Advice from women who have travelled in their twenties
Whenever I go to a new place I usually ask my friends or family for any advice if I've known they've been there. This was especially the case when I first started travelling. "What should I pack?" "Where's the best place to stay?" "What should I do?" and so on all entered my mom in particular's ear when for sure she had never even heard of some of the places I was looking at travelling. But, asking for help and tips from others is never a bad idea even if it's just so you can voice your questions out loud.
That's the basis of this post; what have other women learned?
I could talk about my experiences for days but I wanted to hear from people who have already travelled in their twenties. In hindsight what did they learn? What experience made them think that way and what advice would they have for people who are looking to travel in their twenties now, just as they have before.
I first asked my cousin Jennifer Reade who with the help of ChatGPT created a beautifully written guide. She's travelled for her work in anthropology; for pleasure as a twenty-something; and most recently as a mom with a young son.
Jenn exploring Antigua, Guatemala
I knew she would have the true spectrum of what it is to travel and I wanted to know what she would share with someone looking to travel in their twenties now:
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Welcome, adventurous travellers in your 20s! If you're ready to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, surprises, and unique experiences, you've come to the right place. Based on my own travel experiences when I was in my 20s, I’ve compiled a list of eight travel tips to help you make the most out of your globetrotting escapades.
1. Learn the art of awkward: Embrace awkward moments during your travels. Trying to speak the local
language or attempting a traditional dance might lead to hilarious encounters and wonderful memories.
Don't be afraid to laugh at yourself!
2. Create a ‘Weird Food Challenge’: Each destination has its unique cuisine, and some dishes might seem a little strange or exotic to you. Turn it into a fun game by creating a 'Weird Food Challenge' with your travel buddies. Try new dishes together and rate them based on taste and creativity. You might discover some surprisingly delightful treats!
3. Set aside time for ‘Random Adventure Time’: At least once during your trip, set a random alarm on your phone and do whatever it tells you to do for the next hour. Whether it's taking a detour to a quirky shop, dancing in a public square, or talking to strangers, you'll create unforgettable memories and hilarious stories to share back home.
4. Embrace the art of ‘backpacking’ your wardrobe: Forget about packing your entire closet; instead, bring versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched for different looks. Bonus points for packing items that can hide stains because, let's face it, spills and clumsy moments happen!
5. “Hostel life is like a box of chocolates - you never know who you're going to meet!”: Embrace the camaraderie, make friends with fellow travelers, and be open to spontaneous adventures. Some of the best memories happen when you least expect them.
6. When packing, remember the ‘Rule of Threes’: take three times the money you think you'll need, pack three times less clothing than you think you'll wear, and expect to buy three times the souvenirs you think you will!
7. Pack Your Sense of Humor: No matter how much you plan, travel will always throw unexpected surprises your way. Embrace the chaos with a healthy dose of humor. When you miss a bus, end up in a weird hostel, or struggle with a foreign language, remember that these are the moments that make the best travel stories later on!
8. Play ‘Souvenir Roulette’: Instead of planning out your souvenir shopping, try playing 'Souvenir Roulette.' Blindfold yourself (figuratively, of course) and randomly select a souvenir shop to visit. Buy the first quirky or unusual item you see. You'll end up with a collection of unique mementos and memories tied to each surprise purchase. These also make great presents for friends and family back home.
Remember, the key to enjoying travel in your 20s is to be open-minded, adventurous, and willing to embrace the unexpected. Happy travels!
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Those are some awesome tips! I would have never thought to play a "Weird Food challenge" and I've never heard of the "Rule of Threes." Definitely incorporating a lot of these into my next travels!
Since she's helped me out with much of my planning in the past, I then wanted to ask my mom Maria, who backpacked through Europe after college with her best friend, and still goes jetsetting when she gets the opportunity.
What advice have you learned over your years of travelling?:
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When traveling, you should know you may be a target. Keep your wits about you and trust your instincts.
Sometimes, people are really there to help you. When I was in a large market in Cairo, one of the kiosk owners said to follow him to see something special. I followed him through a maze of stalls getting more and more secluded.
Some would have bailed feeling like this is a setup. If you get that feeling, turn back. I did not get that vibe and he lead us to a man who was making jewelry boxes in the traditional fashion of his country. He was grinding a bone to make inlay and had shells that he fixed into the wood.
I never would have seen anything like this except for listening to a kind stranger who wanted nothing. I bought a box for my daughter.
Keep vigilant when travelling, no matter what. Safe journey to you all!
<— Here’s my mom and I somewhere off the coast of Italy.
Trusting your gut instinct is often the best thing you can do when travelling to new places and it is rarely talked about. I love that story and I still have that little box my mom got for me when I was 8 and she went to Egypt.
I hope that these words of wisdom from women who have been twenty-something travelling to the unknown can inspire you for your next journeys the way they've inspired mine.