Walking is the Best Way to Explore Places

Whenever I can, I put on my walking shoes and plan a walking route; this happens both when I am at home and when I travel. There’s something magical about being able to slow down and smell the roses. Slow travel is a concept that definitely fits my lifestyle and traveler profile. Plus, it saves money and allows me to keep my fitness level rather high.

Back in my early twenties I used to hike the hills and mountains close to my home town. And I’m talking 20-25 km walks each and every Saturday, as soon as spring made it possible to stay in the nature without carrying too much gear and too many clothes.

Later on, I showed my friends that walking is by far the best way to explore both Budapest and Vienna. You don’t really need the best GPS in order not to get lost in such places but it’s a good idea to be prepared, especially if you really dislike being tagged as a “tourist”. There’s something different in the way you feel when you walk in the cities and soak up the atmosphere… very soon it’s clear that you somehow belong in the place and you even end up asking yourself whether you want to go back home or not (trust me, it has happened more than once to me!).

Any traveler dreams, at one point or another, about traveling around the world . It may start as a longer trip visiting the European capitals … but once you’ve got the travel bug, sooner or later, you’ll start daydreaming about going RTW.

With the risk of sounding like a broken record or a well prepared tag line, do follow your dreams and just do it! Because the last thing any of us needs are “what if” questions.

Photo credit: the author in Budapest. By Adi Dima. Photo may not be used without permission.