How to make your travel experience a rewarding one

We can all book a holiday to spots like Disneyland or a tropical resort, but are we really getting anything out of these manufactured escapes?

If you’re looking to find something truly rewarding from your next holiday, why not listen to these five handy tips which’ll ensure you get something deep out of an upcoming trip.

Immerse yourself in a new culture

It’s easy to stick within your own comfort zone when you’re off on your travels, so why not instead opt for a holiday option which sees you forced to adopt a new culture which is foreign to you.

Thailand has become a particularly popular spot for these cultural immersion holidays, but the reality is you’ll be able to find excursions like this everywhere.

Find somewhere you’ve always wanted to learn more about and book your next trip to that location; excluding ‘standard’ holiday features – like hotels.

Make the most of long journeys

If you’re on a long journey (and not driving), you should definitely make it an ambition to try and fit something productive into your spare moments.

If you like reading, use this time to get through a book you’ve been stuck on for a while. If you’re an avid writer, use the time to practice your craft.

Photo on Flickr by Sir Hectirmere

WWOOFing

If you want to get back to nature and gain a better understanding of how lucky you are to live in such an agriculturally affluent time, it might be prudent to engage in some WWOOFing.

It stands for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, and is one of the top ten travelling tips provided by Secret Traveller.

Free accommodation and a much better appreciation for what you have? It doesn’t come much more rewarding than that.

Don’t waste time

On a similar note to point two, try to make sure you don’t waste too much time at any point of the journey – this is your free time away from work, after all.

Always stay proactive when you can, as this’ll not only keep your brain ticking over, but will also allow you to squeeze every valuable second out of your holiday hours.

That said, don’t confuse a break with ‘wasting time’. They are two very different things – with some downtime allowing you the chance to recharge your batteries and tackle the rest of what the holiday has to offer.

Earn it

Some holidays really make you work for your reward at the end – something which serves to make it all the more worthwhile and rewarding.

The Lost City of Ciudad Perdida is a perfect example of just that, with a six-day trek culminating in the eventual spectacle of an abandoned Mayan town.

There’s no other way to reach the city than via this method, but just think of how satisfying it’ll be to once you’re there. A real achievement.

Making your next holiday a rewarding one will give you a much stronger sense of self-worth, so why not follow these useful tips and instantly feel like you’ve accomplished something the next time you travel?