Travel content can be a little overwhelming sometimes. We are completely inundated with montages of picture-perfect landscapes, stunning hotels, and life-changing revelations that can fool us into chasing an idealised version of travel rather than embracing it for what it is. Our grand expectations sometimes make us forget just how wonderful it is that we get to see extraordinary places.

So, in the hope of reframing our expectations, we’ve put together six habits that help us look beyond the glossy image of travel and appreciate its simple joys and wonderfully messy, human reality.

Habit #1: Return to places you love instead of chasing once-in-a-lifetime experiences

A woman standing at a mountain summit looking out over a wide, sweeping valley below.
Revisiting familiar landscapes rather than constantly chasing new thrills allows travellers to form deeper connections with the places they love. (Image by iam_os)

Once the novelty wears off, revisiting a corner of the world you loved offers a greater sense of satisfaction. There is a sense of belonging when we indulge in modest amusements. Without the pressure to see it all, we can focus on the places and activities we truly enjoy, whether that’s staying at the same hotel as last time, having breakfast at your favourite coffee shop, or revisiting a bookshop you wanted to spend more time in. Instead of chasing thrills, we can find comfort in what’s familiar.

Anyone can visit a place once and say they’ve been there, but returning time and again to discover new facets of a place we already love can make travel a richer, more fulfilling experience.

Habit #2: Choose slower transport to experience a destination along the way

Medium shot of a woman calmly reading a book while seated on a public bus during her travels.
Choosing local public transport or slower routes turns the commute into an opportunity to read, rest, and observe daily life unfold. (Image by magnific)

When travelling for business, the goal is efficient transportation, but when travelling for pleasure, taking the longer route can be more rewarding. Travelling on a sleeper train lets you enjoy the scenery along the way and settle into a more relaxed pace, with the convenience of sleeping accommodation on board. The holiday doesn’t begin when you get there; it begins with the journey itself.

In the same way, cycling or taking a city bus allows you to people-watch, see the local architecture, and take in the streets and neighbourhoods you might otherwise miss when travelling by underground train. You are far more likely to experience a place at a slower pace when you choose local transport over the fastest way to get around.

Habit #3: Document your trip beyond the camera roll

A woman sitting outdoors in an urban setting, engaged in on-the-spot sketching in a notebook.
Preserving travel memories through tactile activities like sketching, journaling, or collecting physical mementoes rather than relying solely on digital photos. (Image by magnific)

We’ve all been guilty of trying to capture the perfect photo when visiting a spectacular destination, sometimes forgetting to be present in the moment. There’s only so much joy to be found in scrolling through 300 photos on our phones that all look alike.

A great way to keep our travel memories alive is to find new ways to document our trips. Turn digital memories into something tangible by printing photos that you can hold and putting them together in a physical album. Collect maps or send a postcard back to yourself. Record the ambient sounds around you. If you enjoy art, try sketching what you see. At the end of each day, spend 10 minutes writing down the conversations you’ve had in a journal. These are simple ways to preserve the little details that make each trip unique.

Habit #4: Have a backup plan when travel plans go awry

Two women sitting comfortably inside a car on a road trip, eating pizza together during a rainy day.
When unexpected weather or changes disrupt an itinerary, shifting indoors for an impromptu picnic can turn a setback into a cosy, memorable moment. (Image by magnific)

No matter how meticulously we plan, things don’t always go our way. Bad weather, cancelled tours, and delayed flights are the usual suspects, but it helps to prepare mentally and emotionally for the unexpected. Travel is an adventure in itself, and part of that means learning to adapt. Keep a list of easy activities and ways to entertain yourself should things go awry.

If the restaurant you wanted to try is fully booked, look for an alternative or pick up some snacks and have a picnic in a park. If the weather at the beach turns on you, grab a takeaway meal and find somewhere with a view where you can enjoy it from the comfort of your vehicle. When your morning hike is cancelled due to heavy fog, return to your Airbnb, make yourself a warm beverage, read a book, and have a cosy morning indoors. Sometimes, a change of plans is simply an invitation to be spontaneous.

Habit #5: Add a personal touch to make travel experiences your own

A man and a woman cooking food together on an outdoor grill during a getaway.
Recreating small comforts, like cooking a casual meal together on a trip, helps establish a home-away-from-home feeling. (Image by Karolina Grabowska)

When you’re travelling somewhere new, it is natural to want to follow guided tours, visit popular spots, and stick to what is known. Some of my favourite memories of travelling as a child were when my parents would take us on adventures off the beaten path.

Some days, that looked like driving with no destination in mind around an island just to enjoy the coastal views. Other days, it meant picking up barbecue essentials from a local shop so we could have a cookout at the guesthouse we were staying in. These experiences felt like being home away from home. Adding personal touches to familiar travel experiences creates lasting memories and can strengthen the bonds we share with family and friends.

Habit #6: Seek out low-stakes adventures instead of chasing the highlights

A Muslim woman smiling while feeding pigeons in a vibrant city square during her travels.
Choosing simple, low-stakes micro-adventures over high-adrenaline bucket-list activities opens the door to genuine and profoundly personal travel experiences. (Image by magnific)

If we’re being honest, not all of us are keen on the once-in-a-lifetime thrills that end up on so many people’s bucket lists. Jumping out of an aeroplane, cage-diving with great whites, or doing a 12-day trek across rough terrain in extreme weather is just not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s all right.

There are a thousand ways to experience the world in a fulfilling and meaningful way that don’t involve putting yourself or your family through an experience that feels more daunting than enjoyable. Sometimes, smaller, lower-stakes adventures can be just as rewarding.

Walk a beautiful trail or take a kayak out on a lake at sunset. Sit at a local pub listening to musicians cover your favourite bands, or feed the ducks at the local park. These aren’t lesser experiences. When we shed the unspoken rules about what it means to be well-travelled, we make room for genuine and profound experiences that are unique to us and those we love.