Tasty Beers to Start!
Stick the Landing
Step 1 Stick the Landing: Wherever you land first, I always recommend you start with a beer. Ask a local what the favorite regional beer is and enjoy. If beer is not your thing, start with a fancy coffee or tea. If you’re dying to try the regional wines go for it! The point is, settling down with a beverage of your choice in calm, quiet, small pub or cafe can help you stick the landing in a new country and soothe your soul, so you’re ready to take in the sights and sounds. If the weather is good, I like to sit at a table on the sidewalk. Doing this can lightly season your mind and heart for what’s to come. This particular beer is Weihenstephan beer, brewed from the oldest brewery in the world located in Freising Bavaria, Germany. They’ve been brewing their beer since 1040 A.D., (that’s almost a 1000 years, folks) so I think they know a thing or two about consistency and good tasting beer. Bring your beer stein and they’ll fill it up! Of course you have to pay for it. Sorry to break it to ya, but you’re not an influencer so, you’re gonna have to fork out some cash <wink>. Yes, I have to fork out cash too <another wink>.
Know Where you Are
Step 2 is to get your bearings: Make sure you build into your travels the time it takes to get the lay of the land. Take slow, leisurely walks around the areas you’ll be staying. Find the first batch of restaurants you want to try. Scope out the bars. Feel the vibe of the neighborhoods and the people. Regardless of how long you’ll be staying, it’s crucial to get your feet firmly planted underneath you because you’ll find it much more enjoyable when there aren’t any surprises. Pro Tip, if you’re in a slightly more expensive country like Iceland or Switzerland, find yourselves a good supermarket and Happy Hour. Your travel budget will thank me. I want to mention also that it’s ok to get overwhelmed when you first arrive. It’s ok to go back to your accommodations and chill. Even if you only made it for a couple of hours, that’s great! You made it a couple of hours! I’m all about resting and regrouping so you can take another run at it. You’ve built in the time, so use it. This is Port Isaac, England, where the show Doc Martin was shot. It’s not a big place. It’s easy to get to know. The people are friendly and are very eager to point out, there’s more to Port Isaac than just a television show. The Old School Hotel, which was used as the set for the school in Doc Martin, serves up the best fish ‘n chips in the galaxy. This is strictly my opinion. It’s comfort food at its most comforting. The hotel is quiet but fanciful with lot’s of charm. I’m a strong proponent of taking the walking tour of Port Isaac where you‘ll learn about the fishing history among other things. This town may be your speed, dear sensitive traveler.
Also, I am a nerd through and through. If Doc Martin isn’t your bag, it’s cool. I started binging the show when I had the flu. You should watch Doc Martin to get a birds eye view of Port Isaac. In fact, watch shows from different countries that are shot on location, to expand your horizons and help shape your future travels. But, I digress.
Find your Vacation Zen Spot
Step 3 It’s time to get zen: As you’re getting acclimated to the new sounds, smells, sights and dramatic time change, find a serene space to walk by, sit in, look at, ponder and meditate at. For sensitive people, this is really important. On your leisurely walk around the area, find a spot you’re comfortable with calling you’re “leave me alone” spot or “can you just give me ten minutes please?” spot. Your sanity and overactive mind will appreciate that you’ve picked out just the right place. Contrary to what social media and travel account pages appear to be, it can be stressful and one can get overwhelmed. So, pick your spot and say hello. At least for the duration of your stay. This River is called Regnitz and it runs through Bamberg Germany. This spot was serene and comforting to me and brought me immense joy. Bamberg is known as the “Hill Town” because of the 7 hills the town is situated on. If you’re staying in Bamberg, the food is something that’s out of this world. I’m not sure if it’s because I spent much of the day climbing those 7 hills and worked up a pretty blistering appetite by the end of the day, and then scared the locals with the ferocity with which I ate their food. Or if it was genuinely fantastic. I’d say the latter. Hint: try the Italian food in Bamberg. Just do it. It sounds crazy, but trust me on this.
On a scale of 1 to Comforting, this town gets a “comforting” score.
Take it in
Step 4 Take it in: Don’t forget to look up my fellow travelers and take it in. I found this mural painted on the side of a building in Reykjavik Iceland. It’s haunting, beautiful, unique, dark, and it’s a gentle reminder to look up! If I hadn’t of turned my gaze toward the sky at that very moment, I would’ve walked right on by this magical display. It’s so easy to get caught up in what you think is the perfect selfie moment: the glorious table of food you’re about to chomp on, or hanging upside down from a swing in bar, or swan diving off of a cliff, but trust me when I tell you, look up traveler. I’m certain you’ll see something that’ll blow your little mind if you slow down and take it in.