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"Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry." – Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac's words resonate with the allure of travel – which is a testament to the unyielding human spirit that seeks to explore, understand and connect with people and planet Earth. In the last decades, travel has surged in popularity, not just as a leisure activity but as a profound journey of self-discovery, cultural immersion and personal growth. The reasons are countless: the ease of access to information, the democratization of travel through more affordable options, and a growing curiosity about the world's vast tapestry of cultures, landscapes and histories. Traveling, especially city hopping, offers a unique blend of experiences that can enrich your life in ways unimaginable.
In this article we will cover the most visited cities and how to make your travel as easy and fun as possible! Travel is more than a mere escape from the mundane; it's a gateway to learning and personal development, so let’s dive in.
Before your trip, download and familiarize yourself with transportation apps specific to the city you're visiting. Not every city in the world uses Uber/Lyft and sometimes there are local versions to be aware of. If you are going to a city with an extensive public transportation network they usually have an app which is a great tool for trip planning. For example, the Netherlands has an app for their whole country’s transportation system with which you can even plan your travel ahead and check the best options.
This might seem like an obvious tip, but once you get on AirBnb or your hotel search you might see that the more central you are the more expensive it is. While this might make you second guess where you should stay, remember that if you need to go back to your hotel/AirBnb at any moment during your day for a siesta or to grab something you forgot, this can cost you a lot of time and money.
When we plan our city trips we often romanticize the idea of spending all day perusing small shops in alleyways, strolling through dramatically beautiful squares and admiring national treasures in museums. We don’t often remember that walking around all day and having to translate languages and manage navigation can get exhausting. Consider planning a siesta or break in a quiet cafe into your day and avoiding packing things too tight where you get anxious about hitting everything on your list. Additionally, recreational oxygen products like Oxygen Plus can help give you an energy boost so you can feel like your best self to power you through your city adventure!
While meeting new people can be one of the joys of traveling, it’s wise to remain alert and cautious. You may get locals inviting you into their shop or starting a conversation with you. As friendly as they may seem, some might have ulterior motives, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Typically, these individuals are going to use high pressure sales techniques with you. To avoid these situations, ignore them or give a friendly wave to people as you move on to businesses that have a friendlier, more solid vibe.
For those looking to explore beyond the typical tourist spots, the website, Atlas Obscura, can reveal hidden gems and unusual attractions in your destination. For example, on a recent trip one of the O+ team members was visiting a friend in Amsterdam. He surprised his friend with an amazing place the friend passed by regularly, but never noticed or thought to explore further. A few hours from the Oxygen Plus headquarters, there is a futuristic-looking Frank Lloyd Wright gas station that features a tower!
Participating in local events or festivals gives you a chance to eat, drink and dance like a local. Neighborhood parties and festivals are common across Europe and North America, especially during the summer months. Check out a local newspaper/event board to see what's going down! Just be sure to visit these places with reverence for the local customs, this way you can better blend in and reduce the risk of killing the vibe as a visitor.
Familiarize yourself with what to expect in terms of public restrooms in your destination. In some cities, public toilets can be scarce or charge a fee, so knowing this in advance can save you from uncomfortable situations. Apps like SitOrSquat can help you find clean facilities when you’re out and about. Some cities might even offer unique bathroom experiences like the public urinals in the Red Light District in Amsterdam and the squat toilets common in South Korea and Japan.
Visiting a local market can be a delightful sensory experience and a great way to support the local economy. Local markets can be found with a Google search for farmers markets and outdoor street markets. You'll find authentic street food and fresh produce here, and if you have an AirBnB you can even stock up on some supplies to cook yourself a dinner with local ingredients! Local markets are also great places to find souvenirs outside of the main tourist areas. Of course, there will likely be tourist traps here too, at least you will be able to find more authentic souvenirs.
Learning simple greetings, like “Thank you” and “Please” and other basic phrases in the local language not only enriches your travel experience but also shows respect towards the local people and culture. Locals usually appreciate the effort, even if it's not perfect…and you might even be able to bring a smile to someone's face. Free apps like duolingo and even YouTube videos are great ways to learn the native tongue basics.
Staying hydrated seems like an obvious tip, but you should be warned that cities get really hot in summertime and overcrowded tourist areas can be surprisingly lacking in options for water. Be sure to bring a big reusable water bottle and fill it up at your hotel before you head out for the day to avoid overpaying for a water bottle that might not even be cold. Also, be aware of the tap water situation in the city you are visiting, most cities in Europe and North America are safe to drink from the tap, but they might not always be tasty.
Similarly, it's important to take care of your lungs and oxygen situation especially in high elevation and polluted cities. Supplemental oxygen products like the O-Stick from Oxygen Plus can help mitigate the effects of elevation and pollution and even give you an energy boost to help you feel your best self as you explore the world. The O-Stick is a great option as it features a reusable dispensing shell that uses small, but powerful oxygen canisters that are fully recyclable. Plus, consider all of the preparation for the trip. You wouldn’t want to feel anything less than your best, and it all starts with self-care. So, elevate your travel experience with these safe tips and remember to get ample rest, exercise and to keep your hydration and oxygen levels topped up – so you think, feel and perform your best wherever your journey takes you.
From practical advice on lodging and transportation to cultural immersion through local markets and events, each of our tips is designed to reduce the friction you might feel as a traveler and put you in the best position to enjoy all of the experiences a city trip has to offer.
As we heed Jack Kerouac's call to live, travel, and adventure, these insights serve as a valuable toolkit, ensuring that each journey not only broadens our horizons but does so with our health and joy at the forefront. Whether you are in Mexico City on a particularly smoggy day or trekking up to the heights of the Andes to visit Machu Picchu, Oxygen Plus is there to help you feel your best self to take in the wonders of the world.
