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I kicked off this site with the who, what, when, where, and why of alternative travel (also known as independent travel) enjoyed by so many of the "twentysomething' generation. My following two articles then explored a little bit of the "how" of this kind of travel. Obviously, there's much more to explore with the how: how to get where you're going, how to pack properly for the journey, how to meet locals, etc.
There are several reasons why alternative travel is the most attractive option for a lot of people, not just twentysomethings. Alternative travel is independent, virtually impact-free travel. You go where and when you want to go. You see what you want to see. It's educational, even if you don't intend it to be. You're not only learning about the place you're visiting (sometimes, without even trying!), but you're learning about perseverance, practicality and punctuality, too, among countless other things. Frequently, independent travel is cheap travel as well. More of the why: while packaged tours may take a lot of the work out of planning a trip, they invariably detract from one's enjoyment of it. "Easy" doesn't always equate to "fun." This doesn't mean, however, that a tour here and there is forbidden. If you're hell bent on taking the Sound of Music Tour because you just can't get enough of the Von Trapp family, by all means take it. If you've never traveled to Africa before, a safari tour may work well as an introduction to an unfamiliar continent. Or, if your feet are hurting because you've spent too many days exploring new cities on your own, splurge for that trolley tour that zips you around town - just don't get off at the hand-picked mall they intend to drop you off at. Even with a few "slips" here and there away from truly independent travel, you can glean an authentic travel experience by reaching out to those around you. This brings me to the three "g's," three key ingredients to independent travel that no twenty- or thirty- or eighty-something should be without on an independent journey. No matter what your age or your destination, like they say, "it's all in the attitude." THE THREE "G's" TO PACK BEFORE YOU GO: GUMPTION There's no point in setting out on an independent journey if you don't have gumption. As opposed to a packaged tour, where every need is taken care of for you, you're going to have to expend a fair amount of time and energy on getting from place to place. You'll have to do the research yourself, the ticket buying, the reservations. And no matter how much you plan ahead, you'll still have to deal with the unexpected inherent in travel. A "can-do" attitude, no matter how muddled your well-laid plans become, is the first key to successful alternative travel. You'll know you have it after you survive your first missed bus or train, or the lost hostel reservation. Remember, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. This cliché rings true in travel as well. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Independent Travelers: Remember the Three G's in Alternative Travel is owned by . Permission to republish Independent Travelers: Remember the Three G's in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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