How to Travel with Purpose: Hiking, Sunsets, Feasts, and the Art of Getting Deliciously Lost

Travel isn’t about reinventing the wheel. The best adventures aren’t necessarily original—they’re just yours. The key is not to obsess over being unique but to make every experience personal. Walk the streets, eat the food, and look beyond the tourist traps. Travel with purpose by engaging with the place, rather than just passing through it.

Research with Intention

Social media, particularly TikTok, is a goldmine for real, user-generated travel insights. Unlike polished travel blogs, it’s filled with firsthand experiences and updated recommendations. City websites also offer event calendars, local happenings, and hidden gems that don’t always make it into mainstream guides.

Use Google Maps to scout neighborhoods, restaurants, and viewpoints. Pin locations that catch your eye, then connect them into a walkable route. Plan, but leave space for spontaneity—some of the best moments happen when you wander off course.

Seek Out Experiences, Not Just Landmarks

Skip the postcard-perfect checklist and prioritize immersive experiences. Look for:

• Free walking tours—great for history, context, and meeting fellow travelers.
• Local markets—full of energy, flavors, and everyday life.
• Short hikes—panoramic views beat crowded observation decks.
• Neighborhood eateries—where the locals actually eat, not where the tourists are herded.

My Travel Philosophy: Eat, Walk, and Observe

Whenever possible, walk. It’s the best way to absorb a place’s rhythm. Observe the morning rush, the mid-afternoon lull, the way locals interact. Watch street vendors, kids playing in parks, or a barista who knows every customer’s order. Let the small, unscripted moments define your experience.

When I was in Cappadocia’s Red Valley, I skipped the expensive balloon ride. Instead, I hiked at dawn, weaving through fairy chimneys and stumbling upon a cave church untouched by tour groups. The experience wasn’t curated—it was discovered.

Chase the Sun, Wherever You Are

There’s something grounding about watching the sun rise or set in a new place. In Istanbul, Kadıköy Pier became a ritual—locals gathered with tea and sunflower seeds, watching the sky shift over the Marmara Sea. No two sunsets were alike, and that was the magic.

Find the Soul of a Place Through Its Food

Skip generic “best restaurant” lists. Instead, ask a local where they would eat on a casual night out. In Jerusalem’s Old City, I wandered into a tiny Arab-owned spot, where I had labneh so thick it could hold up the ancient walls. These are the meals that stay with you—not because they’re Michelin-starred, but because they belong to the place.

The Art of Getting Lost

Some of the best travel moments happen when you let go of rigid plans and allow yourself to simply wander. Give yourself permission to get lost in a new city—without a checklist, without a destination in mind. Take a street just because it looks interesting. Follow the sound of live music. Walk into a bookstore, even if you don’t speak the language. These detours often lead to the most unexpected and memorable experiences. Travel isn’t just about seeing, it’s about feeling a place with all your senses.

Leave Places Fuller Than You Found Them

Traveling with purpose means respecting the spaces you enter. Walk lightly, spend locally, and engage with people beyond surface-level transactions. Support small businesses, learn a few words in the local language, and make an effort to understand the culture beyond tourist stereotypes.

Next time you’re somewhere new, ask yourself: Will I remember this as a photo or a feeling? Then, go chase the feeling.