2. Don’t plan every second

Everyday you learn more about where you are and all the things that you can do there. Proper planning for trips can give you piece of mind, but don’t forget to leave some room for exploration! There are some amazing places and activities in cities around the world and you don’t want to restrict yourself from seeing them. Almost everywhere you go, you’ll leave saying, “if I just had a few more days…”

Make sure your itinerary provides time for changes! This (plus public transportation) can also help you make the most of your trip.

3. Allow yourself to get lost

Perhaps decide to get off at a random station and see what you can find. Sticking to a strict route may be efficient for checking all the points off on your map, but you might be surprised to find that there’s more to a city than the travel sites tell you. Pull yourself away from the areas every tourist sees and into the local culture. There are countless hidden gems all over the world, and a curious traveler can usually find a few!

4. Talk to Strangers

Be open to talking to strangers and don’t be afraid to start up a conversation with locals. When I was in Venice, I heard just about every language in the crowds around me — except for Italian. But we were in Italy? So my friend and I pulled off into one of the many side streets and, yes, allowed ourselves to get lost. On the way, I found a local street artist and had my portrait drawn. When he was done, we started talking and he told me about his life growing up in Venice and learning his practice.