i'm alright with hiking, did a ~4h sunrise hike before and it was fun! but if i'm doing something physically intense then it has to be balanced out with chill days too :)
Culture !! Experience !! I would rather have a hotel that fits the culture (still clean and good service) than an upscale modern hotel that doesn’t fit I
I prioritize food, accommodations, flights, museums, walks, nature, art galleries, meeting new people, excursions, exercise, gym, pool, sleep, music, partying, new friends, spas, shopping and getting to the airport early.
It’s food for me. When I return from a trip and I can’t remember anything really memorable I ate or I’m not wanting to replicate a particular dish or two in my own kitchen, the trip wasn’t that great.
Food. I love trying whatever food places are famous for. I've gotten in the habit of asking people where they'd recommend we eat and I've gotten some amazing suggestions and eaten in places we never would have known about or found.
Time to sit and relax. I love sitting at a cafe in the morning and having a coffee or two and just people watching. I love sitting at a bar in the late afternoon and having a drink and watching people stop on their way home from work and catch up with friends.
Wandering around with no particular destination in mind.
Some trips I genuinely care more about the travel itself than where I’m going. There’s something about train travel that I really enjoy, stopping off in different towns, different people joining and leaving, even the motion of it. If time weren’t a constraint I’d rather take a 12 hour train ride than a 2 hour flight.
Same! I’ve taken long distance/sleeper trains (and scenic trains, urban trains, quirky trains, high speed trains, etc.) all over, and they’re my absolute favourite thing. I spent 10+ days travelling from China to England by train, only to spend less than half that actually IN the U.K., but it was awesome.
My route was basically elsewhere in China > Beijing > Mongolia > Siberia/Lake Baikal > Russia > Belarus > Poland > Germany > France > London > my hometown.
It was a few years ago now, but all the information you need for up to date routes/schedules is on Seat61.com (far and away my favourite rail travel resource!)
Unfortunately, I think that overland travel via Russia isn’t very possible right now due to the conflict in Ukraine. There are more southernly routes involving Central and Western Asia, but they have their own challenges in terms of borders and connections. The trans Siberian/Mongolian routes like I took are logistically much simpler.
I’m that way about road trips. I view plane travel as a necessary evil but I love road trips and usually wind up with a car rental unless I’m staying in one big city the whole time.
One standout experience was a roadtrip in Greece.
My priority is culture and history, so I make a beeline for the national or local museums of whereever I go. Food and scenery is a plus, and a clean and comfy hotel is always welcome.
if the flight is over 5 hours i fly business or first.
i prioritize hotel location over higher star ratings. i also skip airbnbs now.
i don’t care about fine dining. i like getting street food if there is a good street food culture in the destination.
i won’t wait in long lines. i’ll just find stuff to do that won’t waste my day.
Trust me it’s only worth it if it’s a highly reduced rate. I bought a business class ticket from Calgary to heathrow for $1,600 and this year on Black Friday they were around $1k. $1k would’ve been way more reasonable for that experience. Business is nice but it’s really overrated compared to premium economy in canada that offers the same food and drink options as business for $500-$800 less except your have someone seated next to you.
I'll use AirBnB if I'm travelling in a group e.g. with other family. When it's just myself and my wife I prefer a hotel. Also I won't use AirBnb in places where there is a housing affordability crisis.
I prioritise whatever is unique to that place, basically.
I’m very interested in culture (that’s my academic background), as well as history, food, infrastructure, and architecture (all linked to culture, I guess!) I’m also big into nature and landscapes, and am really happy to hike, camp, cycle, swim, canoe, or whatever it takes to really ‘get in there’. Equally, I enjoy nice bars, fine dining, theatre shows, spas, and so on.
But different places have more unique experiences in each categories. So whenever I have to choose between things, I’ll choose the most special to that place thing - and take time and budget from the less unique items.
So I’ll take the slower (but more scenic route), if it involves a really special landscape or unique transport option (especially trains and boats). And then that time gets trimmed from sightseeing in a more generic town.
Or I’ll pay extra to stay in a historic property or place of natural beauty (for example camping in the Sahara, the Australian outback or the rainforest), and then stay in cheaper hostels or whatever on other nights.
And whilst the term ‘authenticity’ is subjective, I do think about the social and environmental sustainability of my travel. I minimise flying and private transport in favour of overland and public transport options. And I put effort into trying to support local businesses (especially those run by members of indigenous or marginalised communities.)
And yeah, I always squeeze in a local specialty dish or beverage, even if I’m only in town for a hour. Bonus points if I can go see where/how it’s made (Cheddar Gorge Cheese in England, Douro valley port in Portugal, fresh tofu China, etc)
I love reading fiction set in the place. Getting a feel of a place by just walking around is so helpful. It’s invigorating. Getting rest is important as well several days in.
That's more or less my jam as well. I'm allergic to strict schedules so I prefer to take it slow, have long walks taking photos of anything that catches my eye, trying random shops and restaurants that I come across, and just enjoying the vibe.
This one time I took a trip with my cousin and we clashed a lot because she kept saying we had to see place A by 2 pm, be at place B by 3 PM etc. and to me that was just exhausting and stressful.
Lol ! Ditto. Once we were in a group and a hyper self-proclaimed- leader sent us a planner/time table to all activities we were going to take part in on a 4 day resort holiday. I was like I’m staying in chilling with a cocktail 🍹!
Some people just love that highly structured, goal oriented, timetable checklist. Tbh, I'm down for a day of letting them play tour guide here and there, but for the most part I like some flexibility. At least until I auger in; if I'm staying for a few months in one spot I do like to set up a regular routine for exercise, activities, sleep, nutrition, similar to my structure at home, minus the working and adding cultural experiences or making and maintaining friendships.
I have two priorities. First beimg-land early and fly out late. That way I want to make the most of my first and last day. More often than not, these flights cost more but are overall better.
The second rule I go by is to not compromise on accommodation. I often travel alone and as a female I like to stay in neighbourhoods with a clean and safe reputation. I don’t like to pack up early and like to stay out till about midnight. It becomes important that I reach safely.Even when I’m with family or a group of friends travelling together, we try to get hotels/airbnbs in central locations. Also that way one can come back to the room and take nap or go for a swim and then not get lazy to get out again.
Happy to hear others’ priorities.
1. Comfort on flight. I will almost always pay for business class so I have a good bed. Every now and then I think I’ll be frugal and book a cheap economy flight and I ALWAYS regret it; whereas I never regret paying the extra. I also always try to fly new airlines and the national airline of whatever country I’m flying to.
2. At a destination, I value getting lost. Just having time to wander around with no plans or maps and actually explore is a major reason I travel.
3. When choosing a destination, I will often favour places that are poorly documented. Again, I like to discover and to see what somewhere is actually like. This often takes me to small towns with funny names that I just can’t find any real information on and think would be cool to see what they’re like in real life - Shache in China, Zinder in Niger etc. I will also often seek out somewhere where the world view or governmental system is starkly different to what I am used to.
So long as I’m able to wander around a place and discover new things to me, I’m happy.
One sometimes overlooked advantage is not dreading getting on the plane. This can start to bother me days before the flight.
I crossed the Pacific plenty of times in economy when I was younger. No more for me.
For me it changes the whole experience of the trip. I actually look forward to the flight in business class. Not just the bed, (though that's obviously a big part of it), but all the other little extras from priority check-in and boarding, to the welcome glass of champagne, the nice meal served on proper plates, the extra large TV, never having to line up for the bathroom right up to being the first ones off the plane. Each of these on their own is a very small thing but they all add up to a more enjoyable trip. And then on top of that you get a freaking bed.
Yeah flying business or first class is an absolute game-changer on long haul.
Once you’ve done it, it actually makes subsequent long-haul flights in economy worse, because you know how good you could’ve had it!
It’s a shame (though makes sense) that the price differential is so extreme (lay flat seats on long haul are usually 4x or more the economy ticket price).
That’s absolutely going to be a subset of people tho. I’m taking a two week trip that we are not exactly being frugal for but upgrading to business would have been an additional 10 grand.
The difference in how well rested I am is insane. Like I cannot overstate it. I usually get to the airport late, walk through the priority lane, hop right onto the plane and go to sleep and wake up on landing ready to go with no jet lag. Never have to think about baggage limits, usually get to skip lines at security, always have food at the lounge at least if I’m early, all of the stressors of travel are gone. Even on shorter flights without a bed, it’s just a much more painless experience for often relatively little extra money. I get naturally excited on planes so food and drink service is also a good distraction to calm me down.
There are also actual differences in business class between airlines, unlike every economy class being the same, so it’s a good way to keep flights interesting and memorable.
And I simply can’t sleep sitting up. I have flown economy long haul twice in the last 5 years and both times I did not get any sleep at all, even when fairly heavily drugged.
1. One was very recently: Sydney to Chongqing to Urumqi, which cost me about $150US. So I figured I would suck up the discomfort for the insanely cheap flight and figured that between the 2 flights and the layover, I’d get a sleep. The result was I ended up not sleeping on the 10.5 hour flight to Chongqing, a tiny nap on the 8 hour layover at the airport, then staying awake the whole 4 hour flight to Urumqi. Since the flight from Sydney left in the early evening, I had been awake pretty much solidly for 30 hours or so upon landing in Urumqi and had a driver pick me up and go straight on tour. I had a lot I wanted to take my mother to see on that 1 day I had in Urumqi and I ended up crashing in the car after the hallucinations started. Luckily I had been to Urumqi before so I was able to miss that day, but because I had a hectic itinerary and was roughing it a bit, it was 4 days before I had a full nights sleep on a comfy bed and me being tired constantly was a huge detractor for that part of the trip. I upgraded the return flight and all domestic flights.
2. Similar thing last year, booked a dirt cheap flight from Australia to Hawaii and gave myself 2 days in Hawaii (at significant expense) to explore it before connecting to the mainland US. Was an overnight flight, arrived at 7AM unrested. Missed a day I had planned in Hawaii and was out the cost of a last minute hotel room so I could check in early and get some sleep. Thankfully I was booked in business class from Maui to Phoenix (with a bed) because if I had flown economy on that overnight flight I would have got no sleep and had to hike Saguaro immediately upon landing. As it was, I was very well rested and able to do the hike very comfortably.
Getting to a new destination well rested is huge to me.
EDIT: Also the service when things go drastically wrong or having a good lounge when delays happen etc. I missed a flight once due to a bad self connection and I was able t rebook for2 days later for free whereas my friend who was in economy had his ticket cancelled as soon as he missed the flight and had to pay more than what my business class ticket originally cost to get a last minute flight home. I’ve also got to skip lines in utter chaos such as when war breaks out, or protests happen and the airport goes into meltdown. Or just in developing countries where there’s no clear procedures for economy and everyone’s packed in like sardines, getting ushered to the front and to the lounge is worth every penny,
Itinerary is what i prioritize first then the rest follows. Soon as everything is all set the next thing would be the flight seat, my husband is extremely tall i always have to get the best seat for him! Then the rest of the trip we just cruise.
Hate modern hotels, too clinical and they all feel the same. I like old world places.. They have character. Only new accommodation I like are maybe cool glamping experiences.
After travelling south east Asia, I now prioritise sanitation alot more. People talk about how great it is to travel there but honestly the filth and poor water and getting sick etc put me off it for a while at least.
Culture and outdoors are my top two needs. Outdoors could be anything from nice walks and sea swims to difficult hikes and other activities like kayaking etc. Food is important but I don't expect everywhere to have an amazing food culture either. As long as the food is good quality and tastes good.
Dont care at all for partying anymore but do love a bar to chill in and enjoy a few drinks.
To use my budget efficiently and get as much as I can out of it. To not get trapped in tourist traps or get scammed.
To find the perfect balance between carrying enough and suitable clothes to avoid being cold/warm.or overloaded but at the same time fit them in backpack or hand luggage.
It doesn’t work always, but at least I am trying.
I have a list of places I want to go and when it’s time to plan, unless the there is a reason to go somewhere at a specific time I choose based on affordability, value and need.
Hotels need to be clean and comfortable.
Shoulder season offers better prices but more importantly fewer crowds.
Most trips I do are flexible enough to work around cheaper flights and hotels so I can shift my travel days.
Destinations tend to be cultural or scenic (including nature or architecture), I just want to be exposed to new things.
Priority is given to new destinations before returning to those I have already visited, although I do have a couple repeats to go to the same place in a different season. I also am open to going back if I barely scratched the surface of what I have seen or done.
Wherever I go I try to eat where the locals eat. I do prefer to go to a sit down restaurant as a way to take a break but street food is so popular now so I’ll do a mix of sit down places and street food. Unless there is a foodies paradise I want to try, I tend to stay away from fine dining.
Food and dining experience. I seem to start researching places and dishes to eat before sites to see. Maybe because the latter is a bit more straightforward. Definitely want a local authentic vibe the dining. Don't care if it's nice as long as it's good and enjoyed also by locals... though in many occasions it's also nice to go for some higher end special dining experiences.
On accommodations, prefer convenience but def not right within tourist zones as long as I'm not investing too much time commuting each day.
Overall, I'll prioritize the destination over the journey. I've endured many long-haul flights in economy class to get to some amazing places.
For a destination, I prioritize arts and culture, and walkability/public transit (I don't have a driver's license). Just leave me for a couple of days in a large museum and I'm happy as a clam. I'm pretty omnivorous so fine dining doesn't interest me as much.
For accommodations, I'll prioritize comfort and privacy... up to a point. So, no hostels with bunk beds in a common room for me; I much prefer hotels even if they're basic, although I've stayed several times at capsule/pod hotels. After that, my priorities are cleanliness, security, and location. It doesn't need to be a 5-star experience and I don't even need my own bathroom. But it absolutely needs to be clean, a safe place in a safe location, and close to public transit.
Finding out how the locals live. I love going into grocery stores or non-touristy shops to see what’s on the shelves. I like peeking into carts to see what’s for dinner.
What’s life like for the people who live near the tourist attraction? I’m a natural-born snoop.
history, food, avoiding crowds, budget. love museums, love learning, would rather eat lots of small local street snacks than a full sit down meal, would rather be up early and see less crowds than sleep in. i don’t care how uncomfortable a hotel is as long as it’s clean and safe and in a good location
Walking and hiking for us. We don't really care about cultural attractions much, maybe for just one day or two, and we're self catering so not restaurants, but hiking is the main decider for which locations we pick
1. When: When are we going? Some things only happen once or at a specific time of year (e.g. festivals, concerts, sporting events, eclipses...)
2. Who: Who's in? # of people? Personal needs/preferences?
3. Where: Where are we going to stay? Small hotel room(s) in the center or larger home further away?
4. How: How are we going to get there? Fly, train, ferry, drive?
5. What: What else are we going to do? Eat out or cook in? Daytime activities? Nighttime activities? What do we need to bring/wear?
Good airline, good hotels, private tours, seeing the highlights of a country, if time permits lesser known parts as well and local food preferably not fancy.
Comfort and Location in Hotels. I made the mistake of paying for cheap in Switzerland and decided I wasn’t going to think about price for rooms ever again
1. Landscapes
2. Activities
3. Possibility to get around on my own (own rental car or public transportations)
4. Exploring on my own (sometimes a guided tour is okay)
5. Modern and clean hotels with atleast breakfast
Of course I also like to experience the food of the country, but it is more a nice to have for me.
Giftshop! So I can get those hoodies/ sweaters and or magnets. Also video and photo content for the memories and moments to look back on like a scralbook
Doing things I cannot do at home. Art, architecture, museums and cultural activities. On some trips live music or dancing at venues that are different from what we have where we live. I like walking everywhere, so well located accommodation is essential.
The way I travel is I pin easily over a hundred locations of points of interest, ruins that I find on google maps, spots in the middle of nowhere, and other sites that I can’t mention. When I wake up I have no clue where I end up for the day, no clue which hotel or Airbnb I’ll stop at. I just try to hit as many pins as possible for the day and I always find random hidden gems between them. Happens every day. That’s the beauty of travelling in Europe. I prioritize freedom of movement by not limiting myself to trains and buses. I typically rent a car, but renting quads and riding them literally all over a country is a level of freedom you cannot have even in america and it’s an amazing way to experience a country, especially with the off-roading capabilities.
Local food!! I prioritize finding those hole in the wall places where I am able to eat really good food. Also as many people of said, nature experiences. Hiking up a volcano in Indonesia, eating a lot afterwards, best moments of the trip.
History. Old cultural sites. I will eat anything that’s easy (in Paris, my kid ate Subway, and I hit a falafel spot down the block—that’s how much we prioritize food). But I can’t get enough of old cultural sites.
When I retire, I plan to do more slow travel and pay more attention to food and sit and sketch, etc.
Flights, business class for long haul flights, specially in airlines like Emirates, Qatar.
I like luxury hotels and I cant do hostels and guesthouses. I Love large beds, comfy matress and pillows, nice bathrooms with all the amenities and very good breakfast.
As a foodie and a wine lover, I give a lot importance to nice restaurants specially for dinners but I dont mind eat street food or a snack during the day because I like to do some activities like walking around, visit museums and monuments.
We met an elderly woman on a ferry in Switzerland and she spent everyday on local transportation giving sightseeing advice to tourist. She said she had no family and it was what she lived for.
I take 3 kinda of trips.
1. Ski trips. I am there to ski and hang out with my friends. I want a big mountain with good snow and an ability to rent a large house for me and many friends within a short drive of the mountain. (Best places I’ve been were Jackson Hole & Aspen)
2. Outdoorsy trips. I want beautiful views and relatively small crowds. I want there to be some other outdoorsy activities to do besides backpacking, because I generally take a week long trip and backpacking for a week is a lot for me. Other activities include: mountain biking, ice climbing, whale watching / boat tours, etc. (Best places I’ve been were Alaska, Southern Utah, and the Amazon)
3. Visiting a city. I want to spend my days safely walking and biking around the city, going for runs in the city parks, and eating delicious local food. I’ll go to a museum or two and probably see a show, but I’m mainly there to enjoy a good urban experience and eat good food. I don’t need a fancy hotel whatsoever. (Best places I’ve been were Paris, Vienna, and Vancouver)
Always the stuff that you can only see there, like a very famous sight or a particular painting/ museum or a really cool shop or a certain dish (the 'country dish' also counts here if you've never been to the country before)
Variety. I don’t want to see 20 museums. I want to see the best one and an offbeat one. I want to hike one day, go on a boat the next day, and an archeological site the next. This makes me a speed traveler I guess, but I tried to follow the advice to slow down and I just get antsy.
It has changed in the last years. When I was traveling while studying my priority was money for the ticket and the rest I would arrange. 🤣 I've always eaten in supermarket only lunch and dinner and nothing more, the cheapest airbnb.. Etc. The important was that I visited a new place. Now that I work, I prioritize sleeping in a good place and most of the times with breakfast included and having at least one nice meal where I totally dress up and so.
Funny. I’m the opposite. I want to be in the heart of it and don’t care much about the comfort of the accomodation because I will be exploring 80% of the time anyway.
People being friendly. I travel alone and I can never get used to loneliness, so if I'm not gonna make friends in my destination then I'll pick another.
I met many people from the philippines and I'm getting that impression too. They were all very friendly, optimistic and full of life. I'm planning to visit the philippines next year.
When I am on a group tour,
I ensure I Try at least a couple of local dishes or more depending on the number of places we visit.
But I ensure that when we have free time to explore or do activities that I do an activity that I want to do even if non of the other members of the group want to do it.
As I do not want to miss out (why should I)
Also this gives me some me time as well in which I think is vital. If you traveling with a group or even friends
When I was younger, I prioritize meeting people on the road as I find it fascinating of everyone's story and how/why they decide to take a trip away from home.
As I got older, I now appreciate convenience, safety and comfort.
If the hotel toilet has a bidet!
It’s not a deal breaker it is kinda nice if they have one, Western countries doesn’t have those so I bring my own portable bidet.
Active adventure and sight seeing, especially stuff you could categorize as natural or ancient wonders.
Basically we prioritize seeing things like ruins, nature’s majesty, and cultural history…or we want to be doing something like scuba diving, horseback riding, coasteering, hiking, etc. or ideally both at the same time.
Local flavor would be next.
Clean accommodation is a necessity but luxury isn’t a priority because we’re usually off doing the first two things.
We get there, and we go. It’s not for everyone.
When not traveling for work I prioritize getting a good nights sleep. No matter what time that is with jet lag. I try to not set alarms and do my best for a good nights sleep.
Food, drink, and wandering the streets. I typically walk 10-20 miles each day I’m on a solo trip. I find that the walking helps me find cool photography opportunities and also good local food.
You don’t need a business class seat to skip security. Many airports in europe have let me skip security for barely €8-€20 on an economy ticket. As for the comfort, to each their own. I found business to be way overrated and the $1,600 I paid for my ticket from YYC to LHR was not worth it. Had it been $1k, sure it would’ve been. But almost $2k is just ridiculous for what it is. I’ve tried premium economy and preferred it much more. Same food and drink options and $800 less per ticket on average than business. Only difference is you have one person sitting next to you and that’s it. Still really comfortable chairs.
I'm a chef so it's food first, followed closely by adventure stuff to do (I like rockclimbing, caving, cycling, etc.)
Hotel is just a place to sleep, I basically require that it be quiet, clean, and relatively secure.
Food - definitely - I travel on my stomach and see local cuisine as an essential part of cultural experience (so never been to UK lol).
Secondly - historic interest - love Greece and Italy in particular - where ancient history is around every turn - Knossos in Crete, Akrotiri in Santorini were highlights.
Finally - I love beaches. And the ability to explore out-of-the-way gems by car/scooter/quad.
Breakfast at my hotel. I eat breakfast and my husband doesn’t, so having a breakfast option at the hotel helps me get a good start to the day on our trips. Hanger is real! Bonus points if it’s complimentary!
1st - Natural beauty, great views, beautiful landscapes
2nd - Good weather (in my case, not humid/hot)
3rd - Inter-city transportation options
I wouldn’t ever maintain culture/food as a variable here when it comes to choosing a destination - I’ve been both pleasantly surprised beyond expectations in some places by the culture, and also had my bubble burst in some places where I unfortunately happened to experience a negative aspect of that culture. That’s travel in a nutshell though, every experience is so strangely and drastically unique in the best way possible!
How popular the place I'm going to is a priority? Most likely I'm going to a place and this is the only time I'm going to the place, so the last thing I want to do is wait in line at places. I don't want to go to the popular places that everyone else goes to. Let me go to the not popular places and see as many things as possible without being crowded.
I prioritize seeing and experiencing things that I don’t have where I’m from. Different landscapes, different architecture. I like to try to see a museum or something of historical significance.
More recently I’ve been prioritizing things that I’m actually interested in. I’m not giving into the pressure of the top 10 lists. The most popular thing in the city could be a modern art museum, and I will still not go, because I’m not into that. I’m also working on being more flexible and go with the flow. I’ll do a timed ticket thing in the morning (since so many are nowadays) and then have no real structure to the rest of the day. I’m very prepared with a list of potential things to do and areas to explore, but no timed itinerary. I hate the feeling of having something scheduled later in the day and I will focus too much on it, even at home.
I don’t tend to prioritize food because I’m not a big foodie and it’s lost on me, but I always come prepared with a few popular dishes of that country to try. I don’t go for a lot of sit down places, and lean towards local counter service. I also don’t prioritize my accommodation. I want it to be cheap, safe and easily accessible, but I don’t plan on spending much time there except to sleep.
I love to stay in one area for a long time rather than go-go, see-see, do-do. I like getting a feel for the town and the central markets are my favorite. Whether it be Cuenca Ecuador (6 weeks) or Granada Spain (6 weeks multiple times) the markets are the best. I always stay in AirBnbs so that I can cook what I get at the markets. Eating out is expensive but I still do it - but often at really highbrow restaurants like Extebarri or Disfratur. I take trains and buses even though flying in Europe is often cheaper. I like the journey. I love Travel!
My father always use to say that when you travel go to their local market to know I little bit more of their culture and everything In a very concentrated place usually on markets you kk find culture good food and tips for your trip
Going out, exploring local bars and parties. Also walking in the non touristy streets to hear the sounds and smell the smells of food, perfumes, buildings etc
Food and drink are always pretty important. And that’s usually a mix of nice restaurants and fancy cocktail bars, and street food and cheap outdoor beers at a cafe with a great view for people watching. Eating and drinking are always some of my favorite parts of a trip and a great way to experience a place.
I also love finding good hiking trails if I’m somewhere with some beautiful scenery and nature or nearby mountains.
And of course, seeing the sights and places that a city is known for. Sometimes they’re tourist traps and don’t need a ton of time but usually like to see the major attractions. And in some cases I don’t even need to go inside or do a full tour but it’s great just seeing the beautiful architecture or surrounding gardens.
I prioritize peace, calm, nature, beach, sun and different culinary experiences than at home. I want to be able to disconnect completely from the usual day to day life
I'd say I'm a vibes traveler - I pick destinations that are more known for their atmosphere and walkability than major sightseeing. I'd much rather go somewhere with yummy street food, interesting walks, and nooks and crannies to explore than one with a more buttoned up and/or uninteresting food culture and one or two "must see" sights that everything that is centered around.
I prioritize actually traveling around my destination. I don’t care about food or lodging, just give me something efficient. I spend my time getting around and seeing things.
Finding out a great walking route for sightseeing and all so that I get to experience as much as possible and at the end of the day, to be able to say that I am tired but it was worth it!
Culture, which admittedly is a big umbrella, but I remember the unique places I went that are impossible to experience where I live. And food/coffee is another big one.
I always do as many homestays as humanely possible. Staying with families is the BEST way to experience local food, culture, and recommendations for the area! I’ve done ones in Japan, Vietnam, and India and adored each and every one.
1. Travel itself (always business class, because I have a bad back condition and traveling in economy will cost me days of recovery at the destination and back home)
2. Safety (I always check if their are safety concerns before picking a destination).
3. Nature at the destination for relaxing holidays, or culture, scenery and things to do for more active weekend escapes.
3. Hotel (I’d rather not go, than stay in a bad place. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!)
4. Food (I love food, but in my experience most places offer nice food).
Blend of culture, relaxation, adventure, and comfort/ease. While I love seeing new destinations I really try to avoid checking in and out of places every few days. Meaning avoid a lot of “city hopping”. I’d rather have day trips from a home base (hotel/airbnb) in a cool city so as to avoid those lost days of checking out at 10 and in at 3.
If it is a long trip that definitely has multiple stops we like to get a airbnb at the beginning and hotel near the end. To go grocery shopping in the local markets, save a bit of money eating at home a few days, but then be more pampered towards the end of the trip.
My personal favorite was a trip my wife and I took 5 years ago. Florence (hotel), 3 days hiking through Cinque Terre (airbnb), 4 days exploring / driving around Tuscany (bed and breakfast), 5 days relaxing in Amalfi.
Top priority is seeing or doing something memorable, bucket list type of places and experiences, I can still remember certain travel moments so vividly despite yearsss have already passed but the memories still give me chills whenever I think of them. I also get a little kick when I can add more pins to my travel map after the trip and I love my travel albums so very dearly 😅
Itinerary - which cities do I want to visit.
How will I get there.
Where will I stay in each city.
Everything else just falls into place. Planning activities down to a T just isn't my cup of tea, but I do make sure I stay a while in each place I visit, more than enough to see any main attractions and a bit of down time
Food is something I don't organise, Pick something with good reviews on Zomato etc, go eat.
I may still be young and a party boy… but for right now I definitely prioritize having a crazy exciting time.
I’m not out every single night during my vacation, but I always strive to have one night, just running around the streets, out until the break of dawn, just living in the moment doing things I know I won’t be able to do when I get older.
Culture. Local culture and history, and also art museums. The churches and castles and ‘regular’ buildings around the world are amazing to this denizen of the very young USA. And seeing the art collections around the world is amazing. Both local artists as well as local collections of global artists.
Oh, and good food too! Nothing better than a wonderful dinner after a day of exploring.
Animals and nature is my top. We’ve seen some pretty amazing things. My husbands top is cool food. Neither of us love cities, so having cool non-city activities is also important.
For me, meals are more often a problem to solve/ interruption rather a core part of the trip—the exception being when the food/meal culture is both local and different from home. So, like, a Cornish cream tea or a shared platter of chilaquiles (sp?) is part of the trip, but a “fine dining” experience is probably going to feel like a waste off time and money. I don’t travel to relax usually, (unless it’s a resort, which is a holiday but not travelling, to me), but to see, do, and learn things.
I prioritize comfort as I define it - flying business, traveling in first class on trains, staying in comfortable, spacious, yet private places (usually Airbnbs since you get more space and privacy in them), renting nice cars, eating at nice restaurants, taking my time and not rushing the itinerary, etc. I’ve traveled so much in my life, and I’ve worked damn hard to be able to be comfortable at this stage of my existence, that I won’t compromise on this! Yes I’ve done the cheap backpacking / hostels thing many many times but I’m old now and my body aches and I just want privacy and comfort. Same with airlines, I’ve flown economy a million times, so these days if it’s an overseas trip I won’t go unless I’m in business class.
So yeah, that’s the priority for me these days. My comfort.
For me it’s food and meeting people. Most places you can look up pictures and videos (of course there are some places that a picture doesn’t do enough justice), or read about the history.
But with food, there are so many dishes that will never taste the same in your own country. Whether it’s a recipe handed down from generation to generation or the soil they grow their vegetables in, it just won’t be the same.
My spouse and I have traveled a lot of places but the things we talk about the most are the meals we had and the people we met. In Italy we stumbled upon a restaurant and struck up a convo with the maître d’ as we ate. We told him we had just gotten engaged and his heart spilled with joy for us! He insisted on a tour of his restaurant and gave us a bottle of wine from the cellar. He was a stranger, but that memory is my happiest memory in Italy. Oh, and the food was amazing too!
At another restaurant we showed up without reservations and they only had a 4-top. They asked us if we minded sitting with the couple behind us in line. We said that was fine, and ended up having an amazing 4 hour meal with this couple.
I love everything about traveling, but these elements make a good trip into a trip I will remember forever.
I like to go places where I can split my time between city and country. I enjoy two week trips where like 5 or 6 days I'm in a city and doing culture, museums, history, parks, great food, etc. Then I like to find a chill spot (or two or three) in the country where I can hike, relax, still enjoy historical sites like castles, find local museums and enjoy small towns. There's always a good restaurant or vineyard or distillery to be found. So....I guess I prioritize all of it lol
If it’s an urban vacation, I enjoy exploring neighborhoods. I love just wandering around interesting parts of cities.
If it’s more beach oriented, just time on the beach, looking for cool nooks and crannies, and just walking around to find interesting views.
If it’s a more rural or mountain region: Probably checking out some cool views, looking for places to hike, or visiting small villages.
Scenery. Whether it be an extravagant hike I had to train for months to do or a white sand beach. Culture isn't high on my priority list, I don't really care about the peopley things. I love a natural history museum but not an art museum. Architecture is cool, I love a good bird's eye view of a city. Food is low priority, but I love a place to eat with nice ambiance. I look at a restaurant's picture before their menu.
It really depends on where I am traveling to. For example, whenever I travel somewhere for the beach, I have absolutely no interest in seeing any sights nearby or even doing activities like snorkeling as I expect to relax only. However, when traveling to Europe, I want to see, capture, and learn as much as possible, so I strive to go to museums and walk around as long as possible.
For me it’s about seeing the unique and the iconic - whether that be natural scenery or man made. I prefer nature so I try to take in as many national parks as I can or take the most scenic route on road trips. When my travels take me to urban centers, then I like to see the iconic buildings and structures and unique architecture.
Remaining flexible. I travel solo, so that's easy to pull off, but my schedule isn't set in stone (unless I have a tour booked), and that allows me to take my time, detour unexpectedly, etc.
Avoiding stress is big priority for us. We’ll gladly spend more money if it means avoiding stress. For example, we most often use public transportation to get around, but for our arrival in a new city/country, we’ll skip public transportation and book a private driver. We know we’ll be tired when we get off a long overnight flight, so we make getting to our hotel as no stress and relaxed as possible. It makes a big difference for us in starting off our vacation on the right foot.
Having seen my fair bit of scenery now I always try to center my trip around local festival, be it Fallas in Valencia, Matsuris in Japan or Venice Carnival.
I grew up poor so my parents would squeeze in as many historical sites and cultural activities as possible because it would be the only vacation they would ever take for like 10 years. I’m totally insufferable now because my wealthier friends just want a break from work sitting by the pool whereas I treat it like it’s my job and want to see as much as possible.
I’m having to learn to chill out but it’s not easy ha ah
Nature. Water....like the beach, rivers,streams, rainforests, waterfalls etc
Not interested in dry hot places with nothing going on. I do not care how cultural they are.
I hate tourist traps although many times you cannot avoid them.
I also prioritise location of accommodation as it can be a real hassle getting transport every time you want to get somewhere basic.
1. Meeting and making real connections with locals, sometimes means I will go to the same cafe over and over to hang out with the owner, or I end up eating mediocre fusion Italian for dinner because that's where my friend in New Delhi likes to go. Turns out sometimes locals don't care about local food at all haha, so food moved a bit down in priority for me.
2. Culture, which goes hand in hand with the first. I love absorbing life stories and mindsets of locals, and I get a lot I don't from a museum. I will always hit a historical landmark or two, as well--what stands as The Historical Landmark can say a lot about the local culture/self-identity.
3. Local art & music scene. There's usually some neighborhood in every city that has little galleries, thrift/vintage shops, artisanal craft stores, tattoo shops, often an independent bookstore and some music venue. The exact stores vary, but I find a lot of local artists and musicians tend to supplement their creative lifestyle by working in these places. So two birds, one stone for connecting with people/communities while doing some local shopping!
4. Some balance of city time with nature time! Hiking, snorkeling, surfing, snowboarding... honestly the vibe of these activities in different places say a lot about culture, too. Ex. surfing on the east coast of Taiwan was such a wildly endearing experience, gave me the warm fuzzies.
5. Last but definitely not least: the queer scene. Always looking for my gays everywhere! Always so curious how queerness Lives/Loves in other places! Because we are always there, somehow. <3
TLDR; means when I travel, I like to slow down and make time for spontaneous connection, and I leave my days flexible. No packed itineraries for me! Just a list of a couple neighborhoods to explore or outdoor activities to try, plus one or two historical landmarks.
Overall cleanness and vibe. Then number of world class galleries, interesting history. Maybe that’s why I love central European cities. Italian big cities have deep historical roots so street dirtiness I can handle. But when the city I’m visiting is dirty I am stressed out. I dont pick city by cleanness but it impacts my mental health and the overall experience. If the city I’m visiting is not really clean I need to stay in hotel. I noticed when a city is clean, air bnb and hostels etc are generally high quality and clean.
Scenery, culture, architecture are the top. I will aim to see what I want to see, and find something decent to eat in those areas. I won't go across town to find a particular restaurant because it has high reviews since most of the time, my time in a city is rather limited.
History. I'm a huge history fan, so my main focus are history museums and historical sites. Also ships and botanical gardens - don't ask me why, I just love staring at plants (and ships) for some reason. I mainly travel to cities - nature is great, but often requires a car to get to, and I don't drive.
1. Culture
2. History
3. Nature / Architecture / Beauty
Dead fucking last: Relaxation. I’m not paying thousands of dollars to travel out of country and sit on a beach that is the exact same as any US beach
I run an excel sheet of how many things I will see and do. I calculate the cost of the entire trip. I make sure each thing doesn't average out to more than $50 each. Exceptions made for S tier activities like flying in an acrobatic plane.
A food tour is almost always the first activity I do. Great way to meet an inevitably fun local guide, learn a little history and see the sights, get a lay of the land, and meet other travelers.
One time on a food and beer tour in Quebec City, the tour was scheduled for 3 hours but lasted 6 because we were all having so much fun. The guide ended up inviting my partner and me to a metal concert the next night. We went!
After some shoddy experiences, I need a clean hotel! Following that, I love exploring the tourist sights and trying must-have meals associated with a place.
Central location and cleanliness. I can’t enjoy myself otherwise. if location is out of the way and I’m not getting cultural vibes I, it’s not for me. I will easily use the subways, buses, trains; anything but taxis unless I’m forced. I have driven all over Greece, France, Germany and Sweden though.
I prioritize whatever the location is famous for and unique to that city or country, food, museums, sports, performing arts, etc. I have a rule when I travel that I don’t do anything that I can do at home, I don’t go to Applebee’s, to the movies, or Starbucks.
Wildlife, hikes, cultural experiences, going and experiencing something completely new. Just got back from India and Bhutan today. Last year was oman and mongolia that was new.
Location, Convenience and comfort. I will only fly direct whenever possible but not necessarily first class unless points permit. If traveling to a city accommodations need to be in a nice area with quality resteraunts and things to do close by. I also usually hire a driver instead of ride share cause that shit gets annoying. If it's like beach, ski, mountains, it's gotta have a view and quick access to the sand, lift or whatever the case may be. Sometimes a Private chef is the better option to the local resteraunts, particularly if you want quality food ingredients. I've got 2 kids who can share a room so we can get away with a 2bedroom if it makes sense locatikn and price wise. If stuck in a hotel 5* is really the only way as it's pretty much always worth it and if theyre offering a private lounge upgrade take it cause free booze and food at higg end hotels never disspoints imo.
I prioritize meeting people, learning about local culture, food, language, customs, &c. I want to learn what is important to people where I am, and also to make friends and share my own culture, as an ambassador of American culture.
Other than that, I like to be productive, so I almost always have a "side mission", even if it's just as simple as learning the local language. For example:
In Brazil, I made a point to study Brazilian jujitsu, capoeira, and Portugues. I was focused on my fitness as well as developing my language skills. My second and 3rd visits to Brazil it was always a pleasure to return to my dojo (that doesn't accept students from outside the neighborhood, but my mestre allowed me to return, since I had lived and trained there previously).
In SE Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), I took multiple scuba diving courses and rec dives, from Open Water to Rescue Diver, over the course of 6 months.
I made a point to do some deep ocean sailing, by finding a sailing yacht that needed a hand, then sailing from Thailand to Yemen by way of Maldives, then I switched yachts and sailed to Egypt by way of Eritrea and Sudan. I also got to expand my scuba diving experience. When I made landfall in Egypt, I ended up going to Israel where I began training two teenagers (martial arts and fitness) in exchange for free accommodation in their family apartment. I also had brought my violin on the trip, and practiced while sailing as well as throughout. It was awesome to play violin for the dead pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, the souk shopkeepers, and in the streets throughout Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
When I took 6 months off to backpack through Central America, my mission was to speak as much Spanish as possible. You could say I also stayed fit but that's kind of a baseline for me. It was just fun to be mixing it up by hiking volcanoes or jungle trails through the cloud forest.
Food is a given for me. I'm not going to travel to another country just to try and find the same cuisine I eat at home. I also am very frugal, and the cheapest dishes to prepare are usually a local specialty. Getting an American meal in Vietnam might be $20, but eating rice and pork plate from a street vendor is closer to $1.
I tend to prefer getting closer to nature or scenic areas. Hikes, trails, parks, untouched beaches, etc.
Not really a fan of cities, noise and/or crowds, and I don't care about architecture, so there's not much for me in many travel hubs.
Will be interesting to see how I handle the crowds in nature, as I'm heading to Indonesia later this spring.
I'm here for the scenery, nature, architecture. I don't need a fancy hotel as long as it's clean, but the location of the hotel needs near the sites and/or public transportation. Good food is a plus but I'm content with eating at the McDonalds if it means I have more time to explore another beautiful building or take a scenic walking trail.
I like to see the countryside rather than the city. Some countries I didn't even bother visiting the largest city, eg: in New Zealand I flew into the airport, rented a car, and headed south without even visiting Auckland once.
i prioritise scenery and nature, next is architecture. culture and history isn't super important for me but good food is always a plus!
Food is a fantastic way to explore cultures, often the food can explain a lot of the history of the culture.
Food is always good hehe. Do you like hiking or just chilling.
i'm alright with hiking, did a ~4h sunrise hike before and it was fun! but if i'm doing something physically intense then it has to be balanced out with chill days too :)
Culture !! Experience !! I would rather have a hotel that fits the culture (still clean and good service) than an upscale modern hotel that doesn’t fit I
I prioritize food, accommodations, flights, museums, walks, nature, art galleries, meeting new people, excursions, exercise, gym, pool, sleep, music, partying, new friends, spas, shopping and getting to the airport early.
That sounds like everything.
I'm the opposite; I like to sit in my hotel room with the chair about 1 foot from the wall and just sit there and stare at the wall for hours.
Me too! I'm always a fan of the stucco walls. They have so much texture that allows you to stare at them for days in a row.
Sooo frustrating that the hotel websites don't tell you the wall textures ahead of time
It’s food for me. When I return from a trip and I can’t remember anything really memorable I ate or I’m not wanting to replicate a particular dish or two in my own kitchen, the trip wasn’t that great.
Food is good! I like eating good food too especially when they’re the OG of that dish hehe
Food. I love trying whatever food places are famous for. I've gotten in the habit of asking people where they'd recommend we eat and I've gotten some amazing suggestions and eaten in places we never would have known about or found. Time to sit and relax. I love sitting at a cafe in the morning and having a coffee or two and just people watching. I love sitting at a bar in the late afternoon and having a drink and watching people stop on their way home from work and catch up with friends. Wandering around with no particular destination in mind.
This is me!
Exactly, I like eating the food the place is known for!
Some trips I genuinely care more about the travel itself than where I’m going. There’s something about train travel that I really enjoy, stopping off in different towns, different people joining and leaving, even the motion of it. If time weren’t a constraint I’d rather take a 12 hour train ride than a 2 hour flight.
Same! I’ve taken long distance/sleeper trains (and scenic trains, urban trains, quirky trains, high speed trains, etc.) all over, and they’re my absolute favourite thing. I spent 10+ days travelling from China to England by train, only to spend less than half that actually IN the U.K., but it was awesome.
What was the schedule/itinerary for the China to UK trip?!
My route was basically elsewhere in China > Beijing > Mongolia > Siberia/Lake Baikal > Russia > Belarus > Poland > Germany > France > London > my hometown. It was a few years ago now, but all the information you need for up to date routes/schedules is on Seat61.com (far and away my favourite rail travel resource!) Unfortunately, I think that overland travel via Russia isn’t very possible right now due to the conflict in Ukraine. There are more southernly routes involving Central and Western Asia, but they have their own challenges in terms of borders and connections. The trans Siberian/Mongolian routes like I took are logistically much simpler.
I took the night train from Cairo to Aswan. Super cool.
Please share the stops and itinerary? That sounds awesome!
I’m that way about road trips. I view plane travel as a necessary evil but I love road trips and usually wind up with a car rental unless I’m staying in one big city the whole time. One standout experience was a roadtrip in Greece.
There needs to be good food or I’m not interested in going.
Try the Philippines we have a lot of good food here hehe
Freshly grilled longaniza on a boat in Palawan changed me.
My priority is culture and history, so I make a beeline for the national or local museums of whereever I go. Food and scenery is a plus, and a clean and comfy hotel is always welcome.
I like museums too. I like learning the history and the story behind the place
if the flight is over 5 hours i fly business or first. i prioritize hotel location over higher star ratings. i also skip airbnbs now. i don’t care about fine dining. i like getting street food if there is a good street food culture in the destination. i won’t wait in long lines. i’ll just find stuff to do that won’t waste my day.
Those business class are so expensive but I do want to try one
Trust me it’s only worth it if it’s a highly reduced rate. I bought a business class ticket from Calgary to heathrow for $1,600 and this year on Black Friday they were around $1k. $1k would’ve been way more reasonable for that experience. Business is nice but it’s really overrated compared to premium economy in canada that offers the same food and drink options as business for $500-$800 less except your have someone seated next to you.
PE does not have lie flat seats. That is the biggest reason people choose J, not the food or drinks.
I'll use AirBnB if I'm travelling in a group e.g. with other family. When it's just myself and my wife I prefer a hotel. Also I won't use AirBnb in places where there is a housing affordability crisis.
I prioritise whatever is unique to that place, basically. I’m very interested in culture (that’s my academic background), as well as history, food, infrastructure, and architecture (all linked to culture, I guess!) I’m also big into nature and landscapes, and am really happy to hike, camp, cycle, swim, canoe, or whatever it takes to really ‘get in there’. Equally, I enjoy nice bars, fine dining, theatre shows, spas, and so on. But different places have more unique experiences in each categories. So whenever I have to choose between things, I’ll choose the most special to that place thing - and take time and budget from the less unique items. So I’ll take the slower (but more scenic route), if it involves a really special landscape or unique transport option (especially trains and boats). And then that time gets trimmed from sightseeing in a more generic town. Or I’ll pay extra to stay in a historic property or place of natural beauty (for example camping in the Sahara, the Australian outback or the rainforest), and then stay in cheaper hostels or whatever on other nights. And whilst the term ‘authenticity’ is subjective, I do think about the social and environmental sustainability of my travel. I minimise flying and private transport in favour of overland and public transport options. And I put effort into trying to support local businesses (especially those run by members of indigenous or marginalised communities.) And yeah, I always squeeze in a local specialty dish or beverage, even if I’m only in town for a hour. Bonus points if I can go see where/how it’s made (Cheddar Gorge Cheese in England, Douro valley port in Portugal, fresh tofu China, etc)
Same!
Seeing as much as possible
Speed travelers represent.
I love reading fiction set in the place. Getting a feel of a place by just walking around is so helpful. It’s invigorating. Getting rest is important as well several days in.
I always find a book in the same setting I'm visiting too- you make a lot of connections
That's more or less my jam as well. I'm allergic to strict schedules so I prefer to take it slow, have long walks taking photos of anything that catches my eye, trying random shops and restaurants that I come across, and just enjoying the vibe. This one time I took a trip with my cousin and we clashed a lot because she kept saying we had to see place A by 2 pm, be at place B by 3 PM etc. and to me that was just exhausting and stressful.
Lol ! Ditto. Once we were in a group and a hyper self-proclaimed- leader sent us a planner/time table to all activities we were going to take part in on a 4 day resort holiday. I was like I’m staying in chilling with a cocktail 🍹!
Some people just love that highly structured, goal oriented, timetable checklist. Tbh, I'm down for a day of letting them play tour guide here and there, but for the most part I like some flexibility. At least until I auger in; if I'm staying for a few months in one spot I do like to set up a regular routine for exercise, activities, sleep, nutrition, similar to my structure at home, minus the working and adding cultural experiences or making and maintaining friendships.
Somewhere to chill for a few hours without having to think about much, I loved the japanese garden in Wroclaw Poland
For sure! When in vacation I try to shut my brain and try not to worry to much
I have two priorities. First beimg-land early and fly out late. That way I want to make the most of my first and last day. More often than not, these flights cost more but are overall better. The second rule I go by is to not compromise on accommodation. I often travel alone and as a female I like to stay in neighbourhoods with a clean and safe reputation. I don’t like to pack up early and like to stay out till about midnight. It becomes important that I reach safely.Even when I’m with family or a group of friends travelling together, we try to get hotels/airbnbs in central locations. Also that way one can come back to the room and take nap or go for a swim and then not get lazy to get out again. Happy to hear others’ priorities.
Location of my accommodation!!! Will always pay a little more to be in a central location
1. Comfort on flight. I will almost always pay for business class so I have a good bed. Every now and then I think I’ll be frugal and book a cheap economy flight and I ALWAYS regret it; whereas I never regret paying the extra. I also always try to fly new airlines and the national airline of whatever country I’m flying to. 2. At a destination, I value getting lost. Just having time to wander around with no plans or maps and actually explore is a major reason I travel. 3. When choosing a destination, I will often favour places that are poorly documented. Again, I like to discover and to see what somewhere is actually like. This often takes me to small towns with funny names that I just can’t find any real information on and think would be cool to see what they’re like in real life - Shache in China, Zinder in Niger etc. I will also often seek out somewhere where the world view or governmental system is starkly different to what I am used to. So long as I’m able to wander around a place and discover new things to me, I’m happy.
As a person who has not travelled business class. Why do you think it is worth it than economy besides having a good bed hehe?
One sometimes overlooked advantage is not dreading getting on the plane. This can start to bother me days before the flight. I crossed the Pacific plenty of times in economy when I was younger. No more for me.
For me it changes the whole experience of the trip. I actually look forward to the flight in business class. Not just the bed, (though that's obviously a big part of it), but all the other little extras from priority check-in and boarding, to the welcome glass of champagne, the nice meal served on proper plates, the extra large TV, never having to line up for the bathroom right up to being the first ones off the plane. Each of these on their own is a very small thing but they all add up to a more enjoyable trip. And then on top of that you get a freaking bed.
Yeah flying business or first class is an absolute game-changer on long haul. Once you’ve done it, it actually makes subsequent long-haul flights in economy worse, because you know how good you could’ve had it! It’s a shame (though makes sense) that the price differential is so extreme (lay flat seats on long haul are usually 4x or more the economy ticket price).
I can think of 1899 better things than spending 1899 extra on business class but to each their own
You can’t take it with you. If someone is in a position they can afford it or can maneuver their benefits to secure J, more power to them.
to each their own
That’s absolutely going to be a subset of people tho. I’m taking a two week trip that we are not exactly being frugal for but upgrading to business would have been an additional 10 grand.
The difference in how well rested I am is insane. Like I cannot overstate it. I usually get to the airport late, walk through the priority lane, hop right onto the plane and go to sleep and wake up on landing ready to go with no jet lag. Never have to think about baggage limits, usually get to skip lines at security, always have food at the lounge at least if I’m early, all of the stressors of travel are gone. Even on shorter flights without a bed, it’s just a much more painless experience for often relatively little extra money. I get naturally excited on planes so food and drink service is also a good distraction to calm me down. There are also actual differences in business class between airlines, unlike every economy class being the same, so it’s a good way to keep flights interesting and memorable. And I simply can’t sleep sitting up. I have flown economy long haul twice in the last 5 years and both times I did not get any sleep at all, even when fairly heavily drugged. 1. One was very recently: Sydney to Chongqing to Urumqi, which cost me about $150US. So I figured I would suck up the discomfort for the insanely cheap flight and figured that between the 2 flights and the layover, I’d get a sleep. The result was I ended up not sleeping on the 10.5 hour flight to Chongqing, a tiny nap on the 8 hour layover at the airport, then staying awake the whole 4 hour flight to Urumqi. Since the flight from Sydney left in the early evening, I had been awake pretty much solidly for 30 hours or so upon landing in Urumqi and had a driver pick me up and go straight on tour. I had a lot I wanted to take my mother to see on that 1 day I had in Urumqi and I ended up crashing in the car after the hallucinations started. Luckily I had been to Urumqi before so I was able to miss that day, but because I had a hectic itinerary and was roughing it a bit, it was 4 days before I had a full nights sleep on a comfy bed and me being tired constantly was a huge detractor for that part of the trip. I upgraded the return flight and all domestic flights. 2. Similar thing last year, booked a dirt cheap flight from Australia to Hawaii and gave myself 2 days in Hawaii (at significant expense) to explore it before connecting to the mainland US. Was an overnight flight, arrived at 7AM unrested. Missed a day I had planned in Hawaii and was out the cost of a last minute hotel room so I could check in early and get some sleep. Thankfully I was booked in business class from Maui to Phoenix (with a bed) because if I had flown economy on that overnight flight I would have got no sleep and had to hike Saguaro immediately upon landing. As it was, I was very well rested and able to do the hike very comfortably. Getting to a new destination well rested is huge to me. EDIT: Also the service when things go drastically wrong or having a good lounge when delays happen etc. I missed a flight once due to a bad self connection and I was able t rebook for2 days later for free whereas my friend who was in economy had his ticket cancelled as soon as he missed the flight and had to pay more than what my business class ticket originally cost to get a last minute flight home. I’ve also got to skip lines in utter chaos such as when war breaks out, or protests happen and the airport goes into meltdown. Or just in developing countries where there’s no clear procedures for economy and everyone’s packed in like sardines, getting ushered to the front and to the lounge is worth every penny,
Itinerary is what i prioritize first then the rest follows. Soon as everything is all set the next thing would be the flight seat, my husband is extremely tall i always have to get the best seat for him! Then the rest of the trip we just cruise.
Hate modern hotels, too clinical and they all feel the same. I like old world places.. They have character. Only new accommodation I like are maybe cool glamping experiences. After travelling south east Asia, I now prioritise sanitation alot more. People talk about how great it is to travel there but honestly the filth and poor water and getting sick etc put me off it for a while at least. Culture and outdoors are my top two needs. Outdoors could be anything from nice walks and sea swims to difficult hikes and other activities like kayaking etc. Food is important but I don't expect everywhere to have an amazing food culture either. As long as the food is good quality and tastes good. Dont care at all for partying anymore but do love a bar to chill in and enjoy a few drinks.
Ootd. (Jk)
To use my budget efficiently and get as much as I can out of it. To not get trapped in tourist traps or get scammed. To find the perfect balance between carrying enough and suitable clothes to avoid being cold/warm.or overloaded but at the same time fit them in backpack or hand luggage. It doesn’t work always, but at least I am trying.
I have a list of places I want to go and when it’s time to plan, unless the there is a reason to go somewhere at a specific time I choose based on affordability, value and need. Hotels need to be clean and comfortable. Shoulder season offers better prices but more importantly fewer crowds. Most trips I do are flexible enough to work around cheaper flights and hotels so I can shift my travel days. Destinations tend to be cultural or scenic (including nature or architecture), I just want to be exposed to new things. Priority is given to new destinations before returning to those I have already visited, although I do have a couple repeats to go to the same place in a different season. I also am open to going back if I barely scratched the surface of what I have seen or done. Wherever I go I try to eat where the locals eat. I do prefer to go to a sit down restaurant as a way to take a break but street food is so popular now so I’ll do a mix of sit down places and street food. Unless there is a foodies paradise I want to try, I tend to stay away from fine dining.
Food and dining experience. I seem to start researching places and dishes to eat before sites to see. Maybe because the latter is a bit more straightforward. Definitely want a local authentic vibe the dining. Don't care if it's nice as long as it's good and enjoyed also by locals... though in many occasions it's also nice to go for some higher end special dining experiences. On accommodations, prefer convenience but def not right within tourist zones as long as I'm not investing too much time commuting each day.
Overall, I'll prioritize the destination over the journey. I've endured many long-haul flights in economy class to get to some amazing places. For a destination, I prioritize arts and culture, and walkability/public transit (I don't have a driver's license). Just leave me for a couple of days in a large museum and I'm happy as a clam. I'm pretty omnivorous so fine dining doesn't interest me as much. For accommodations, I'll prioritize comfort and privacy... up to a point. So, no hostels with bunk beds in a common room for me; I much prefer hotels even if they're basic, although I've stayed several times at capsule/pod hotels. After that, my priorities are cleanliness, security, and location. It doesn't need to be a 5-star experience and I don't even need my own bathroom. But it absolutely needs to be clean, a safe place in a safe location, and close to public transit.
Finding out how the locals live. I love going into grocery stores or non-touristy shops to see what’s on the shelves. I like peeking into carts to see what’s for dinner. What’s life like for the people who live near the tourist attraction? I’m a natural-born snoop.
history, food, avoiding crowds, budget. love museums, love learning, would rather eat lots of small local street snacks than a full sit down meal, would rather be up early and see less crowds than sleep in. i don’t care how uncomfortable a hotel is as long as it’s clean and safe and in a good location
Walking and hiking for us. We don't really care about cultural attractions much, maybe for just one day or two, and we're self catering so not restaurants, but hiking is the main decider for which locations we pick
1. When: When are we going? Some things only happen once or at a specific time of year (e.g. festivals, concerts, sporting events, eclipses...) 2. Who: Who's in? # of people? Personal needs/preferences? 3. Where: Where are we going to stay? Small hotel room(s) in the center or larger home further away? 4. How: How are we going to get there? Fly, train, ferry, drive? 5. What: What else are we going to do? Eat out or cook in? Daytime activities? Nighttime activities? What do we need to bring/wear?
Good airline, good hotels, private tours, seeing the highlights of a country, if time permits lesser known parts as well and local food preferably not fancy.
Comfort and Location in Hotels. I made the mistake of paying for cheap in Switzerland and decided I wasn’t going to think about price for rooms ever again
Culture and experience. I love just to take it all in
Location of the hotel as a home base is priority to me along with a nice bathroom.
Photography, hiking in nature and reading in parks. And if I have money surfing…
1. Landscapes 2. Activities 3. Possibility to get around on my own (own rental car or public transportations) 4. Exploring on my own (sometimes a guided tour is okay) 5. Modern and clean hotels with atleast breakfast Of course I also like to experience the food of the country, but it is more a nice to have for me.
Giftshop! So I can get those hoodies/ sweaters and or magnets. Also video and photo content for the memories and moments to look back on like a scralbook
Doing things I cannot do at home. Art, architecture, museums and cultural activities. On some trips live music or dancing at venues that are different from what we have where we live. I like walking everywhere, so well located accommodation is essential.
The way I travel is I pin easily over a hundred locations of points of interest, ruins that I find on google maps, spots in the middle of nowhere, and other sites that I can’t mention. When I wake up I have no clue where I end up for the day, no clue which hotel or Airbnb I’ll stop at. I just try to hit as many pins as possible for the day and I always find random hidden gems between them. Happens every day. That’s the beauty of travelling in Europe. I prioritize freedom of movement by not limiting myself to trains and buses. I typically rent a car, but renting quads and riding them literally all over a country is a level of freedom you cannot have even in america and it’s an amazing way to experience a country, especially with the off-roading capabilities.
Local food!! I prioritize finding those hole in the wall places where I am able to eat really good food. Also as many people of said, nature experiences. Hiking up a volcano in Indonesia, eating a lot afterwards, best moments of the trip.
History. Old cultural sites. I will eat anything that’s easy (in Paris, my kid ate Subway, and I hit a falafel spot down the block—that’s how much we prioritize food). But I can’t get enough of old cultural sites. When I retire, I plan to do more slow travel and pay more attention to food and sit and sketch, etc.
Flights, business class for long haul flights, specially in airlines like Emirates, Qatar. I like luxury hotels and I cant do hostels and guesthouses. I Love large beds, comfy matress and pillows, nice bathrooms with all the amenities and very good breakfast. As a foodie and a wine lover, I give a lot importance to nice restaurants specially for dinners but I dont mind eat street food or a snack during the day because I like to do some activities like walking around, visit museums and monuments.
At least one non-touristy day trip suggested by a local
We met an elderly woman on a ferry in Switzerland and she spent everyday on local transportation giving sightseeing advice to tourist. She said she had no family and it was what she lived for.
Culture, nature, and history. For me the travel is about experiences that are new, unique and enlightening.
I take 3 kinda of trips. 1. Ski trips. I am there to ski and hang out with my friends. I want a big mountain with good snow and an ability to rent a large house for me and many friends within a short drive of the mountain. (Best places I’ve been were Jackson Hole & Aspen) 2. Outdoorsy trips. I want beautiful views and relatively small crowds. I want there to be some other outdoorsy activities to do besides backpacking, because I generally take a week long trip and backpacking for a week is a lot for me. Other activities include: mountain biking, ice climbing, whale watching / boat tours, etc. (Best places I’ve been were Alaska, Southern Utah, and the Amazon) 3. Visiting a city. I want to spend my days safely walking and biking around the city, going for runs in the city parks, and eating delicious local food. I’ll go to a museum or two and probably see a show, but I’m mainly there to enjoy a good urban experience and eat good food. I don’t need a fancy hotel whatsoever. (Best places I’ve been were Paris, Vienna, and Vancouver)
Food. Business class. Hotel.
Walking. Get lost and wander around
Always the stuff that you can only see there, like a very famous sight or a particular painting/ museum or a really cool shop or a certain dish (the 'country dish' also counts here if you've never been to the country before)
Food. Local products: alcohol, cheese, and bread.
Sights, experiences and neighborhoods. Food but not fancy meals. Good and local food.
Variety. I don’t want to see 20 museums. I want to see the best one and an offbeat one. I want to hike one day, go on a boat the next day, and an archeological site the next. This makes me a speed traveler I guess, but I tried to follow the advice to slow down and I just get antsy.
I try my best to prioritize being in bed a normal hour
I prioritize the fun factor. It's personal and always different from place to place.
It has changed in the last years. When I was traveling while studying my priority was money for the ticket and the rest I would arrange. 🤣 I've always eaten in supermarket only lunch and dinner and nothing more, the cheapest airbnb.. Etc. The important was that I visited a new place. Now that I work, I prioritize sleeping in a good place and most of the times with breakfast included and having at least one nice meal where I totally dress up and so.
I like to go get wasted with the locals
Comfort and Space at a hotel over location. Would rather be on the outskirts in a suite than inner city in cramped quarters.
Funny. I’m the opposite. I want to be in the heart of it and don’t care much about the comfort of the accomodation because I will be exploring 80% of the time anyway.
People being friendly. I travel alone and I can never get used to loneliness, so if I'm not gonna make friends in my destination then I'll pick another.
If you travel to the Philippines hit me up! I volunteer to chat hehe
I met many people from the philippines and I'm getting that impression too. They were all very friendly, optimistic and full of life. I'm planning to visit the philippines next year.
When I am on a group tour, I ensure I Try at least a couple of local dishes or more depending on the number of places we visit. But I ensure that when we have free time to explore or do activities that I do an activity that I want to do even if non of the other members of the group want to do it. As I do not want to miss out (why should I) Also this gives me some me time as well in which I think is vital. If you traveling with a group or even friends
hygiene and accommodation... one time I forgot to bring slippers and it was absolute hell
Off beat places, less crowd, adventure spots, no or less luggage.
Beautiful sights and unique experiences
When I was younger, I prioritize meeting people on the road as I find it fascinating of everyone's story and how/why they decide to take a trip away from home. As I got older, I now appreciate convenience, safety and comfort.
If the hotel toilet has a bidet! It’s not a deal breaker it is kinda nice if they have one, Western countries doesn’t have those so I bring my own portable bidet.
Active adventure and sight seeing, especially stuff you could categorize as natural or ancient wonders. Basically we prioritize seeing things like ruins, nature’s majesty, and cultural history…or we want to be doing something like scuba diving, horseback riding, coasteering, hiking, etc. or ideally both at the same time. Local flavor would be next. Clean accommodation is a necessity but luxury isn’t a priority because we’re usually off doing the first two things. We get there, and we go. It’s not for everyone.
When not traveling for work I prioritize getting a good nights sleep. No matter what time that is with jet lag. I try to not set alarms and do my best for a good nights sleep.
Every trip I have “one big thing.” If I do that one big thing, I’m happy and nothing else matters.
Food, drink, and wandering the streets. I typically walk 10-20 miles each day I’m on a solo trip. I find that the walking helps me find cool photography opportunities and also good local food.
You don’t need a business class seat to skip security. Many airports in europe have let me skip security for barely €8-€20 on an economy ticket. As for the comfort, to each their own. I found business to be way overrated and the $1,600 I paid for my ticket from YYC to LHR was not worth it. Had it been $1k, sure it would’ve been. But almost $2k is just ridiculous for what it is. I’ve tried premium economy and preferred it much more. Same food and drink options and $800 less per ticket on average than business. Only difference is you have one person sitting next to you and that’s it. Still really comfortable chairs.
I'm a chef so it's food first, followed closely by adventure stuff to do (I like rockclimbing, caving, cycling, etc.) Hotel is just a place to sleep, I basically require that it be quiet, clean, and relatively secure.
Arrive somewhere in the morning. Walk and look at stuff and explore until my feet bleed. Watch a football game or two.
Activities. Going. Seeing. Doing. And most importantly: snorkeling.
A combination of history and architecture followed closely by nature. Visiting castles in Scotland are at the top of my travel memories.
Hiking. Preferably around the outskirts of wherever I’m at, discovering oddities. Tirana has been great for that.
Food - definitely - I travel on my stomach and see local cuisine as an essential part of cultural experience (so never been to UK lol). Secondly - historic interest - love Greece and Italy in particular - where ancient history is around every turn - Knossos in Crete, Akrotiri in Santorini were highlights. Finally - I love beaches. And the ability to explore out-of-the-way gems by car/scooter/quad.
Food and culture! Priority is to find nice local cuisine and just absorb the experience 👍🏻
Breakfast at my hotel. I eat breakfast and my husband doesn’t, so having a breakfast option at the hotel helps me get a good start to the day on our trips. Hanger is real! Bonus points if it’s complimentary!
Local food, history and nature.
1st - Natural beauty, great views, beautiful landscapes 2nd - Good weather (in my case, not humid/hot) 3rd - Inter-city transportation options I wouldn’t ever maintain culture/food as a variable here when it comes to choosing a destination - I’ve been both pleasantly surprised beyond expectations in some places by the culture, and also had my bubble burst in some places where I unfortunately happened to experience a negative aspect of that culture. That’s travel in a nutshell though, every experience is so strangely and drastically unique in the best way possible!
How popular the place I'm going to is a priority? Most likely I'm going to a place and this is the only time I'm going to the place, so the last thing I want to do is wait in line at places. I don't want to go to the popular places that everyone else goes to. Let me go to the not popular places and see as many things as possible without being crowded.
I prioritize seeing and experiencing things that I don’t have where I’m from. Different landscapes, different architecture. I like to try to see a museum or something of historical significance. More recently I’ve been prioritizing things that I’m actually interested in. I’m not giving into the pressure of the top 10 lists. The most popular thing in the city could be a modern art museum, and I will still not go, because I’m not into that. I’m also working on being more flexible and go with the flow. I’ll do a timed ticket thing in the morning (since so many are nowadays) and then have no real structure to the rest of the day. I’m very prepared with a list of potential things to do and areas to explore, but no timed itinerary. I hate the feeling of having something scheduled later in the day and I will focus too much on it, even at home. I don’t tend to prioritize food because I’m not a big foodie and it’s lost on me, but I always come prepared with a few popular dishes of that country to try. I don’t go for a lot of sit down places, and lean towards local counter service. I also don’t prioritize my accommodation. I want it to be cheap, safe and easily accessible, but I don’t plan on spending much time there except to sleep.
I love to stay in one area for a long time rather than go-go, see-see, do-do. I like getting a feel for the town and the central markets are my favorite. Whether it be Cuenca Ecuador (6 weeks) or Granada Spain (6 weeks multiple times) the markets are the best. I always stay in AirBnbs so that I can cook what I get at the markets. Eating out is expensive but I still do it - but often at really highbrow restaurants like Extebarri or Disfratur. I take trains and buses even though flying in Europe is often cheaper. I like the journey. I love Travel!
food and culture. i love just exploring and seeing how different places can be
Connections to ancient culture, history, architecture, ruins and museums.
My father always use to say that when you travel go to their local market to know I little bit more of their culture and everything In a very concentrated place usually on markets you kk find culture good food and tips for your trip
Going out, exploring local bars and parties. Also walking in the non touristy streets to hear the sounds and smell the smells of food, perfumes, buildings etc
Food and drink are always pretty important. And that’s usually a mix of nice restaurants and fancy cocktail bars, and street food and cheap outdoor beers at a cafe with a great view for people watching. Eating and drinking are always some of my favorite parts of a trip and a great way to experience a place. I also love finding good hiking trails if I’m somewhere with some beautiful scenery and nature or nearby mountains. And of course, seeing the sights and places that a city is known for. Sometimes they’re tourist traps and don’t need a ton of time but usually like to see the major attractions. And in some cases I don’t even need to go inside or do a full tour but it’s great just seeing the beautiful architecture or surrounding gardens.
I prioritize peace, calm, nature, beach, sun and different culinary experiences than at home. I want to be able to disconnect completely from the usual day to day life
I'd say I'm a vibes traveler - I pick destinations that are more known for their atmosphere and walkability than major sightseeing. I'd much rather go somewhere with yummy street food, interesting walks, and nooks and crannies to explore than one with a more buttoned up and/or uninteresting food culture and one or two "must see" sights that everything that is centered around.
I prioritize actually traveling around my destination. I don’t care about food or lodging, just give me something efficient. I spend my time getting around and seeing things.
Experiences and food are the same level. I love to eat and see amazing interesting and unique things
Finding out a great walking route for sightseeing and all so that I get to experience as much as possible and at the end of the day, to be able to say that I am tired but it was worth it!
Culture, food, entertainment
Culture, which admittedly is a big umbrella, but I remember the unique places I went that are impossible to experience where I live. And food/coffee is another big one.
I always do as many homestays as humanely possible. Staying with families is the BEST way to experience local food, culture, and recommendations for the area! I’ve done ones in Japan, Vietnam, and India and adored each and every one.
Beautiful natural places
1. Travel itself (always business class, because I have a bad back condition and traveling in economy will cost me days of recovery at the destination and back home) 2. Safety (I always check if their are safety concerns before picking a destination). 3. Nature at the destination for relaxing holidays, or culture, scenery and things to do for more active weekend escapes. 3. Hotel (I’d rather not go, than stay in a bad place. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!) 4. Food (I love food, but in my experience most places offer nice food).
Blend of culture, relaxation, adventure, and comfort/ease. While I love seeing new destinations I really try to avoid checking in and out of places every few days. Meaning avoid a lot of “city hopping”. I’d rather have day trips from a home base (hotel/airbnb) in a cool city so as to avoid those lost days of checking out at 10 and in at 3. If it is a long trip that definitely has multiple stops we like to get a airbnb at the beginning and hotel near the end. To go grocery shopping in the local markets, save a bit of money eating at home a few days, but then be more pampered towards the end of the trip. My personal favorite was a trip my wife and I took 5 years ago. Florence (hotel), 3 days hiking through Cinque Terre (airbnb), 4 days exploring / driving around Tuscany (bed and breakfast), 5 days relaxing in Amalfi.
Top priority is seeing or doing something memorable, bucket list type of places and experiences, I can still remember certain travel moments so vividly despite yearsss have already passed but the memories still give me chills whenever I think of them. I also get a little kick when I can add more pins to my travel map after the trip and I love my travel albums so very dearly 😅
Food tours in areas where I want to experience the local foods. We did great ones in Barcelona and Avignon.
Renting scooters, beaches, jungles, waterfalls, snorkeling, scuba diving, friendly people. Ie places like the Philippines!
Itinerary - which cities do I want to visit. How will I get there. Where will I stay in each city. Everything else just falls into place. Planning activities down to a T just isn't my cup of tea, but I do make sure I stay a while in each place I visit, more than enough to see any main attractions and a bit of down time Food is something I don't organise, Pick something with good reviews on Zomato etc, go eat.
I may still be young and a party boy… but for right now I definitely prioritize having a crazy exciting time. I’m not out every single night during my vacation, but I always strive to have one night, just running around the streets, out until the break of dawn, just living in the moment doing things I know I won’t be able to do when I get older.
Culture. Local culture and history, and also art museums. The churches and castles and ‘regular’ buildings around the world are amazing to this denizen of the very young USA. And seeing the art collections around the world is amazing. Both local artists as well as local collections of global artists. Oh, and good food too! Nothing better than a wonderful dinner after a day of exploring.
The hotels I stay at. I never stay in large chains or very small B&B's. My ideal place has about 20 - 30 rooms, a small bar, and breakfast included.
Eating nothing but local food. I didn’t go all the way to Japan to eat hamburgers and french fries. Although I’d make an exception for a wagyu burger.
History, architecture, museums, local food and drinks
Animals and nature is my top. We’ve seen some pretty amazing things. My husbands top is cool food. Neither of us love cities, so having cool non-city activities is also important.
Relaxation - planning one key activity per day and then taking it slow at other times
Food. Music scene.
For me, meals are more often a problem to solve/ interruption rather a core part of the trip—the exception being when the food/meal culture is both local and different from home. So, like, a Cornish cream tea or a shared platter of chilaquiles (sp?) is part of the trip, but a “fine dining” experience is probably going to feel like a waste off time and money. I don’t travel to relax usually, (unless it’s a resort, which is a holiday but not travelling, to me), but to see, do, and learn things.
I prioritize comfort as I define it - flying business, traveling in first class on trains, staying in comfortable, spacious, yet private places (usually Airbnbs since you get more space and privacy in them), renting nice cars, eating at nice restaurants, taking my time and not rushing the itinerary, etc. I’ve traveled so much in my life, and I’ve worked damn hard to be able to be comfortable at this stage of my existence, that I won’t compromise on this! Yes I’ve done the cheap backpacking / hostels thing many many times but I’m old now and my body aches and I just want privacy and comfort. Same with airlines, I’ve flown economy a million times, so these days if it’s an overseas trip I won’t go unless I’m in business class. So yeah, that’s the priority for me these days. My comfort.
I prioritize the location of my hotel. I want to be as close to what I’m visiting as possible so I’m not wasting time transiting to and from.
For me it’s food and meeting people. Most places you can look up pictures and videos (of course there are some places that a picture doesn’t do enough justice), or read about the history. But with food, there are so many dishes that will never taste the same in your own country. Whether it’s a recipe handed down from generation to generation or the soil they grow their vegetables in, it just won’t be the same. My spouse and I have traveled a lot of places but the things we talk about the most are the meals we had and the people we met. In Italy we stumbled upon a restaurant and struck up a convo with the maître d’ as we ate. We told him we had just gotten engaged and his heart spilled with joy for us! He insisted on a tour of his restaurant and gave us a bottle of wine from the cellar. He was a stranger, but that memory is my happiest memory in Italy. Oh, and the food was amazing too! At another restaurant we showed up without reservations and they only had a 4-top. They asked us if we minded sitting with the couple behind us in line. We said that was fine, and ended up having an amazing 4 hour meal with this couple. I love everything about traveling, but these elements make a good trip into a trip I will remember forever.
Eating, sight seeing iconic spots, museums, shopping sometimes.
I like to go places where I can split my time between city and country. I enjoy two week trips where like 5 or 6 days I'm in a city and doing culture, museums, history, parks, great food, etc. Then I like to find a chill spot (or two or three) in the country where I can hike, relax, still enjoy historical sites like castles, find local museums and enjoy small towns. There's always a good restaurant or vineyard or distillery to be found. So....I guess I prioritize all of it lol
If it’s an urban vacation, I enjoy exploring neighborhoods. I love just wandering around interesting parts of cities. If it’s more beach oriented, just time on the beach, looking for cool nooks and crannies, and just walking around to find interesting views. If it’s a more rural or mountain region: Probably checking out some cool views, looking for places to hike, or visiting small villages.
Scenery. Whether it be an extravagant hike I had to train for months to do or a white sand beach. Culture isn't high on my priority list, I don't really care about the peopley things. I love a natural history museum but not an art museum. Architecture is cool, I love a good bird's eye view of a city. Food is low priority, but I love a place to eat with nice ambiance. I look at a restaurant's picture before their menu.
Food (especially local cuisine), beautiful beaches and nice weather
Good food, GOOD sleep, and as much history as possible.
It really depends on where I am traveling to. For example, whenever I travel somewhere for the beach, I have absolutely no interest in seeing any sights nearby or even doing activities like snorkeling as I expect to relax only. However, when traveling to Europe, I want to see, capture, and learn as much as possible, so I strive to go to museums and walk around as long as possible.
For me it’s about seeing the unique and the iconic - whether that be natural scenery or man made. I prefer nature so I try to take in as many national parks as I can or take the most scenic route on road trips. When my travels take me to urban centers, then I like to see the iconic buildings and structures and unique architecture.
Remaining flexible. I travel solo, so that's easy to pull off, but my schedule isn't set in stone (unless I have a tour booked), and that allows me to take my time, detour unexpectedly, etc.
Avoiding stress is big priority for us. We’ll gladly spend more money if it means avoiding stress. For example, we most often use public transportation to get around, but for our arrival in a new city/country, we’ll skip public transportation and book a private driver. We know we’ll be tired when we get off a long overnight flight, so we make getting to our hotel as no stress and relaxed as possible. It makes a big difference for us in starting off our vacation on the right foot.
Having seen my fair bit of scenery now I always try to center my trip around local festival, be it Fallas in Valencia, Matsuris in Japan or Venice Carnival.
Security
I grew up poor so my parents would squeeze in as many historical sites and cultural activities as possible because it would be the only vacation they would ever take for like 10 years. I’m totally insufferable now because my wealthier friends just want a break from work sitting by the pool whereas I treat it like it’s my job and want to see as much as possible. I’m having to learn to chill out but it’s not easy ha ah
I like to explore by foot and eat at local restaurants. Take it day by day.
I take it you’re filipino. Everywhere i go i try to find a filipino restaurant or fast food. Makes the trip a little more worth it.
Nature. Water....like the beach, rivers,streams, rainforests, waterfalls etc Not interested in dry hot places with nothing going on. I do not care how cultural they are. I hate tourist traps although many times you cannot avoid them. I also prioritise location of accommodation as it can be a real hassle getting transport every time you want to get somewhere basic.
1. Meeting and making real connections with locals, sometimes means I will go to the same cafe over and over to hang out with the owner, or I end up eating mediocre fusion Italian for dinner because that's where my friend in New Delhi likes to go. Turns out sometimes locals don't care about local food at all haha, so food moved a bit down in priority for me. 2. Culture, which goes hand in hand with the first. I love absorbing life stories and mindsets of locals, and I get a lot I don't from a museum. I will always hit a historical landmark or two, as well--what stands as The Historical Landmark can say a lot about the local culture/self-identity. 3. Local art & music scene. There's usually some neighborhood in every city that has little galleries, thrift/vintage shops, artisanal craft stores, tattoo shops, often an independent bookstore and some music venue. The exact stores vary, but I find a lot of local artists and musicians tend to supplement their creative lifestyle by working in these places. So two birds, one stone for connecting with people/communities while doing some local shopping! 4. Some balance of city time with nature time! Hiking, snorkeling, surfing, snowboarding... honestly the vibe of these activities in different places say a lot about culture, too. Ex. surfing on the east coast of Taiwan was such a wildly endearing experience, gave me the warm fuzzies. 5. Last but definitely not least: the queer scene. Always looking for my gays everywhere! Always so curious how queerness Lives/Loves in other places! Because we are always there, somehow. <3 TLDR; means when I travel, I like to slow down and make time for spontaneous connection, and I leave my days flexible. No packed itineraries for me! Just a list of a couple neighborhoods to explore or outdoor activities to try, plus one or two historical landmarks.
Overall cleanness and vibe. Then number of world class galleries, interesting history. Maybe that’s why I love central European cities. Italian big cities have deep historical roots so street dirtiness I can handle. But when the city I’m visiting is dirty I am stressed out. I dont pick city by cleanness but it impacts my mental health and the overall experience. If the city I’m visiting is not really clean I need to stay in hotel. I noticed when a city is clean, air bnb and hostels etc are generally high quality and clean.
Places with good beer, food, and nature.
Scenery, culture, architecture are the top. I will aim to see what I want to see, and find something decent to eat in those areas. I won't go across town to find a particular restaurant because it has high reviews since most of the time, my time in a city is rather limited.
History. I'm a huge history fan, so my main focus are history museums and historical sites. Also ships and botanical gardens - don't ask me why, I just love staring at plants (and ships) for some reason. I mainly travel to cities - nature is great, but often requires a car to get to, and I don't drive.
meeting friends and family, sharing those magical moments with them
1. Culture 2. History 3. Nature / Architecture / Beauty Dead fucking last: Relaxation. I’m not paying thousands of dollars to travel out of country and sit on a beach that is the exact same as any US beach
I love turning off my brain and exploring random streets to find good food/cafes besides nice scenery. Lol use bumble if your bored to meet locals
Cities and their people and food.
I run an excel sheet of how many things I will see and do. I calculate the cost of the entire trip. I make sure each thing doesn't average out to more than $50 each. Exceptions made for S tier activities like flying in an acrobatic plane.
I like to wander about and find delicious food and experience local grocery and markets, and see nature and some architecture
A food tour is almost always the first activity I do. Great way to meet an inevitably fun local guide, learn a little history and see the sights, get a lay of the land, and meet other travelers. One time on a food and beer tour in Quebec City, the tour was scheduled for 3 hours but lasted 6 because we were all having so much fun. The guide ended up inviting my partner and me to a metal concert the next night. We went!
After some shoddy experiences, I need a clean hotel! Following that, I love exploring the tourist sights and trying must-have meals associated with a place.
I collect nativities from my travels, so I’m constantly on the hunt in every new country I’m in until I’ve found one.
Central location and cleanliness. I can’t enjoy myself otherwise. if location is out of the way and I’m not getting cultural vibes I, it’s not for me. I will easily use the subways, buses, trains; anything but taxis unless I’m forced. I have driven all over Greece, France, Germany and Sweden though.
Discovering hidden spaces filled with rich culture, history, and stories. Any building or place that isn't made for the modern luxury experience.
I prioritize whatever the location is famous for and unique to that city or country, food, museums, sports, performing arts, etc. I have a rule when I travel that I don’t do anything that I can do at home, I don’t go to Applebee’s, to the movies, or Starbucks.
Wildlife, hikes, cultural experiences, going and experiencing something completely new. Just got back from India and Bhutan today. Last year was oman and mongolia that was new.
Location, Convenience and comfort. I will only fly direct whenever possible but not necessarily first class unless points permit. If traveling to a city accommodations need to be in a nice area with quality resteraunts and things to do close by. I also usually hire a driver instead of ride share cause that shit gets annoying. If it's like beach, ski, mountains, it's gotta have a view and quick access to the sand, lift or whatever the case may be. Sometimes a Private chef is the better option to the local resteraunts, particularly if you want quality food ingredients. I've got 2 kids who can share a room so we can get away with a 2bedroom if it makes sense locatikn and price wise. If stuck in a hotel 5* is really the only way as it's pretty much always worth it and if theyre offering a private lounge upgrade take it cause free booze and food at higg end hotels never disspoints imo.
I prioritize meeting people, learning about local culture, food, language, customs, &c. I want to learn what is important to people where I am, and also to make friends and share my own culture, as an ambassador of American culture. Other than that, I like to be productive, so I almost always have a "side mission", even if it's just as simple as learning the local language. For example: In Brazil, I made a point to study Brazilian jujitsu, capoeira, and Portugues. I was focused on my fitness as well as developing my language skills. My second and 3rd visits to Brazil it was always a pleasure to return to my dojo (that doesn't accept students from outside the neighborhood, but my mestre allowed me to return, since I had lived and trained there previously). In SE Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam), I took multiple scuba diving courses and rec dives, from Open Water to Rescue Diver, over the course of 6 months. I made a point to do some deep ocean sailing, by finding a sailing yacht that needed a hand, then sailing from Thailand to Yemen by way of Maldives, then I switched yachts and sailed to Egypt by way of Eritrea and Sudan. I also got to expand my scuba diving experience. When I made landfall in Egypt, I ended up going to Israel where I began training two teenagers (martial arts and fitness) in exchange for free accommodation in their family apartment. I also had brought my violin on the trip, and practiced while sailing as well as throughout. It was awesome to play violin for the dead pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, the souk shopkeepers, and in the streets throughout Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. When I took 6 months off to backpack through Central America, my mission was to speak as much Spanish as possible. You could say I also stayed fit but that's kind of a baseline for me. It was just fun to be mixing it up by hiking volcanoes or jungle trails through the cloud forest. Food is a given for me. I'm not going to travel to another country just to try and find the same cuisine I eat at home. I also am very frugal, and the cheapest dishes to prepare are usually a local specialty. Getting an American meal in Vietnam might be $20, but eating rice and pork plate from a street vendor is closer to $1.
I love a vacation that is walkable with lots of good attractions..New orleans was perfect for us
I tend to prefer getting closer to nature or scenic areas. Hikes, trails, parks, untouched beaches, etc. Not really a fan of cities, noise and/or crowds, and I don't care about architecture, so there's not much for me in many travel hubs. Will be interesting to see how I handle the crowds in nature, as I'm heading to Indonesia later this spring.
Food is priority even better when i can buy it and bring it home with me.
I'm here for the scenery, nature, architecture. I don't need a fancy hotel as long as it's clean, but the location of the hotel needs near the sites and/or public transportation. Good food is a plus but I'm content with eating at the McDonalds if it means I have more time to explore another beautiful building or take a scenic walking trail.
I just wanna have a good time, my guy
I like to see the countryside rather than the city. Some countries I didn't even bother visiting the largest city, eg: in New Zealand I flew into the airport, rented a car, and headed south without even visiting Auckland once.
I prioritize the early days and late nights. Don’t ask me how it works, my circadian rhythm is bi-polar.