Make your next holiday an adventure

By Nicki Letts, freelance writer

There’s a unwritten rule that as soon as we hit 30, we stop seeing each holiday as an opportunity to explore the world. Instead we prefer to spend our precious annual leave ‘relaxing’, which is a euphemism for lying on the beach with a book and seeing things we could so easily see at home. And that’s if we take a holiday at all.

So how can we keep the adventure alive? It’s all in the planning – or not planning – of the trip:

Destination challenge
For a real adventure, you need to choose somewhere out of your comfort zone. Look beyond the usual city and beach breaks, and challenge yourself with the unknown. For some people this might be trekking the Sahara, while for others it could be your virgin trip to a country where the only English word you will hear is “Coca Cola”. 

Choose a travel partner
Your perfect travel partner might not be your partner in life. It might be someone you only see a few times a year, and perhaps they don’t even live in this country. The trick to finding the perfect travel partner is knowing they are as hungry for new experiences as you are. They see the world through the same eyes as you – and of course have a similar budget and holiday allowance!

Avoid hotels
Hotels are a safe bet. By releasing yourself from the shackles of the hotel, their familiar food, décor and all-inclusive deals, you are opening the doors to an adventure. There are countless options to consider in the hunt for accommodation; home stays are a terrific way to immerse yourself in the culture of a country. Eat their food, learn their language – albeit a few sentences! – and live life their way for a short time. B&Bs and guest houses provide similar experiences, with the added bonus of being able to meet fellow travellers. Which leads us to…

Talk, talk, talk
Your adventure is only as exciting as the people you meet. Talk to everyone. Cab drivers, buskers, shop keepers and especially other travellers. Locals and seasoned travellers always know the best places to see, which might save you from spending hundreds of holiday dollars on a tour you’ll hate. Most guest houses, camping grounds and B&Bs will have communal areas where you can meet some real characters. Let your barriers down and get to know them – just remember to always keep your wits about you.

Don’t over plan
In fact, it’s probably better to not plan your trip at all. Book your return flights and your first night’s accommodation, but then let the trip take you on a journey you‘ll never forget. The beauty of this is that when you arrive somewhere and decide you don’t like it, there is absolutely nothing keeping you from moving on.

After all, time is pressing and there’s a whole world to explore!