Adventure Respectfully

Locations close, train departure times change, and hours of operation may vary—be sure to call, email, or send a telegram to confirm all details before you make any travel plans.

If you’re traveling to a destination where your language is not the official language, don’t expect people to understand what you’re asking. We are BIG fans of google translate, and encourage you to learn a few polite phrases such as “Thank you”, “Hello” and “Please”. These will get you far! 

If you’re heading to somewhere that has a different alphabet and you have time to learn a few letters, do it!  It will help you be able to read signs much easier in places that may not have translations. 

If you’re not going to be comfortable with the language difference, find a local guide who can help with translations. As a bonus, they’ll probably know some hidden gems to add to your itinerary!

In the United States visiting religious sites or churches may not require a dress code, but if you head to a cathedral in Italy or Spain you’ll likely be required to cover your shoulders and be sure to have modest clothing. 

On the other hand, cobblestones and stilettos aren’t friends, so take a peek at some google maps before you depart on a hot night out, and maybe pack a back up pair of flats.

It may be tempting to step off the path to get a photo without people crowding you, but paths, sidewalks, and roads are marked for a reason. Not only do they keep visitors safe from unexpected drop offs, but they also help to reduce erosion and keep things just as beautiful for those who explore after you.

Popular destinations have become overridden with folks dressed to the nines doing full on photoshoots and causing a backup of visitors trying to snap a quick photo for their memory books. If you’re interested in having a specific backdrop and want more than 2-3 quick photos, do some research ahead of time and figure out if you might be able to contact the location to get in before the crowds, or what times of day have less visitors. 

You’ve heard the Vatican is pretty amazing, but you’re not really interested in the history or the architecture – so is it really worth going to? Maybe you’d rather spend your time on a food tour, or exploring a local market. Just because everyone says “you have to go!” doesn’t really mean that you have to. Checking out places beyond the top ten list can make for an even more unique experience, and bring you closer to the local culture.

Some countries value slow dining more than others. So know that if you sit down for a meal, you could be there for a while. Take a deep breath and enjoy it! If you’re in a hurry to catch a train, we’d recommend trading a sit down lunch for a quick cafe bite instead.

Another thing to always look up is the tipping culture. Because if tipping is expected and you leave nothing… there’s going to be some unhappy folks.

Although familiar food stops and hotels can be a comfort while traveling we encourage getting out of your comfort zone and supporting local businesses! 

Skip the Pret a Manger for a family run cafe, stay at a local inn or historic hotel, and be sure to stop into the local shops to find special treats to take home.

Not only will traveling off season allow you to enjoy a quieter experience and explore at a more leisurely pace, but it will also help reduce the crowds during peak travel times. Although you may miss out on flower blooms or certain festivals, we’re sure you’ll find magic in any location at all times of year. And the best part? You’ll have a front row seat to all the action.

Jam-packing your schedule to see everything on your bucket list can be tempting – especially if you aren’t sure of when you’ll be able to travel to a destination again. But take advice from a crew that’s often overflowing with travel plans, and set time in your schedule to stop and smell those roses. 

When the AWA team is out on Adventures we always plan some time to wander around and discover things we didn’t find during our research. Oftentimes the things we stumble upon end up being our favorite memories from a trip! 

We’d also recommend limiting day trips to popular destinations. Oftentimes when folks day trip they spend less since they aren’t staying at a hotel or stopping for a meal. This reduced spending mixed with an influx of tourists can be really tough on locations to keep up with. So if you plan a daytrip, think about staying awhile!

We won’t deny it, drones can take some pretty amazing images and videos, but if everyone was flying them we’d have a bit of a kerfuffle overhead. Many destinations have no-droning rules in place to keep all visitors safe from objects falling from the sky or whisking past your noggin. It also helps to keep historical buildings safe from accidental collisions. 

If you do take your drone with you, be sure to check in for all local laws and regulations or see if you can contact someone for permission before you take off.

No one likes a grump, and a bad attitude can really put a damper on everyone’s day. Things happen, words get lost in translation, trains get missed, bags get lost, and sometimes that hotel online isn’t as it appeared. But fear not! There’s always a way to sort things out. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’re on an adventure, and this is all a part of the trail that will lead you to the end of another great journey.