The Quirky and Unusual Habits of Travelers Around the Globe

Traveling is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in new cultures, enjoy stunning landscapes, and gain knowledge. However, travelers often engage in activities that might seem odd, peculiar, or even bizarre to others. Whether it’s unique habits, preferences, or challenges, these are some things that travelers enjoy doing while on the road, which others may find strange.

Reading destination set books

Some travelers love diving into the literature of the places they visit, reading books set in or inspired by their destination. For instance, reading ‘The Code’ while exploring Paris, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ while hiking in New Zealand, or ‘The Beach’ while relaxing in Thailand. This can enrich the travel experience by adding more depth, background, and imagination to the sights and sounds of the destination.

“Schwarzer Bock Hotel – Wiesbaden, Germany” by gTarded is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Explore abandoned places

A few travelers are captivated by the history, mystery, and beauty of abandoned places, seeking them out wherever they go. From ghost towns to remote islands, from crumbling castles to forgotten factories, these spots offer a glimpse into the past and the chance to experience something unique and adventurous. Some of the most famous abandoned attractions include Chernobyl in Ukraine, Pripyat in Belarus, Hashima Island in Japan, and Kolmanskop in Namibia.

Buy nearby tidbits

Some travelers enjoy tasting the local cuisine of the places they visit, not just the main dishes but also the snacks. Snacks can reveal a place’s culture, taste, and creativity, and they can also be fun, delicious, and surprising. Some travelers like to buy local snacks and taste them on the spot, or bring them back home as souvenirs or gifts. The most interesting snacks around the world include durian slices from Malaysia, fried insects from Thailand, haggis chips from Scotland, and chocolate bacon from the US.

Visit abnormal grand spots

A few sightseers are not happy with the standard vacation spots, and they will search for more uncommon, odd, or even ridiculous things. These explorers appreciate visiting bizarre attractions that can make them snicker, wonder, or shake their heads. A portion of these attractions are deliberately intended to be peculiar, while others are essentially the consequence of occurrence, innovativeness, or idiosyncrasies. The most bizarre attractions all over the planet remember the Mallet Exhibition hall for The Frozen North, the Substantial Dinosaur Park in South Dakota, the goliath elastic duck in Hong Kong, and the live crab candy machine in China.

Gather trinkets from nature

Some travelers like to collect souvenirs from nature, such as rocks, shells, leaves, or flowers, and use them as mementos of their journeys. These travelers appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature and aim to have a tangible reminder of the places they have visited. However, some travelers may not be aware of the environmental or legal impacts of collecting natural souvenirs, which could ultimately harm ecosystems or violate laws. Some places that prohibit or restrict the collection of natural souvenirs include national parks, protected areas, and private land.

“Selfie” by Why Not Linh Vu is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Taking selfies with outsiders

Some travelers enjoy taking selfies with strangers and randomly inviting others to take photos with them. These travelers are friendly, outgoing, curious, and want to connect with locals and other travelers. They may also want to capture the diversity and personalities of the people they meet along the way. However, some travelers may not respect the privacy or consent of strangers they approach, which could ultimately offend or upset them. Some places that do not encourage or support taking selfies with strangers include religious sites, cultural activities, and sensitive areas.

What unique activities do you enjoy while traveling that others might find strange? Share your story and perspective in the comments below!