I’m not a travel expert, but my passion is evident. Based on the places I have visited and from my experience, I think I know how to travel wisely and affordably. I often discuss travel with friends and family. I am at a point now where frequent in-person conversations include, “So, where is your next trip?” or some variation of a travel-related question.

I discuss travel and travel photography quite a bit on this blog. I’m thinking about where to travel next, discussing details around what I already have booked, or discussing travel I recently returned from. Travel has become a big part of my life, and my satisfaction from doing so is unmatched. When I combine that with my love and passion for photography, they are incredibly fulfilling.

Reflecting on my travels, I’ve learned to adapt better to each new adventure. With each flight and each train ride, I discover more about how to make the most of my time and worry less about how to do so. Travelling for just a few days often brings common challenges, but it is possible to enjoy a destination in a limited time fully.

Planning travel is essential to enjoying our limited time in our destination of choice, but minimizing those plans can have benefits and make the entire event surrounding our trip more enjoyable. It has been said that the planning portion of a trip is a significant part of the enjoyment of the event. Before the trip, we have the advantage of discussing it with others: those coming with you, friends, family, and co-workers, for example.

As photographers, we can focus on the result more than the experience. We can research our destinations, looking for the “best” place to get the “best” photographs. Learning more about our destination is a logical and appropriate step to learn more about what to expect and what to hope to experience when we arrive, but focusing on the experience should be the point.