I spent a month so far backpacking across seven different countries in Europe while working on my laptop. I made many mistakes. Here is what I learned.
Take it Easy
The most important lessons of all. In some cases I would spend only two or three days in a city, thus walking madly for 15 miles a day and using up all my breaks to work. Stack those back to back and you will quickly wear yourself out, physically AND mentally. Thus, the tips below focus mainly on that.
Spend more time in one place
Brevity translates to rush and stress. If you have a whole week to explore a new city, instead of a day or two, you can balance more easily between sightseeing , work and rest. You can spend half a day catching up on emails knowing you’re not “missing out” on the valuable travel experience. And lastly, you can save a ton on food, but more on that few sections below.
Take the time to rest
Don’t underestimate the need to take breaks, or you will feel them once it is too late. After four days of fifty miles walking, my left foot was literally blistered into numbness (and it would take another five of staying at home before it was back to normal). Sit on a bench and people-watch, grab an afternoon coffee if you can, even spend half a day in your hostel few times. While it may feel like a waste of time, the sublime improvement in quality of your travel will definitely be worth it. Don’t burn out prematurely.
Catching up on work is not rest!
Another mistake I made was using the few breaks I had on taming my mounting backlog of emails. But just because you have WiFi doesn’t mean you have to dive into work-mode. While sitting at a café may let your feet rest, you also need to recharge your mind. Make sure you take the time to REALLY rest – go ahead and dick around on Facebook, take a nap in the park, chat with other travelers at the hostel, read a local newspaper, or just people-watch when sipping a beer. Don’t let each of those double as an opportunity to “answer one more email” like I did.
Use public transit
In retrospect it is a no-brainer, but enjoying walking, wanting to save cash, and being unfamiliar with the local buses, I mostly ventured on foot. Again, I needlessly wasted time and strength. Once I switched to taking public transit I realized how silly my reasons were.
Additionally, staring out the window as you pass multiple neighborhoods could be a good way to get a feel for the city and decide where exactly it is you want to explore on foot. I did not realize until the night before my departure that I liked the western and calmer parts of Vienna much more than the hectic epicenter.
Cook and buy groceries
If you’re a foodie like me, you want to try as many local goodies as possible, so eating out is a must. But if you stay in a place longer, you don’t need to rush to try it all in one day. Have one good meal a day and then take advantage of hostel kitchens and plentiful supermarkets on the others to save big bucks! In Slovakia, a 5 Euro bag of veggies, bread, hams and cheeses lasted me the whole day!
And don’t forget that local specialties don’t only hide in overpriced restaurants – exploring local grocery stores and picking out things which names you can’t pronounce is a cool experience of its own.
Talk to strangers
Many more people speak English than you might realize, so go ahead and strike a conversation! Ask for directions on the street (even if you don’t need them), chat up the lonely couple next to you at the pub, and sit next to someone on a bus. Ask how their day is, inquiry about the local goodies and sights, tell them where you are from. It may take some courage, but the payoff is worth it.
You will get some awesome recommendations “from the real denizens” you would never find in travel guides, and you might even *gasp* make some new friends. I made a new travel buddy who went with me to two other countries by striking a random conversation on a train. Yes, those things happen outside of Disney movies.
Talk to fellow travelers
As with above, if you stay in a hostel, hang around the commons and kitchen chatting people up. All you have to do is ask where they are from and where they are going next. You are all there for the same reason, after all; it’s an easy talking point. You might even end up staying up past 2 am chatting with a cool girl from Toronto about the tragically war-torn history of your mutual homecountry, who knows.
Do something you would never do
As a techno-geek forever bound to my laptop, I spent two weeks in idyllic Switzerland surrounded by endless fields and forests, taking care of two kids. I did not get bored like I feared, I re-sparked my passion for game development, and I now really understand rural life depicted in books and movies. Not to mention numerous new skills I picked up and uncanny experiences I am still slowly realizing.
Stock up on free utilities
Pick a few extra plastic bags at a grocery store, tuck some paper towels from a restroom, grab some plastic forks at a café. You’ll be surprised how useful they can be when you’re on the go in sub-optimal conditions, and they hardly take any space or weight. Lastly, refill your plastic water bottle at fountains or even taps (if it’s safe). Some countries, especially in Europe, are really great about that (and you don’t get free water in restaurants like in the US, boo!)
Not showering daily is OK
You can often reuse your clothes for an extra day to save on space and laundry. If it’s not too hot and you keep walking or biking to reasonable amounts, you won’t get very sweaty or smelly. I also found Europeans being a bit more open to the idea of less-frequent-showers. Keep a deodorant handy just in case. Also use bar soap to avoid spills and pass airport security.
(Obvious exception is seeing friends or staying with someone. Though the Swiss countryside family I stayed with would take even longer between taking their nice deep baths)
Pack Light
If you can stick to only a reasonably-sized backpack (and yes, yes you can), that’s ideal. Even an extra bag can become a burden after days of walking. Leave some extra empty space for souvenirs as well (even if you don’t plan on getting any because you will change your mind).
Additionally, tie your scarf around your backpack, clip your hat to your strap and wrap your jacket around your waist. No need for these things to take space, but they will keep you prepared for the occasional rainy day.
…and ENJOY!
The last tip I leave you with is just as important as the first, and one which omission I gravely missed until too late.
In the end, traveling work life, even when temporary, is a life. It’s not vacation or a stopgap. So take some time to reflect whether you are enjoying it thus far. If not, think of why. Maybe you are sight-seeing too much and don’t have time to rest? Maybe all you do is think of the unanswered email instead of the Greek statue in front of you? Or perhaps you don’t feel comfortable sleeping in cheap hostels with 10 other dudes.
Whatever the reason, make sure the lifestyle is working for you. Adjust if not. Do not make yourself miserable for a few nice photos or half-hearted stories after.
HAPPY TRAVELS!
Curious about my own experience? Why not start with my first blog post and read about the countries and adventures I’ve had so far?
