COVID slowed us down for a couple of years, and now a few health issues challenge us. We're still traveling if not writing about it quite so much. Our goal in 2022, get to all seven continents in one year!
We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
Learn to connect with travel by accepting that things will be different.
THAT'S WHY YOU'RE TRAVELING!!!
At least we hope it is.
Sorry for shouting, but we feel strongly about this.
We have met people who are traveling just so they can tick one more country off their list and impress the neighbors...
OK... WE keep a country list, but...
Wow, what a waste not to connect with travel and really learn something.
You don't have to be traveling on your own to connect. You can find ways to learn about local customs and people if you're on a tour.
If you're strolling through a local market in Borneo, and you don't know what that fruit is.... ask.
People love to share their culture with you if you show an interest.
You might even end up with a taste... though if it's durian you might want to pass.
Strike up a conversation instead of just taking pictures of them....
On the waterfront of Dubai Creek, we wanted to take pictures of the old wooden dhows.
Mark started chatting with the dock workers.
Next he was helping them load boxes onto the dhows, and we were talking politics....
The American tourists making friends with the Iranian and Pakistani dock workers!
We were having fun, and they now had a slightly better view of Americans.
Instead of rushing in and out of a famous church before the service begins, linger and listen.
In Munich one time, we were about to leave a church because the service was ready to start.
A local gentleman invited us to stay for something "Frei".
We weren't sure what it was, but it was free.
We stayed and enjoyed the most fantastic Mozart concert you can imagine.
Join in the evening "passeggiata" in Italy.
It's "el paseo" in Spain.
You'll find that all over southern Europe, locals stroll and stop to chat with each other. Smile and nod, you might strike up a conversation.
Ask the locals where they go for dinner.
That small local place can be a real prize even if you can't read the menu.
Instead of saying "It's all Greek to me," get friendly and curious.
In a little town in Greece where no one spoke English, we ditched the menu and went into the kitchen.... then we just pointed to what we wanted to eat....
It was absolutely wonderful... and so cheap we thought they had made a mistake on the bill.
It's fun to see what they're selling and how they sell it.
Look around to see what's really different...
And what's pretty much the same.
(And we love to economize... buy some cheese, bread, wine and have a picnic.)
We were invited to visit a local school in Nairobi by some teachers we just happened to meet.
When we got to the school, each of the classes had prepared a song or a skit for us. It was a real eye opener when the 2nd graders did a poem about AIDS, but what a wonderful experience we would have missed if we had been shy and said no.
After school we went with the teachers to a local African sports bar.
Our safari was wonderful, but the school experience really allowed us to connect with travel and the local culture.
So break out of your shell, try something different, talk to strangers.... really connect with travel.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
Curious about what else we've written about? Search our site for a destination or travel tip.
But... We'd love to have you share this page or comment on it…
Thanks, Judy and Mark
The Holidays are Here!
Time to remind you we have tips on
Surviving Holiday Flights
Holiday flight may be more frustrating than usual. Try to stay calm.
Remember, if you DO travel and if you’re carrying gifts, it’s better not to wrap them… airport security might make you open them!
And if you're not traveling far, reminisce about past trips.
European Christmas Markets
German Christmas Markets
Seiffen Germany Makes Christmas Decorations
Cold Weather Packing List
The holidays can be hectic, but treat yourself...
Take the holiday time to explore more pages here... Get ideas for travel destinations and how to get there.
NOW is the time to start planning for a great trip next year.
Need Travel Ideas?
Things to See in Europe
Africa Calls!
Travel In America
Don't just dream about it...
Start making plans!
Custom Tour Planning List
International Travel Planning Tips
Foreign Is Fun - Not Scary!
Get Your Passports and Visas
Search MouseToursTravels
Travel questions or destination info?
Find our answers faster...
We want you to feel comfortable out in the world and on our pages - so surf away in your own language...
Like Our Site Top Left
Like Our Fanpage Below
Thank You!
Related Pages
on
Trip Planning
Guide Books
Why Travel With A Guidebook
How to Choose A Travel Guidebook
Travel Agents
A Travel Agent - Do You Need One?
Choosing Destinations
Best Time To Go
What Kind Of Trip Do You Want
More Than Throwing Darts
Some of Our Ideas
Stories About Europe
Why Not Africa?
North America
International Travel Tips
What Kind of Vacation?
Group Tour
Independent Travel
Driving Vacations
Adventure Travel
Active Travel - OK, How Active?
Multigenerational Vacations
Eco-Travel and Volunteering
Green Travel Tips
Sustainable Tourism
Volunteer Vacations - Are They For You?
Plan For Safety
Travel Advisories - Plan A Safe Trip
Don't Let Travel Worries Get To You
Keep Traveling
Planning Itineraries
A Custom Tour?
Custom Tour Planning List
Custom Tour Ideas
Top Ten Lists - Helpful, But…
Balance Your Itinerary - Mix It Up
Avoid Museum Sensory Overload
Hobbies for Trip Ideas
Where To Get Trip Ideas
Preparation
Get Passports and Visas
Travel Documents
Vaccinations and Meds
Travel Preparation
Checklists So You Don't Forget
Travel Document Checklist
Travel Preparation Checklist
Home Departure Checklist
Pre-Departure Checklist
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Did it help with your travel planning and preparation? Eager to leave on that next vacation? Please leave your tips or comments in the box below.