5 ways to improve your holiday (before you even depart)
Annie Fitzsimmons writes for Virtuoso Luxury Traveller, the blog of a global luxury travel network, and she enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.
Planning – the anticipation, excitement, and learning process – is all part of the experience of time off. Even while working and going about daily life, you still reap the benefits of that ten-day vacation in Europe or one-week cruise.
Here are some ideas to make the most of it:
1. Indulge in entertainment related to your trip – Planning a trip to Scotland? Watch the runaway hit Outlander for scenes of the blustery Scottish Highlands – and a gain history lesson, to boot. Of course, The Lord of the Rings movie adaptation showcased New Zealand’s natural splendour/playgrounds. A personal favourite is Only You, with Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. Italy has never looked better (even with film techniques circa 1994), and neither has the Amalfi Coast’s Le Sirenuse. If you’re visiting New York City, the possibilities are endless: When Harry Met Sally, Manhattan, You’ve Got Mail, Ghostbusters, and many, many more. You can also build excitement through documentaries or travel shows (Anthony Bourdain, Samantha Brown, Rick Steves). After returning, look for books set in your vacation destination – like John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil for New Orleans.
2. Canvas your social media networks – If you’re active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or another social network, use it! “Hi everyone, I’m headed to Argentina in three months and I’d love to know any tips you might have.” From the best wine bar, neighbourhood bistro, and museums to possible new connections with local friends, social media can give you a leg up before – and after – you go.
3. Dig into a recipe from the country you’re visiting – For an Italian vacation, this is a no-brainer: Browse cookbooks, food blogs, and clippings to find delicious new pasta recipes to make at home before traveling. Learn the nuances of a country through food – Northern and Southern Italian cuisine is very different, as different as New England’s is from New Orleans’. After recently returning from Egypt, I was determined to make koshari at home. It’s Egyptian comfort food, with ditalini pasta, vermicelli, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and fried onions, and I found a great recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi.
4. Work with a travel adviser – Planning a vacation online can feel like trying to find a tiny diamond in an Empire State Building-sized garbage pile – the amount of content, “deals,” promises, and outdated information is overwhelming. Working with a knowledgeable travel advisor who has a black book of friends and contacts all over the world significantly increases the value of your time off. Let’s say you want to take a safari to Africa. It’s almost impossible to know where to should begin online. A trusted travel advisor can tell you the difference between South Africa and Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana – as well as whether you should visit multiple countries and where to stay in each, depending on your personality and wishes. Here are five reasons to use a travel advisor.
5. Enjoy your trip! And start thinking about the next one.
Do you agree with these tips?
First appeared on Virtuoso Luxury Traveller.
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