How to Make Your Trips More Meaningful

Traveling is like a rich cake with many layers. You start on the surface by planning to go to some place that you think will be interesting. But, if you take the time (sometimes make the time) to learn about your destination before you go, have an open mind, and are flexible during your trip, you'll go far beyond the frosting of the cake (the tourist attractions). You'll discover the real joy of traveling: getting to know the people, their history, and how they are unique. As a result, you'll not only have a more enjoyable trip; you'll learn about a new culture that you can continue to enjoy once you are back home.

Here are some travel tips to help you add a new dimension to your trips as well.

1. Before you go, do your "homework." The more you read about your destination, the more you will get out of your trip. You'll recognize historic attractions, know why they are significant, and be able to put what your tour guide tells you into context.

Your research, will also help you zero in on places that are particularly important to you. When I visited Budapest, Hungary, last September to be the U.S. media representative at the Tenth Hungarian Wine Festival, my main focus was wine. But, because I had read about Budapest's fascinating Museum of Commerce and Catering, I was able to fit a visit to this unique museum into my itinerary and gain an in-depth view of Hungary's culinary past.

2. While you are there, look at the big picture. During this trip, I focused on how the Hungarian wine industry is developing and learned that it is doing some great things with wine. But I also went out of my way to go beyond this single aspect of Hungarian culture and learn as much as I could about Hungary's cuisine, history, architecture, and its customs. As a result, my trip was more meaningful, because I was able to see the big picture and learn about the country as a whole. I don't feel as if I have just "seen" Hungary, but actually experienced it and have come away with a deep appreciation for this diverse nation.

3. When you return from your trip, continue to learn about the country you visited. By relying on Hungarian cookbooks, such as Susan Derecskey's "The Hungarian Cookbook,"* a classic that I heartily recommend, I'm able to recreate some of the memorable dishes I tasted during my visit. Serving these dishes with Hungarian wines, of course, adds a new dimension to my post-Hungary visit, and imparts a touch of Hungarian atmosphere to my home in the Virginia woods.

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