After nearly two years stuck at home, many of us are rediscovering our passion for travel and want to seek out new adventures in faraway lands.

Being stuck at home has been frustrating, but it has given us plenty of time to plan. This has led many folks to develop bigger and bolder travel plans than ever before, as we can’t wait to get back out on the road and start forging new paths.

However, trailblazing can come with its own set of obstacles and challenges. You probably won’t have a travel agent who can help plan your trip to Azerbaijan, and you can hardly ask your neighbor about skiing in Seoul.

Simply put, trailblazing takes effort — but the rewards can be great. Trailblazing to new locations allows you to escape tourist traps and capture authentic memories that last a lifetime. Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

International Travel

Trailblazing is all about going to a place that no one you know has been to before. Usually, this means you’re taking to the sky and should expect to fly a few thousand miles to reach a less well-known destination.

However, before you pack your bags and jet off, you should do some research to look for places that have at least some reviews. This can help keep you safe and ensures that the area you’re visiting will be somewhat appropriate for visitors — even ones with a sense of adventure.

That said, you must learn how to read online reviews before you take every five-star at face value. That’s because the hospitality industry has a fishy relationship with online reviews, and fake reviews can sometimes be left on a business site. As a savvy traveler, you need to watch out for these fake reviews and should look instead for a combination of both positive and negative reviews, as these are more likely to be trustworthy.

Local Adventure

International travel is the “norm” for trailblazers, but that doesn’t mean that adventure and new experiences can’t be found in your local area. There are plenty of ways to experience your home in new ways, and you can still find hidden gems within your own town, city, or state.

Local adventure is also time- and cost-effective. Traveling overseas for the weekend is impractical for most people, but hiking a trail or kayaking along your local river is entirely possible. Over time, you can find your own favorite spots and can recommend them to your adventurous coworkers, friends, or family. 

To start finding unique adventures at home, you should plan your trip around an activity you know you’ll enjoy. For example, you might take a train journey that takes you from your city to somewhere you haven’t been before. Or you can push your limits and start camping and backpacking. If you don’t have many outdoor skills, consider getting in touch with your local outdoor programs, which can help beginners get into exploring the great outdoors.

Costs

The idea of trailblazing is invigorating. But, as you start to budget for your trip, you might find that the cost starts ballooning out of control. To reduce your costs, you need to plan ahead and should consider making some lifestyle changes.

Start by researching money-saving travel sites. These sites will give you a ballpark figure of what you can expect to spend, and you might find a great deal that is unmatched by competitors. You should target your search on mid-week flights, as these always run cheaper, and should reserve seats way in advance because last-minute reservations can be extremely expensive.

When you arrive at your destination, you need to change your normal spending habits to save money and reduce your costs. An easy mental message to keep in mind is to “spend like a student”. This means you should save costs by packing light, and by spending more time in hostels instead of hotels. Opt for cheaper goods where possible, and take advantage of travel credit cards, as these will bring you rewards in the long run.

Do No Harm

Trailblazing is a great way to get out of tourist traps. This means you’ll see new things and won’t find yourself on commercial tours or in locations that have been completely changed by the tourism industry.

But, as a trailblazer, you have a responsibility to the areas you visit. Unfortunately, when folks go on amazing adventures it usually isn’t long until that magnificent beach or quaint town becomes swamped with tourists and is changed forever.

As a trailblazer, you have to decide between publicizing your adventure, which risks creating unwanted tourism, and keeping a low profile to maintain the integrity of a place. If you want to protect the place you visit, consider hiding geotags on social media, and maintain more vague location descriptors on blog posts.

Conclusion

Forging your own path while traveling is a great way to see more of the world and escape boring tourist traps. Trailblazing can save you money, too, as flights to remote locations often run cheaper than tourist-heavy destinations, and hostels can house you for much less than expensive city hotels. If you really want to have a great adventure, consider bringing your friend along so you can make memories that last forever.

About the author:

Frankie Wallace is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest. She writes about a variety of topics, and spends most of her free time in her garden. 

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