I'm Breaking These Rules and Making My Own
If you’ve ever scrolled through travel blogs or flipped through a guidebook, you’ve probably noticed how many “rules” there are about how to travel. What to see, when to go, what to pack, how to act. After years of exploring Europe, I’ve learned that the best trips often happen when I ignore some of that advice and do what feels right for me.
Here are a few so-called “rules” I’ve happily broken—and why you might want to, too.
Rule #1: Reject the Notion of "Must-See" Sites
There’s a lot of pressure to check off the “must-sees” in every destination—the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, Big Ben. But when you focus only on the highlights, you miss out on the small moments that make a trip special: a quiet garden, a neighborhood café, or a random conversation with a shopkeeper. Travel shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt; it should feel like discovery.
I’ve been to Paris three times and never seen the Louvre. I prefer art from Impressionism to Modernism, so I’d rather spend my time at Musee d’Orsay. Plus I hate crowds, so the idea of being herded through the Louvre has never appealed to me.
Vacations are short: don’t waste your time on things that don’t interest you just because you want to be able to say you’ve been there. If you don’t like Roman ruins, there are plenty of other things to see in Rome aside from the Colosseum.
Rule #2: You must have a detailed itinerary.
There’s comfort in planning ahead, but sometimes the best days are the unplanned ones. Wandering without an agenda lets you stumble upon unexpected places and experiences you’d never have found otherwise. A looser schedule also takes away the stress of “sticking to the plan” and lets you slow down enough to actually enjoy where you are.
I’m a planner, and this one is a downfall for me. I tend to plan every day before I arrive. But my most enjoyable vacation was one where I only booked sightseeing tickets for every OTHER day, forcing myself to play it by ear on the opposite days. I was able to relax, explore the area, and generally take it easy.
Rule #3: Eat like the locals all the time.
Trying local dishes is one of the best parts of travel—but that doesn’t mean every meal has to be an adventure. Sometimes you just want something familiar after a long day of sightseeing. There’s no shame in ordering comfort food or returning to a restaurant you already like. It’s your trip—eat what makes you happy.
On day 9 of a 10-day trip to Italy, I reached my tolerance for Italian food. I found a great Indian restaurant near the train station in Venice and enjoyed a truly great meal that I wouldn’t otherwise have experienced. I’ve had delicious Greek food in Hungary, sushi in Paris, and pizza in Spain.
Think of it this way: if a European came to the United States and ate only American food, what a rich tapestry they’d be missing!
Rule #4: You should always get up early to make the most of the day.
There’s this idea that “real” travelers are up at dawn, maximizing every minute. But if you’re exhausted, rushing to beat the crowds, or running on too little sleep, you’re not really enjoying anything. It’s okay to sleep in, linger over coffee, and start your day at your own pace. After all, the point of travel is to enjoy it—not just to check off hours.
Certainly there are times when hitting a popular site early can cut down on crowds and make the visit more pleasant. But keep in mind that those same sites are often less crowded toward the end of the day, as well. Recently in Paris, friends and I discovered that Sacre Coeur was open until 9pm. The church was quiet and peaceful at that time of night, and we got a gorgeous, sweeping view of Paris at night.
Take your time in the morning sleeping in or lingering over coffee and pastries at a local cafe. This is your vacation, after all. Do you want to go back home more exhausted than when you left?
Making Your Own Rules
Travel isn’t a competition, and there’s no single “right” way to do it. The most memorable journeys often happen when you stop following the rules and start listening to yourself instead. Whether that means skipping the famous sights, lingering over lunch, or sleeping late, your best travel memories will come from the choices that feel right for you.
What travel rules have you broken? Let me know in the comments.