Marco Polo is probably the most reliable explorer in the world, as he was able to make the East and West meet, and eventually gather them together for an exchange of cultures. In his travels he was able to come up with many valuable lessons which the modern traveler can not only learn from, but also use in his upcoming adventure trips.
Thus, if you want to follow the footsteps of Marco Polo, then below are some of the things you can learn from the historical legend:
1. Record your travels. Even before Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan set sail to America and Asia, Marco Polo already took on his own expeditions, and he recorded his adventures through his writings. Nowadays, thanks to modern technology, you can not only take pictures but also videos of your travels and upload them right away on the internet, and that’s something you should take advantage of especially if you plan to chronicle your trips.
2. Taste the food. We all know that pasta hails from Italy, but the noodles actually came from China, and it was Marco Polo who brought the dish to Venice, and the rest was history. If you want to make your adventure more meaningful, taste the local dishes and cuisines-they tell a deeper story than just the taste.
3. Spend more time with the locals than fellow foreigners. During his time exploring, Marco Polo not only sought for trade and commerce, but also socialization. He spent time making friends with the people living in the places he visited, and among them was Kublai Khan, the reigning Mongol emperor. He became good friends with Kublai, and he was even allowed to live in the emperor’s houses during his stay.
4. Log your routes. Travelers are different from tourists, as they don’t follow an itinerary; they create their own. Just like Marco Polo, who searched for his way to China and back, it is a must that you record the routes you took in order to get to your destination. You will find a lot of interesting side stories and discover various new spots not included in travel packages, and these can definitely add more meaning to your trip.
5. Explore the rides. You cannot just ride a cab to take you to the places you want to visit, as that would be very boring. When you are in a foreign country, ride on their different modes of transport. This way you will see how it feels to live like a local, and not just as a mere visitor.
6. Finally, enjoy your stay! How do you think Marco Polo was able to live in China for 17 years? He enjoyed his stay in the country, and even took part in the Kublai’s social festivities. Your visit in your target destination may be shorter, but enjoying the time you’re there would definitely change your views not just in traveling, but more importantly in living life to the fullest.
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