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Becoming a Cultural Explorer 🧭
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items My niche is being a "Cultural Explorer and Connector." This means blending art education, art history, travel, language immersion, connecting people, and exploring new places while maintaining a lifestyle of health and continuous learning. I've been ...
Sections
5
How to Do It
Where to Buy It
Where to Do It
Coping With It All
Learning & Networking
How to Do It
After traveling for 2 years without a full time home, I've learned a lot. Her are practical tips for thriving as a constant traveler.
To be honest, I just found this. While most of our travel is international, this platform looks fantastic for roadtrips in the US.
Roadtrippers
I'm helpless without Tripit. Book your flights/cars/tickets/hotels, and forward the confirmation email to Tripit. Done.
TripIt - Highest-rated trip planner and flight tracker
Join Art-Focused Travel Groups like Artful Jaunts. They organize art-centric travel experiences that include gallery tours and art history lessons.
Artful Jaunts - Luxury Travel Experiences for Art Collectors
Learn Key Art Terminologies in Multiple Languages – Enroll in online courses through Coursera that focus on art history and basic language skills.
Coursera | Degrees, Certificates, & Free Online Courses
Connect with Art Lovers via Apps – Apps like The Artling help you connect with other art enthusiasts and discover art pieces and galleries globally.
The Artling: Curated Online Art Gallery
Engage in Airport Art Exploration – Use guides like Culture Trip’s airport art guide to discover art exhibits at major airports.
Culture Trip
Journal Your Experiences – Start a travel and art journal to document insights, sketches, and cultural observations. Consider using specialized travel notebooks from Leuchtturm1917.
LEUCHTTURM1917
LuggageHero – Offers flexible luggage storage locations in major cities across Europe, North America, and beyond, allowing travelers to store their bags in secure, local businesses. Check out options at LuggageHero.
LuggageHero
Bounce – A global luggage storage network with partnerships in over 1,000 cities, including options at cafes, hotels, and local shops. Find locations and details at Bounce.
Bounce: Luggage Storage Near Me - Left Luggage & Lockers
CIA World Factbook – Offers comprehensive, up-to-date information on the history, culture, economy, and key facts about countries around the globe, making it a valuable tool for understanding destinations.
CIA World Factbook
Lonely Planet – Provides in-depth travel guides, expert tips, and detailed information about cities and countries, including attractions, itineraries, and cultural insights. Visit Lonely Planet for resources.
Lonely Planet | Travel Guides & Travel Information
Rome2Rio – An excellent tool for planning multi-modal travel, helping you find transportation options like flights, trains, buses, and car routes between any two locations worldwide. Check it out at Rome2rio.
Rome2Rio: discover how to get anywhere
Skyscanner – A global travel search engine for comparing flights, hotels, and car rentals, useful for finding the best travel deals and planning logistics efficiently.
Skyscanner - Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere
iFlyTheWorld – A platform dedicated to aviation enthusiasts and global travelers, offering insights into airports, airlines, and travel experiences to enhance the planning process. Visit iFlyTheWorld for unique travel perspectives.
IFLYtheworld.com - Travel tips by Airline Crew |
Where to Buy It
It's hard to get things on the road. This is my list of the best places for buying gear that keeps you prepared.
We just started taking AG1 as our primary vitamin. This powerful morning drink has changed my health. The powder packets are easy to carry and the drink tastes like pineapple water. Hands down best supplement ever.
AG1®
Portable Art Books – Buy compact art history books from Taschen
TASCHEN Books
I love the travel-sized guides from Thames & Hudson.
Thames & Hudson | Beautiful illustrated books
Get your reusable and eco-friendly travel gear ready.
Amazon - for water pouches and other travel finds
Compact Art Supplies – Purchase portable art kits from Arteza for quick art sessions in cafes or parks.
Arteza - Art Supplies: Paint, Marker, Crafting
I can't travel without Airpods for listening to audio books, doing my language courses, taking online courses, listening to YouTube travel influencers, or just quieting the noise. Thanks, Apple!
Apple AirPods
Healthy travel snacks are hard to find. These are great. Try Urthbox.
Urth Box: Healthy Snack Subscription Box | Gluten-Free, Vegan & Keto Snack Boxes
Where to Do It
Master the art of balancing adventure and comfort while navigating the endless cycle of hotels, airports, and transit stations.
If you're going to be a full time traveler, you have to know where the best art-focused airports are.
10 Best Airport Art Installations in the USA
Airports can have art museum-quality displays. Plan accordingly!
These 10 Airports Get More Foot Traffic Than Most Museums. But Which Ones Have the Best Art? | Artnet News
Airport coffee can be hit or miss. Here are the hits. Drink up!
Here's where you can get the best airport coffee in the United States - The Points Guy
Cafe Culture Exploration – Visit historic cafes like Antico Caffè Greco in Rome and get museum perks as a bonus.
Antico Caffè Greco: Rome
Paris: The art of living, that's for sure. Every cultural explorer MUST spend time at Les Deux Magots. MUST. Go now.
Les Deux Magots, l’Art de vivre
Art-Filled Train Journeys – Experience scenic train routes like Switzerland’s Bernina Express, where you can admire views while sketching. Visit Switzerland Tourism for bookings.
Switzerland by Train
Art Museums with Language Tours – Book guided art tours in multiple languages at renowned museums like The Louvre or The Prado Museum.
Prado Museum of Madrid - Tours
Attend Art Fairs – Visit events like Art Basel to immerse yourself in modern and contemporary art while networking with other enthusiasts.
Art Basel
Stay at Art-Inspired Hotels – Choose hotels that blend art and accommodation seamlessly.
10 Beautiful Art Deco Hotels | Passport Magazine
21c is part museum, part hotel, part restaurant, and all kinds of wonderful. Pro tip: check out the bathroom immediately!
21c Museum Hotels: Art Museum, Hotel & Restaurant
Coping With It All
Navigate the challenges of travel, constant movement, and cultural overload with strategies for finding balance, embracing downtime, and nurturing your well-being on the go.
Travel fatigue is real. Prepare and take care of yourself.
How to Beat Travel Fatigue | Full Focus
Pace Yourself with Breaks – Schedule shorter museum visits and take breaks in between. Opt for outdoor relaxation spots like botanical gardens or nearby parks to unwind.
Travel Burnout - What it is and How to Fix It
Hydrate and Snack Regularly – Carry a water bottle and nutritious snacks to maintain energy levels. Sites like Eat This, Not That offer tips on healthy snacks perfect for travel.
Eat This Not That
Engage in Mindful Reflection – Spend a few minutes journaling or meditating to process what you’ve seen and center your thoughts. Apps like Headspace can guide you in short meditation practices tailored for travelers.
Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace
Stretch and Walk Lightly – Incorporate gentle stretches or walks around the museum or city to keep your body energized and prevent stiffness. Get inspiration and stretching routines from Verywell Fit.
Verywell Fit
Limit Your Daily Agenda – Avoid overloading your itinerary by selecting fewer but more meaningful activities.
How to Keep Your Travel Itinerary Loose for an Incredible Vacation
Prioritize Sleep and Rest – Ensure adequate rest by using sleep aids like travel pillows or white noise apps to adapt to new sleep environments. Sleep Foundation provides tips for sleeping well on the go.
Sleep Foundation
Use Aromatherapy for Relaxation – Carry portable essential oils like lavender or peppermint to help ease stress and fatigue during and after long days of exploring. Discover travel-sized aromatherapy products at Plant Therapy.
Plant Therapy - Plant-Based Beauty Products & Natural Living Solutions
Plan Wellness Stops with Yoga and Mindfulness Centers – Look for yoga or wellness studios during your travels for guided relaxation sessions. Apps like Mindbody help you find nearby classes and book them easily.
Mindbody: Powering the World of Wellness
Schedule Downtime for Digital Detox – Dedicate specific hours to unplugging from devices to avoid information overload and allow your mind to recharge. Get tips from Digital Detox on balancing screen time while traveling.
Digital Detox® Official
Interested in exploring wellness tourism? Start here.
Wellness Tourism Association
Learning & Networking
Discover how exploring new spaces can lead to meaningful learning and build lasting connections within the creative community - all over the world.
I use Bumble For Friends (BFF) to meet people in new cities. I have some great “coffee dates” with women my age who want to discuss art and philosophy.
Bumble
It's easy to find events happening in new cities on short notice with Meetup. Love my book clubs!
Meetup
There are a wealth of blogs for travelers who love art.
Artsy Traveler: For Independent Travelers Who Love the Arts
Download or stream your art shows for watching on the go.
Art shows on Netflix
Participate in Artist Residencies with Networking Components – Residencies like those offered by Res Artis connect you with fellow artists and creative professionals, promoting learning and collaboration.
Res Artis: Worldwide Network of Arts Residencies
Art Symposiums and Conferences – Attend worldwide art and culture conferences, such as CIMAM (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art) gatherings, which host lectures, panel discussions, and networking events.
CIMAM — International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art
Join Cultural Exchange Programs – Programs like Alliance Française and Goethe-Institut host international cultural exchanges, language classes, and art events that connect people from different backgrounds.
Alliance Française