For many years we have preferred to travel on our own. It is fun for us to organize such a trip, but it was not always so. Once we used to reach for colourful travel agency catalogues and buy organized trips – faster, easier, more pleasant, you don’t have to worry about anything…
However, at some point we were not satisfied with the fact that we did not have full freedom to choose the places we would like to see – we always had to adapt to the program of the trip. We also noticed other disadvantages of such trips.
Buying from an all-inclusive travel agency at the “first glance” seemed cool, but unfortunately, after two to three days of hotel rest with saturated tables we started to get bored.
With time, we booked from the travel agency only flights and accommodation in the hotel, and on the spot we rented a car and visited interesting places on our own.
And so, step by step we have matured to the fact that independent travel is something that gives us great fun and gives us a lot of freedom and satisfaction. Such experiences give us the reason to start Keeping It On The Land website.
CHOOSING THE PLACE AND SETTING THE DATE OF DEPARTURE – TRAVELLING ON YOUR OWN
We always choose the places we would like to visit at the beginning of the calendar year. We want to plan everything well and set travel destinations, which are countries that we must necessarily see in a given year. It happens that during the year we modify our travel list, but it does not happen often.
After selecting the places we check the best time to go to the place in terms of weather. The “wide arch” avoids travelling in the peak season, i.e. in July and August.
CHOICE OF MEANS OF TRANSPORT, OR HOW TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION ON YOUR OWN
When the list of countries we want to visit and the dates are ready, we check the prices of flights to selected destinations, the conditions for travel by car or rental car. Not always our travels are by plane. We are very fond of car tricks and we often organize such trips.
CREATION OF A TRAVEL PLAN
The destinations are chosen, the mode of transport is organised – so it is time to create a detailed itinerary for the next trip. I plan exactly every day – what we will visit, how we will move from point a to point b and estimate how long it will take us. I also do preliminary research in the scope of restaurant places where we will have meals on a given day.
ACCOMMODATION RESERVATION
After the itinerary, it is time to book your own accommodation on your own. I like this moment, because searching for climatic places gives me a lot of fun.
What is important for us in terms of accommodation?
We want the place where we will spend the night to be located in a quiet place – we value silence. We do not care about luxuries, but a comfortable bed, individual bathroom, hot water, breakfast in the morning are the priorities in the selection of places where we will sleep.
In every journey we choose one or two accommodation places of a higher standard – with a climate and something that makes them stand out from others or refer to the atmosphere, the interior, the culture of the country.
THE LIST OF THINGS WE’RE TAKING AWAY
The list is usually long, if only because of the amount of photographic and film equipment we take with us on the journey. In my opinion, how much our backpack or suitcase weighs also depends on the type of travel. If you travel on your own with a backpack and you travel a lot, it is important to keep the amount of things you take to a minimum.
CATERING FOR THE JOURNEY
Traveling on your own is also about tastes and we want to taste the world, not just watch it. Tasting the local cuisine is a priority for us in every independent trip. We are looking for restaurants as local as possible, far away from the typical tourist route, where there are often places that do not have much in common with the place.
HEALTH ON THE MOVE
A very important issue in our own travels. Remember to take care of proper insurance, but also to take out medicines. We always have a first aid kit with medicines, dressings, probiotics with us. Before traveling, I read on the Internet, in guides to what to pay attention to from the health point of view.
OUR EXPENDITURE
Each trip is also financially different. It will be expensive in the Scandinavian countries, but also the holiday season will be conducive to high prices. For this reason, we travel rather off-season. While traveling we do not regret the accommodation in a good hotel, or a visit to a local and good restaurant.
HOW DO WE MOVE WHILE ALREADY AT THE DESTINATION?
In independent travel you also need to take care of transport in the place where we are. Choosing a country we want to reach already at the stage of preliminary organization we know how we will move around this country. Whether it will be a rented car or national transport. Usually such a means of transport is renting a car – it is the most convenient option.