Millennials are looking for more sustainable and meaningful travel experiences, and transforming the idea of what travel should mean.
Things are changing in this world, and our perspectives and desires are also evolving along with the times.
According to this article, Millennials no longer are looking to “check destinations off of their bucket list,” or in other words, to “hit” as many world-recognized destinations as possible just to be able to say, “Hey, I was there!” They also are not looking for a “party-animal” scene anymore either.
Rather than a quick, meaningless, “photo-op” travel mentality, where partying and leaving behind piles of waste are the norm, young people are looking for life-changing experiences and cultural immersion that can only be found away from the tourist attractions.
The article continues that according to a survey conducted in 2016 by Topdeck Travel, a provider of group travel for people of 18-30 years of age, Millennials are primarily looking for two things when traveling. These major reasons for wanting to travel were to “experience a new culture” for 86% of the group surveyed, and to “eat local foods” for 69% of those surveyed.
This resonates strongly with me, as these are some of the reasons that I began traveling and living abroad. I have traveled in groups with other young people, and I do think that many of us share this mentality.
So what does it mean to travel mindfully, and have a more profound experience than simply “crossing another major world city off the bucket list?”
Here is my list of what to do and what not to do in order to fully benefit from all of the wisdom and world insight that travel has to offer, as well as to fully appreciate the unique cuisine, language, and history of each place that you visit.
Do: Plan trips to limited regions at a time
Many people think that when taking a trip, they should visit as many destinations as possible during that time. However, there is a fine line and a balance that must be achieved. Of course, when traveling, especially internationally, it is only natural to want to see as much as possible in one shot. Often people think they should visit multiple countries on one trip, thinking “oh, what’s just one country,” or “one country can’t be that big.”
I think this is a big mistake. One country can have many different regions, dialects, and a very different history and culture throughout. For example, I moved abroad to Italy about 2 years ago. There is still so much of Italy that I have never seen, although I live here! Not to mention, in Italy there is a major difference between regions (as the country was not united as a nation-state until 1861). The dialect from one region to another can be so different that even native-born Italians can have a hard time understanding certain regional dialects. It is nearly impossible to see even all of Italy in one trip, let alone try to see Italy along with a handful of other countries, and actually have a meaningful cultural experience.
I’ve heard of people taking trips that move from country to country (via cruise ship or airplane) within a matter of days. But, I greatly question how much of any sort of language or culture can be absorbed in such a fast amount of time. For me, language and cuisine, as well as art, architecture, and history, are integral parts of travel. I recommend at LEAST two weeks in any country to be able to even scratch the surface of immersion in a new culture.
Don’t: Take a trip that moves too fast or visits too many destinations too quickly
I have traveled many times in a group-travel setting, and I have had some of the most amazing experiences of my life. Sometimes it is nice to move at a relatively fast pace and pack in cultural experiences such as monuments, museums, and excursions, without overloading yourself and allowing for rest days.
I have been really lucky to have traveled with amazing guides and small groups, where the experience was limited to one country and allowed for a healthy amount of down time. Now, when my husband and I travel alone, we also plan to visit one country/geographical region at a time, because we know just how taxing it is to drive more than 6-8 hours a day, and we want to spend more time in each locale.
However, I have heard others complain after embarking on other types of group travel that just wanted to jam too much in, too fast, in too short of a time period.
We should remember that when learning new things, it is best to take breaks to be able to actively store newly gained information in the short-term and eventually in the long-term memory. If the “saturation point” for information absorption is exceeded, all of the beautiful experiences that we have had may just meld into one, rather unclear memory of many different “important things to see” blended together.
Do: Pack minimally and bring reusable items to reduce waste
When traveling, bring only what you really need. When it comes to clothing, the best advice is to travel light. If you already have been working on minimalism or creating a capsule wardrobe, this will help immensely, as you already know exactly what you wear and what you don’t. Don’t bring an endless supply of clothing thinking that you “might” want to wear a piece that you actually never wear, because I promise you, you won’t wear it. If you are traveling for an extended period of time, bring your own laundry detergent or soap to wash your clothes. Most hotels have laundry service, and if not, you can always wash your clothes by hand in the bathtub.
Also, don’t forget your reusable items! So often when traveling, we give ourselves a “free pass” to create waste that perhaps we would be more conscious of at home. Instead of buying plastic water bottles or asking for take-away coffee cups, bring your own water bottle and coffee cup. It is also always a good idea to carry a reusable shopping bag in the case that you might need to buy groceries or other items. Avoid ordering take-out, and choose to dine in at restaurants and drink your coffee in a ceramic cup at the bar. In Italy where I live, in fact coffee is almost always served in a ceramic espresso cup by default, unlike in America, where coffee is served in a paper or plastic cup unless you specify otherwise.
Don’t: Carry unnecessary items
Again, do not carry anything unnecessary in your suitcase. Nothing is more cumbersome and tiring than lugging around a huge suitcase (or two huge suitcases!) from place to place, especially if you are traveling by train. Take it from me, you do not need your large kitchen blender, 25 hair-care products, every outfit that you own, or an unlimited supply of shoes along for the ride when you are traveling. Chances are, you will feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff that you are taxed with carrying around, and you will wonder why in the world you thought it was necessary to bring all of these things. Traveling is about being lightweight both physically and mentally, in order to free yourself of the daily monotony of normal life and take on a new perspective. Weighing yourself down with all of the things you use at home will simply be a huge burden on both your back and your mind.
Do: Attempt to speak the local language (in a respectful and humble way)
In my view, learning the local language where you are traveling is an integral part of the cultural experience, and will open doors where before there were only walls. When you don’t speak the local language, you not only miss out on the opportunity to speak to many of the locals, but you limit yourself to more “touristy” locations that cater to English-speaking tourists. I have heard of Americans being taken advantage of many times when they cannot understand the local language being spoken around them. Not to mention, the food, even in Italy, isn’t always amazing — sometimes, the food can be quite low-quality when dining in tourist trap locations. The best advice for eating well when traveling is to dine as far away from the major tourist attractions as possible. Many of the restaurants and venues frequented by the locals do not have English-speaking staff, and the further away you venture off the beaten path, the more unlikely it is that you will find someone who speaks English, especially here in Italy.
Besides all of this, it is simply a matter of respect to attempt to learn and speak the local language. It not only will add tremendously to your personal growth and the depth of your travel experience, but it will help create an atmosphere of kindness with the locals. Think about it, would you walk into someone’s house and start speaking to them in your language, without even questioning their level of comfort speaking this language? You are the guest in their house! Think of traveling to a new country in the same way. Even if you cannot speak the language, making an attempt to be polite and speak as much of a new language as possible can make a big difference, for example, even if it is only to say “Buongiorno” or “Buonasera” upon entering a restaurant or store here in Italy.
Don’t: Think “Everyone in the world speaks English.”
Why do many people in Europe think that Americans are arrogant and self-centered? One major reason, in my opinion (as an American myself), is that Americans often think, “I don’t need to speak another language, I speak English and English is the global lingua franca! Everyone will understand me no matter where I go.”
I’m sorry, but this is an incredibly limiting mindset, and can often come off as uneducated and ignorant at best, and rude and conceited at worst. I am not saying that you should force yourself to speak the local language in all situations, like in a busy restaurant where the waiter is in a rush to serve 200 tables, and he or she speaks English anyway. I am simply saying not to assume that you can speak English everywhere you go at all times. You might be able to get by, but this will limit your experience to the cookie-cutter tourist destinations where all restaurants have big signs out front denoting that they speak English (and there is probably a “tourist menu” to boot).
Before travel, don’t just walk into a foreign country completely cold without a clue as to the language. Of course, this is much easier for most English-speakers to do in countries like Italy or Spain, rather than countries that use a completely different script of letters or symbols. Of course we can only do so much, and we all have different language-learning capacities. I simply am saying that if at all possible, try to have at least a very basic comprehension of the most common words and phrases that are used in the language of the country you are visiting.
If you absolutely need to speak English in the country where you are traveling, remember that although yes, English is the global lingua franca, most people in non-English speaking countries speak a very basic English. Speak slowly and clearly, and use simple vocabulary. Do not speak with idiomatic phrases that a non-native speaker might have a hard time understanding.
For example, do ask: “How are you doing?” Do not ask, “How is the weather treatin’ ya?” Speak simply and aim for communication above all.
Do: Walk, bike, and use land transportation when possible
I always say that you see twice as much when you ride a bike rather than drive a car, and you see twice as much when you walk rather than bike. What is all of our rush anyway? Let’s take a second to take a deep breath, and realize that the true joy of traveling is experiencing the hidden alleyways and nooks and crannies that a destination has to offer. Besides, part of a true travel experience is being able to experience each new city with all of the senses, which is much easier accomplished on foot than in a car. Some of my favorite places in Europe are historical center cities that are closed down to non-residential traffic and are considered pedestrian only areas.
Pollution caused by our methods of transportation is also important to keep in mind for the sustainable traveler. Why go to a beautiful destination only to contribute to polluting it? If you can get around without using a motor vehicle at all, this is the best way to get the most out of your trip and immerse yourself fully in the local culture and daily life.
A general rule is that land transportation pollutes less than air travel. Trains pollute less than cars, and cars pollute less than airplanes. Of course, biking and walking do not cause any pollution at all!
Don’t: Fly to a different city every few days
For many reasons that I have mentioned above, do not plan a trip which requires you to travel by air to move around within a continent multiple times. Air travel in Europe is incredibly cheap with budget airlines, which makes it tempting for some to just hop on an airplane to get from one major city to another. However, flying is incredibly carbon-intensive, and can reinforce a rushed, fast-paced mentality that is what we are likely traveling to try to get away from. Take the time to slow down and absorb your environment. If you need to fly multiple times over a landmass that is well-connected by train, you are probably trying to do too much, too fast, and it will all end up being a blur in the end.
Do: Research the local cuisine and eat where the locals eat
Find out what makes the local cuisine of each place that you visit special! Ingredients and traditional recipes can vary from region to region, and the culinary peculiarities of a region can reveal a lot about the history and culture of the people who live there. Expand your palate and try new things. Although here the focus is on plant-based dining options, I don’t knock anyone for making dietary exceptions to taste local delicacies. Make it a point to taste any local specialties that you can, and to eat in smaller restaurants far away from touristy areas.
Don’t: Eat in busy, touristy areas
Again, I cannot stress this enough, do not eat in busy, tourist-filled areas! This is especially true for major world cities such as Rome and Florence. If you eat in the closest restaurant to the major attractions of the city, you can rest assured that you will be overcharged for sub-par food. These locations are taking advantage of the naivety of tourists. Many people come to Italy and think, “This is Italy, after all, all of the food has to be good!” This is not the case, and in fact, this way of thinking is what makes tourists so rife to be taken advantage of. Some restaurants in major tourist destinations think, “oh, we can serve that table lower quality food, they are Americans and won’t know the difference. They’ll think it is authentic food just because we are in Italy.” I know this is quite offensive and disheartening, but don’t kill the messenger. I’m telling you what I have seen and heard from my own experience, and I’ve experienced life here in Italy both as a tourist and as a local. Be aware that us Americans are considered ignorant by default. Show the world that we are not the stereotype that people believe, and earn respect by wandering off the beaten trail and learning the local language. Truly delicious food and a new perspective awaits you as a reward for your efforts.
Do: Travel internationally for no less than two weeks to a month abroad (and offset carbon if you can)
I don’t blame anyone who wants to travel internationally. I live in Europe although I was born in America, so I completely understand the need to take the rare trans-Atlantic flight. It is so important to travel outside of the United States to have a perspective of the world outside of America. If you have never been abroad, I suggest that you travel out of the USA and ASAP. Traveling to Europe changed my life and made me a much more humble and intelligent individual. In America, exposure to foreign news and foreign language is limited at best. It is nearly impossible to learn a foreign language in the school system in the United States. Rote memorization and learning out of a textbook is not enough to actually learn a language. The only way to open your mind and experience new cultures, languages, cuisines, and entirely new worlds is to travel.
When traveling abroad, I recommend staying for at least two weeks to a month, minimum. This is not only to benefit the most from your experience in the cultural immersion of your visit, but to cut down on our carbon footprint when traveling. As mentioned before, flying is the most carbon intensive method of traveling, and should be reserved for necessity only, that is, crossing over oceans. Flying should be kept to a minimum, as using trains or ground transportation is the more ecological option when possible.
In short, don’t be afraid to travel abroad! But don’t fly when there are other, more eco-friendly options.
It is also a great idea to offset the carbon from flying if you have the means! Some sources offer carbon offsets such as planting algae in exchange for a carbon tax paid on your flight.
Don’t: Offset international travel thinking that it is a free pass to fly as much as possible
However, just because you can offset your carbon with taxes that are contributed toward ecologically beneficial activities, this is not a free pass to fly as much as you want! While you are making the gesture to help restore the environment by paying offsets, you are still creating pollution in the first place that is not “directly removed” from the environment when you purchase carbon offsets. These offsets are contributing to environmentally beneficial organizations such as those planting trees or algae, but this still does not make it okay to pollute recklessly and think that you can pay a tax to make up for it. Mindful traveling is about our mentality, and we must make an effort to slow it down and keep our carbon footprint as small as possible to become more enlightened on our journey. We are not tourists, we are travelers. And we aren’t coming to lay waste to beautiful world-renowned destinations to pollute them. We are coming to absorb the local culture and learn about the traditions and history of other peoples. In doing so, we come away more authentic versions of ourselves, and increase our understanding not only of others, but of ourselves as well.
Want more travel tips for sustainable and mindful voyaging? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for reading!