50 Mildly Interesting Experiences Tourists Had While Visiting Other Countries (New Pics)

There is almost nothing in life that impacts us quite like travel. It’s not just about good food and guided tours (though they’re awesome, too!)—it’s about adventure, self-discovery, and broadening our perceptual horizons. Travel reveals who we really are. The more curious you are, the more you can get out of each trip.

Bored Panda wanted to find out what can help people step out of their comfort zones and travel more, so we reached out to Keith O’Hara fromThe Irish Road Trip. The travel writer was kind enough to share his insights with us. You’ll find our full interview with him as you read on.

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A Clever Way To Show How Ancient Ruins Looked Like

There’s a dilemma that many people face. On the one hand, they say that they want to travel. On the other hand, they’re either too scared to face discomfort, or they think that they’re ‘too busy’ to go on trips. Bored Panda asked O’Hara, the founder ofThe Irish Road Tripproject, for his take on solving the issue.“Being ‘too busy’ is never an excuse to put off enjoying life, yet it’s a trap many of us plummet head-first into, whether it be due to financial or work commitments. Often, you just need to start small,” O’Hara told us via email that an incremental approach can help here.“For example, let’s say your main travel goal is to get to Ireland’sRing of Kerryat some point. Set that as your ‘North Star’—the main travel ‘goal’ you work towards. A future ’travel-to-do.’”

“Being ‘too busy’ is never an excuse to put off enjoying life, yet it’s a trap many of us plummet head-first into, whether it be due to financial or work commitments. Often, you just need to start small,” O’Hara told us via email that an incremental approach can help here.

“For example, let’s say your main travel goal is to get to Ireland’sRing of Kerryat some point. Set that as your ‘North Star’—the main travel ‘goal’ you work towards. A future ’travel-to-do.’”

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Top Tourist Attraction In A Polish City Is A Cat

The travel writer shared a few thoughts on leaving the comfort zone, too. “When I was in my mid-20s, many of my friends were in long-term relationships. I went from having a group that I could travel with often to a group of friends who holidayed with their partners. I found the concept of traveling on my own daunting,” the founder ofThe Irish Road Tripopened up to Bored Panda.

“It wasn’t until I decided to take a winter trip one weekend to theDingle Peninsulain County Kerry that I realized traveling solo was actually OK. Yes, it meant overcoming the awkwardness of sitting in a restaurant solo but being able to see/do what I wanted when I wanted was a weird yet enjoyable novelty. Solo travel can be intimidating, but ask yourself, ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ Worst case scenario—you lose money.”

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This “No Cars Allowed” Sign In Sweden

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Bored Panda was also curious about the type of attitude that it’s best to adopt when traveling abroad. “Be enthusiastic, but be educated about your destination,” O’Hara suggested.“Understand, at least at a very high level, the ins and outs of where you’re traveling to and take time to understand any dos and don’ts,” he said that many people visiting Ireland may not understand thenuances between the country and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, talking politics in a bar in Ireland can also be risky if you’re not familiar with things.“For the most part, just embrace it all—one of the joys of travel is experiencing people, places, food, language, and culture. Soak it all up.”

Bored Panda was also curious about the type of attitude that it’s best to adopt when traveling abroad. “Be enthusiastic, but be educated about your destination,” O’Hara suggested.

“Understand, at least at a very high level, the ins and outs of where you’re traveling to and take time to understand any dos and don’ts,” he said that many people visiting Ireland may not understand thenuances between the country and Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, talking politics in a bar in Ireland can also be risky if you’re not familiar with things.

“For the most part, just embrace it all—one of the joys of travel is experiencing people, places, food, language, and culture. Soak it all up.”

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Traveling Through Some Back Roads In My College Town And Came Across This. The Generosity Made My Day

My Country Puts Phosphor Into Sidewalks So You Can See At Night

We firmly believe that everyone can—and should—embrace travel as a way of life. No matter your circumstances, you should strive to step outside your comfort zone. Even if just a little bit.Though routines are useful to have, eventually, they can lead to a very monotonous existence. It’s hard to find much joy in life if all you ever do is work, eat, sleep, and do chores. All the while dealing with burnout, exhaustion, or anxiety. Every day feels more or less the same. However, when we kindle the spark of curiosity inside of us, we see what else life has to offer. We’re suddenly reenergized.The importance of cultivating curiosity applies to every area of your life. It adds a dash of energy to your relationships, your jobs, and yes—how you perceive the world. If all you ever do is what you’ve always done, then barring some major external events, you’ll see life the same as you always have. When we introduce something new into our lives, everything starts to shift and change.

We firmly believe that everyone can—and should—embrace travel as a way of life. No matter your circumstances, you should strive to step outside your comfort zone. Even if just a little bit.

Though routines are useful to have, eventually, they can lead to a very monotonous existence. It’s hard to find much joy in life if all you ever do is work, eat, sleep, and do chores. All the while dealing with burnout, exhaustion, or anxiety. Every day feels more or less the same. However, when we kindle the spark of curiosity inside of us, we see what else life has to offer. We’re suddenly reenergized.

The importance of cultivating curiosity applies to every area of your life. It adds a dash of energy to your relationships, your jobs, and yes—how you perceive the world. If all you ever do is what you’ve always done, then barring some major external events, you’ll see life the same as you always have. When we introduce something new into our lives, everything starts to shift and change.

A Resort I’m At Has A Sign To Warn Tourists About Seals Sleeping On The Beach

My Friend Was Traveling Through Marocco When She Suddenly Saw This Tree Full Of Goats

Found A Stargate In The Middle Of Nowhere Near Linz (Austria)

It’s these things that add spice to our lives. Routine, stability, and predictability are fine. But that’s just one side of the coin that is life. The other side is all about embracing the surprises and opportunities that come our way.

What matters far more than where you travel and what hotel you stay in is that you’re open to welcoming the idea of adventure. You’re willingly adding some discomfort and unpredictability into your life because you’re yearning for something new.

I Have Traveled The World With Toy Story’s Woody Taking Pictures For My Son. At Heathrow Airport, Security Just Confiscated His Weapon, Keep The World Safe Boys

Park In Singapore Has A Swing For People In Wheelchairs So That They Can Experience It Too

A Cheese Vending Machine In A Mountain Village In Switzerland

Travel is a great way to get to see your life, values, and problems from a different perspective.Your trips do not have to have to cost you an arm and a leg. Travel is perfectly possibleon any budget. However, you do have to be realistic about your current limits, as well as those of your wallet. You shouldn’t be forcing yourself to travel first class and stay at five-star luxury hotels if all of your friends do that. Think about what you want, what you’re comfortable with, what you can afford. You shouldn’t travel to impress others (even if sharing a few photos is always fun!).

Travel is a great way to get to see your life, values, and problems from a different perspective.

Your trips do not have to have to cost you an arm and a leg. Travel is perfectly possibleon any budget. However, you do have to be realistic about your current limits, as well as those of your wallet. You shouldn’t be forcing yourself to travel first class and stay at five-star luxury hotels if all of your friends do that. Think about what you want, what you’re comfortable with, what you can afford. You shouldn’t travel to impress others (even if sharing a few photos is always fun!).

These Kids' Toilets In A London Museum Whose Sinks Slope To Cater To Progressively Shorter Children

They Have Baguette Vending Machines In France

This McDonald’s Sign Has Been Made To Match The Old Street That It Is On - Salzburg, Austria

If money’s particularly tight, you should strive to be as flexible as you can. For instance, you might want to consider traveling when it’s not peak tourist season and when the flights are cheaper. Then, you might be able to save some additional money if the flight isn’t a direct one.On top of that, you can opt for couchsurfing or Airbnb-like services instead of fancy hotels. Take the time to do some research beforehand. You’d be surprised how much cash that can save you.

On top of that, you can opt for couchsurfing or Airbnb-like services instead of fancy hotels. Take the time to do some research beforehand. You’d be surprised how much cash that can save you.

Cat Crosswalk In Norway

These Steps Light Up And Play Piano Notes As You Walk On Them

They Have Built-In Child Seats In The Madrid Bus

Now, look, the reality is that some people arescared or anxiousabout traveling or being uncomfortable. They don’t like the uncertainty. They might think they’re too busy with work and everything else. They imagine a dozen scenarios of everything that can go wrong. Or they’ve had very bad experiences in the past that they’d rather forget. In these cases, some long-term exposure therapy can help alleviate at least some of those fears.

This Public Fountain In Nice, France Lets You Fill Your Water Bottle With Flat Or Sparkling Water

The Icelandic Pledge For Tourists

This Bus Stop Library In Norway

Then, try going a little further—maybe visit a location that’s an hour away. Visit the seaside. Go to a popular local tourist spot you’ve never been to. Go and experience some nature trails firsthand.

The View From This McDonald’s In Austria

Mount Sinabung Erupted While My Friend Was On Vacation Making An Epic Picture

Koala Cuddle Guide In Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia

After you become used to the thrill and surprises that these miniature adventures have to offer, continue broadening your scope. Get on a plane for a weekend trip somewhere. Plan for a week-long adventure abroad. Start planning for that month-long trek across your dream destinations. All you really need is some curiosity, a bit of experience, some confidence, and the willingness to do some planning.However, if you think that you might suffer from an actualfear of travel, known as hodophobia, you might want to seek the help of a therapist or counselor for some guidance.

However, if you think that you might suffer from an actualfear of travel, known as hodophobia, you might want to seek the help of a therapist or counselor for some guidance.

My View As A Tourist From Inside The Cage

A Fire Hydrant In Tokyo, Japan

These Hello Kitty Construction Barriers In Tokyo

Meanwhile, for some more surprising things that tourists discovered on their adventures,take a peekat Bored Panda’s earlier feature right here.

This Tray Attached To This Japanese Public Toilet Lock So You Don’t Forget Your Stuff

Wooden Escalators, London Underground

Flying Over Antarctica From Chile To Australia

This Vending Machine Has A Visual Representation Of Various Prices For Tourists Who Are Unfamiliar With Local Coins

This Building In London Has Been Painted To Look Like A Monochrome Cartoon

When Sightseeing In London, You Notice Things You Haven’t Noticed Before

I Have Been Traveling Around Europe And At The Current House I’m Staying At This Guy Rides His Unicycle When You Pull Some Toilet Paper

A Roundabout Inside A Tunnel In Norway

Some Trash Cans In Barcelona Let You Shoot For 3 When Throwing Away Trash

Supermarkets In Singapore Uses Digital Price Tags

Someone Has Been Altering These Road Signs In London

This McDonald’s In Amsterdam Has A Baby Bottle Warming Microwave

Gas Station In Tokyo - Fuel Pumps From Above

So As Part Of The Deal When I Was Buying A Motorbike In Vietnam, I Was Given A Free Duck. He Traveled On The Back Of My Bike For Around 1750 Km In Total From Ho Chi Minh City To Hanoi