Travel Tip Tuesdays: Taking a Long Trip

“Do you have any tips for taking a long-term trip?”

Realistically, most people’s travel experience will be a couple days or maybe a week or two on the road, which is a great way to pack a lot of fun into a little time. However, some people have the opportunity (or make the opportunity) to travel for a longer period. Even though my longest trip has run only two months (as opposed to the season- and year-long jaunts of my hippie and European friends), here are a couple tips I’ve picked up along the way.

Understand why you’re taking this trip. Nobody accidentally goes on a month-long journey to Arizona— even if you decide to go on a whim, there is always a reason behind it. Why do you long to wander? Why do you want to be away from home that long? Do you want to experience other people, cultures, places? Do you want to try to “find yourself?” Get away from the humdrum for a while? Take a lot of time to consider your motivations. If you feel like you’re taking this trip to run away from your problems, I’ll spoil the plot twist: the problems are coming along with you. There are many good reasons to travel. Running away is not one of them.

Hiking, resting, and attempting to pose picturesquely
are some of my favorite travel activities.

Stay in each place for at least three days. Otherwise, you’ll spend a month with perpetual whiplash, running frantically from one city to the next. Take some time with each destination, getting to know the area and understanding the people. The more leisurely your pace, the more you get to soak in your surroundings.

Don’t try to be touristy all the time. In fact, I try to limit my touristy activities to twice or three times a week. It’s more important to me to meet people and experience the leisure that travel affords, such as roasting marshmallows around the hostel campfire every night. Enjoy grocery shopping, reading, card games with other travelers, journalling, listening to music, and just plain hanging out. 

Keep in touch with people at home. You’re going to be away from them for a long time, so it’s important to keep everybody updated on what you’re doing. I really began blogging in earnest when I was trying to keep about 50 people in the loop. And yes, you will get homesick, but it will be worth it. 

Seek meaning. It’s fun to blow out your mind with TV and unlimited beach tanning for a week, but that will drive you mad if you keep it up for a month. Bring some purpose to your travel by pursuing things that are meaningful to you. Try to meet and talk to people who have a completely different point of view. Attend a church service of a religion or denomination you know nothing about. Look for opportunities to volunteer in some of the places you visit. Try help exchange work, such as HelpX or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. After all, a longer trip is not a vacation— it’s a one-of-a-kind adventure. 

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Have a travel question? Leave a comment and I’ll answer!