1. Eat the local cuisine.
Greek food will always be best when you are in Greece. It is the same for any style of food; you are at the origin of the recipes themselves, and you are often closer than ever to the location of the ingredients used in each dish. Farm to table takes on a new meaning when you get to see where the components of the local food come from: the farm, the forest, and the sea. For some, this is the main reason that they travel.
You traveled all this distance; you owe it to yourself to try the local foods. The local specialties will never be prepared the same if you try to re-create them by eating at an ethnic restaurant or trying your own hand at making them. Sometimes the cooking process is so unusual that it adds an extra flavor; in Greece meals are traditionally baked in a woodfired oven. Other regions might use a cooking pit or a spit to slowly roast the food.
2. Be a respectful visitor.
Any effort to speak the language will go a long way. Make an effort to learn basic conversational phrases. It will come in especially helpful to know the words for hello, goodbye, please, and thank you. Also learn the questions you will need to repeatedly ask, such as “where is the bathroom” and “how do you say…” to learn additional words when you have trouble translating your thoughts.
Treat others as you would want to be treated. Treat others with kindness. You know this as the Golden Rule. Just remember, when you are traveling, what matters the most is that you realize you are a citizen of the globe, and we all deserve to live in harmony. Express your gratitude to those who assist you.
3. Don’t pass up an opportunity.
When you are a part of a group, go on all the planned excursions. You will learn a lot. If you have free time, go into local museums and into local places of worship. Ask questions, take pictures, and leave only footprints. If you are able to, you might get a chance to take a short train ride, or rent a car and go on your own mini-trip to a different area of the town or even visit another county. The Nike slogan is appropriate: Just do it.
It might be the only time in your life that you will visit the location. Make every moment count. Be open to unplanned travel. Pack a small bag and go exploring. Sometimes the best adventures are unexpected.
4. Travel is difficult.
Prior to your travel, you should start exercising more, especially walking. You will be doing a great deal of stair-climbing and walking on your trip. Give yourself a day to adjust to your jet-lag. Try to plan low-key activities for the first day and allow room to fit in a small nap. Don’t drink alcohol on your flights; drink water instead.
Traveling is exhausting and time-consuming. The arrival and departure, especially when you travel to a more remote area, will take even more time than expected. Allow enough time to make your flight connections. Stand up and walk around when you get the opportunity. Walk around the airport. If you can afford to, upgrade to business class.
Rest when you are tired. If near a beach, you could take a catnap at the beach. Listen to your body and choose activities that you have the endurance to enjoy. Be aware of your surroundings. Awareness will keep you safe and you will vividly remember what you experienced.
Have an amazing journey! Make it your own!
writerundle 