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Travel Tips : Tips for Traveling Through Europe

October 23, 2014

Europe is one of those places in the world that will always be a tourist destination, whether for the history of the continent or the cities that are famous for so many reasons, Europe has it all. But with all the glory of visiting Europe (and believe me, it’s amazing) it also has its quirks and things that many people, Americans especially, have a hard time getting used to. All those quirks however are some of the best things about the continent if you can accept them and enjoy them. So today, here are my top tips for visiting Europe and how to get the most out of your stay there.

Enjoy the wait.

You will wait a lot in Europe, waiting for a server to bring you menus at a café, waiting in lines for public transport or waiting in a car in traffic. But waiting is all part of the European experience. For one, most of European countries are small but jam packed with people and cars and bikes and everything in between, there isn’t a lot of space to hold all the people that live there, so there is a lot of waiting. For another, waiting is often part of the ambience of European lifestyles, such as living at a slower pace and enjoying the moments while you wait. This is especially true at cafes and restaurants, you’ll wait a while for a server and a while for your food and then a while for your bill. But that’s part of the experience, sit and talk, sip a cup of coffee or just admire your surroundings, because they are well worth your admiration.

Ask for the Bill or Menus.

Europe, as I mentioned above, is about a slower pace and that includes having to ask for things at restaurants. In Europe it’s sometimes the opposite of the US, when we’re being rushed in and out of restaurants as fast as possible. In Europe, waiters don’t want to bother you while you eat and people linger longer. Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need though, like menus or the bill when you’re done. And don’t feel like it’s bad service if you have to ask, that’s commonplace in Europe.

Venture off the Beaten Path.

Europe is a master at “off the beaten path.” That’s often where you’ll find the best restaurants, the most picturesque scenes and the best spots to really take in whatever European country you’re visiting. You’ll be shocked at how different the “local” areas of Europe are from the tourist areas and you’ll be so glad you ventured away from the tourist sights for a bit to explore.

See what you want to see.

I hear from a lot of people often that they come back from a trip to Europe and are totally overwhelmed the majority of the time they are there because they are trying to fit in everything they are “supposed to” see, instead of just taking it in and enjoying the areas. The key to a great European experience is to see what you want to see and not worry about seeing everything. This is especially true in the big cities like London and Paris and Rome, which all have so much to see and do. Pick a handful of sites to see or things to do and don’t worry about doing everything in the guidebook. The key to Europe is to do as the Europeans do and enjoy life, take in the scenery around you and just be.

5 Places That Will Change Your Perspective

October 9, 2014

The world is full of places that change you as you travel, places that you remember for different things or that move you, but certain places change how you see the world entirely, how you look at things in your own life or those around you. Certain places in the world make you see things in an entirely new light and those are the places that though are often harder to travel to, will change you in more ways than one. I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing lots of places like this, but these five in particular are places that once you visit, you’ll certainly look at things differently afterwards.

While Asia is such a broad category, I hesitated using it in this list but what I think is so life changing about visiting Asia, particularly SE Asia and the Eastern side of the continent like Korea is how millions upon millions of people live. There is nothing quite like Asia to burst a Western bubble in terms of space, as you walk down the sidewalk or eat at restaurants, Asia is packed with people and many of these countries don’t have very much land space, so everyone is packed in together. It’s a concept that takes some getting used to and one that really changes your perspective if you’re from the West, where we tend to like a large bubble of space around us.

Iceland is one of those places that will leave you breathless, literally. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen, Iceland is a country that feels otherworldly, a place that makes you stop and really think about this planet we call home. It will change how you see the environment, how you see this planet because there is no where else I’ve ever seen like Iceland, a place so untouched and small, yet so vast and intoxicating. Iceland will challenge what you thought to be beautiful, what you thought this world looks like and have you questioning what we can do to protect it when you leave.

India is one of those places in the world that is entirely its own. It has specs of Asia and specs of Europe, its food is known the world over and I think everyone traveling to India has a sense of what they think they’ll find, but there is no way to prepare yourself for the overload of senses when you get there. India is a place that holds millions and millions of people, many living without any of the common things we have in the West, like running water, roofs over our heads or fresh food 3 times a day. It’s a country full of contradictions that will leave you thinking about it for months after you visit. It will change your perspective on what you need to live, what we need to make us happy and how at the end of the day, this country is filled to the brim with color and life.

For all of the preconceptions the Western world has about the Middle East, I can’t tell you how many times I talk to people either from there or who have traveled there and come back shocked at how different this part of the world is from what we hear in our media. We’re taught that it’s a part of the world filled with people who hate the West, that it’s dangerous and unstable, and while yes, there are some parts of the Middle East like that, there are also millions of people throughout this area of the world living just like us, welcoming travelers and willing to tell them their stories. The Middle East will change your perspective from what you’ve been taught about it, it will tell its own story instead of the one the Western media has published for decades now. It will show you its beauty and its hardships and welcome you more than you might think.

Rome is a place that changed me, and while our trip there wasn’t one of our best, the city itself had an effect on me and it’s a place that will truly change how you look at the history of our world. No where else in Europe is the history (the far history at least) so connected to the modern world than in Rome. We grow up in school learning all about the Romans, their victories and their defeats, their reach and their fall, but standing among their ruins, walking the halls of the colosseum where so many went to their death, where emperors and commoners alike watched, it’s truly overwhelming to stand there and remember that. Rome will change how you look at our history and how you feel about all that’s transpired for us to be standing here today.

5 Things NOT To Do While Traveling

October 7, 2014

When I travel I often note all of the things tourists do abroad that stick out, things that the locals look at and get annoyed with and things that are sometimes all too easy to fall in the habit of doing. But it’s really important to remember when traveling abroad that there are certain things you really just shouldn’t do, for your own sake and the sake of the locals. So here are some of the things NOT to do while traveling around the world!

Don’t believe stereotypes.
Perhaps one of the most important things you learn as you start to travel often is that stereotypes are often misguided. Not all the French are rude, not all Asian cities are dirty, and the list goes on of all the things we’ve heard over the years. Stereotypes don’t often help when traveling, instead they usually will make you realize quickly that you really can’t generalize huge groups of people. Make up your own mind on a country or a group of people and don’t rely on or believe the stereotypes you hear before you travel.

Don’t compare it to your native country.
One of the things I come across most with tourists abroad is that they are constantly comparing their new experiences in a foreign country to their native home. There is no point in comparing Paris to small town America or the food in Seoul with your Korean BBQ place back home, they just aren’t the same, nor should they be. Be open to experiencing new things and don’t compare it to what you think it should be or like it is back home.

Don’t expect everyone to speak English.
I’ll admit when I first started traveling internationally again as an adult with my regular trips to Seoul and South Korea for work, I fully expected to be able to get along in English during my travels. I’m not sure why I thought that, I just sort of did and quickly became very aware that there is still much of the world that doesn’t speak English, especially in the older generations. It’s important to be prepared and know a few words in the local language to help you get around and experience the local ways of life.

Don’t see only the tourist spots.
One of the things that so many people miss out on when they travel is that they never see the local spots, instead only staying on the well worn tourist path. So much of embracing travel is to explore like a local, to see the place the way the locals see it, to experience the back roads of Rome, the side street cafés of Paris or the local Korean BBQ spot down the alley. Get off the beaten path a bit and explore!

Don’t block the sidewalk or thoroughfare.
There is nothing more annoying than when those people walking down the middle of a sidewalk suddenly just stop to look at their map or figure out where they are! Don’t ever block the sidewalks or thoroughfares, move to the side and let everyone pass you. This also goes for things like escalators or public transit, don’t block the flow of people, locals especially. It’s more than annoying and makes you stand out a lot more than if you move to the side and figure out your way, then move back into the flow of traffic.

Travel Tips : Traveling for Work

September 29, 2014

I started doing work travel very early in my career and whether it was hopping from island to island in Hawaii for projects or making the trek to Korea often, I learned very early on that work travel is an entirely different experience than traveling for fun. This last trip to Korea made me think about all the work trips I’ve made there and all the things I’ve learned and would love to tell my younger 22-year-old self all those years ago. I’ve had some interesting experiences traveling with colleagues over the years and it’s definitely something that I’ve learned a lot from, so here today are my tips for anyone heading out on their first trips for work or that might do some travel for work in the future. It’s important to be aware and remember different things when traveling for work, so here are my tips!

1. Do research about the location before hand.

It’s really important to know a general lay of the land for the place you’re traveling to, particularly if you’re headed abroad. This is important if you’re going alone and need to grab a taxi when you land, or if you’re out with colleagues and decide you want to go back to your hotel before them, you need to know where you’re going. Do some research on your location, where you’ll be, where your work is there so that you’re prepared.

2. Know when to say no.

I’ve had some work trips throughout the years when colleagues wanted to do things I didn’t want to do when out and about. It’s really important when traveling for work to be able to say no to things that you aren’t comfortable with. Know what your limits are and stick to them. There is nothing wrong with going back to your hotel instead of out with colleagues when traveling, just be honest and know your limits.

3. Be polite, but don’t let yourself be pushed.

Especially when traveling to other cultures, it’s important to be polite but also to stand up for yourself and not let anyone push you into anything you don’t feel comfortable with. If you don’t want that next glass of Soju (they drink a lot in Korea, more than I’m often used to), then just say no nicely. Be nice, but don’t let anyone push you into anything.

4. Be professional always.

Being professional is always the key on work trips. This begins with how you dress on the airplane, how your luggage looks, the information you bring to meetings, how prepared you are and so forth. Being professional in how you act and look will leave a great impression no matter where you are in the world.

5. Be willing to try new things.

Traveling for work is different than traveling for fun in lots of ways, but one of the major differences is that you aren’t choosing what you do and eat and where you stay. Be open minded, whether that means a new food that your colleagues order for you or a hotel you might not necessarily pick to stay at. They are all new experiences, just treat them as that and be open minded. I’ve found some amazing things about Korea from my work trips because colleagues of mine have introduced me to them, things I never would have tried on my own, so be willing to try new things!

Seoul Favorites from a Frequent Visitor

September 24, 2014

Seoul has always been a city I enjoy and a place that has so much to offer. I loved getting to revisit so many of the places and areas in Seoul I enjoy on this recent trip and it reminded me of all my favorite things to do and see while in the Korean city. Seoul is huge and sprawls a large distance, but it’s surprisingly interconnected and while each area has its own unique feeling, it also has a very true sense of where you are. So today, here are some of my favorite things to do and see in Seoul!

Seoul has an incredibly interesting cityscape, with modern high rises covered in glass right next to run down old markets and housing buildings. The juxtaposition of old and new, modern and outdated, colorful and neutral adds a fascinating edge to the city of Seoul. For such a huge metropolis, the city also has spots that feel like a small town, like wandering through the stalls of markets on Dongdaemun which is only a few minutes away from the large crowded modern avenues of Meyong-Dong. Seoul seamlessly blends old and new in a very unique way and it’s so interesting to stroll the streets and see where the two come together.

Like many Asian cities, Seoul does not disappoint with the bright colors throughout the city. Nowhere in Seoul will you find only neutral color schemes, from signage to street markings to rooftops, Seoul is filled to the brim with color. The artistic quality of the Korean alphabet also adds to the playful, artistic feel of the city and the colors that burst from its seams.

Korea in general is one of those places I look forward to visiting for the food, often above many other reasons! From Korean BBQ to Bibimbap to ramen, Seoul (and Korea in general) has it all. I indulged in all of the previously mentioned food options during my trip and am still craving them now that I’m home! And in Seoul, it’s often the off road places, in the back of an alley that have the best food, so make sure to go off the beaten path!

Korea has a gorgeous landscape and from North to South, the country is filled with rolling mountains, deep valleys and jagged cliffs. One of the things I love most about Seoul is that regardless of its sprawl, the city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and even from the distance, you can see a ridge in the distance from almost any point in the city. It makes you remember that the metropolis only goes so far and beyond that, the landscape of the country takes over.

Seoul has some of the best shopping in the world, everything from high street to local shops to high end couture. One of my favorite spots to wander the streets and do some shopping is in Myeong-Dong. You’ll find everything here from Zara to Louis Vuitton, plus a plethora of restaurants (even some Western ones like Jamba Juice and California Pizza Kitchen). It’s a great area to just wander and spend an afternoon shopping!

Traveling to South Korea?

See all of my posts on the country!

Travel Tips : Tips for Traveling Through Europe

5 Places That Will Change Your Perspective

5 Things NOT To Do While Traveling

Travel Tips : Traveling for Work

Seoul Favorites from a Frequent Visitor

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