So, here’s the thing—I used to be that girl who meticulously planned every single detail of my trips. You know, the one with color-coded itineraries, Google Docs shared with my travel buddies, and a checklist longer than my arm. But then, something shifted. I realized I was so busy ticking off boxes that I wasn’t actually experiencing anything. Sound familiar?
Let’s talk about travel tropes. Those clichés we’ve all seen on Instagram: the perfectly posed shot in front of the Eiffel Tower, the obligatory Bali swing, the “wanderlust” caption that makes you roll your eyes. Don’t get me wrong, these moments can be magical, but they’re not the only way to travel. In fact, they’re not even the best way.
Here’s my hot take: travel is about discovery, not duplication. It’s about creating your own narrative, not following someone else’s script. And honestly, that’s where the real magic happens.
Take my trip to Italy last year, for example. I didn’t go to Rome or Venice. Instead, I ended up in this tiny village in Puglia, where the only English speaker was the bartender at the local café. I stumbled upon a family-run olive oil farm, and they invited me to join them for lunch. We didn’t share a common language, but we shared laughter, food, and stories (mostly through hand gestures). That day, I didn’t just see Italy—I felt it.
And that’s the beauty of traveling on your own terms. It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey. It’s about saying yes to the unexpected, embracing the messy, and finding beauty in the ordinary.
But how do you break free from the travel tropes and create your own adventure? Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
First, let go of the FOMO (fear of missing out). You don’t have to visit every “must-see” spot or eat at every “top-rated” restaurant. Sometimes, the best experiences are the ones you stumble upon by accident. Like that time I got lost in Lisbon and ended up at a tiny fado bar, where the music was so soulful it brought tears to my eyes.
Second, embrace the slow travel movement. Instead of rushing from one city to the next, take the time to really immerse yourself in a place. Stay in a neighborhood, not a hotel. Shop at local markets, not souvenir shops. Talk to people, not just tour guides.
Third, be open to spontaneity. Some of my favorite travel memories are the ones I didn’t plan. Like the time I randomly decided to take a cooking class in Thailand and ended up making friends with a group of locals who invited me to their family’s New Year’s celebration.
Finally, remember that travel is personal. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s okay. Maybe you’re not into hiking or museums or food tours. Maybe you just want to sit in a café and people-watch. And that’s perfectly valid.
The point is, travel is what you make of it. It’s not about following a formula or replicating someone else’s experience. It’s about discovering the world—and yourself—on your own terms.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip, ask yourself: what do I really want out of this? And then go for it. Whether it’s a solo backpacking adventure, a luxury spa retreat, or a road trip with your besties, make it yours. Because at the end of the day, the best travel stories are the ones that are uniquely you.