Shalini KJ
While all kinds of travel are beautiful and enriching, in a classic travel plan you get to view a picture postcard version of a destination whereas, in an engaging travel plan you soak in the vibe, culture, ethos and cuisines of a certain destination. Classic travel works well, if you have a lesser number of days and you want to experience the city swiftly, but if time does permit then immersive is the way to go! We travel to discover – new places and new experiences, isn’t that so?
Let us dive into favours of immersive travel. It will open your mind to new ideas, broaden your horizons, may even find a new passion, make new friends around the globe or may I say find your soulmate too!
Why not travel slowly? Stay with a local – doing that will not only enable you to experience hidden gems, but you also get to make some great friends locally, aimlessly meandering on the streets, soaking in the vibe. There’s no better way to connect with the culture than by completely participating in it.
Immersive travel is simple, it is as simple as you want it to be. A frivolous walk in a new city can teach you much more than a guided bus tour. You never know what will happen when you allow yourself to be consumed by a new place, but you do know it will be memorable as hell! Slow travel is a vacation for your senses and soul. You are not on a marathon to tick every must-see place on your bucket list activity and city. You are travelling for an experience. An experience which will enrich you… an experience that is meaningful.
Cultural exchange is as simple as chatting up with a cabbie who gives insider information on some amazing places that locals go to, classroom learning of a language is way different from picking sentences from a local, they are the real deal.
One of the easiest ways to explore local stuff is via food. Make a bucket list of dishes to try, visit a local market, or take a cooking lesson! You can consider enrolling in interactive cultural experiences to better understand the creative values of the city in a fun way and also support small local businesses!
Every destination is home to a huge array of attractive and engaging festivals highlighting niche interests. Festivals are also a great space to connect with locals and bond over shared interests.
Immersive travel is challenging. And when we challenge ourselves, we’re able to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, and as a result, we evolve! Immersive travel also means, being impromptu, or not always knowing which direction to go, how to order a meal due to a language barrier or how to communicate with a cabbie who doesn’t speak a common language. We must look within ourselves to find the strength and the courage to face these unfamiliar challenges that would be so simple on home ground.
When we venture out, with an open mind and aren’t stressed about getting from one thing to the next and ticking off the lists, it slows things down and allows us to be in the moment and enjoy the present.
When we put aside the mundane tasks of our daily lives, we realise how much we take for granted. By ditching our comfort zone, we experience challenges we usually wouldn’t come across at home, that is when we learn and we grow. And when we’re surrounded by the beauty and thrill of exploring a foreign place, those challenges are clearly worth it.
You might just get inspired or learn more about yourself! Who knows?
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