Awakening your inner vagabond

Last month, the Columbia Missourian ran a story called Off the Map, which was about the international travels and travel-plans of local residents. I was interviewed for a sidebar called “Awakening Your Inner Vagabond,” and I’ll reproduce some of that advice (much of which comes from my book) here:

• Slow down! “Many people’s impulse is to try and squeeze in as much as possible, and this can cheapen your experience,” Potts said. If you only have five or eight days of vacation to work with, he recommends focusing on a single location, leaving more time to take in the atmosphere and culture.
• Eschew the obvious. Even traveling 15 minutes from the Eiffel Tower or the Giza Pyramids will land you in a more authentic spot among more welcoming and curious locals, Potts said. Prices are likely to drop dramatically, as well.
• Do your homework. Investing in an independent travel guidebook and educating yourself on the layout, culture and customs of your destination will allay fears and encourage a more intrepid mind-set. Potts recommends Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, or Frommer’s publications.
• Consider visiting a developing country. Forays into less industrialized locales make for much more vivid and educational experiences, Potts said. And they’re often cheaper.
• Rethink the term “adventure.” Amazing trips can be had by simply “going out and allowing things to happen in a strange and amazing new environment — not so much a physical challenge as a psychic one,” Potts said.

Full article online here.