Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino: Travel Challenge: Finding the Right Route

Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino

Passion for Italy, Language and Wine

Travel Challenge: Finding the Right Route

A travel challenge to get around a new city is one of many for a traveler. Here is Cecil from Travel Feeder explaining he experience in London.

Welcome Cecil!!

When I was abroad in other countries, I liked the feeling of getting around the city effortlessly by means of transport without referring to a tourist map. It's like a local who is so familiar with his own city that any corner of the city can be reached as easy as snapping your fingers. For a tourist, this sounds like a tough challenge. I'm like a kindergarten student trying to figure out how can I get to school! So let's see how I can conquer this challenge on my trip to London.

First, I studied the London city map. I know even many of the British have never studied it. They learned by doing it. But for a tourist like me, I'm not going to be able to take trains to Charing Cross and walk to and from my hostel. I have to learn it in a fast way by first familiarizing myself with the city map. By studying the map thoroughly, I can choose my travel path correctly and efficiently. A lot of my precious travel time would be wasted if I didn't do so.

Second, I assess the means of transportation from one area to another either by the underground, bus, black cab or by walking. Look for the best way to either save your travel cost and time or for a better city view along the way. Time is precious in everyone's vacation. Don't spend unnecessary time on travel instead spend more time on sightseeing!

Third, try it by yourself. At this point, my decision should be 80% correct. The only risk factor is the accessibility, either to the station, the frequency of service or the road condition if you decide to walk. Some places seem far apart when reading on map, like Leicester Square and Oxford Circus. But once I tried taking the underground train, I regretted it. Getting to Oxford Circus from Leicester by the undergound you need to change to Central Line at Holborn before reaching Oxford Circus. And changing lines in the London underground is sometimes a pain. I had to go up and down escalators to change lines and went up again and walked like a thousand miles before reaching the ground floor exit. It would've been a far better idea to just have walked there!

Fourth, try another path when the above was not as easy. Try another means of transportation which is easier and faster. Money is not a concern here as I have a Daily Travel Card for unlimited trips.

Finally, I found the best route. Sticking to these routes and I traveled about London easily for the rest of the days in London and acted like I've lived there for my whole life! I like that feeling...

The author: Cecil Lee is an avid traveler who is also a passionate travel blogger and travel photographer living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and on his own travel photo blog, Travel Feeder.