. While you’re on your trip, just open an app and choose a place to go to. No pre-planning or stress needed – it’s as easy as that! Explore the best travel apps of 2022 to help you explore better here.
And there you have it – 5 simple and effective ways to inject instant spontaneity into your next travel adventure abroad. If you’re ready to let go a little to get on an uncharted path, we hope that this article has given you a few new ideas and bits of inspiration that will make your travels that much more memorable.
What are your top tips for injecting spontaneity into your travel itinerary? Be sure to leave your ideas in the comments section below!
