5 WAYS TO WANDER: A Quick Packing Tip and A Place That Feels Like Home

3 January, 2025 | Welcome to 5 Ways to Wander. Here are five fresh ideas to inspire your next adventure!

#1 This Week’s Travel Hack:

Utilize the Space Inside Your Shoes. Packing hack – Store small items like socks, chargers, or jewelry inside your shoes. This makes use of otherwise wasted space and keeps these items protected.

[You Might Like: Maximize Your Packing Efficiency With This Checklist]

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#2 Destination of the Week:

Valencia, Spain. Ever wondered where the future meets the beach? Valencia is the answer.

Here, the mind-bending architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences leaves you spellbound with sleek, UFO-like buildings, an opera house, a Science museum, and one of the largest aquariums in the world.

This cultural immersion is a stark contrast to the laid-back charm of the Valencian Mediterranean coast with gorgeous beaches and pristine waters.

And just when you think it can’t get any better, you find yourself tucking into Spain’s most epic paella, wondering how you’ve lived this long without it.

Did You Know: Paella, the colorful rice dish, originally hails from Valencia.

[You Might Like: 42 Fun Facts about Spain That You (Probably) Didn’t Know]

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#3 Cultural Insight:

The Greek Way of Hospitality. It goes beyond just a smile or perfunctory politeness. Hospitality is a bedrock of Greek culture, deeply rooted in history and mythology.

The ancient Greeks had a word for it: philoxenia, which translates to “friend to a stranger.” But it’s more than that. It’s an unspoken code, a way of life that embodies generosity, kindness, and respect for guests.

You’ll feel this everywhere in Greece. Ask for directions, and someone might walk you there instead of just pointing. At a small taverna, the owner might bring you a complimentary dessert or pour you an extra shot of raki, just because.

That’s the magic of Greece. As soon as you arrive… you belong.

[You Might Like: 38 Greek Landmarks to Add to Your Bucket List]

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#4 Travel Quote to Ponder:

“I love the feeling of being anonymous in a city I’ve never been before.”

― Bill Bryson

[You Might Like: 150 Quotes to Help You Choose Adventure Over Wi-Fi]

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#5 Question for You:

Which natural wonder or landmark left you in awe, and what made the experience unforgettable?

(For me it was the Northern Lights in Iceland. Hit reply and tell me yours 😉)

[You Might Like: Europe's 49 Most Iconic Landmarks]

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