In the 1969 movie, “If It’s Tuesday, Then It Must Be
Belgium,” a group of mismatched American tourists dash around Europe in a
whirlwind tour for 18 days determined to see it all and do it all. Today, travel is even more hectic. The World
Wide Web overwhelms us with must-see and must-do options, near and far. In an
effort to say “been-there-done-that,” travelers frantically check off guidebook
lists of historic and hip new hotspots.
Museums, monuments, memorials and meals become a blur. Castles and
cathedrals begin to look alike. Back home comes the familiar refrain, “We need
a vacation to get over our vacation.”
No matter where in the world you are, there are 1,440
minutes in a day. It pays to use these minutes wisely. Hit the pause button. Hop
off the tour bus. Get out from behind the wheel. I am not suggesting skipping a walk on the
Great Wall in China, not soaring to the top of the Eiffel Tower or passing on the Pyramids. Timeless treasures naturally top travel lists. However, between
must-sees, save time for serendipity – unexpected moments and unsought
treasures that linger in the heart and soul.
Search out serendipity. Adopt the “slow travel
and slow food” philosophy. Here are a few of our favorite ways to seek and
savor serendipity.
·
Research destination calendar of events
and attend a festival, lecture, play or concert featuring local talent.
·
Shop local markets and stock up on tempting and
unfamiliar treats. In Paris, we purchased picnic treats at specialty markets
and bakeries on tiny side streets near our hotel. We spread our feast and
popped a bottle of champagne in Parc du Champ de Mars at the base of the Eiffel
Tower for an afternoon. What a perfect day!
·
Learn a new skill. Take a class at a local
university or a cooking class at a local restaurant. Each time I prepare a
recipe acquired during travel, it brings back memories.
·
Stay at a bed and breakfast that offers
opportunities to interact with the owner and other guests at breakfast or
during an afternoon wine and cheese get-together.
·
Hire a local guide and see their world from
their perspective. We hired a private guide in Chile to kill 12 hours between
disembarkation from a cruise in Valparaiso and our flight out of Santiago. Tours by Hector far exceeded our expectations
and we still keep in touch with owner, Hector Medina.
·
Walk whenever possible. Check safe areas and
neighborhoods to avoid with the hotel staff or tourism bureau. Ever walked across the Brooklyn Bridge? It’s
one of the best ways to soak in city views and learn about the history of this
remarkable landmark. Another Big Apple treat: A walking and tasting tour in
Greenwich Village by Foods of New York.
· Eat where the locals do and strike up a conversation. On a cruise around the
Mediterranean several years ago, we docked in Kusadasi after several months of
travel warnings had prevented port calls. Our plan was a full-day excursion to
nearby Ephesus, but after successive ports we were ready for a break from
crowded bus tours. We made a spontaneous decision to spend a leisurely morning
meandering the cobblestoned streets of Kusadasi and exploring its tiny shops
and markets. Lunch at a local restaurant on the harbor front was a serendipity
pleasure. Over incredibly prepared seafood fresh from a tableside tank and a
bottle of local no-name “jug wine,” time stood still. We spent several hours
sharing experiences of our distinctively different worlds with the restaurant
owner and his family. We “connected” with our destination. It was one of the
most memorable and meaningful moments of our voyage.
Any serendipity
secrets to share?
