Table Of Contents

1. History of Schlossplatz
2. The Katholische Hofkirche
   • Church Exterior Decor
     • Interior Features
     • Dresden Baroque
3. Napoleon Stone
4. The Georgentor
5. The Residenzschloss
6. Ständehaus
7. Fürstenzug, Procession of Princes
8. Augustus Bridge
   • Happy Travels, Adventueres

History of Schlossplatz

Like much of Dresden’s historic center, the Schlossplatz, or Palace Square, and its surrounding 15th-century buildings suffered devastating damage during the Allied bombings in World War II. The once-majestic structures, steeped in centuries of history, were reduced to rubble, leaving a stark reminder of the war’s destructive power.

However, Dresden’s post-war reconstruction efforts are nothing short of miraculous. In a city-wide commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage, Dresden undertook some of the most ambitious and detailed restoration projects in history. Guided by archival photographs, old plans, and detailed records, the restoration teams worked tirelessly to rebuild Schlossplatz and its neighbouring buildings exactly as they stood before the war.

Each stone was meticulously chosen, and original materials were reused where possible. Skilled craftsmen replicated intricate carvings, ornate facades, and delicate architectural details, ensuring the reconstructed buildings were as authentic as possible. The result is a seamless blend of old and new, where the scars of the past are respectfully integrated into a vibrant and fully restored urban landscape.

Today, visitors to Schlossplatz can hardly distinguish between the original and restored elements, a testament to the city’s dedication to honouring its history. The square and its surrounding structures now stand as symbols of resilience and the enduring spirit of Dresden, reminding us of the city’s ability to rise from the ashes and reclaim its place as a cultural and historical beacon.

The Katholische Hofkirche

Perhaps the most important structure in the Scholssplatz is the Katholische Hofkirche or Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. When the Katholische Hofkirche was first built, it was the epicentre of Catholicism in Dresden. Augustus III commissioned the church after his father had built a historical Protestant church on the other side of the old town. However, as a Catholic, Augustus III wanted a place for his Catholic subjects to come and practice their new chosen religions.

Church Exterior Decor

The original church was built in 1738 and completed in 1755. Its design was entrusted to the Italian architect Gaetano Chiaveri, who crafted a majestic and intricately detailed building, embodying the Baroque style’s grandeur.

The church’s exterior is adorned with 78 statues of saints, apostles, and church fathers, which stand on the balustrades that line the roof, giving the cathedral a distinctive and ornate appearance. The tower of the Hofkirche, reaching a height of 86 meters (282 feet), is a prominent feature of Dresden’s skyline, visible from various points across the city. Its towering spire and richly decorated facade make it a striking contrast to Dresden’s more subdued Lutheran churches.

The Hofkirche was heavily damaged during the Allied bombing of Dresden in 1945, but like much of the city, it was painstakingly restored to its former glory. Today, the cathedral stands as a symbol of resilience and faith, serving as an active place of worship while attracting visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty and historical significance. Although most of the church is a restoration, you can still make out some of the original architecture. Look for the dark-coloured sandstone, which was discoloured from oxidization, denoting its age.

Interior Features

Be sure to take a peak inside the Hofkirche, as its interior never ceases to impress with its grand scale and artistic detail. The spacious interior has high vaulted ceilings, richly adorned altars, and stunning frescoes. One of the key highlights is the large pipe organ, originally designed by the famous organ builder Gottfried Silbermann. The organ has been carefully restored and used for concerts and services, adding to the cathedral’s vibrant cultural life.

Beneath the cathedral lies the crypt of the Wettin family, where 49 members of the Saxon royal family, including Augustus the Strong, are interred. This adds a layer of historical significance to the cathedral, making it a place of worship and a site of deep historical importance.

Dresden Baroque

The church was built in the high Baroque style. Baroque architecture often emphasizes the contrast between light and dark to create dramatic visual effects. Inside the Hofkirche, this is achieved through the strategic placement of windows and the use of natural light to highlight the ornate decorations, creating a spiritual and theatrical atmosphere. The church is richly decorated with stucco work, gilding, and detailed carvings. The altars, in particular, are adorned with intricate sculptures and gold accents typical of the Baroque style. The emphasis on ornamentation is designed to overwhelm the senses, drawing the viewer’s attention to the spiritual themes depicted.

The Balthasar Permoser altar in the Katholische Hofkirche is a stunning example of Baroque craftsmanship, characterized by its elaborate design and dramatic expression. The centrepiece is a powerful crucifixion scene, surrounded by dynamic statues of saints and angels, all rendered with exquisite detail. Richly ornamented with gilded elements, the altar draws the eye upward, creating a sense of movement and spiritual elevation, embodying the grandeur and emotional intensity typical of Permoser’s work.

Napoleon Stone

When you exit the church and walk back into the square, be sure to look closely at the stones on the ground; just near the steps into the cathedral, you’ll find a special stone with the letter ‘N’ engraved into it. This unassuming stone is called ‘Napoleon Stone and marks where Napoleon Bonaparte is believed to have stood while observing his troops before the Battle of Dresden in August 1813.

During this period, Dresden was a crucial strategic location for Napoleon as he sought to defend his empire from the advancing coalition forces. The Battle of Dresden, which took place from August 26 to 27, 1813, was one of the last major victories for Napoleon before his eventual defeat. The stone serves as a tangible reminder of the city’s role in these pivotal historical events.

The Georgentor

Walking about to the corner of the square, look towards the south, opposite the river, where you can see the old city’s gates, called the Georgentor. The Georgentor or Georgenbau is my favourite building on the square. Originally built in the 16th century, it was the main gate into the city and served as the ceremonial entrance to the Dresden Castle. It was also the first building in Dresden, built in the fantastical Renaissance and Neo-renaissance style, featuring rich ornamentation and intricate reliefs that celebrate the power and heritage of the Saxon rulers.

The building’s facade is also richly adorned with depictions of religious themes. At the entrance, figures representing life and death stand as sentinels, while above them, the ominous inscription “Per invidia Diaboli Mors Intravit In Orbs” (Through the devil’s envy, death entered into the world) is meticulously carved into the stone.

The Residenzschloss

Stretching out to the east and west, connected to the Georgentor, you can make out some of the outer walls of the Residenzschloss or Dresden Royal Palace. This impressive palace, originally constructed in the 16th century, has served as the residence of the Electors and Kings of Saxony. The portion from Schlossplatz showcases a stunning blend of Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Renaissance architectural styles, reflecting the various phases of the palace’s development and restoration.

One of the most striking features visible from Schlossplatz is the Hausmannsturm (Hausmann Tower). With its distinctive copper roof, this tall, commanding tower rises above the palace, offering an iconic silhouette against the Dresden skyline. The tower is crowned with a large, gilded weather vane and serves as a reminder of the palace’s royal heritage. Visitors can even climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.

The Residenzschloss also houses several world-renowned museums, including the Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe), which contains a treasure trove of artifacts and artwork, and the Turkish Chamber (Türckische Cammer), known for its collection of Ottoman art.

Ständehaus

The more modern Ständehaus, or Saxon Supreme Court, is on the east side of the square, built between 1901 and 1907. This building serves as the meeting place for the Saxon parliament, known as the Landtag, or the “House of Estates.” It’s a beautiful example of Historicist architecture, blending elements of the Neo-Renaissance style with Baroque influences.

Sitting outside the Ständehaus is the great statue of Friedrich August I of Saxony. The statue was erected in 1843 to honour the reign of Friedrich August I. The statue, created by the sculptor Ernst Rietschel, depicts Friedrich August I in a regal and contemplative pose, dressed in classical robes, symbolizing justice and wisdom, holding a sceptre in one hand, representing his authority and leadership. His calm demeanour in the statue reflects his reputation as a fair and just ruler, which earned him the title “the Just.”

Friedrich August I played a crucial role in modernizing Saxony. His reign was marked by significant legal reforms, including introducing the Saxon Civil Code, one of the most progressive legal systems of its time. He also invested in the development of infrastructure, including roads and bridges, which contributed to the region’s economic growth.

Fürstenzug, Procession of Princes

Just around the corner from the Ständehaus, you’ll immediately notice the massive mural stretches along the walls. This installation is called the ‘Fürstenzug,’ or the Procession of Princes. This work of art is a remarkable 102-meter-long, with tiles depicting a parade of 35 Wettin Dynasty rulers and other notable figures. Created in the late 19th century and later replaced with Meissen porcelain tiles, it is the largest porcelain artwork in the world, with 23,00 Meissen tiles! The mural celebrates Saxony’s royal heritage and cultural achievements, surviving the bombings of World War II largely intact.

Augustus Bridge

To finish this little guided walk through Dresden’s Scholssplatz, head over to the Augustus Bridge. The Augustus Bridge is a historic and iconic structure linking the Altstadt (Old Town) with the Neustadt (New Town) across the Elbe River. Although the current sandstone bridge was built between 1907 and 1910, it stands on the site of a series of bridges that have spanned the river since the 12th century.

Designed with nine arches to allow for better river traffic, the bridge blends functionality and classical beauty, seamlessly integrating with Dresden’s historic architecture. Standing on this bridge, watching the many boats pass by, and the sound of the horse-drawn carriages rush by is one of those quintessential Dresden experiences.

Exploring Dresden’s Schlossplatz is like stepping into a living museum, where every corner reveals a new chapter of the city’s rich history. As you walk through this historic square, you’re not just visiting buildings—you’re experiencing the essence of Dresden, a city that has gracefully blended its storied past with its vibrant present. Make this spot a must-see on your next visit to this city, which is replete with history!

Happy Travels, Adventueres

The post An Enchanting Guided Tour of Dresden’s Schlossplatz first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

I was lucky enough to return to Gracia in 2023 to stay for the entire length of the festival and take part in a multitude of activities throughout the festival, enabling me to share with you all the incredible aspects of this incredible Spanish festival.

Your Ultimate Guide to Barcelona’s Gràcia Festival

1. About the Festival
2. About the Gràcia Neighbourhood
3. History of the Festival
   • Civil War and Modern Resurgence
4. When Does the Festival Take Place?
5. How to Get There
6. Do You Need Tickets?
7. Where to Explore?
8. How to Respect the Community & Be a Good Visitor
9. Events at the Gracia Festival
   • The Grand Opening
   • Castellers, the human towers of Gràcia
   • The Gràcia Correfoc or Firerun
     • History of Correfoc
   • Musical Stages and Performances
10. How to Navigate the Crowds
11. Food and Drinks
    • Happy Travels, Adventurers, and see you at the Festa!

About the Festival

The Gracia Festival, or Festa Major de Gracia, is an annual event that dates back to the 19th century. It’s a time when the community comes together to decorate their streets in the most imaginative ways possible. Each street in Gracia competes for the title of the best-decorated street, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Themes range from whimsical fairy tales to intricate historical recreations and movies, all crafted with incredible attention to detail.

The Festival also emphasizes sustainability and environmental awareness. Recently, a concerted effort has been made to use recycled materials for decorations and promote eco-friendly practices among participants and visitors.

Residents themselves organize the creation and installation of the decorations and, throughout the entire year, hold events to bring together the community to raise money and take part in creating these fantastical street installations. The festival is also packed with activities and events for all the family, so there is always something to do throughout the week-long festival.

As you explore Gracia, you’ll find yourself mesmerized by the creativity and effort that goes into each street’s decorations. One street might transport you to an underwater world, complete with paper-mâché sea creatures and shimmering blue lights. Another might recreate a medieval castle, with towering cardboard turrets and knights in shining armor. The ingenuity and craftsmanship on display are truly awe-inspiring.

About the Gràcia Neighbourhood

The Gracia neighbourhood, known for its bohemian charm and vibrant cultural scene, is one of Barcelona‘s most beloved districts. Its origins date back to the early 17th century, when it was established as a small rural village outside the walls of Barcelona. Initially, it was known as “Villa de Gracia,” a name derived from the Nuestra Señora de Gracia Convent, around which the village grew.

Throughout the 19th century, Gracia underwent significant transformations. As Barcelona expanded, the once-separate village began to attract artisans, workers, and intellectuals seeking a quieter, more affordable alternative to the crowded city center. Despite Gracia’s eventual incorporation into the greater city of Barcelona, Gracia retained its distinct character, with narrow streets, small squares, and a strong sense of local identity, including the iconic Gracia Festival.

History of the Festival

Held annually in the Gracia neighbourhood, this vibrant festival has a rich history that reflects the community’s creative spirit and deep-rooted traditions. The origins of the Gracia Festival can be traced back to the early 19th century. The festival began as a local celebration honouring the Assumption of Mary, the patron saint of the Gracia neighbourhood. This religious event, held on August 15th, gradually became a broader community celebration as the neighbourhood grew and diversified.

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The festival was marked by processions, religious ceremonies, and communal feasts. However, what set the Gracia Festival apart from other local celebrations was the unique tradition of street decoration. Residents began to adorn their streets with handmade decorations, transforming the neighbourhood into a stunning open-air exhibition of creativity and craftsmanship. This period also saw the establishment of neighbourhood associations, or “commissions de festes,” which played a crucial role in organizing the festival. These associations were responsible for planning events, coordinating street decorations, and fostering a sense of community spirit. The friendly competition between different streets to create the most impressive decorations became a hallmark of the festival.

Civil War and Modern Resurgence

During the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent Franco dictatorship, the Gracia Festival faced significant challenges. Political repression suppressed the festival, and many traditional activities were curtailed. However, the community’s resilient spirit ensured that the festival endured, even in a more subdued form. With the return of democracy in the late 1970s, the Gracia Festival experienced a renaissance. The restoration of civil liberties allowed for a resurgence of cultural and artistic expression. The festival once again became a vibrant celebration of community and creativity, attracting participants and visitors from across Barcelona and beyond.

When Does the Festival Take Place?

The Festa Major de Gracia always takes place in August. The official dates for 2024 are August 15th 15th to August 21stst. The best place to find the most updated information on the Festa Major de Gracia is through their website or their social media accounts.

How to Get There

The Gràcia festival takes place across the entire barrio (Catalan word for neighbourhood), but the best place to start is in one of the large squares, where you can pick up your copy of the festival guide. Even though these guides are in Catalan only, I find the map easy to follow even for non-Catalan speakers.

To make your way to the Festa Major de Gracia, hop on the metro and get off at Fontana station on the Green Line, L3. This metro stop will land you right at the heart of Gràcia. Do not try to drive the car anywhere near the festival. So many streets are completely closed to traffic, even for the locals, as this is where they set up for the festival installations, and many other streets are closed for visitors and pedestrians.

Do You Need Tickets?

The Festa Major de Gracia is completely FREE! There is no need to purchase tickets in advance or at the festival. The program guide will cost you just one euro\, and while you can also use the app for free, the money for your program is also a donation to the festival organizers, so I’d recommend picking one up! In addition, they often have some festival merchandise such as drink cups and t-shirts for sale, which are another great way to give back to the festival organizers.

Where to Explore?

When you arrive in Gràcia, seek out a festival information station in Fontana Square, where you can grab a map of the street to visit. If you prefer, you can also download a handy-dandy app that will tell you what you’ll find around the various streets and how to get there. Although every street is worth seeing, the most famous streets that have won the “best street award” year after year are the Carrer de Joan Blanques and Carrer de Verdi. There are over 20 streets and squares around Gràcia that participate in the festival, and since Gracia is such a small neighbourhood, you can easily just wander and explore, and you’ll easily come across dozens of multicoloured streets that transport you around the world in one place!

How to Respect the Community & Be a Good Visitor

As a visitor to the Gracia Festival or Festa Major de Gracia, respecting the local community and their cherished traditions is essential. Barcelona has seen an influx of tourism in recent years. While the city welcomes visitors, there’s a growing sentiment among locals to preserve the character and tranquillity of their neighbourhoods.

To show respect, always dispose of litter properly and avoid excessive noise, especially late at night, even if you see others doing the opposite. Remember, you are a guest and should feel honoured to be welcomed into this space.

Engage with the festival in a way that honours the efforts of the residents who have painstakingly prepared their streets—admire the decorations without damaging them and follow any guidelines set by the organizers. But the most important thing to remember is to help support local businesses by purchasing food, drinks, and souvenirs from neighbourhood vendors, contributing positively to the local economy.

Events at the Gracia Festival

While the primary draw to the Festival is to explore the brightly coloured street decorations, the Festival’s program has expanded to include various activities, such as concerts, theatrical performances, and sporting events.

The Grand Opening

The Festival starts with a grand parade that winds through the neighbourhood’s narrow streets. Giant puppets, dancers, and musicians lead the procession, creating a festive atmosphere that immediately draws you in. People wear enormous papier-mache heads called ‘capgrossos’ and dance throughout the streets. People walk on stilts, and musicians entertain the crowds throughout the day. It feels like a giant circus pouring through the city’s narrow streets.

Castellers, the human towers of Gràcia

The Gràcia festival features one of the most traditional Catalan events, Castells. The tradition of building human towers, known as “castells,” is one of Catalonia’s most unique and awe-inspiring cultural practices. Castellers, the skilled participants of this art form, gather in Gracia’s town squares to construct a human tower by stacking layers of people, one on top of another, in a precise and coordinated manner. The formation begins with the “pinya,” and subsequent layers, or “tronc,” are built by progressively smaller and lighter castellers. Each layer stands on the shoulders of the layer below, carefully balancing and supporting one another. The higher levels require exceptional balance, strength, and trust among the castellers.

During one of the festival nights, they have an event called the Baixada del Pilar Caminat, where they not only build a tower made of humans but also move it between two plazas. It’s a nerve-bending feat of human aptitude and an entertaining performance to see live!

The Gràcia Correfoc or Firerun

The correfoc, or fire run, is a thrilling highlight of the festival and my personal favourite moment throughout the week. During the Correfoc, the streets of Gracia are plunged into a dramatic display of fire and pyrotechnics. Participants, known as “diables” (devils), dress in elaborate costumes and masks, carrying pitchforks and other devices that shoot sparks and fireworks. Often, these devils are little children, which might come as a surprise, but since this tradition is passed on through generations, kids must take part even from an early age.

The event begins with the “tabalada,” a drumming performance that sets the pace and builds anticipation. As the drumming reaches a crescendo, the diables emerge, and the Correfoc begins. The drummers walk through the streets with the devils, creating the most rhythmic beats to match the bangs of the fireworks. It’s incredibly theatrical, unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere! The event starts very early in the morning, which is no doubt a shock to the locals who didn’t check the schedule, who will be rudely awoken at 9 am to the shrieks and bangs of the fireworks.

History of Correfoc

The origins of Correfoc can be traced back to medieval Catalonia. It evolved from the traditional “Ball de Diables” (Devil’s Dance), which depicted the eternal struggle between good and evil. Initially performed during religious and community celebrations, these performances involved characters representing devils, angels, and other mythological figures. Over time, the fire elements were incorporated, giving birth to the modern Correfoc. The Correfoc also serves as a symbolic representation of the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil.

Musical Stages and Performances

As the sun sets, the festival takes on a new dimension. Streets are illuminated with colourful lights, and the sounds of live music fill the air. Each night, different bands and performers take to the stage, offering diverse music, from traditional Catalan folk to contemporary rock. Dance floors spring up in every plaza, inviting you to join the revelry. The infectious rhythm of the “Sardana,” a traditional Catalan dance, is impossible to resist. We even found a stage that exclusively played death metal from 11 pm to 3 am!

How to Navigate the Crowds

There is no getting around to the fact that the festival is super popular with locals and tourists alike. Depending on what time you visit, the streets will be busy. One of the busiest nights is the festival’s first night, and weekends are busier as well. Even during the afternoon, the narrow streets are packed to the gills with people, so if you want to experience the streets without too many people, definitely head down during the early morning. There are many great coffee shops in Gracia, so grab yourself a coffee and wander the vibrant street displays. Below is an example of the same street early in the morning vs late afternoon.

Food and Drinks

During the evenings, the streets take on a different atmosphere, with music stages entertaining visitors and locals and little makeshift bars serving up local drinks like vermouth and tinto de verano (a refreshing drink made by mixing red wine with lemon soda, and sometimes vermouth). This is another great way for the streets to raise money for materials for next year’s festival, so drink deep and well!

Many local bars and restaurants are filled with a huge influx of visitors, but they have created ingenious stands outside the main restaurants that serve the most popular food and drinks usually served inside the restaurant.

I hope this guide has inspired you to experience this magical festival firsthand. There’s something truly special about the way the community comes together to create such a spectacular event filled with joy, creativity, and tradition. Whether you’re dancing to live music, marvelling at the intricate decorations, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, the memories you make here will be unforgettable.

Happy Travels, Adventurers, and see you at the Festa!

The post Everything You Need To Know About Barcelona’s Unforgettable Festa Major De Gracia, Your Ultimate Guide first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. Tapas Dishes
2. Perfume
3. Flamenco Fans
4. Handcrafted Espadrilles
5. Spanish Vermut
6. Paprika
7. Olives Stuffed with Anchovies
8. Turron
9. Spanish Olive Oil
10. Candles
11. Cups and Mugs
12. Olive Oil Lotion
13. Cacao a la Taza
14. Paella Seasoning
15. Local Magazines
16. Beauty Products
17. Almendras Fritas
18. Spanish Honey
    • Happy Shopping Adventurers!

Tapas Dishes

There is no trip to Spain without tapas, and there are no tapas without those iconic little dishes in which every treat is served. Spanish ceramic pottery, particularly tapas dishes, make for an excellent souvenir. Known for their vibrant colours and intricate patterns, these pieces are crafted using traditional techniques passed down through generations, especially in regions like Talavera de la Reina and Andalusia. Not only are they practical for serving food in true Spanish style, but they also serve as a cultural touchstone, bringing a piece of Spanish art and dining tradition into your home. You can use them at home to serve olives or pickles on a cheese board. But I use many little dishes to hold jewelry or coins throughout my house. Little gems that have all those little items like car keys that need a pretty little home.

Perfume

I have kept up with a new tradition on all my travels: buying a bottle of perfume. Specifically, perfumes made in the country I’m visiting, scented with the iconic aromas of the landscape. There is no better trigger for memory than scent. While some might think that perfumes are too pricey, I have found that as long as you aren’t shopping at high-end perfumeries, you can find amazingly priced perfumes all over the place.

Most surprisingly, one of my favourite places to go for perfume is the Farmacia or Pharmacy in Spain. European pharmacies are so much more elevated than the ones we have here in North America and because of that I always scour the shelves for some perfume. The last time I was in Spain I fell in love with Álvarez Gómez perfumes, founded in 1912 by Herminio Álvarez Gómez who began producing Mediterranean scents reflective of the region. These eau de colognes or eau de toilettes, are different from traditional perfumes as they contain a larger percentage of perfume oil, making them much less expensive. Their Flores Mediterráneas are a fantastic collection of perfumes all inspired by the scents of plants of the Mediterranean. And best of all, each bottle was less than €12!

Flamenco Fans

Flamenco is an integral part of Spanish culture, and as such, you can find a range of souvenirs inspired by this passionate art form. Before you jump to the conclusion that lace or painted fans are just a tourist-only item, look around yourself in the summer in Spain, and you’ll see hundreds of locals fanning themselves outside with a myriad of uniquely designed fans. It’s a fashionable way to keep cool in the unending summer heat. I love to display my fans inside my house like little works of art, and I always bring them out for friends in the summer to enjoy on the patio. Skip any shop selling expensive, “hand-painted” fans; you can find exquisite options for only a few euros all over the place that look just as good and serve the same purpose at the end of the day.

Handcrafted Espadrilles

Espadrilles are a staple of Mediterranean fashion, and Spain is famous for its handcrafted varieties. These lightweight, comfortable shoes are perfect for strolling the city’s picturesque streets and bringing home a piece of iconic Spanish fashion history. Espadrilles have been a staple in Spanish footwear since the 14th century, originating from the Catalonia and Basque regions, where they were once the humble shoes of peasants. They are now loved worldwide for their comfort and chic style. They come in various colours and designs, so you can find the perfect pair to suit your style. I didn’t think Espadrilles would suit my style, but there were so many different shops in Barcelona that cater to unique varieties that it’s almost impossible not to find something you love. They can be found reasonably inexpensively, making them great souvenirs for friends and family (so long as you know their European shoe size).

Spanish Vermut

I hadn’t really appreciated Spanish vermouth, or vermut, until my latest trip to Barcelona. Before then, I had only tried the bitter Italian version and was unaware of how distinctively different the Spanish variety could be. Even within Spain, there is a wide variety of vermut styles and flavours, with each region producing its unique version. For example, you can find sweet vermouth from Catalonia, dry vermouth from Andalusia, and white vermouth from Galicia. 

Spanish vermouth typically incorporates a blend of herbs, spices, and botanicals, including wormwood, gentian, citrus peel, cinnamon, cloves, and more. These botanicals contribute to the aromatic and flavour profile. Although the taste varies between varieties, the most distinguishing feature is its delightful sweetness! Even in a big city like Toronto, it is virtually impossible to find more than a few different kinds of Spanish vermuth, so this is definitely something I think is really worth bringing home. Especially if you find a small producer that may only sell their bottles in Spain. Well worth the effort it takes to wrap up these bottles in your suitcase. However, the airport duty-free usually has at least a handful of local varieties to bring home.

Paprika

Spain is known for its love of paprika, and it’s a fundamental ingredient in many traditional Spanish dishes, such as paella, chorizo, and various stews. Bringing back some Spanish paprika allows you to share in the cultural and culinary heritage of the country when you’re back home. One of the reasons paprika is so popular here is due to the growing conditions of the peppers. After they are harvested, they are sun-dried and smoked using traditional methods to enhance their flavour. Although you can get the fancy tin in souvenir stores, the best place I find to buy them is at the grocery store or from a local producer. These will reliably taste the best and be the best price.

Olives Stuffed with Anchovies

A popular tapas dish often served alongside drinks at the bar is olives stuffed with anchovies or Aceitunas Rellenas de Anchoa. Olives and anchovies have deep roots in Spanish cuisine, hailing from the abundant olive groves and rich waters of Spain, where these staples have been cherished for centuries. The flavour combination of olives and anchovies is sheer perfection. Olives provide a briny and slightly bitter contrast to the salty and savoury anchovies. While the best varieties come from hole-in-the-wall tapa bars, the canned variety you can buy at the grocery store is just as good and easy to bring home. They make for great starters at any dinner party. If you’re not a fan of anchovies, you can also choose the olive oil and brine version, which is fabulous!

Turron

Turron is a traditional Spanish confection found in specialty candy shops, corner stores and farmers’ markets nationwide. It has a long history in Spain and is particularly popular during the holiday season. Turron is similar to nougat and is made from simple, local ingredients, primarily almonds, honey, sugar, and sometimes egg whites. 

There are two types of Turrón: hard Turron (Turrón Duro) and soft Turron (Turrón Blando). The harder version is crunchy and often flavoured with vanilla, lemon, or cinnamon. The softer Turron has a chewier texture made by incorporating egg whites. These treats pack well and last for a long time, making really ideal presents.

Spanish Olive Oil

Although you might not immediately think about it, Spanish olive oil is among the best in the world. Whether you find yourself at a local farmers market or in the grocery store, you’ll find an abundance of this iconic culinary staple. And this souvenir won’t just sit on your shelf; it is something you’ll grab almost daily. One of the reasons for Spain’s high-quality oil is the diverse climate and geography, which contributes to cultivating good olives. Even in the grocery store, you can find olive oils that are beautifully packaged and make for a stunning piece of countertop decor!

Candles

Sure, you might be able to find candles worldwide, but I have yet to find a spot in Europe that doesn’t have a historic old candle shop that is almost like visiting a museum. Simply wandering around these shops is an experience that transports you back in time. And most often than not, candles can be a super affordable souvenir, too. Cereria Subirà is Barcelona. Cereria Subirà has been in operation here in the city since 1761, so you are bringing home a beautiful piece of home decor and a slice of Barcelona’s history. Candles come in all different shapes, from simple tapers to ecclesiastical designs, and even candles in the shape of food, carved like sculptures. And they start at only four euros, so it’s super budget-friendly.

Cups and Mugs

My entire cupboard at home is filled with mismatched cups from my travels. Every morning, I come downstairs and pick up the mug of the day that embodies the feeling of that day’s endeavours. You can find mugs all over the place, and whether you’re into more touristy designs with pictures of the city you’re visiting or if you prefer to shop local and find artsy designs, there is something for everyone. Personally, I love a combination of both! At the Casa Vincens, I found the most adorable mugs and coaster tiles that replicate the tilies on Casa Vincens itself. Every time I drink from it, I’m reminded of the beauty that once surrounded me in Barcelona.

Olive Oil Lotion

As mentioned before, olives are some of the greatest agricultural resources in Spain, and in addition to being able to eat them, they are also popular in beauty products. Something I was encouraged to buy the last time I was in Spain was the Deliplus Olive oil body cream, and I absolutely love this stuff! It is so moisturizing and, best of all, costs less than $5! I always bring it back for all my friends because it’s both affordable and luxurious.

Cacao a la Taza

Something I encourage everyone to buy when they come to Spain is hot chocolate. Cacao a la Taza is not just any powdered hot chocolate, but a thick and rich drink that is almost like a pudding or custard than a liquid! Even in the summer, if you visit a cafe or breakfast spot in the morning, you’ll commonly see locals dipping their pastries into rich chocolate as they enjoy their morning meal. And although it is texturally rich, you can bring home this stuff for cheap! And there is nothing better to warm yourself up on a cold winter’s day back home than some decadent hot chocolate to remind you of those hot days in Spain!

Paella Seasoning

One of Spain’s most iconic dishes is paella and its unique flavour is largely attributed to the combination of spices and seasonings used. Paella seasoning typically includes saffron, paprika, garlic, and other herbs and spices. While making paella is a big endeavour, serving it up family style at a party with your nearest and dearest is a great way to bring back the atmosphere of your travels in Spain. And paella seasoning can be used for more than just paella. The flavorful blend of spices can enhance many dishes, including rice dishes, seafood, grilled meats, vegetables, and more. It adds depth and complexity to your cooking, making it a versatile ingredient.

Local Magazines

Magazines are one of my favourite things to buy in different countries. I don’t care if the entirety is in a different language. Usually, you can still get so much out of the visuals in there. And there are so many different genres and interests that magazines cater to, from art to food and culture. And with Google Translate, you can take pictures of the articles to read in whatever language you want.

Beauty Products

Last summer, everything on Tiktok was about French Pharmacy items to bring back from your trip to Paris. While there is one particular discount store in Paris, many of the best French and European beauty products can be found in Spain, too. While these aren’t totally unique to Spain, it’s still well worth your time and money to buy these fantastic brands in Europe, where they cost so much less than I’ve found in North America.

One of my favourite items is Nuxe‘s iconic Huile Prodigieuse—a multi-purpose dry oil that can rejuvenate your skin and hair. Another European gem I always pick up is a new box of Marvis toothpaste. This chic toothpaste, found in most European pharmacies, comes in a variety of super duper unique flavours like Jasmine Mint and Ginger Mint, which can transform your daily dental routine into a delightful sensory experience! Caudalie is a French skincare brand renowned for its use of grape-derived ingredients and many of tts products are super popular among travellers. While in Spain, you can find a wide range of Caudalie products. Still, a few standout items are worth picking up, particularly their Vinoperfect Radiance Serum and Resveratrol Lift Firming Serum.

Almendras Fritas

Almendras Fritas, or fried almonds, are a quintessential snack in Spain that you’ll often be served at the bar if you order a drink such as tapas. They are typically fried in Spanish olive oil and lightly salted, and the best ones are sprinkled with smoked paprika or sweetened with honey. All grocery stores have them ready to eat, and this makes them such great souvenirs to bring home to put on your next cheese board or even just snack on throughout the day.

Spanish Honey

Something you’ll find drizzled over all different kinds of tapas items throughout your time in Spain is honey! One of my most delicious memories is eating cheese and fried artichokes covered in honey at a dark bar on a summer night in Barcelona. The sweet and savoury combo is absolutely perfection. You’ll find high-quality Spanish honey everywhere, from farmers’ markets, street vendors, and grocery stores; this makes for a beautiful souvenir that serves as a sweet reminder of Spain’s vibrant landscapes and rich agricultural heritage. 

As you plan your Spanish adventure, leave a little extra room in your suitcase for some of these exceptional souvenirs. Whether it’s a beautifully crafted ceramic dish or a tantalizing taste of local cuisine, each of these souvenirs promises to keep your memories of Spain alive long after your journey ends.

Happy Shopping Adventurers!

The post 18 of the BEST Spanish Souvenirs: Must-Have Items from Spain You’ll Actually Use first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

As someone who hates the cold, I was worried the chilly weather would keep me from seeing everything. But what surprised me most was that with proper preparations, I actually enjoyed it. The look of the icy water, snow-topped hillsides and twinkling Christmas lights against the midnight blue sky. I found my time there in the winter, more enjoyable than in the summer! Maybe just because it was so different. There are a myriad of reasons to travel during the wintertime to these snowy destinations. Hopefully, this list inspires you to get out and enjoy the world, north of the equator in the winter months.

Table Of Contents

1. #1 Embrace "hygge"
2. #2 Deals on Airfare!
3. #3 Try out the Slopes
4. #4 Christmas Markets!
5. #5 Winter Comfort Food
6. #6 Coffee Culture
7. #7 Museums are the Perfect Escape from the Cold
8. #8 See the Northern Lights
9. #9 Staying inside an Ice Hotel
10. #10 Warm up in a Sauna
11. Here are some TIPS to ensure you have the most fantastic winter vacation!

#1 Embrace “hygge”

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-ga”) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness. It conveys the feeling of wellness and contentment. Hygge is so crucial to the people of Scandinavia that it is considered “a defining feature of our cultural identity,” according to Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute. These countries who practice hygge means that everywhere you go; you’ll find burning candles, cozy fireplaces, delicious hot coffee or chocolate and rich homemade sweets. Hygge makes every interior you find one of the most welcoming and warm places in the world!

But hygge is not just about hybernating. It is also about enjoying long walks outside. Despite the cold weather, you’ll find parks decked out in decorations, beautiful skating rinks and a feeling of a country that embraces the winter. Welcome the spirit of hygge into your heart during this season, and you’re bound to have a wonderful time.

#2 Deals on Airfare!

Winter is by far the cheapest season for travel in Europe. From early December to about mid-March, you’ll find flights around Europe super inexpensive. This time of year people are usually looking to escape to warm-weather destinations. Keep in mind you should always be booking these trips three months in advance as that is when the flight prices are usually the cheapest, outside of any last-minute sales. Travel during the week of Christmas is at its peak since families commute home during this time, so avoid going around those days if possible. If you’re worried about not being able to see Christmas Markets because the Christmas week is expensive to travel, fear not! Christmas Market opens as early as the last week of November.

#3 Try out the Slopes

If you’re someone who loves to hit the slopes, winter isn’t a downer but instead your favourite season! Just a short train ride into the countryside you’ll find ski resorts like Hemsedal, Riksgransen, Are Duved, Ruka, Vemdalen and Lillehammer. They are easily accessible from any major city in Scandinavia. If you don’t want to stay at the resort, the towns around these ski hills are full of alternative options for every budget. Also, if skiing isn’t your bag, many of these resorts also have toboggan or snow tubing hills. This allows you to enjoy the scenery and mountain top hot chocolates without needing an ounce of skill!

#4 Christmas Markets!

There is just something about a European Christmas market that gives me all those warm and fuzzy feelings. The twinkle lights on the trees, the smell of mulled wine floating through the air and freshly baked breads ready to warm your hands. If you’re a couple, there is something truly romantic about an evening stroll under the lights of the market. Most of the big cities have multiple Christmas Markets you can visit while you’re there. These places are not only beautiful but also great spots where you can find traditional handicrafts. You can also sample some of their famous Christmas foods.

If you’re looking for something outside the big cities, visit the Christmas Market in Lapland, which is the home of Santa Claus! As such, this town goes all out at Christmas time. Tivoli Park in Copenhagen is transformed during the holiday season into a real-life fairytale book. They even perform the traditional Christmas ballet The Nutcracker on stage inside the park, which makes for the ideal Christmas evening.

#5 Winter Comfort Food

Scandinavian foods are meant to be enjoyed in the winter. This is a country that knows how to make a warm and cozy meal. Almost all of their food is comfort food. Smørrebrød, rye bread, meatballs, stewed reindeer, pancakes and waffles are all the best things to enjoy in the winter. The portions are huge, as are the flavours. After you’re finished eating you’ll be ready to take on a long walk in the winter cold, without feeling a thing as you’ll be warmed from the inside out!

#6 Coffee Culture

Did you know that Scandinavia is at the top of the list of the most coffee-consuming countries? There is a good reason for this aside from just that their coffee is delicious. Coffee in Scandinavia is more than just a to-go cup you grab alone on your way to work. Having coffee is a chance to get away from the daily grind and catch up with friends. In Sweden, they call this Fika. Fika in Swedish means “to have a cup of coffee and a snack with a friend.” It’s absolutely built into the fabric of their daily life. They embrace the idea of bettering relationships while enjoying something scrumptious.

While other Scandinavian countries don’t have that words, the concept still remains. The prevalence of this coffee culture means there is an abundance of fantastic coffee shops to stop into on your trip to warm up while you enjoy the city. Take this time to step back for a minute, stop rushing around, enjoy the moment and reflect on your adventures.

#7 Museums are the Perfect Escape from the Cold

If you’re feeling particularly chilly, museums and art galleries are the best places to pop into to escape the cold. And what’s more, in Scandinavia, most state-run museums are free of charge to enter. Unfortunately, in countries like Denmark, recent government cuts have changed these policies. However, many of those museums are still open on certain days of the week for free. In Sweden, there are over 15 different museums and galleries which you can still enter free of charge everyday of the week! They make the perfect place to hide away from the cold without worrying too much about your budget.

I went to a myriad of different museums, some of which I didn’t even know anything about before I went. Still, since they were free, I didn’t have anything to lose. I could wander around and look at what interested me and simply head out once I finished. There was no pressure to make a whole day out of it since I didn’t pay a huge admission fee, which would have made me feel more inclined to “make it worth it.” It was the ideal place to get warm and see something exciting and new while I was at it.

#8 See the Northern Lights

Scandinavia is by far the best place to see the Aurora Borealis. The high latitude in Finland, Sweden and Norway makes these countries the best place for spotting those iconic green and blue waves in the sky. And winter (September to March) is the only time you can reliably spot them! Alta in Norway is probably the most famous city to travel to see them but other popular destinations are Abisko National Park and Porjus in Sweden, Senja in Norway and many cities in Finnish Lapland. Just remember you need to go far north for this, don’t think your visit to Oslo will allow you to see the lights!

#9 Staying inside an Ice Hotel

Ice hotels are one of the trendiest new things to come out of winters in Scandinavia! These luxury creations are somewhat of a novelty but combine cozy, fireplace lit interiors with icy architecture. The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi Sweden was the first hotel in the world to be built out of ice. Every springtime, the ice melts, and come the next winter, a new design is created to form a brand new looking hotel. So every year, there is something unique to experience. Despite being at least -10°, you’ll be nice and cozy with the special thermal PJs, and cold weather insulated sleeping bag you’re given. These will keep you snug all night long while enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime views.

There are plenty of other Ice hotels around Scandinavia from The Lapland Hotel’s Snow Village in Finland to The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta Norway. All of these locations also have on-site activities like dog-sledding, an ice bar or ice church and even snow sculptures to see in ice galleries. It’s truly something you just can’t experience anywhere, or anytime other than in the winter in Scandinavia!

#10 Warm up in a Sauna

All over Scandinavia, you’ll find strangers getting together, in a small, hot spaces to indulge in sauna . Saunas originated in Finland, and the word “sauna” comes from the Finnish word for bathhouse. Pits dug into the ground were the first saunas. Stones were added atop a burning fire to fit the pit. Water was then thrown on top of the rocks to produce steam. There have been sauna pits discovered as far back as 4000 B.C.E in Finland. It is a commonly shared belief in the Nordic countries that saunas relax muscles, soothe pain, releases endorphins, increases blood circulation, flush toxins, relieve stress, help fight illness, cleanse the skin, burn calories and also provides a social space to enjoy with friends. It’s basically thought to be a cure-all for everything.

While there are some small differences between sauna culture in the different Scandinavian countries, overall, the experience is the same. While some same-sex saunas are clothing optional, in most big cities, you can find tourist-friendly options where bathing suits are worn. This is great if you feel like you might be uncomfortable being naked around strangers. But once you take the plunge, the feeling of freedom is pretty unparalleled.

Cold Dips

Speaking of taking the plunge, some saunas also offers a dip into cold, almost freezing water. This could be just a cold bath or some spots located near bodies of water offer access right into the frozen sea. The dramatic plunge into cold water from the hot sauna is thought to increase the blood flow in the body and help increase all those other benefits we spoke of before. While some might be scared to try it, I vote to give it a go. It sure might feel unpleasant at first, but man does it wake your body up in a way that is indescribable and entirely worth it!

Here are some TIPS to ensure you have the most fantastic winter vacation!

Dress for Success

Making sure you bring the right clothing is key to ensuring you are in the right mood throughout the day. There is nothing worse than being freezing cold to ruin a perfectly lovely experience. I was terrified of this exact scenario when I was planning for my trip, so I made sure to buy warm thermals to wear to help keep that heat in. In addition to this, I bought a few 100% wool sweaters, which were perfect for keeping the heat in without overheating and making me sweat. Wool sweaters can be purchased brand new online, but also you can find them at your local thrift shop for a 10th of the price of a new one! I found some with the most amazing designs, so don’t be afraid to go digging as you might find something amazing!

Hours are odd

Although I disagree with Rick Steves about not visiting Scandinavia during the Winter, I love this quote from him, “Scandinavia’s metabolism slows down like a hibernating bear’s, and many sights and accommodations are open on a limited schedule (especially in remote fjord towns).” This is something to be aware of. Outside of the official government holidays around Christmas, I never found anything to be altogether closed. But various attractions did run on shorter winter hours. Definitely nothing to cancel your trip over just something to be aware of and plan around.

Christmas Holidays

If you’re planning on staying over the Christmas Holidays, December 24th and 25th specifically, you will want to check to see what’s open on those particular days. While I heard EVERYTHING would be closed in Sweden on Christmas day, I actually found a few museums which were still open and holding special events. I also managed to find some once a year community events to take part in while I was there that made me feel like celebrating with a huge group of new friends. So many people might tell you there will be nothing to do, but trust me, I found a bunch of things to do, you just need to dig a little bit. If you know a particular museum will be open on those government holidays, make note of that and save that activity for those days when lots of other things might be closed.

Christmas Day

I also found that attending a church service on Christmas Day was a great experience. There were plenty of services which were non-denominational if you want to enjoy the spirit of the holiday but might not identify with a particular denomination. While there are some restaurants still open on these days, I did find that the majority were closed so you might want to hit up a grocery store on the 23rd to grab some easy to make meals. If you don’t have a kitchen, you can always buy cheese and meats, which you can make into an in-hotel-room charcuterie dinner. A lot of fast food restaurants remain open on those holidays as well so that’s always a last-ditch option.

Daylight is Precious

In Scandinavia, there are only a few hours of “daylight” in the winter, and depending on how far north you’re going, this could be as short as 4 hours of light with 20 hours of darkness. While the locals might find this darkness exhausting, I actually found the long hours of darkness exciting since it wasn’t something we experience in North America. But if you’re planning on taking any photos which require the light, such as any wide cityscape shots, just be sure to plan your schedule accordingly. I always headed out early in the day to take my pictures of the city and then scheduled my indoor activities, which didn’t require sunlight, for the afternoon into the early evening.

Be Cautious with Winter Air Travel

I had a near-disastrous flight to Sweden this winter. Luckily for me, everything worked out by some Christmas miracle, but I’m sure I’m not always going to be that lucky. Flying during the winter means weather might impact you more than other times of the year. To avoid as much stress as possible, be sure to book a direct flight if at all possible. This means should your outbound flight be delayed, you won’t need to worry about missing a connection. If you can’t book direct, ensure the layover between your two flights isn’t too tight. I BARELY made my connecting flight and felt so silly, not ensuring I had more time to account for bad weather. Yes, this might mean not getting to your destination as fast as possible, but trust me, it is worth it for the peace of mind. 

Let me know if you’ve ever travelled to somewhere cold in the winter and how you enjoyed your experience. Or comment to let me know what’s holding you back from a snowy adventure in the north!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post 10 Reasons Why You Need to Take a Winter Vacation to Scandinavia first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

If I was travelling alone, any pictures of myself were awkward selfies or rushed self-timer shots. These were never perfectly composed and often blurry. If I was travelling with a friend, family member or even my significant other, they could easily take the shot for me. But then I’m was left without that person alongside me either. A few years ago, on our second trip to Japan, I made the decision to hire a photographer to help capture pictures of my husband and I travelling TOGETHER.

Hiring a photographer is going to cost money; there is no way of getting around that. And in an age where everyone has a camera on their phone, there is sometimes this feeling of “should I really be spending my money on this when I can do it myself?”. And yes, yes, you should! For every reason, I mentioned above and all the ones I’m about to talk about. After booking my first travel photographer, I knew that this was going to be something I would invest in every time we went somewhere special. It was worth every penny and not only that, and it made for an incredible experience as well! Here is why YOU should book a travel photographer on your next trip!

#1. They can Capture a Special Memory or Milestone

Often the only time in a person’s life, when they might hire a professional photographer, is on their wedding day. Avoiding hiring photographers for other events throughout the years is not only doing a disservice to yourself but also to photographers. These professionals have a real skills which are so unique and something which shouldn’t just be reserved for one event in your entire life. Photographers are perfect to hire if you’re travelling with the whole family. When else do you have the opportunity of getting everyone together in one picture?

Plus, you don’t need to worry about having to be the one who sacrifices being in the photo for taking it. If you’re a couple (like us) we love to capture our favourite spots in cities we love. We feel like it captures us in our most comfortable, happy place. If you’re expecting a baby, making a proposal or even just celebrating a momentous life event, hiring a photographer to capture that moment is the best way to remember it in print forever!

#2. No More Selfies

I’m pretty sure my dad invented selfies. Looking back at all his photographs from the 70s, I found dozens of selfies taken from his film camera. They all featured his blurry face in front of, what I think is, a famous landmark. And while they are indeed works of art (lol), I have not mastered that same genetic art of selfie taking. I never look quite right and more than that, the pictures never look natural. There is just something about stepping away from the camera, being in the shot, rather than in front of the shot that just feels more natural. You can see the space around you, interact with it and escape that dreaded double chin!

#3. You Don’t Need to Worry about Bringing Equipment

When I was trying to take my own vacation pictures, it always involved bringing my fancy DSLR camera, a tripod and a remote timer. I needed all these things to make even a half-decent photo. And even then, standing alone, posing across from a camera, can get pretty awkward. Let’s face it, most of us today use pretty much just our phone as the primary camera. I still love my fancy DSLR, but I have to admit when I leave it at home, I do feel freer and my bag is a lot lighter. Hiring a professional photographer means you can leave that camera at home and still get super high-res pictures that are frame-worthy!

#4. They Make a Great Souvenir

Speaking of framing, I have found that all my pictures we took on vacation are the ones that make it onto the wall. I love to collect images of my family and it just adds that little bit of extra interest when set in a fantastical place around the world. For anyone who visits our home, it’s a conversation piece. “Where was this taken?” “What building are you standing beside?” “Omg is that what Japan looks like?!” I’m always so happy to answer any of their questions and start an engaging conversation about my favourite topic: travel!

#5. Photographers Know the Best Places to Go

Photographers are locals. And they know those secret locations which can make for some breathtaking photos. Or, if you’re looking to head to the Eiffel Tower for an iconic shot there, the photographers know hacks to get the perfect photo without enormous crowds. Photographers not only know about photography but they also know a lot about the city you’re visiting. I always spend the majority of the shoot asking them about their favourite things to do or where we should head next. And they still have the most interesting responses.

#6. It’s a reason to bust out fabulous outfits!

Some of us buy one fantastic dress or outfit that we totally fall in love with, without really having somewhere to wear it. Well, a photoshoot is a perfect excuse to break out those extra special garments. No one knows you wherever you’re travelling so use this opportunity to become someone who would wear that outfit just out and about! Or after the shoot find somewhere fancy to go which also justifies such fancy attire.

#7 Photographers Know how to Help you Pose!

If you’re not someone who takes pictures often, coming up with ideas for poses can feel both awkward and uncomfortable. A photographer is practiced at this and has a thousand thoughts in their head to make your shots look interesting, dynamic and, most important of all, natural. I love taking direction from an expert and honestly, it makes it more fun and feels like a real experience! 

#8 If you’re a solo traveller – you can finally be IN the shot!

Solo travelling is GREAT, I love it. Travelling alone means you don’t have to compromise on anyone else’s schedule or interests. It allows you to do whatever YOU want. And sometimes, being alone lets you be a little more introspective, which is something we often don’t allow ourselves to be in this world of go-go-go. Solo travelling is tough if you want a picture of yourself, though. Usually, you have to resort to asking a stranger. Often this results in less than optimal images since strangers don’t know or care about getting a good shot or sometimes they don’t even know how to compose a picture at all.

A professional photographer is such a beautiful thing to splurge on for solo travelling as it allows YOU to be in the shot. To captures your travels without compromising on the shot. Plus, if you get a little lonely, it’s a nice chance to talk to someone new and perhaps even make a new friend!

Tips for Choosing the Right Photographer

Pick a Budget

If you have a bigger budget, there are plenty of companies already out there that have taken care of the search for a photographer around the world for you. Places like Localgrapher, Flytographer, Shoot My Travel and Local Lens have packages, at different price points, for you to choose from in cities all over the world. You can view the photographer’s profile, see past clients’ photos and read reviews. While all this is neatly put together in an easy to purchase a package, it does come at a much higher cost. These companies are very expensive, and often you don’t get many photos for the high price. But they’re reliable and efficient.

If you don’t have as big of a budget, try searching out burgeoning photographers. There are so many INCREDIBLE photographers on Instagram. By searching on there you can find, in my opinion, even better than the ones on those sites. Often, since they’re not affiliated with these companies, they have more flexibility in their prices and the number of photos they provide. This might mean sending a bunch of random Instagram DMs to find your perfect fit, but if you’re looking to save a bit of money, this is the best way to do so.

Make sure they Speak Your Language

While a photographer might email you in your native language, this could mean they’re using google translate to communicate. Be sure to ask if they speak your native language since communicating in real life with your photographer is essential to get those great shots.

Pick a photographer whose style suits you!

Picking a photographer who has a style that suits you is super important. Almost more so than price. What’s the point of paying for pictures which don’t represent your personal style, no matter how much they cost. For us, one of the most vital things is composition. We LOVE a well-composed photo. We don’t always need to be the focus of the shot. If we’re featured inside a stunning architectural feature – that’s the best! It combines the city and us together. Often we don’t even want to be looking at the camera, this was it feels more editorial. For others, this could be the complete opposite of what they want.

It’s essential to look at examples of the photographer’s work to see their style, both in the photo-taking and in the editing. If you like a more retro photo processing style, don’t pick someone who uses high contrast and modern colouring. Sometimes the photo editing is the photographer’s signature, and they won’t change it based on your preferences. So choose a signature you LOVE! Don’t think you can just fix it yourself afterwards or ask for the raw files. Plus half the reason you’re hiring someone is for their artistic flair and style. So chose the one you love.

Start Early in the Morning and on a weekday

Although your photographer will have a better idea of the exact time for your photos, as a general rule, starting early in the morning and on a weekday will mean you’ll have a more private, quiet experience. Especially if you have your heart set on a popular attraction or backdrop, you want to make sure you’re there before hoards of selfie stick-wielding tourists take-up the entire space. Early in the morning also means you’ll have some beautiful light as the sun begins to rise.

Check the Weather in Advance

Checking the weather a week or so in advance can help you plan out your outfit. Be sure to plan on two options just in case you get some rain or if it ends up being a touch chiller than perhaps you thought it might be. Starting early in the morning means it can be colder than the daytime high so be sure to plan on a jacket you could easily take off as the day wears on.

Make a Rain Plan!

While some photographers might be flexible on changing dates if it rains, most photographers won’t be as their schedule is already full up. So it’s always good to have a rain plan. Ask your photographer where they might think would be good spots around the area to escape to should there be a massive downpour. Rain might also mean that potentially busy places are empty. As long as you bring adequate rain gear, it could make for some iconic shots! Bright and colourful umbrellas are a real statement piece, and you can always find them in tourist shops for sale. Don’t make the weather a downer, make it an opportunity!

Our Fave Photographers

Our incredible photographer in Tokyo was KP Photography and the amazing photos from Mexico City were taken by Olga Koroleva. If you’re looking for a photographer in either of those locations do not hesitate to contact either of these true artists!

Let me know if you’ve ever booked a travel photographer and what your experience was like!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post 8 Reasons Why You NEED to Book a Wonderful Travel Photographer on your Next Vacation first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. 1. Thinking Portuguese is Spanish
2. 2. Rushing Through the City
3. 3. Waiting for the Santa Justa Elevator or Torre de Belem Elevator
4. 4. Not Exploring with a Local
5. 5. Not Bringing Shoes with Grip
6. 6. Thinking that Bread is Free in Restaurants
7. 7. Not Jumping in an Uber
8. 8. Forgetting to a Buy a Transport Card
9. 9. Paying for Overpriced Fado Shows
10. 10. Not Tasting Ginjinha on the Street
11. 11. Not Being Aware of your Surroundings
12. 12. Not Remembering to Reapply Sunscreen in the Afternoon
13. 13. Only Sampling the Belém Pastéis de Nata
14. 14. Not Learning How to Order Coffee

1. Thinking Portuguese is Spanish

While many travellers might initially assume that Portuguese is similar to Spanish, trust me, it’s NOT! I had just been to Mexico City earlier in the year, and when I started my Portuguese lessons, I thought all that Spanish would have helped – nope, that was not the case! I found Portuguese a harder language to learn than even Japanese, and I greatly respect anyone who has mastered the language.

Don’t try to speak Spanish thinking that locals will understand that more than English if you don’t know how to speak Portuguese. Most Portuguese people prefer English to Spanish. I was surprised by how many locals spoke terrific English, but don’t rely on that. Ensure you learn at least a few words; the basics are pretty easy to grasp, and it makes a big impression on those you speak to. Below are a few key phrases I found to be the most useful.

Hello – Olá
Goodbye – Adeus
Good Morning – Bom dia
Good Afternoon – Boa tarde
Good Night – Boa noite
Thank You – Obrigado (if said by a man) Obrigada (if said by a woman)
Sorry – Desculpe
Yes – Sim
No – Não
Please – Por Favor
This (good for pointing to menu or food items) – isto
How Much? – Quanto custa?

2. Rushing Through the City

One of the biggest mistakes I think people make is trying to rush through cities. And a part of me understands this, we don’t all have unlimited vacation time, and flights are expensive, especially if you’re visiting from outside of Europe. We cannot pop over from Spain or France on a long weekend. But Lisbon is such a vibrant city, and even though it appears to be very small, it’s both dense in physical form and history, steeped inside its walls. Spending a week here made us feel more like we could explore those hidden corners or get lost without worrying about losing precious time.

I know many people can see all there is to see here in a jam-packed three-day itinerary, but we adored having an entire week to relax and see the sights. Europeans, in general, but perhaps Portuguese more so, take things slow. They don’t like being rushed or on time, for that matter. So being able to adjust to their way of doing things felt more authentic than trying to rush through lunch and run out without savouring that last glass of wine. I felt like a week with one or two little outings outside the city was a perfect time!

3. Waiting for the Santa Justa Elevator or Torre de Belem Elevator

The Santa Justa Elevator is one of the city’s oddest yet most stunning sights. It was initially built in the 19th century for locals to use to get up the steep hill from the Baixa district to the Largo do Carmo. Its elegant design made in wrought-iron and covered in neo-gothic arches and striking geometric patterns is a spectacle for the eyes. But when the city of Lisbon bought the tower, they changed it from being a free mode of transportation and turned it into a touristy nightmare. Now lines run around the block, and tourists pay €6.40 for a 1-minute trip up to the top.

At the top, you do get one of the most astonishing views across the city, but this area is easily accessible without taking the lift. If you take the escalators inside Rossio Station, up to the Carmo Convent, the viewpoint is located just around the corner. To get to the viewpoint, you pass through a small restaurant but don’t worry about going inside, they are used to this, and it’s not a problem. On there, you’ll find the same view all those other tourists, who wasted hours in line, get to see. The Torre de Belem has the same kind of issue.

While the outside is a must-see in town, the interior is pretty lacking, and the view from the top of the tower is not that impressive. The lines can be hours long, and it is much better to skip it altogether and spend more time walking along the beautiful waterfront with waterside views of the tower.

4. Not Exploring with a Local

Lisbon is one of those cities which seems to have a million hidden secrets and things you can’t learn from a book. We hired a private tour guide to give us a 4-hour walking tour of the city on the first full day we arrived. This is the PERFECT way to get introduced to the town. Bruno, our historian for the day, told us many charming stories as we wandered the streets. He took us to the tremendous must-see sights and unknown little treasures.

There are plenty of free tours you can take, but Lisbon is booming with tourists, and often these tours are enormous, with over 30-40 people in one group with one guide. This makes it hard to hear the sound of streetcars and traffic and almost impossible to ask those burning questions you might be wondering. If budget allows, go for the private tour options, which can also be customized to your group’s interests.

5. Not Bringing Shoes with Grip

I realize you might think this is obvious; comfortable shoes are essential when travelling, but I’ve never had so much trouble walking as I did in Lisbon. The worn-down cobblestones sidewalks and the steep hills mean that you need comfy shoes and shoes with a great grip! I have a few excellent pairs of travel shoes which I’ve never had problems with that failed me on a few occasions when I was almost sent flying down the hill!

Thankfully, a few other party members had grippy shoes, and we would take turns holding onto each other when walking down those steep hills. I had heard that Lisbon was like Rome in that it was a town built on seven hills, but unlike Rome, these hills are incredibly steep, and climbing up and down the streets of Alfama is a workout and a half!

6. Thinking that Bread is Free in Restaurants

At many restaurants in Lisbon, not just those cheesy touristy ones, you’ll often be served bread and olives before the meal. Coming from North America, where bread before a meal is usually served without charge, I assumed it was free. It wasn’t, and although the cost wasn’t expensive, I was surprised to see a cost associated with something to me without asking for it.

Thinking that this one restaurant experience was a fluke, we had dinner the next night and experienced the same charge when we got the bill after digging into the olives and bread. I finally looked this up, wondering if this was something that just kept happening to me and found that it’s prevalent. If you aren’t interested in paying for the bread and olives, say no, before they place them down on your table, and they will take them away without incident. But sometimes you’re starving, and bread and olives sound like just the ticket to tide you over before dinner is served. If that’s the case, ask the server for the cost, so you know what to expect and make your decisions.

7. Not Jumping in an Uber

In a city as hilly as Lisbon, you can quickly get tired. Many times people might think of hailing a cab to get home after a long day but often are afraid to in case they take a long, unnecessary route to get to their destination to run up the meter. Uber, on the other hand, is all priced upfront. We loved taking Uber in Lisbon since we were a group of four, and often, taking an Uber was much, much cheaper than for each of us to pay for a ticket on the metro.

The Ubers we took were all super clean, the drivers extremely friendly, and some would even give us a little tour of the buildings we were passing by! A trip from the airport via Uber costs less than 10 euros (leaving from the departure terminal), including our luggage. Ubers make it so you can take that trip up to a miradouro (lookout point) before sunset, even if your legs are tired and there isn’t a nearby metro station. It’s a great way to make the most of your time in the city without tiring yourself going up and down those hills.

8. Forgetting to a Buy a Transport Card

You can buy these little reloaded metro cards at all the metro stations in Lisbon. They only cost 0.50 euros; you can load them up with as much money as you think you’ll need. This makes getting on and off trains a breeze, with no need to buy separate tickets or calculate the fares. Simply tap on and off, and the money will automatically be calculated and removed from the total on your card. The line-ups for train tickets can get long, especially at stations like Rossio, where the trains depart for Sintra. Having a swipe card will mean you don’t need to line up either at the ticket booth or electronic machines, savings yourself what can be a lot of time!

9. Paying for Overpriced Fado Shows

Fado is a form of Portuguese singing which originated in the 1820s in Portugal’s urban cafes and pubs. It is notable for being profoundly melancholic, and despite these sad tunes, it’s one of the most popular things for tourists to seek out when in Lisbon. There are signs all over for tickets to Fado dinners & show experiences. Most of these places are super overpriced, and the food is incredibly subpar, especially when there is SO MUCH great food for cheap you can find in this city.

There are plenty of amazing places to see real Fado around the town, which won’t cost you an arm and a leg. A Tasca do Chico puts on FREE Fado music Mondays and Wednesdays in the Bairro Alto district. The restaurant can get SUPER crowded, so get there EARLY! Fado is a late-night experience, so expect performances to start around 9 pm and go till 1 or 2 am! Unlike other places which might charge a cover fee, this restaurant doesn’t. That being said, since you need to show up so early to save yourself a table, it’s only right to order some drinks and perhaps a few bits of tapas to make your time there worth it for the servers and staff. But this cost is far and away cheaper than what you’ll find at the Prix-fix places.

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10. Not Tasting Ginjinha on the Street

Ginjinha or Ginja is a Portuguese liqueur from fermented sour cherries blended with sugar and cinnamon. You’ll see dozens of shops selling and advertising this sweet treat. And despite its prevalence in tourist hubs, you’ll be surprised to know it isn’t just a touristy thing. You’ll see old ladies sipping it outside ancient bars and men grabbing one quick glug before heading to dinner.

Ginjinha has been around since the Romans brought cherries to Lisbon in the 5th century. The same family has run many of the tiny closet-sized shops which sell shots of Ginjinha for multiple generations. Here, they serve just one thing; Ginjinha. You can order it two ways, with or without the fruit. (I found the fruit to be SUPER strong, so I preferred it without). You can also get it served in chocolate cups, but this was actually a modern-day invention by the Portuguese chocolate manufacturers who made a chocolate Ginjinha cup at one of their conventions, and it seemed to catch on from there. Still a delicious way to have Ginjinha but not as authentic.

Every different brand tastes a bit different. Some are more strong, and some are a little sweeter and wine-like. The little shots cost just 1-2 euros, so it’s easy to grab one wherever you see them sold to find your favourite.

11. Not Being Aware of your Surroundings

Locals we met with mentioned to us time and time again to beware of pickpockets. Having been to Barcelona without incident, I employed many of my same techniques, most importantly of which is to be AWARE. If you’re in a crowd, always be sure to have a hand on your bag or, at the very least, we are conscious of who gets close to you. You don’t need to be paranoid about it, but there is always an element of catching people off their guard, which is when pickpockets make their move. If someone seems too nice or if you have a bad feeling about something, go with your gut and just remove yourself from the situation.

Tourist trams are one of the worst places for pickpocketing since space is at a premium, and thieves do most of their business when you’re too busy taking pictures to notice. There are plenty of great theft-proof bags you can buy, but a solution I found was to buy a tiny lock which latches the two zippers of my back bag together, rendering it theft-proof. Always keep your bag on your lap at an outdoor restaurant or cafe, not on the floor or on an empty chair where it can quickly be snatched up. I didn’t feel like there was ever a moment when I felt unsafe or vulnerable, but I also felt that knowing these things and taking precautions would be much safer than if I had gone about my business without considering it.

12. Not Remembering to Reapply Sunscreen in the Afternoon

The sun is the strongest in Portugal between noon and 3 pm, and you’d be surprised that late in the afternoon is when you’ll actually feel the warmest. Even at 6 pm, the sun was beating down on my shoulders, hotter than it felt at 2 pm! I’m someone who puts on sunscreen in the morning and forgets to reapply, which resulted in a mighty sunburn on this trip. Painful enough to teach me a good lesson! Around when you have lunch, it’s always a good idea to grab some sunscreen out of your bag and reapply for the rest of the afternoon.

During the afternoon, when the sun is high in the sky, and the temperature is at its hottest, try to schedule some indoor fun if you find it unbearable. Bring a good hat (which won’t blow off in the high winds which Lisbon is famous for) and drink plenty of water. Obviously, this advice is moot if you’re travelling during the winter months, but even in the springtime, it can get surprisingly hot, so don’t hesitate to slather on that sun protection or you’ll be left like I was, having to get after-sun cream from a very judgmental pharmacist.

13. Only Sampling the Belém Pastéis de Nata

Portuguese custard tarts are one of the most popular things tourists come to eat while visiting Lisbon. They are a centuries-old recipe passed down from monks in monasteries, and one of the most popular places to try them is in Belém, where they originated the recipe. While the Belém tart shop is undoubtedly the most popular and historical, there are many other places to try all over Lisbon. It would be a shame only to try this one location when there are so many others you can try.

Give that diet a break while in Lisbon, and eat to your heart’s content! You can find these “pastéis de nata” in trendy cafes and tiny unknown bakeries hidden around quiet street corners. The line at the Belém location sometimes stretches for blocks, and although it might give you a good idea of the benchmark flavours of the original, modern chefs as well as enterprising home bakers, have developed their own versions, which might be even more appealing to you! They also sell these pastries at the grocery store; you never know where to find your favourite.

14. Not Learning How to Order Coffee

If you’re anything like me, no morning starts off on the right foot without a nice cup of coffee. I’ve learned from travelling worldwide that ordering coffee is never the same in one country as in the next. , I managed to order my coffee in Lisbon just fine, but all my friends who were travelling with me had great trouble ordering. Cafés function in a completely different way in Lisbon than they do in North America. In Lisbon, most coffee shops aren’t a place to have a seat, pop open your laptop, and relax with Wi-Fi. No, in Lisbon, cafés are where workers order a shot of espresso and down it at the bar before quickly heading off.

There are no signs across the counter with menu options. It’s up to you to give your order to the barista to get what you want. To get something similar to a latte, you should order “Um galão,” and for a coffee with milk, ask for “uma meia de leite,” which is half milk, half coffee. You’ll almost always be given a side of sugar since it seems like the Portuguese never drink black coffee. To order a standard espresso, ask for “uma bica,” a Portuguese word only used in Lisbon.

If you’re looking for something similar to an Americano ask for “um abatanado, “and if you want milk with it, ask for “um abatanado com um pouco de leite.” Cafes in Lisbon are places people pop in and out of all day. Instead of getting one colossal coffee in the morning, you’re more likely to be served a little coffee, which means you can visit more cafes throughout the day!

Let me know if you found anything on your last trip to Lisbon, you’d recommend travellers avoid or be aware of! Or, if you’re planning a trip, let me know anything else you’re curious about for your first time in Portugal!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post 14 Tourist Mistakes NOT to Make on your First Trip to Lisbon first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

When I turned 30, it was a like a switch got flicked. Things took me longer; I was more tired and suddenly didn’t feel like I could do everything. Other travellers who went through a similar change were super helpful in setting new goals and changing my expectations. So I wanted to document this for myself here so others can learn from me and my experiences with travel as I got older.

Accommodations get an upgrade

Travelling in my 20s meant searching for the cheapest hotel or hostel. Often these would be in not-so-good locations, far out from the centre of town. And while I still managed to find some great deals and pretty decent hotels, for the most part, they weren’t always the stuff of dreams. In Australia, I will never forget walking into our hostel and seeing a dead mouse in the centre of the room and knowing we had no choice but to stay there. So we cleaned up the mouse ourselves and just tried to pretend that it never happened.

In my 30s, especially now that I travel almost always with my partner, our hotel choices are much more appealing. There are no dead animals on the floor, and most of the time, these accommodations are in prime locations in the city, close to the action without being overbearingly touristy. Airbnb has also changed the game in terms of places to stay.

Bn’Bs over Bunkbeds

Now I can find quirkily themed apartments for rent that feels more like staying in a secret playhouse than they do a sterile hotel. In my 30s, I’ve travelled enough to know the truth from the BS and how to read a listing or review of a hotel for those key signals that this isn’t a great place to stay. Proof positive of this was on my last trip to Mexico City. We had initially booked a fantastic hotel for a GREAT price in a popular neighbourhood.

But the more and more I read about the area of town and dug deeper into the reviews, the more I realized that despite it being such an awesome price and having 5-star reviews, it was located in a super touristy and busy area that completely shut down at night. We opted to cancel that reservation (thank you, free cancellations on Expedia!) and rebooked a different hotel in a smaller bohemian neighbourhood which felt safe, quaint and picturesque. I’m glad I went with my gut as I recalled when I had stayed in a similar area, and it just wasn’t for me. For others, this might be the perfect place for you, but for me, I knew it wouldn’t be a good fit.

You take your time

In my 20s, my friend and I would book a two-week vacation in Europe to see 4-5 different cities. We would be up at dawn to get to the next town in time to still fit in some sightseeing before everything closed. Then onto the next location. We carefully planned what we ABSOLUTELY had to see and made sure to make that a priority, but there wasn’t much time left to explore and meander. We would have loved to spend more time in each city, but our budget didn’t allow it back then. It seemed like a waste of an expensive international flight not to try and see as many cities as we could while on this new continent.

These days, although my time for leisure travel has been reduced, I choose to spend my week’s vacation in one place instead of rushing from country to country. I list a few AREAS to explore instead of a list of singular sights. This means I can spend an entire day just in one spot, discovering things I never found online, and therein I get to share that with all of you, readers!

I have NOTHING against jam-packed travel itineraries since they allowed me to discover which countries I liked most and didn’t like when I was younger, but now that I’m older, I merely prefer this kind of slow-travelling.ein I get to share that with all of you readers! I have NOTHING against jam-packed travel itinerary since it indeed allowed me to discover which countries I liked most and didn’t like when I was younger, but now that I’m older I merely prefer this kind of slow-travelling.

Visiting those costly cities isn’t out of the questions

When travelling in your 20s, you’ll often research “the cheapest cities in Europe to visit.” These traditional, less expensive cities mean you can have a fantastic time but still pinch those pennies. As you age, cities like New York, Paris and Singapore suddenly become viable options. It wasn’t until I turned 30 that I could FINALLY afford to travel to Japan; it was a life-changing trip! Cities with a cheaper cost of living are often well-suited to being younger. Places like Thailand, Mexico and Greece all feel more adventurous and perfect for younger travellers. While the more expensive destinations usually have a more refined and mature atmosphere, making them a comfortable place to go as you age.

Free time is harder to come by

I had this idea when I was young that when I grew up, I could afford all these amazing trips where I’d travel for months on end! But the problem with ageing is that your responsibilities at work and in your personal life seem to get in the way of just up and leaving to travel the world. Work barely enabled me to take two weeks off for my honeymoon, and when I got back, I felt the full force of being away. The idea of a “sabbatical” isn’t the norm anymore as more and more people aren’t staying with companies for years.

In your 20s, you have the time to take off for a few months between school semesters as long as you’ve worked your butt off during the school year making money. Or better yet, you might have the chance to do a year abroad and see more of the world that way. But when you get into your 30s, you have a career, not just a job. There is no longer a “summer break” unless you’re lucky enough to be a teacher. Those few weeks of vacation you get (if you get any paid leave at all!) are very precious, and you really learn to appreciate every second of your travels. It’s perhaps for this reason that you’ll find yourself spending more money to stay in a more central area hotel, lessening the amount of commuting you’ll have to do.

You have more confidence

I have learned A LOT about travelling since my first trip overseas. My dad was going there on business and traded in a first-class ticket for two economies and took me with him. What I didn’t know what that when we got there, he would be busy the entire time (although I probably should have assumed this), and I would be all on my own. I clutched the notes and directions he made for me like they were my lifeline and ended up making many mistakes but falling in love with the experience of travelling. Nothing prepares you for the pitfalls of severe jet lag like living through it. No dry runs or hypothetical conversations can give you insight into what to do when you lose your passport.

I remember not trusting my gut and being roped into a scam or tourist trap. Or I knew it was a trap and was too shy to speak up. Although I always feel like I’m learning, I’m definitely braver and more confident as a traveller than when I was 20. I speak up when I feel like something is wrong, or I know well enough not even to venture into something which feels too good to be true. I’ll call a waiter on his added “tourist taxes” or go out of my way to get a uber instead of a sketchy taxi that is bound to rip me off.

Travelling Alone

The other thing which I feel more confident about is travelling alone. Sometimes you and your partner or friends just can’t get your schedules to match up. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still head out on an adventure by yourself. Dining alone doesn’t have to be scary; it can be an opportunity to meet new people. You get to do exactly what YOU want to without any compromises. Being alone when travelling is a chance for you to reconnect with yourself in ways you don’t have the opportunity to do otherwise.

You know who your real friends are

I have travelled with many different groups of friends and partners throughout my life. And nothing tests a relationship like travelling. Travel is truly incredible, but it also involves lots of stress, compromise, exhaustion, problem-solving and more which can weigh on those relationships. When you’re in your 20s, I feel like you’re more optimistic. You feel like you go on those trips with the best intentions and optimism. New friendships feel fresh and exciting and travelling with new friends can be the best idea.

You think you don’t have a history, so you don’t have the chance of negativity from the past influencing the trip. But it also means you don’t know their personality, travel style, or financial constraints. I travelled all over the world with one good friend, who I’m still proud to call my best friend today. We never fought, always understood each other’s likes and dislikes and also learned that sometimes that means having a day apart instead of dragging the other to do things they don’t want to.

Other travel companions fell by the wayside, either due to us drifting apart or often just because we didn’t get along as travellers. In my 30s, quality time with my partner or friends is some of the best advantages of travelling together. When you get older, you have less and less time to spend with your friends, and this intimate occasion is a great way to reconnect.

You appreciate travelling with your family

Speaking of time to reconnect, let’s talk about family. When you’re in your 20s, there is nothing worse than being forced into a family trip. Maybe you’re itching to be independent and feel like this is holding you back. Perhaps you just want to have a romantic trip with your new partner, or maybe you want to let loose and party! For me, it was probably the independence that I appreciated most about travelling without my family. I felt so grown up and independent when I turned 2, even though, looking back, I totally wasn’t.

I still lived with my family in my 20s, and being away from them felt like freedom. Now, in my 30s, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I adore spending so much time with my parents and siblings, even my in-laws. As an adult (or as close to one as I can get), I get to spend time with them on a different level. Travelling helps you learn about people you might not otherwise discover.

I had such a great time travelling with my aunt, whom I’d otherwise not see outside of the holidays. Seeing her in this environment was so cool, and I feel like I got to know her more as a person rather than just a family member. The older you get, the less and less time you realize you have left with your parents, and I know I want to try and make those moments count for me.

You eat incredibly well

I’ve always been a pretty savvy traveller and found local cuisine at low prices, so I’ve never found myself eating at McDonald’s for three days straight just to save money. There are always little pubs, cafes and restaurants which serve amazing meals for low prices if you know where to look. But there is no way that when I was 20, I’d have been able to afford to eat at the various Michelin Star restaurants I’ve been so lucky to have been able to dine at now that I’m in my 30s. I’ve eaten some of my most exquisite, transcendent meals in my 30s. But even outside those “one-in-a-lifetime meals,” eating in your 30s means you might not have to be as rigorously diligent about checking menu prices.

Chances are your budget might not be so rigid, and you can generally find places to suit your tastes and budget anywhere you are. I don’t want to make this sound like I’m super rich and can eat expensive meals daily; that’s far from the truth. I’m one of the biggest cheapskates when it comes to eating out, and I still gasp at cocktails which cost $25. But in my 30s, I’ve learned to appreciate fine dining a little bit more and can afford to indulge in that from time to time.

You have a better idea of what kind of travel you like

In my 20s, I wanted to travel to all the most famous travel cities without ever thinking about if they were somewhere I’d enjoy or not. I wanted to tick those “top 10 destinations” off my bucket list (at least the ones I could afford).

And while I think I learned a lot about places I didn’t like as much as I did, I would if I could go back and change a few plans. I think I would have thought more about what I wanted and less about where people told me I NEEDED to visit. Bohemian artsy cities drew my gaze instead of glass metropolises. I also noticed that some European cities felt very similar, and I now go out of my way to visit places markedly different than other cities.

In your 30s, you are more steadfast in your likes and dislikes, and this greatly impacts where you want to travel. Everyone was so surprised when I visited Mexico City last year, but honestly, it was one of the best trips of my life. There is nowhere as bright and colourful as Mexico City, and despite everyone’s scare tactics about Mexico, we felt perfectly safe everywhere we went.

Time to relax is more important than seeing it all

When you’re 20, there aren’t too many enormous, unavoidable stresses or time vacuums in your life. School and relationships might have their ups and downs, but nothing compared to careers or, even more than that, kids. Vacations, especially those without kids, become your only opportunity to relax and unwind with your partner or perhaps with your friends. Those precious vacation days mean more than just a chance to travel somewhere new; it means a moment to catch your breath.

You might find that you can’t and don’t even want to go-go-go; you want to take things slow, to enjoy a coffee in peace and quiet for once. Maybe the kind of travelling you do changes. I’ve never been one for all-inclusive resorts, but I found myself considering one for the first time in 33 years just to get away somewhere warm where I didn’t even need to think about my schedule every day. While I still opted not to do this, I, for the first time, really did understand why people are drawn to those types of vacations.

You realize you can’t keep up with your younger self

When I took my first trip at 30, I went about it much like I always did. I got up at the crack of dawn and went as hard as possible to fit as much into my day before night. Very quickly into that first day, I realized that wouldn’t work for me anymore. For the first time in my life, I let someone convince me to take it easy, to go back to the hotel for a nap before heading out again in the evening.

And let me tell you, that nap felt impossibly amazing. I woke up feeling refreshed, not worried about the things I didn’t see or missed out on, but with a renewed sense of adventure for the rest of the evening. I definitely wear out more easily these days. That means not ticking off all the boxes on the bucket list. But feeling healthy and happy is more important than seeing it all. As you grow, you realize that it’s not about how many things you see but how you see them. How you let even those few memories and sights itch themselves into your heart and your mind.

Technology has changed

I remember when I was in my 20s, the first thing we’d do when we’d arrive in a new city was hit up the tourist information for a town map. We carried these paper maps with us everywhere we went, and by the end of the trip, they were half disintegrated from being overly used. Now and again, we’d print off a few Mapquest directions to and from different pre-planned destinations. If we got lost, there was nothing to do other than ask for direction or backtrack as best we could.

Nowadays, most big cities have free wifi all over the place, roaming is getting cheaper and cheaper on most phone plans, and there are even portable wifi devices where you can bring the internet with you. There is almost no chance of getting lost or needing to read a map. This saves a lot of time and confusion, but it’s also a little sad. I feel like staring into my phone to get the perfect route to my destination is a bit disconnected. I always challenge myself to use those old paper maps from time to time and still ask locals for directions when I get lost instead of immediately reaching for my phone.

Sleep isn’t optional

When I was young, I loved saving money by travelling when I should be sleeping. This meant overnight trains, buses and flights. I loved planning around these overnight journeys since it felt like winning free money I’d otherwise have had to spend on a hostel or hotel. I didn’t care how tired or uncomfortable I was. I’d chug down a few cups of coffee and be able to ride out the rest of the day with no problem. These days, I’m lucky even to get eight hours and not feel the sting of exhaustion by mid-afternoon. I still miss the money-saving opportunities of the overnight trains, but I don’t miss the fatigue.

While I might miss certain aspects of being young, I love getting older. I feel more connected to myself and, therefore, to my travels. I feel like I travel better, deeper and more comfortable physically and emotionally. What shifts did you see in your travels as you got older? If you’re still in your 20s, what other questions do you have for this ol’ “senior” about travel in your 30s? Let me know in the comments!

Happy travels, Adventurers!

The post 13 Ways Travelling the World in your 30s is Different than in your 20s first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. What to Pack
   • A good Coin Purse
   • Slip-on Shoes
   • Covid Masks
   • Download Offline Maps
2. Preparing for your Flight
   • Packing Your Carry-On
   • Pick the Right Seat & Upgrade to Exit Row
   • Skip the Middle Seat
   • Ensuring a Good Night's Sleep
     • Lavender
     • Melatonin
3. Use the In-Flight Time Wisely
4. Arrival & Immigration
5. Using Data/Wifi in Japan
   • eSIM
   • Wifi-Hotspot
6. Get some Cash
7. Transportation from the Airport
   • Public Transportation
   • Airport Limousine Bus
8. Grab a Drink from a Japanese Vending Machine
   • Reading the Vending Machines
9. Checking into your Accommodation
   • Capsule Hotels / Hostel
   • Ryokans
   • Japanese Hotels
10. Go for a Walk
11. Get Something to Eat
    • Vending Machine-Operated Restaurants
12. Buy your Suica or Pasmo Card
13. Visit an Arcade
14. Purikura
15. Find some Gachapon
16. Grab Breakfast at the Conbini
17. Customs to Keep in Mind
    • Don’t Tip
    • Be ready to bow
    • Don't Forget to Bring a Plastic Bag
    • Learn to Line Up
    • Slurping is Key
    • Ladies only subway cars
    • Pay your bus fare when you get off
    • Don't be scared of the mouth masks
      • Happy Travels Adventurers

What to Pack

For the most part, travelling to Japan requires some same things you pack for any other trip. But there are a few items I wished I had had with me the first time I arrive. And was sure to pack these the next time I travelled to Japan. So I wanted to make sure to share a few of them!

A good Coin Purse

I’m not much of a purse person, to begin with. I travel everywhere with a backpack and wallet. But in Japan, you’ll need so many coins at all times! You’ll need coins for vending machines, some restaurants, temple donations, arcade games and more! Fumbling through your wallet or bag to find the exact change can be painful. With the addition of a small coin purse, I could easily find the right amount I needed at a moment’s notice.

Slip-on Shoes

Make sure you pack a good pair of slip-on walking shoes. Many restaurants and hotels require you to remove your shoes when you enter. Anything with complicated laces will slow this process and become quite irritating when you’re still tired from the long flight. And make sure these aren’t cheap shoes either. You will be walking a lot in Japan so you definitely should invest in a very comfortable pair.

Covid Masks

Although Japan has finally reopened its borders to international travellers, they still have stringent rules around wearing masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Masks are required indoors unless you are not talking and are more than two meters apart. When you are in restaurants, you are requested to wear your mask when you are not eating or drinking.

You do not need to wear a mask outdoors, but if you are in close contact with someone outside, it is recommended to wear a mask. You will still see lots of people wearing their masks outside. I would always lean on the side of being considerate and follow the locals to see what they are doing and do the same. While there are plenty of places to buy masks all over Japan you never want to be caught without one. So be sure to pack a few and carry them with you at all time.

Download Offline Maps

Downloading some offline maps will definitely help you with navigating your way around the notoriously complex street systems in Japan. Even if you have access to wifi/data on your trip, maps often load slowly. Plus they tend to use a lot of data. Downloading offline maps before you leave for the various cities you’re visiting will save you a ton of data and time. Also, be sure to download the Navitime app which will give you transit directions in English for any train and metro journeys you might take while in Japan.

Preparing for your Flight

Packing Your Carry-On

These days, checking your luggage has become a thing of the past. Not only is it almost always an extra few hundred dollars, but the amount of times flights have lost my luggage is climbing up into the double digits. This has resulted in packing a carry-on bag, more and more important, in ensuring everything you brought with you makes it to your destination. For tips on how to pack the perfect carry-on for a long-haul flight, read this post!

Pick the Right Seat & Upgrade to Exit Row

Depending on where you’re setting off from, you’re most likely looking at a 13-hour flight to Japan. If you don’t have the cash to splurge for first class (and let’s face it, whoever does,) see if you can upgrade your seats to the exit row. For my last flight, it was an extra $150 to book the exit row. And it was some of the best money I ever spent.

Exit row gives you ample legroom, lots of space to get up and stretch. Plus. there is no one in front of you to recline their seat down on top of your head. The exit rows tend to be a little colder, as your seated beside the door, so always pack a light scarf with you. And you can always use your coat as a blanket. Some airlines even provide blankets free of charge on long-haul flights, so never be shy to ask for an extra one if you need it. Be kind and make friends with the flight staff, and you’ll have all the more of an enjoyable flight.

Skip the Middle Seat

If you’re travelling with two people, another money savings hack that will work every so often is booking the window and the aisle seat. Instead of booking the middle seat and aisle/window. When other people are booking their seats, they will almost always skip choosing between two people. So if your flight isn’t 100% full often, you’ll find the seat will be free, and you’ll be able to spread out. And if someone does show up and you want to sit beside your flying partner, everyone will jump at the chance to switch from the middle to the aisle or the window. This won’t work every time, but trying is never harmful.

Ensuring a Good Night’s Sleep

If you’re planning on getting any sleep on the plane (which hopefully you are), there are a few essential items to bring. These will ensure you’re giving yourself the best chance of getting some shuteye. The flights usually are good about turning off the lights when it’s time to readjust your sleep schedule. But if the person next to you is reading and has the lights, it’s important to ensure you have a good eye mask. That way you can shut out the light and try to adjust to a new time-zone.

Lavender

Another thing I do to lull myself to sleep is to bring a travel-sized bottle of lavender spray. I just transferred this Lush Twilight spray to a tiny travel perfume spray atomizer. Before getting on the flight I spray a little on my neck pillow and scarf. This soothing scent helps calm me down during any turbulence and puts me to sleep once I’m nice and relaxed.

Melatonin

If you need an extra bit of help getting to sleep, you can take a small dose of melatonin. While I don’t recommend this for the long term, it is a great way to help readjust your sleep pattern temporarily.

Noise-cancelling earbuds or headphones are a great way to ensure any noise will be blocked out and you can simply sink into a good night’s sleep.

Use the In-Flight Time Wisely

When you aren’t sleeping, spend this time reviewing your Japanese phrase book. About a month before your trip I would recommend downloading apps like Duolingo, to help learn some key phrases. But during the long flights, it’s a great time to have a little crash course in the language.

Japanese is such a beautiful language; I only grazed on the surface. But it’s important to at least try to learn “please,” “thank you,” “hello” and “goodbye.” I was thrilled with how much I could retain and even how even speaking a few words would bring huge smiles to people’s faces. It was definitely worth the time I put into it.

Arrival & Immigration

Before you land, you’ll be given an incoming passenger card to complete and give to the immigration officer. It’s a simple card with how long you’ll be there and where you’ll stay. Make sure you have the addresses of your accommodations written down or screenshotted on your phone as you won’t have wifi in the air.

Once you land in Japan, you’ll most likely be a bit jet-lagged and tired despite your best efforts to get some sleep. But luckily for you, Japanese airports have some of the best signage in the world and making your way to immigration and baggage claim a seamless process. Signage from the plane to get to immigration is all in Japanese and English.

Once you arrive at the immigration desk, they’ll check your card (make sure you didn’t miss any information), take your picture, and index your fingerprints. Don’t worry; this happens with everyone; you’re not being singled out. And that’s all. You’re ready to head into the city!

Using Data/Wifi in Japan

Japan can be pretty daunting for new or first-time travellers. And having access to the internet for directions, translations, and more can be key for your comfort. But roaming with most phone plans is extremely expensive. Luckily, there are many other options to ensure you have the internet at your fingertips.

eSIM

My newest favourite option for international travel are eSIMs. Most new phones will have both a physical sim and what’s called an “eSIM.” Before eSIM, most people would buy a physical sim, but this was often time-consuming and much more difficult to set up.

An eSIM, or Embedded SIM, is a virtual SIM card stored on your device rather than in a physical card form. An eSIM allows you to activate and manage your mobile service directly on your device without needing a physical SIM card.

To set up an eSIM, you will also need an active mobile plan from a carrier that supports eSIM. I use Nomad as my provide. They make setup super easy, and their rates are excellent. 20 GB will cost only $34 USD, which is tons of data. Most likely, you won’t need that much. You can use my code: LAUR66NY, to get $3 off your next eSIM purchase. You will need to turn off your physical SIM and phone number associated when you activate your eSIM, so be sure you download an app like Whatsapp to keep in touch with your contacts. Since Whatsapp will still work with your new eSIM.

Wifi-Hotspot

Another option is to use what’s called “pocket wifi.” Pocket wifi devices are portable internet you can pick up or purchase in Japan. They are just like a mobile hotspot. Ninja Wifi was my favourite provider as their speed was excellent, and it costs about $30 US for five days. The more time you rent the device, the cheaper it gets daily. I would never travel to Japan without one of these since free wifi is really hard to come by in Japan. Definitely don’t rely on that as your main internet access method. When you’re done using it, they come with a pre-paid envelope to mail them back to the company. So just place it inside and find the nearest mailbox to throw it into.

Get some Cash

If you didn’t go to your bank before leaving to get some local currency, you’ll want to hit up the ATM in the airport. Despite Japan being considered a modern country, there are different ways in which it feels much more old-fashioned. One of these ways is that most places only accept cash. Credit cards are only generally accepted for large purchases.

All those little ramen shops you are dying to visit won’t know what to do with your credit card. Cash is king in Japan. And you always want to ensure you don’t run out! You don’t want to miss out on a unique street snack that’s only available seasonally at this one location, and you find yourself out of cash! If you’re worried about carrying around so much cash for fear of being robbed, don’t be. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world.

Transportation from the Airport

Public Transportation

Transportation to and from the airport in Japan is very convenient. Although your first thought might be to grab a taxi, these are generally the most expensive method of transportation. In big cities like Tokyo, and Osaka, you’ll be able to take the train directly from the airport and get to the city’s centre in no time.

Airport Limousine Bus

If you’re looking for a more direct route into the city my favourite method is taking the Airport Limousine Bus. The Airport Limousine Bus service takes passengers from the arrivals terminal to hundreds of drop-off locations around Tokyo. No matter where you’re staying, you’ll find a drop-off location minutes away. I like the bus service better than the trains from the airport because it’s a lot less stressful. The train system in Japan can be overwhelming at the best of times, and post-long-haul flight, the airport limousine bus is a breeze! You just go up to any of the orange kiosks in the arrivals terminal and select your destination. It’s good to research their site in advance since there are many options for destinations.

Tickets cost around ¥1000 ($10 US) and maybe a little more or less depending on the distance from the airport. The airport limousine buses have free wifi on board, and I loved getting a good first look at the city as we drove in. The underground trains don’t give you this amazing viewpoint as you enter the city.

Grab a Drink from a Japanese Vending Machine

While waiting for your bus or train to arrive at the airport, pass the time by exploring the Japanese vending machines! As soon as you step off the plane you’ll see them everywhere. It might seem silly, especially to Japanese people for whom these are ubiquitous, but I’m obsessed with these. Japan is the mecca of vending machines. I am fascinated with the way they work, the way they look, and especially the unique treats inside. Old, new, big and small and full of all sorts of goodies.

The vending machines we found at the airport were relatively standard compared to those in the city’s hub. However, seeing drinks I’d never even heard of was still exciting. Mostly, you can surmise what kind of drink it is from the images on the packaging. But you’d be amazed at how many different flavours and varieties there are!

Reading the Vending Machines

The colour of the buttons on the vending machine denotes whether the drink is hot or cold. Red for hot, blue for cold. That’s right, hot beverages like tea and coffee come right out of a vending machine! Grab yourself a warm can of coffee and give that a try for the first time. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious these are. Coffee is just the thing to keep you from crashing on your way to your hotel. And staying awake a little bit longer is key to preventing jet lag. The worst thing you can do is fall asleep as soon as you see that bed and find yourself wide away at 2 am.

Checking into your Accommodation

There are multiple options for accommodation in Japan. 

Capsule Hotels / Hostel

Capsule hotels are no doubt the most trendy option. These are very inexpensive and a one-of-a-kind experience. Capsule hotels are small, modular structures that contain individual capsules stacked one on top of another. Each capsule is a tiny room that provides just enough space for a person to sleep, typically with a bed, reading light, and power outlet. Some capsule hotels also have communal areas such as showers, toilets, and lounges. They are great for solo travellers or anyone wanting to save as much yen as possible.

Ryokans

Ryokans are traditional Japanese-style inns with rooms that offer guests tatami mats, futons for sleeping, and communal hot springs or onsens. They often have a minimalist design and are meant to provide guests with a serene and peaceful environment. Ryokans are known for their hospitality and attention to detail, with staff often going out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. These often come with luxurious dining experiences often served in your room. They are pretty pricey so maybe someplace you want to splurge on for a single night.

Japanese Hotels

My recommendation for first-timers is a hotel. While perhaps that might sound a little boring, hotels are often a great place to stay that’s both slightly familiar and a new experience. The staff in many of these hotels don’t speak much English. But are all incredibly helpful with the use of a little bit of non-verbal communication. 

Prepare yourself in advance for the size of a Japanese hotel room. The rumours are true, and most hotel rooms are shockingly tiny in big cities like Tokyo. There is often not even room for your luggage without it being in the middle of the room. Be sure when booking your hotel room you ask for a “western style bed” since traditional Japanese beds are hard as a rock. Also, if you book a room with a “double bed,” expect it to be tiny. All the bed sizing in Japan is smaller than in North America, so it’s always advisable to size up. The best option for the price is to book a room with two singles and push them together! This is actually what most Japanese travellers do.

Despite how comfy your room might look, drop your bags and head out the door right away, don’t give yourself a chance to get comfy and lulled into sleep.

Go for a Walk

One of the best things to wake you up and keep that jet lag at bay is a walk around the bright neon lights and visual sensations that is Japan. By this time of the day, most businesses will be closed. The sidewalks are clamouring with young teens playing arcade games, giggling nervously at the women dressed in maid costumes advertising their maid cafes. Dozens of Salarymen in white button-ups and black slacks are just getting their night started and gregariously piling themselves into bars, singing along loudly to whatever K-Pop is blaring on the radio inside.

There is nothing like your first time walking down the streets of Tokyo, especially in a busy neighbourhood. Soak it all in but don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed. That’s natural, particularly if this is your first time in a huge city. If you’re looking for a break from the crowd, duck down a small side street or alley. You’ll be immediately met with peace and quiet, as even the loudest Japanese partier is also always very respectful of their residential neighbours.

Get Something to Eat

You’ll undoubtedly be excited to dive into Japanese cuisine after a long day and nothing but airline food. My advice for the perfect first-time meal is a bowl of ramen. Ramen shops are all over the place, and there is no such thing as a bad bowl of ramen. So you don’t need to worry about researching where to do it; just find a shop that catches your eye and head inside.

Vending Machine-Operated Restaurants

Most small ramen shops operate with a vending machine kiosk. At the front of the restaurant, you’ll see a huge vending machine with different coloured buttons, each with pictures of ramen and perhaps a few side dishes. The buttons will also display the price of the meal. Put your money into the slot at the top and press the button of the meal item that catches your fancy. Out of a small slot at the base of the vending machine comes a little paper ticket with your order printed on it, in Japanese, of course, and any change from the bill you put it. If there is a line, get in the queue to wait your turn to be seated. If there’s no line, head right inside and take a seat.

Then all you need to do is give your ticket to the chef, who will prepare the meal as indicated. This might seem strange, but it’s an ingenious way to cut down on staff and allow the chefs, who also act as the waiter and server, to get your order without ever having to touch dirty money. One of the best parts of a ramen shop is sitting at the counter and watching the cooks at work. They effortlessly perform this dance, filling bowl after bowl with hot broth and whipping around the bar, grabbing stacks of toppings with deft movements to create your food fantasy!

Buy your Suica or Pasmo Card

After filling up some food, head to the closest train station to grab your Suica or Pasmo Card; a Suica or Pasmo card is a metro pass that you load up with the money to use on the train. You can simply swipe your card when entering and exiting any train station. Your fare will automatically be calculated and deducted from your card. This makes it so simple to travel on the metro since the Japanese subway system requires you to pay different fares for different distances.

If you don’t have a Suica or Pasmo card, you’ll have to figure out which fare you’ll need to pay for every trip you take based on the distance. Armed with these cards, you’ll be ready to hop on the metro the next day without fighting the morning crush of people. Just check the balance frequently to ensure you have enough money on the card. To purchase a new card, you just head to any machine in the station with the words “buy a new card” on it. The signage is in English and Japanese, and the machines themselves have English menus making it easy to buy or refill your card.

Visit an Arcade

After picking up your Suica cards, seek out an arcade! These behemoth arcade buildings are sometimes up to six floors of fun, each offering something different. Taito and Sega are reliably the best options for arcades. The first floor of most consists of UFO catcher machines, while the upper floors each have different sets of video games to play with friends or on your own. Some levels felt more like casinos, full of smokers playing digital slots or the Japanese gambling obsession Pachinko. The machines all cost a few hundred yen to play, and you can either pay with coins or tap your Suica card to have the money deducted from there!

Purikura

In the basement of these arcades, you’ll find dozens of these Purikura photo cubicles, each from a different company offering a unique experience. Purikura is where you can get those classic Japanese printed photos, add text and stickers, and give your face the “anime” treatment. The Purikura experience costs 500 yen ($5 US). Once you drop the coins inside the payment machine, the screen will direct you to your starting photo booth. Unlike photo booths in North America, where you step in and just take your picture, these use a green screen. The camera will direct you (almost always in English and Japanese) to pose and take pictures. The camera moves around, so you get different options from portrait mode to full body and sometimes animated GIFs.

Once you finish your photoshoot, you’ll be directed into another booth where you’ll get to decorate, alter, and add filters and text to all the photos you took. Often this process is timed, so keep an eye on the clock. Afterwards, your photos will be arranged into a collage (often picked by you) and printed out at the station where you initially put your coins. It was great fun trying out different poses and spending as much time as we were allowed decorating the photos into something absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, this will make for an incredible first Instagram of your trip!

Find some Gachapon

Gachapon refers to little vending machine capsule toys. The word ‘Gachapon’ is onomatopoeia for the sound the crank makes when you use the machine. These devices each contain different sets of toys, and you never know which item from the set you will receive. It’s totally random. Most sets include some rare items which become sought-after collector treasures. The toy sets change frequently, so there’s always something new to buy. My inner child (and let us face it, current adult) was immediately drawn to all the ‘Sailor Moon’ sets.

I decided to go for the most expensive machine, where you could get one of 5 different Sailor scout wands. I got Sailor Jupiter’s – my favourite Sailor Scout – and had a lot of fun back at the hotel putting the wand display together. There were toy sets of little cats sitting on rice cookers, tiny replicas of vintage buckets, Pokemon cookie toys and lots of Japanese characters often themed along with the next holiday. These make for small, cheap souvenirs to bring home for friends and family, as they are wonderfully weird and always unexpected.

Grab Breakfast at the Conbini

By this time of night, if you’ve managed to stay awake, it’s time to head back to the hotel. But before you do, stop into a ‘conbini’ (Japanese convenience store) to grab a few items for breakfast. 7-Eleven, Circle K, Lawsons and FamilyMart are the most common stores you’ll find on every corner in Japan. Breakfast in Japan is taken on the go, so you won’t find many restaurants open early in the morning. Picking up some items for a little in-hotel picnic is a great idea to help take it easy on your first morning.

My favourite treats to buy for the morning are an egg salad sandwich (honestly one of the best things you can eat in Japan, sounds weird, but TRUST ME), a baked sweet treat filled with matcha, a can of coffee or latte to crack open in the morning for instant caffeine, and a ball of onigiri. This array of treats is sure to give you a reason to get up in the morning, no matter how tired you feel.

And with that, your first day in Japan comes to a close. Hopefully, with all these tips, you’ll have an incredible first few hours that will result in minimal jet lag and leave you excited for the rest of your time in Japan! Below I’ve listed a few important customs to keep in mind which might surprise you as you experience Japan for the first time. Culture shock is part of travel, but don’t let it overtake you. Embrace it and even try to see if you can follow along with the culture and customs while visiting this incredible country!

Customs to Keep in Mind

Don’t Tip

Tipping isn’t something that is part of Japan’s consumer culture. They believe good service should be something you always should be provided and not something that is earned through money. If you leave money on the table, don’t be surprised if the waiter takes you down the street thinking you might have left it there accidentally. A great way to show your appreciation for excellent service is to learn a few Japanese phrases to tell your waiter, chef or receptionist how much you appreciate their service.

Be ready to bow

Bowing is a sign of respect in Japan, so don’t be surprised to have people bow to you at your hotel, coming onto the bus or even just on the street if you’ve had a particularly lovely interaction. Can foreigners bow, you ask? Most Japanese people don’t expect foreigners to bow, but I found them whenever I simply mimicked exactly what their bow was like; they seemed to respond very positively and loved I made an effort.

Don’t Forget to Bring a Plastic Bag

Garbage cans are one of the most challenging things to find in Japan. The only public place where you can reliably find these is outside of convenience stores. But don’t let that make you think they’ll be garbage all over the place. No, Japan is the cleanest country I’ve ever visited. Locals carry their trash with them until they can find a trash can or often until they get home so they can adequately sort it. Play with the locals and ensure you have a plastic bag to carry your garage and that you’re not ruining their clean streets.

Learn to Line Up

Lineups in Japan are a way the city manages its deluge of people. Everyone is very respectful of the line. There are never any budding or large random groups, everyone takes the idea of lining up seriously, and you should too. Large masses of people taking the subway daily are efficiently organized into two or three lines making even the busiest commute very coordinated. Keep your eye out for lines as they often signify something popular that you wanna jump into. Most often, it is related to food, and you’ll never be disappointed.

Slurping is Key

In North America, slurping might sound rude or low-class, but in Japan, it is a sign of your appreciation for the food. Slurp loud enough that the chef in the back can hear you are going at it!

Ladies only subway cars

During certain times of the day, there are designated carriages for women on the subway. This is to keep them safe in full vehicles. The signs identifying these cars are in pink paint on the floors of the metro, so keep your eye out if you’re a male traveller and don’t want to get on these by accident, an embarrassing affair which we might have experienced once or twice.

Pay your bus fare when you get off

Japan is one of the only places I’ve visited where you have to pay for your bus far when you get off, not when you get on. When you get on the bus, you’ll enter through the back doors, and when you get off, you’ll exit through the front, where you can either pay the ash fare or swipe your Suica or pasmo card.

Don’t be scared of the mouth masks

If you see people wearing mouth masks, don’t be scared. They’re not an Ebola patient or a hypochondriac. These masks are worn to prevent other people from getting sick if you’re coming down with a cold, flu, or even allergies. Even if you’re the slightest bit under the weather, the Japanese plop one of these masks on, more for your protection and out of respect for others. They sell these everywhere, so if you feel like you’re getting sick, you should also don one.

Have you travelled to Japan before? How did you manage your first few hours in the country? Did jet lag get the better of you? Leave your experiences in the comments, or let me know if you’re planning to visit Japan and what other tips and tricks you’d like to learn!

Happy Travels Adventurers

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