Unfortunately, not many people know that there are options outside of booking tours and hiring travel agents. Because of this, they may not be able to achieve their travel goals and fail to see travelling as a significant learning experience.
I officially started travelling full-time in 2014 and for a long time, I have always felt something missing and unfulfilled in my trips. Eventually, I realized that my travel style may not be a match with my travel goals. So I questioned my preferences until I found more meaning and pleasure in my trips.
Below are some questions that you can also ask yourself to check whether you are getting what you want from your travels:
1. Travel planning
How do you plan for your travels and choose your destinations? Do you prefer doing your own research or taking suggestions from other people? Or do you skip planning at all and just figure it all out along the way?
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| What's in my travel kit: plane tickets, DIY itinerary, Lonely Planet guide book, and Google Maps |
How some people do it: Travel agents
For people who don't have the time and energy to figure the place out, they employ travel agents. These travel agents would already have an extensive list of destinations and activities for the traveller. Some would be bundled up in packages as day-to-day itineraries and include everything from food to transportation to refreshments. This is the most convenient and safest way to go as everything is already pre-arranged and the visiting foreigner need only to show up at the chosen time and date. However, it is also the most expensive as it utilizes a business service.
For people who are more comfortable with spontaneity and adventure, they figure it out when they get to their destination. There will likely be more than enough tourist assistants to suggest activities and places and if not, there will always be Google.
For people who are more comfortable with spontaneity and adventure, they figure it out when they get to their destination. There will likely be more than enough tourist assistants to suggest activities and places and if not, there will always be Google.
How I do it: Do-It-Yourself
As someone with more time and energy than money, I do my own planning and itineraries. I usually scour the internet for interesting out-of-the way destinations and alternative cheap activities, putting in considerable hours and thinking to it. In this way, I have total control as to where I want to go, what I want to see, what I want to do, and when I want to move. And because of this, I end up at destinations only locals know of and with activities travel agencies won't suggest.
2. Getting there
How do you intend to go around your destination? Are you comfortable taking public transportation or do you prefer having a private car at your whim?
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| Un-air-conditioned van service from Laoag to Claveria |
How most people do it: Hired transport
New places are difficult to navigate. And not everyone have a strong sense of direction or is willing to get lost. To avoid wasting time on going around in circles, most people prefer hiring their own transport. These could vary from tourist vans/buses, taxis to hired tricycles. The driver usually doubles as the tour guide so the foreigner gets to all the popular spots at the fastest and most convenient way possible.
New places are difficult to navigate. And not everyone have a strong sense of direction or is willing to get lost. To avoid wasting time on going around in circles, most people prefer hiring their own transport. These could vary from tourist vans/buses, taxis to hired tricycles. The driver usually doubles as the tour guide so the foreigner gets to all the popular spots at the fastest and most convenient way possible.
How I do it: Public transportation, the cheapest way possible
I have a good enough sense of direction and I don't mind getting lost* so I can craft my way around towns and destinations. I get really creative as I want to spend as little as possible but at the same time soak in as much of the place as I can. Modes of transportation that I've taken so far include biking around an island, hitchhiking on a garbage truck, toploading on a bus, and dangling from a jeep. I take normal modes too though, if necessary.
*I love wandering aimlessly. I don't think I get lost because I don't have a destination in the first place. When I get uncomfortable as to where I am heading, I seek legit directions.
I have a good enough sense of direction and I don't mind getting lost* so I can craft my way around towns and destinations. I get really creative as I want to spend as little as possible but at the same time soak in as much of the place as I can. Modes of transportation that I've taken so far include biking around an island, hitchhiking on a garbage truck, toploading on a bus, and dangling from a jeep. I take normal modes too though, if necessary.
*I love wandering aimlessly. I don't think I get lost because I don't have a destination in the first place. When I get uncomfortable as to where I am heading, I seek legit directions.
3. Accommodation
How much sleeping comfort are you willing to give up? Or how much of your travel budget are you willing to allocate to lodging? Do you feel that you really need your own room or are you comfortable sharing with strangers?
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| Slept in an old hole-y tent at Kalanggaman Island |
How most people do it: Hotels
People hold on to their comfort zones as much as they can. And while travelling, this translates to a private air-conditioned hotel room furnished with white linen and a dresser.
People hold on to their comfort zones as much as they can. And while travelling, this translates to a private air-conditioned hotel room furnished with white linen and a dresser.
How I do it: Dorm rooms (where available) and fan rooms
Accommodations, unless with a friend, is expensive. I allocate at the most 50% of my daily budget for a soft bed and secure locker. Hotels are definitely out of my radar as I don't believe on spending for something I'll only be using for a few hours each night.
Accommodations, unless with a friend, is expensive. I allocate at the most 50% of my daily budget for a soft bed and secure locker. Hotels are definitely out of my radar as I don't believe on spending for something I'll only be using for a few hours each night.
4. Travel Goals
What do you want to achieve from the trip? Are you looking for something? Or do you just want to cross the destination out from your list?
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| Catching waves while watching sunsets in Liwliwa |
How most people see it: To see all the spots in travel brochures
Due to unfamiliarity to a new destination, most people use travel brochures and "must-see's" as their only reference. Although this definitely hits all the noteworthy spots, it misses spots where locals go to, and may even feel manufactured.
Due to unfamiliarity to a new destination, most people use travel brochures and "must-see's" as their only reference. Although this definitely hits all the noteworthy spots, it misses spots where locals go to, and may even feel manufactured.
How I see it: To see the place as locals see it
I personally hate places that are too commercialized or touristy because it doesn't feel natural. It feels like it has been modified to reflect what visitors prefer instead of what the place really offers. Because I have so much time on my hands, I do intense research -- going beyond lists, scouring Google Maps, finding the most off-the-beaten-path destination. Although I tend to miss the usual tourist destinations, I see something else and often with no other tourists around.
I personally hate places that are too commercialized or touristy because it doesn't feel natural. It feels like it has been modified to reflect what visitors prefer instead of what the place really offers. Because I have so much time on my hands, I do intense research -- going beyond lists, scouring Google Maps, finding the most off-the-beaten-path destination. Although I tend to miss the usual tourist destinations, I see something else and often with no other tourists around.
Disclaimer: The above analyses are based mostly on my travels in the Philippines. Popular travelling styles may differ in other countries and I acknowledge that I don't have a strong view on this.
