Your 20s are without any doubt your primetime during which you are supposed to broaden your horizons and there’s no better way to do that than by traveling as much as you can. Of course, not all the experiences you’d come across would be positive and instructive, but look guys isn’t this what life is meant to be! Well, dudes if some of the reflections above rings any bells with you keep on reading, you are knocking on the right door. Here are the most important things to do in your 20’s.
1- Don’t be afraid to travel solo
Take the opportunity to spend some time in your own company. New experiences are amazing when shared with friends, but you’ll find them equally rewarding in a different way when traveling alone.
2- Travel light
Leave room in your bag for memories. Take only the absolute essentials and you’ll be freer to explore new possibilities you encounter.
3- Take advantage of your freedom
You’ll never have fewer commitments, so spend that time wisely and book off-peak. See more places and visit out of tourist season for an authentic experience.
4- Learn to cook one local dish
Expand your repertoire of dishes by learning one recipe from each country you visit. Impress your friends back home with a delicious Moroccan tagine or home-made Italian pasta dish.
5- Hang out with locals
That could eventually seem peculiar to add as one of the most important things to do in your 20’s but Making friends in towns and cities around the world might turn out to be very productive in terms of mutual intellectual exchange. Not only will you broaden your horizons but you’ll also have a couch to crash on next time you visit.
6- Challenge yourself
Throw yourself in at the deep end. Avoid comforts that will stop you from experiencing a new culture to the fullest. Try the language, taste a dubious delicacy and hunt down that bar all the locals rave about, even if it’s miles away.
7- Travel slow
Take the train, bus or walk whenever you can. American-Canadian author William Gibson describes traveling by plane as ‘soul lag’. You may arrive but your soul plays catch up for days.
8- Make the most of each day
Wake up early and go to bed late. Sleep when you’re back, you’ll regret letting tiredness get in the way of a great opportunity.
9- Blend in
If you want to have an authentic experience, try to stand out as little as possible. Dressing like a local will help you move through the streets quicker and probably save you some money too.
10- Smile
Part of every seasoned traveller’s arsenal. There’s nothing more contagious and will help you make new friends and open up new experiences.
11- Do your research
Plan for the worst case scenario and work backwards. What if your wallet gets stolen or you lose your phone? Be aware of your surroundings and figure out what’s the most cost-effective way to travel, whether taking a prepaid credit card, cash or using a mobile bank.
12- Stay a while
The freedom of traveling in your 20s means that if you fall in love with a destination you can work there for a few months. This will give you a deeper understanding of the culture and a new perspective on the working world back home.
Stay in to get the full flavor!
13- Learn new skills
Try something you wouldn’t normally do back home. You’re more open to new experiences when traveling, so why not learn the samba in Rio de Janeiro or stand up paddle boarding in California and pick up a skill for life?
14- Practise key phrases
Like smiling, learning how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in the local language goes a long way. Even better if you can learn how to compliment someone on their cooking or hospitality and they will be eager to help you further.
15- Keep a record
It’s amazing how one photograph, tweet or blog entry can trigger hundreds of memories. It might seem tedious at the time but document as much of your journey as possible and you’ll be able to relive it countless times years later.
