There is no right or wrong way to travel. If you like short or long trips, domestic or international, slow or fast moving, cruises or road trips, luxury or budget… it is possible to have a wonderful and meaningful experience no matter how you choose to structure your trip.

But there are some ways to help travel with a bit more meaning, adding some mindfulness and depth to any travels you might have.

Here are some basic tips. Note: if you are not comfortable with something, don’t do it! While travel should challenge you to a point, it shouldn’t take you beyond where you feel safe.

Category One: Don’t just see… learn!

1. Challenge your perceptions

Every place we visit is different, both from our homes and from our preconceptions of what the place would be like. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in looking around that we lose sight of what makes a place different besides simply it being a different physical location.

Example: The architecture of Florence is much different than that in Los Angeles. WHY has so much been preserved, and what does that teach us? What does the building style tell us about the priorities of both Renaissance and modern Florence? What is different than what we expected to see?

2. Don’t just check off a bucket list and then move on

So often, a destination is known for a single sight, or even a few sights. It can be easy to try to see that one (or those few), check it off of our mental bucket list, and then move on. But so often, the spirit of a place can’t be experienced by those top things.

Example: Visitors to St. Louis all have one thing on their agenda: seeing the Gateway Arch. And it’s cool. But after seeing that, what next? Does seeing that one bucket list sight tell us anything about St. Louis as a modern city, or its people? If all we see in a city like this is that one place, what have we learned?

3. Local museums can be amazing places for learning

In the US, we teach a very America-centric curriculum. History is ours, with a few world cultures (Egypt, Greece, Rome) thrown in as examples of the ancient world. Likewise for culture. There is so much more to learn, and visiting a museum can be a gateway!

Example: Visitors to Athens tend to go for the ancient history. If they go to a museum, it is either the Acropolis Museum or the National Archaeological Museum. And those are amazing. But Athens also has a museum dedicated to the history of MODERN Greece, and the war of independence from the Ottoman Empire. It is something we probably know little about, and a place like this is a great window for learning!

Florence’s Duomo has stories to tell us if we do more than check it off and pass by

Category Two: Don’t just visit… immerse!

1. Eat what the locals eat

Despite some places (UK, Netherlands, for instance) having reputations to the contrary, ALL destinations in the world have good food. You just might have to step out of your comfort zone a bit. If you just want pizza and pasta, you might struggle in Seoul. But eat what the locals eat (both the local cuisine in general and at establishments that cater specifically to locals) and you will always eat well. This doesn’t mean you will like everything you try. It also doesn’t mean you should eat every weird thing that comes your way if it makes you nervous.

Example: In Tunis, the best food I had was street food. I found some via Google Maps reviews and some just by accident while walking around. The menus were in Arabic or non-existent, so I just had to trust that a) I would possibly enjoy whatever the specialty was that was being prepared and b) that places crowded with locals don’t stay in business by poisoning their neighbors. This was both cheaper and more meaningful than dinner in a hotel restaurant catering to Americans.

2. Make a few language efforts

Shockingly, not everyone speaks English. And even if they do, it probably isn’t the official language of their country. Learning a few basic phrases in the language where you are planning a trip is a great way to both show respect for the local culture and to add meaning for you! Even if all you know are “hi” and “thank you,” it goes a long way. Consider coming up with ten words and phrases and practicing those daily before your trip. Don’t worry; locals will correct you if you say them wrong, but they will typically be nice about it!

Example: There isn’t a lot of English spoken in Japan, especially once you get outside of Tokyo. But being able to walk into a restaurant and say hello (“konichiwa”) shows respect that will often lead to someone finding ways to help you, like navigating a machine to order ramen that is entirely in Japanese. And so much the better when you can thank them (“arigato”) afterwards for the assistance.

3. Be with – and talk to – locals

Many of us travel in a fairly insulated way, like on organized tours or cruises. It can be easy to isolate within those groups of other English-speaking Americans. Try to get away from those groups, even if only for a few minutes at a time. Be around locals, and talk to them, even just servers and shop workers. Ask about life. Many who work in tourist-facing jobs will have some level of English and would be happy to converse. Plus, it is a chance for them to meet a NICE American, and we can all use more of that.

Example: In Nassau, capital of the Bahamas, tourists have the reputation for being pretty rude. Most are Americans and most are drinking pretty heavily, and most make no effort to talk to locals in any way outside of ordering food and drinks. Saying hi to the bartenders, asking how they were, led to both wonderful conversations and to insights that only locals have. (Like where to get the best conch fritters.)

Tunisian leblebi is something few tourists try, but this chickpea stew was incredible and less than $2

Category Three: Don’t just observe… join!

1. Say yes!

New experiences and opportunities will find you at unexpected times. Default to saying yes to them. They may not be what you had originally planned, and they may be outside your comfort zone, but they can end up being some of the most meaningful and rewarding memories you will ever make.

Example: When in Berlin, I wanted to learn about the city’s history of burlesque shows. Well, I got invited to attend a rehearsal of an amateur burlesque group, and when there, was invited to JOIN. Dancing isn’t in my comfort zone, but I said yes, and there was born the most vivid and amazing memory I had from that entire trip!

2. Seek out interactive experiences

Whether it is a bar hosting an open mic night or a free group walking tour run by a local, experiences that lead to meeting new people will almost always add meaning to your travels. As much as it can feel safer to stick with our tour groups or travel partners, anything that causes exposure to new people (even other tourists) will add new dimensions for you. And maybe some of those people will end up becoming new friends!

Example: Curaçao is known for its namesake liqueur, Blue Curaçao. While touring, I had the option to join a cocktail making class with others – or to do it on my own. I chose others, and two of them (a couple from the Netherlands) are among my closer friends today. I spent several days doing things with them on that trip, and have seen them four years of five, including staying with them in the Netherlands.

Sometimes saying yes means REALLY leaving your comfort zone, but these are the meaningful experiences you’ll remember forever

Travel is always amazing. But if you are looking for a bit of added meaning to your travel experiences, consider adding one – or all – of the above to your plans, whether in an organized fashion or spontaneously. You will be surprised how much more meaningful your trips will become.