Oh, how I love going new places. I’ve said that before. It’s hard for me to justify the time and money to visit a repeat destination overseas when there are still so many new places to see. I’m careful that when I have the opportunity to visit somewhere new, I do my best to get the full experience, just in case I never get back.
This is one reason I don’t care for cruises. We’ve talked once or twice about taking a cruise, but we always opt for something else. I know plenty of people love their cruise vacations, and I do see some of the benefits, but for me personally, there’s not enough time spent in any one port to truly get to know the city.
Have a real experience
I’m an advocate of spending more time in fewer places on vacation. Just in case this is my only opportunity to visit X Destination, I want to do it right, to really remember and connect with my experience in that city (or beach, or wherever). EXPERIENCE the destination, don’t just check off another dot on your map. Go past the first page of highlights in your guidebook. I know this can lead to painful edits to your itinerary; I’ve been there myself.
We had to cut a multi-day excursion of driving a rental car slowly down the western coast of Italy from Rome to the Amalfi coast, with time to spend slowly seeing the sights – Naples (OK, just for the pizza), Pompeii, the famous Amalfi Coast drive, plus whatever little gems we found along the way. It was going to be awesome. But it put too much pressure on the rest of our itinerary to go-go-go. Alas, with tears, on my part at least, we decided to cut it. We did find another way to visit southern Italy; more on that another time, no doubt.
Find a “coping” mechanism
So how do I “cope” with potentially visiting each place only once? I journal. I jot notes, make (awful) sketches, keep programs, tickets, business cards. Hey, I even have a candy wrapper from a delicious Austrian chocolate. Flora and fauna lists, bests, worsts, funny things we said on a trip, and more.
As you can see, I don’t have elegant handwriting (I wish), especially since I’m often scribbling in my journal on the go in a bumpy city bus or just in my hands as I walk. But the act of writing itself helps me remember, and then I have this awesome, non-trinket keepsake of my adventures that I can read and “revisit.” To me, these journals are worth more than any souvenir you could buy on a trip. The memories they contain are priceless, and they look nice on your shelves. This has been a favorite.
Sure, it takes some commitment to make a journal, but there’s usually time somewhere. Perhaps you can jot some notes before bed or early the next morning, or I find the best time is often while you’re waiting for something, the next attraction, your dinner reservation, etc. I always keep my journal and a pen in my bag, and it’s easy enough to grab to jot a note, even if it’s just a reminder to write more later.
Connect to your memories
Journaling may not be your thing. Visiting places only once might not be for you either. But find a good way to remember your vacations. Maybe you print a photo book or collect post cards, or maybe you buy a new scarf from each new city. Whatever your thing is, having a special momento can be a great way to stay connected to the memories you make.
