We asked one of our resident travel designers, Jonny, if there were any tips he had which help to enhance his own travel experiences. 

"When heading to a new country, I try and remember three golden rules. These may seem simple, but they can easily be forgotten in the pre-travel mad rush and even when on your trip." 

1. Research 

"Much of the excitement around my own travels is the anticipation of what's to come, what's out there. Therefore research and planning for trips is something I highly recommend you learn to love. Don't have a panic attack about it; part of the joy is still of course discovery and surprise, I love to wonder what's over the horizon or around the next river bend, but learn enough to pique your interest - it opens up new doors to you." 

Learning Swahili helped Sandgrouse client Paul Wilson build friendships with his Kilimanjaro guides and porters. 

"The whole crew on the mountain immediately accepted and embraced me. I'm sure they found it a great icebreaker that I knew the fundamentals of their local Bantu language", Paul Wilson

(Paul on Kilimanjaro. Click image to enlarge).

2. Pack the right travel mindset

"A friend of mine once told me that it's very possible to be totally bored in New York City. I couldn't believe it but then I've felt this in London, one of the greatest cities in the world. Conversely, from first-hand experience one can have lots of fun in a remote Icelandic village with only a handful of knitwear-clad locals and native wild horses as company. It's truly all in your hands - or head!"

"The reality is that for most of us the travel moment is short, so make sure you grab all it can offer. Be a sponge; soak everything up and say yes to new things! Embrace the country you're in. It sounds so obvious but to do this, make sure you pack the right travel mindset."  

(Travel guide books can be expensive, so head to your local library before your trip).

3. Connecting with locals

"You will find that your research and new-found knowledge will add depth to your experiences, and give you confidence, allowing you to interact with locals in a more engaging fashion, bridging cultural gaps and creating common bonds and friendships. It may well help you avoid any embarrassing cultural faux-pas and help each new encounter get off on the right foot.

I always recommend my clients look to learn some of the local language, even if it's just a few basics like please and thank you, hello and goodbye. In the end, each trip we go on requires a varying intensity of research, planning and even training, do as much or little as your personality dictates but crucially, have fun!" 

"the subtle difference between being just another sightseeing visitor and being a fully-fledged traveller or bold explorer."

Sandgrouse Travel carry out a huge amount of ongoing research into our destinations. Our trips drop you in the heart of the best locations, with stays at carefully considered accommodation and more importantly, we connect our travellers with a host of respected local contacts. The specialist guides, experts and host you meet on the ground are the right people to know. They make the subtle difference between being just another sightseeing visitor and being a fully-fledged traveller or bold explorer.

Let us know if you have any travel tips that help you create more meaningful memories. 

(Jonny with Olakira Camp staff on the banks of the Mara River - Serengeti National Park, Tanzania). 

(Finding the best spot to catch the Aurora Borealis thanks to our local guide in Swedish Lapland).

(Main Image courtesy of Hotel Cap Rocat, Balearic Islands, Europe. Luxury Mallorca itinerary).