How to Travel More Intentionally

Travel is one of the greatest gifts of the modern age. Being able to quickly and easily whisk ourselves away to some far-away place is something our ancestors probably never imagined. And, it's a privilege that much of the world still doesn't have access to. It's easy to take that for granted sometimes.

But as Spiderman says, with great power comes great responsibility. Those of us able to travel have a duty to the ones who come after us - to leave places better than we found them, to reduce our impact, and to preserve what makes a place so special in the first place.

Sometimes that's hard to remember when social media is showing you photo after photo of unspoiled landscapes, mouth-watering meals, and experiences that you're pretty sure will change your life. I get it, I really do. Because traveling does change your life. It just also changes the lives of those who live in the places you're visiting.

And that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Tourism often leads to progress, to infrastructure improvements, to cultural awareness, to jobs. Many of our conveniences wouldn't exist without tourism, and we certainly wouldn't have the diversity of thought, experience, and innovation we do without it.

But, there's a dark side to tourism that can't be ignored. Exploitation - of both cultures and environments (I'm looking at you, dolphin swims). Crowding, which both disrupts communities and damages artifacts and landscapes. Job loss, as large corporations overshadow small business. Demands on food and water and resources. Pollution. Remember when the dolphins came back to Venice?

The answer isn't to stop traveling, or to travel less. It's to travel more intentionally, with more awareness, consideration, and meaning. About encouraging others to do the same, and about advocating for responsible, intentional travel. Not about doing everything perfectly, but about making small changes where we can. As another wise man once said, great things are just a series of small things brought together (Van Gogh).

Here are some small things you can do to travel more intentionally.

Travel Off-Season

You'd be amazed at how different the Algarve is in November versus June. Or Fiji in March instead of October. Places don't stop being beautiful and inspiring just because the weather changes. Yes, you might have less daylight, more rain, or more snow. You know what you also have? Fewer people. You can linger longer, savor sweeter, and get to know the people who actually live and work where you're visiting. (And as a bonus, often you'll save money.)

The Algarve in late November. Gorgeous and uncrowded.

Get Off the Beaten Path

Yeah yeah yeah. Everyone wants to do this. Everyone says they already do do this. If I had a dollar for all the times someone told me they get off the beaten path traveling, I'd be .... well, I'd be traveling the world. The truth is, when people say they want to get off the beaten path they usually mean finding some Instagram-famous photo spot, wandering down some unmarked alley to find a Michelin Guide restaurant, or going somewhere their friends haven't been but they read about on someone's blog (or ChatGPT). But I challenge you to go deeper than that. Go to the destination that maybe you've never heard of, but sits right next door and has all the same things. Walk a few streets over instead of one. Take the train a few extra stops and explore an actual neighborhood. Get lost, and lean into it.

That time I happily stumbled on a street food festival in Thessaloniki, Greece, because I got on the wrong bus.

Shop Local

Look, I love a good fridge magnet as much as the next gal, but if you see the same option in more than one shop it's most likely been mass-produced. Take your time, and you'll find a locally-owned boutique, I promise. You'll get a unique item and your dollars will go to a local business owner. Same with tours, restaurants, drivers. Keep it local. Local businesses mean what you're spending actually stays in the community where it directly improves the lives of the people there. And who better to tell you where all those off the beaten path spots are than someone who lives there?

Showing off my boutique, locally-made new jacket in Montenegro. I've made it a point to seek out woman-owned businesses for my souvenirs.

Leave No Trace

Leave no trace doesn't just apply to national parks, and it also doesn't only mean picking up your trash. It means leaving the environment untouched how you found it. That means picking up your trash, yes, but it also means wearing reef safe sunscreen or rash guards so you're not contributing to coral bleaching. It means not picking flowers or walking off trail so you're not damaging fragile ecosystems. It means respecting local customs, traditions, and social norms instead of insisting everyone do things just like you do back home. It means not touching the wildlife because they're actually wild.

This rash guard has been to 6 different countries, and shows up in just about every photo. I don't even bother with sunscreen most of the time anymore.

Make Sustainable Choices

Travel is inherently terrible for the environment. We all know that. We all know it's better to walk than drive and to choose paper over plastic. We also know to skip the straw, bring our reusable water bottle, and turn off the water when we're brushing our teeth. But you know what else helps? Choosing a direct flight. Taking a train or a ferry. Packing less. Sharing a meal. Volunteering. Donating. Planting a tree.

In Sweden, ferries are part of the public transportation system. Hardly anyone drives (or Ubers) because it's so easy to get around.

Slow Down

If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: please ditch your checklist. It's wrecking your trip and causing you to miss out on so many meaningful travel experiences. My favorite travel memories have been the spontaneous connections with fellow travelers, the random breakthroughs while lost in thought on a train, and the hours spent sitting on a patio taking in the soul of a place. I tell my travelers this all the time - you're never going to see it all, so stop trying. I've never once had someone tell me they wished they'd crammed more in. Slow down, stay present, and be where you are.

Enjoying kava, caught-that-day tuna, and connection with our lovely hosts at Nukubati in Fiji

Together, we can make a difference. Here's to chasing sun, sand, and summits.