One of my favorite authors, Gretchen Rubin, often says, the “opposite of a profound truth is also true.” I thought about this on my recent trip to the Faroe Islands. Just weeks before the trip, I posted (and wholeheartedly agreed with) a Rick Steves’ article about why you shouldn’t eat the hotel breakfast. Fast forward, I was so thankful my mom and I were staying in a Hilton on the outskirts of town and had access to the expensive generic buffet. In that last sentence, I admit to breaking three of my hard and fast travel rules – and I am so glad we did!
Let me explain.
While I have become a much better eater in the last decade, I am still a little picky. And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My mom is a very picky eater. While I am sure it was delicious if you were willing to spend $100 and wanted a big meal, that is not our style. In Torshavn, there were not a lot of places to eat breakfast, and all food was very expensive. Likewise for this trip, a reliable hotel chain, with easy parking, was just what we needed. I didn’t want to be in the center of town and need to figure out on the street parking and we didn’t want to eat out. At the end of a long day of driving, I wanted to park the car and have a glass of wine.
This got me thinking… I have several travel rules, but every rule has an exception and there are times to break them. Here are a few examples…
Hotel breakfast – In general I agree with Rick Steves. Why would I want to spend a lot of money to eat a generic breakfast in a hotel instead of going out to eat a cheaper more authentic breakfast. But there are some definite reasons you might want to do that: 1) You don’t have time to go out or you aren’t a morning person and need a slow start to the day. 2) You have picky eaters who need at least one meal that has food they are used to. 3) In the winter it might be cold and dark in the morning, and you just aren’t ready to go out and brave the elements.
Hotel Chains – I don’t generally stay in name brand chain hotels. I prefer to stay in smaller local establishments. However, there are times that I will. 1) If I need to be close to the airport and it is a quick layover. 2) If I am crunching my pennies and want to use points for the stay. 3) If I am traveling with someone who will appreciate the comfort and familiarity of a brand name. (Or maybe it is a trip where I want comfort and familiarity)
Early AM transportation – I almost always recommend taking the first flight of the day. It is less likely to be delayed and is the best way to maximize time. 1) First thing in the morning is also the best time to see busy tourist sights. Therefore, if you are traveling fast and only have one day somewhere, you will want to get there the evening prior in order to have a full day of sightseeing. 2) Sometimes there is no early AM flight and in that case, you will want the last flight in order to maximize the rest of the day. 3) Sometimes it is just a long full day of travel no matter how you arrange it, and then you at least want a full night’s sleep, to avoid AM traffic and to have a nice breakfast before dealing with the airlines.
Solo Travel – Blogs are filled with the benefits of solo travel. And I love the flexibility of traveling on my own schedule, meeting other travelers and locals and having time to reflect and be introspective. But traveling with friends and family is also one of the greatest joys and blessings of my life. The ability to build memories and spend extended time together is always special and worth whatever I gave up from traveling solo.
Public Transit. – I am a fan of public transportation. It is faster and cheaper. But … 1) I can forget to be empathetic to those traveling with me. An Uber, Taxi, or other hired transportation has the benefit of allowing you to sit, not have to think after a long flight, and not have to schlep your luggage “just a few miles.” — Shout out, I’m sorry Mom. It won’t happen again!
What are your travel rules and when do you break them??
Life Kinetic Travel Research 