When I daydream (which is quite often frankly), I daydream
about traveling. I daydream about places I crave to visit, and I daydream about
previous trips and the many memories created. I remember the places and unforgettable sites I visited and I feel a
great sense of happiness and accomplishment. To me, that’s the best feeling
ever.
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| Catedral de Barcelona on a morning run. Barcelona, Spain. |
One day when reflecting (and daydreaming) about our most
recent trip to London and Prague, I stopped mid-dream and wondered how we are
always able to see and do so much in what’s always a little amount of time. The answer became obvious to me after time spent dissecting some of our past trips. I realized that besides careful itinerary planning, the key to seeing so much in so little time while traveling is simply to go on a long walk (or run) in the morning or at night in the city in which you are visiting. Runs, especially, gave us the advantage to see everything on our list, along with so much more than we ever thought possible. Here are more reasons why you, too,
should consider walking or running throughout the next city you visit:
1)
Cover
More Ground. Simply put. It makes sense that you will be able to see more
on foot as opposed to being in a car. You’ll not only be able to see all around
you, but you’ll be able to maneuver through narrow spaces and areas that would
be near impossible to fit any automobile or bike. If you’ve ever been to Venice
or Prague, you’d know what I’m talking about.
2)
Keep Up
on Your Exercise Routine. Yes, I totally get that it’s your vacation and you
want to take a break from your daily routine (plus exercise can be work, and
the last thing you want to do on vacation is work), but don’t make that rookie
mistake. Cutting out your exercise routine while traveling can make you feel
even groggier on your trip. The last thing you need is a mix of grogginess and
already existing jet lag. Going on a run, especially, will allow you to feel fresh,
energized, and balanced. It will also aid in clearing those cobwebs created
from jet lag. Oh, and there is a BONUS: You won’t feel so guilty stuffing your
face with all of those breakfast pastries and pints of beer you’ll be having
during your stay. Chicka chicka yeah!
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| Holyrood Palace on a morning run. Edinburgh, Scotland. |
3) Cross Off
Some Sites on Your Itinerary. It’s always a fun surprise when going on a
run in an unfamiliar city and discovering sites that you already had planned on
visiting. When you get lucky enough to come across these sites, it will be one
place you can “X” out on your itinerary…meaning you just made room to do
something extra on your trip. Be sure to wear appropriate and modest clothing
on your run just in case you decide to go inside somewhere that has a certain
dress code requirement. Also, bring cash or a credit card on your run in case
you come across a cute café you want to try out after your run. I think we’ve
done this on every one of our runs.
4)
Discover
Places (or Things) You Didn’t Have On Your Itinerary. It’s also always a
fun surprise when going on a run in an unfamiliar city and discovering sites or
things that you didn’t have into your itinerary. There is so much more to see
in a city than the top travel attractions. Try taking the back roads (safely)
and exploring what more the city has to offer. You may just find a hidden gem
that only the locals know exist.
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| Piazza San Marco at night. Venice, Italy. |
5)
Beat the
Crowd. Whether you decide to go early in the morning or at night, you will
most likely beat the crowd in the more touristy areas. Nothing compares to the
feeling of having some of the most beautiful sites in the world to yourself where
no one is there to rush you, hustle you, push or crowd you. Go ahead. Stop and
take it all in. You have time. Plenty of time. The silence will be the most
memorable. Once you have spent ample time gawking and gazing, take oodles of
impeccable, frame-worthy pictures. Fingers crossed you have less people and
more site in your pictures. Hurry before the crowd gets there!
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| Prague Castle on a night walk. Prague, Czech Republic. |
6) Free Entry. Some sites have free entry before and/or after its hectic hours. Do your research and find out if some of the attractions you plan on seeing have these options. Prague Castle and most of its grounds are free after 5pm on most nights! Prime time to save money and beat the hustle and bustle! Have you ever been to a castle at night? It's absolutely magical.
Whatever you decide to do in order to sight-see during your
trip: walk, run, bike, hop-on and hop-off bus, taxi, etc., just make sure you
are making the most of your time there. Though it’s near impossible to see
everything each city has to offer (no matter how long the trip), you might as
well put forth your best effort and try to see as much as possible. For remember,
you never know when you’ll be able to come back! Sad I know…but also true. To leave
you on more of a positive note: More adventures await you! It's a big world, and you have so much to explore. So start planning…and
daydreaming! Ready....set...globetrot!
Safe Travels,
Veronica
