Help Map

Here are nine goals for adventure travel. As you read through each goal, think about what you prefer to do when you travel. We know world-class travelers who have reached inspiring levels on some dimensions and have never reached beyond exploring in other dimensions. That is common for every domain of expertise.

Common

Observe (PLACE)

  1. Own country or county

  2. Developed West

  3. Developed Orient

  4. Developing country

Think (PLAN)

  1. Plan for novelty and relaxation, usually with a tour

  2. Engage a guide that focuses on one type of destination history, study, people, or environment where plans can be changed when necessary

  3. Plan before you go to focus on more than one type of destination and occasionally change plans

  4. Plan after getting there on all types of destinations and change whenever you are interested

Interact (LANGUAGE)

  1. English gets you by anywhere

  2. Will try to speak the local language

  3. Heavy accent in the local language

  4. Not a native but fluent in the local language

Serve (CULTURE)

  1. Stick with my own

  2. Be self with locals

  3. Become acceptable

  4. Blend with locals

Comply (BUREAUCRACY)

  1. Forget it

  2. Passport

  3. Visa

  4. Any red tape

Writing Specific

CULTURAL RISKS

  1. Home-like comfort with no shots required

  2. Reputation questions but no shots required

  3. Known civil rights abuse, shots required, but food is mostly safe

  4. Civil wars happening, health shots required, and food poisoning common

NATURE CHALLENGES

  1. Home-like safety, comfort, and cleanliness

  2. resting places are common and walking sometimes results in getting dirty.

  3. Physically challenging and dirty walks are common

  4. Survival challenges with everyday dirty treks

ACCOMMODATIONS

  1. Luxury lodging with nearby recognized brand names from home

  2. Comfortable inns and local stores that also accommodated tourists

  3. Budget inns, campgrounds, and practical places for locals

  4. Backpack sites, Indigenous markets or living off the land

DOCUMENTING

  1. Memories only

  2. Photos later rarely reviewed

  3. Photos and journal or letters shared with friends and family

  4. Photos and journal containing new insights for travelers and others