Ah! The Euro Trip. Those certain 16 days will remain forever etched in my memory. It is very easy to declare any recent moment the best, just for the need and emphasis for it. But if life does start talking sweetly after it, it indeed is the moment.
No, it wasn’t the best I have felt, but it was certainly the time when I learnt the most. And that is what I like about travels and had hoped from this one too. I had planned to write a daily dairy of the tour, but feel it is impractical now, for the lack of time and also for the sheer volume of it. It deserves a good synopsis though. So, here are some travel guiding points picked from the sojourn:-
1> Prepare an itinerary which suits your taste. If you are driven by History and Religion, go to the numerous Churches and Palaces. But if they darn you off, no point in going through the ordeal. The world has plenty to offer for everyone.
2> But whatever you decide, do a thorough analysis of the places to be visited. They come in handy to feel the place and also the occasion. History and Geography of the place, not necessarily knowledge of their kings and chronology etc etc, do have their bearings on the experience.
3> Just like taking a small luggage, have a small group too. It offers less pain of going through the likes, dislikes, frills, tantrums, and also idiosyncrasies of the rest of the members. But more than that, it gives you the chance to explore out of the group and meet the world.
4> Stays in places which you feel are comfortable for and needed by you. It is not only for the budget, but I feel hostels provide the most wonderful staying area for the youth. But if you want something peaceful, do check out their websites for their score on this front.
5> Learn the local languages’ basic words and sentences. It will help, and you won’t have to repent the moments when you wanted to stay something but couldn’t. Some of the phrases, “Good Morning”, “Hello”, “Thank You”, “I need help”, “You look gorgeous” etc etc are an immeasurably strong necessity.
6> It is always a good idea to travel many places on foot. So check out its viability in the places you are visiting, and whether you can carry this out, as it can be very tiring.
7> Make the trip wholesome. I mean, the usual affinities aside, a fulfilling trip on all counts, helps the travel invigorate. Fun factor is a must even if the trip is just sight seeing or educational. It is just that things have to be in balance as per the taste.
8> Finally, travel is not about visiting the places; it is about experiencing the place, culture and people. Have eyes, ears, senses open for each and every moment, and you will relish the time spent for lifetime.
It is not that we did everything I have stated here. In fact, it was the guideline and will also serve as the lesson for our future tours. But on most of the counts, we did OK. So, another reason why I feel it went so smooth. I want to do another Euro Tour of the ilk, but know future time and place won’t allow me that. An added reason why we must enjoy each and every bit of the place we go through.
No, it wasn’t the best I have felt, but it was certainly the time when I learnt the most. And that is what I like about travels and had hoped from this one too. I had planned to write a daily dairy of the tour, but feel it is impractical now, for the lack of time and also for the sheer volume of it. It deserves a good synopsis though. So, here are some travel guiding points picked from the sojourn:-
1> Prepare an itinerary which suits your taste. If you are driven by History and Religion, go to the numerous Churches and Palaces. But if they darn you off, no point in going through the ordeal. The world has plenty to offer for everyone.
2> But whatever you decide, do a thorough analysis of the places to be visited. They come in handy to feel the place and also the occasion. History and Geography of the place, not necessarily knowledge of their kings and chronology etc etc, do have their bearings on the experience.
3> Just like taking a small luggage, have a small group too. It offers less pain of going through the likes, dislikes, frills, tantrums, and also idiosyncrasies of the rest of the members. But more than that, it gives you the chance to explore out of the group and meet the world.
4> Stays in places which you feel are comfortable for and needed by you. It is not only for the budget, but I feel hostels provide the most wonderful staying area for the youth. But if you want something peaceful, do check out their websites for their score on this front.
5> Learn the local languages’ basic words and sentences. It will help, and you won’t have to repent the moments when you wanted to stay something but couldn’t. Some of the phrases, “Good Morning”, “Hello”, “Thank You”, “I need help”, “You look gorgeous” etc etc are an immeasurably strong necessity.
6> It is always a good idea to travel many places on foot. So check out its viability in the places you are visiting, and whether you can carry this out, as it can be very tiring.
7> Make the trip wholesome. I mean, the usual affinities aside, a fulfilling trip on all counts, helps the travel invigorate. Fun factor is a must even if the trip is just sight seeing or educational. It is just that things have to be in balance as per the taste.
8> Finally, travel is not about visiting the places; it is about experiencing the place, culture and people. Have eyes, ears, senses open for each and every moment, and you will relish the time spent for lifetime.
It is not that we did everything I have stated here. In fact, it was the guideline and will also serve as the lesson for our future tours. But on most of the counts, we did OK. So, another reason why I feel it went so smooth. I want to do another Euro Tour of the ilk, but know future time and place won’t allow me that. An added reason why we must enjoy each and every bit of the place we go through.
