A Master Herbalist Guide for International Travel; A Three-Part Series

Part 1 of 3: Foundational Rules for an International Adventure

International travel can be an enriching experience. 

As someone who has traveled to more than 25 (and counting) countries with the goal of adventure, exploring local markets, and fantastic food, I can tell you that these experiences can be very addictive. If you are like me, your parents loved to travel and wanted you to experience other cultures, too. 

But the late great Anthony Bourdain’s travel shows were the inspiration for what started my “adventurous travel” motor running to faraway destinations. Every time I return from a trip, I find myself getting edgy and wanting to begin planning my next adventure within a few weeks. 

For those who think international travel is not possible for them, with the proper planning, you can create a very budget-friendly adventure. If you can’t afford the champagne wishes and caviar dreams in first class, keep in mind that premium economy is very comfortable and that the goal is to get to your destination and have an unforgettable adventure. 

However, travel may come with some potential pitfalls regarding your physical health. 

Just the act of flying for long periods and going into different time zones is just a few (of many) examples of things our body has to adapt to. There is a good reason why experienced travelers tell people they have x number of miles on them; those miles do take their toll. 

In this three-part series, I will discuss how to use herbs and functional foods, along with many tricks of the trade, to help navigate or altogether avoid many of these potential pitfalls. 

In this first part of the series, I'll share my personal insights on how to make the most of your experiences. Please keep in mind that these suggestions are not just based on my experiences, but also on my belief in what actual travel and adventure should be about. 

So, let’s dive in. 

Here are my top seven tips to enhance your international adventures. 

1) Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist 

I am aware that everyone has different goals when they travel. However, if you really want to have an adventure, this is the foundational rule that you should adhere to. 

No one is saying that visiting the pyramids in Egypt, admiring priceless works of art in Paris, witnessing the changing of the guard at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam, or flying for 20-plus hours only to lie on some beautiful beach in the Fiji Islands aren’t all lovely experiences. 

However, if you are a real traveler, you would rather experience the following with a private local guide—all of which I have done (and highly recommend), just to name a few.

• Go to the Maca fields at 15,000 feet up in the Andes mountains, or experience how real cacao is made in Peru. 
• Spend a few weeks in an ayahuasca retreat in the middle of the Amazon rainforest.  
• Take a camel trek in the Sahara Desert, 
• Have a personalized private food experience, tasting all the delights of eating fresh pasta and sipping delicious local wine in Tuscany, Italy, or discovering the unique characteristics of olive oil in Crete, Greece.
• Taste the amazing paella and fatty, delicious Jamón Ibéricoor from the acorn-fed pigs of Spain.
• Visit the local herb markets in Peru, where you can experience some of their local tonics like Maca.
• Discover the exceptional tastes and flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, such as pho. 
• Learn to cook from some amazing chefs and bring your newfound talent home. 

Do you really want to go to these faraway destinations full of adventure, great food, and authentic local culture, to stand in long lines and be overcharged at tourist traps? 

Some of you might want to do all of those touristy things so you can check them off your bucket list, but they are costly and time-consuming, which means missing out on an authentic local experience. 

Yes, the following will look great on your tombstone: I traveled and did a bunch of touristy stuff only to miss out on the authentic local experience. It will make for interesting conversations amongst your loved ones after the funeral. 

Therefore, for the love of god and all that is good, if you insist on doing those touristy things, make them less than 10% of your total trip. Sorry to be a buzz-kill, but Mickey, Mini, and Goofy are the same no matter what country you visit them in. 

I am going to let you in on a real traveler's secret: 

Travel Tip #1: To truly experience a country's culture, you won't find it in the tourist traps. The sweet spots are found in the food and local markets where REAL locals go. 

Have you ever had a conversation with cortadores de jamón (Ham slicers) in Spain? It is a wonderful experience to learn and understand the respect and passion they have for food. These folks go to school and spend years perfecting this exceptional talent.   

2) Hire a private Local Guide

If you are looking for that extra touch of insurance to make your adventure unforgettable, consider hiring a private guide to help you experience what real locals do, and where they eat. 

When you hire a local private guide, you get personalized experiences, insider knowledge, and efficient navigation. 

However, always make time for yourself to roam around and “get lost”. If you have not gotten lost when exploring, you don’t know what you are missing. 

Sometimes, that is where you find the best stuff. Keep in mind that adventures, in some cases, can have moments of uncertainty. Therefore, having a private local guide can help keep you safe and navigate those experiences. 

For example, visiting authentic local markets can be exciting to the eyes and taste buds. However, one wrong move can put your trip on hold because you can’t leave the bathroom, and no one wants that situation. Having a local private guide can help you avoid that disaster. You may think hiring a private local guide is expensive. However, when you do the math at the end of the day, you realize that because your guide helped you avoid all of the costly touristy restaurants and locations, it saved you money. 

Next, while it is a good idea to learn some basics of the language for your destination, if you are not someone who has mastered the art of speaking many different languages fluently, your English-speaking local guide will be an invaluable tool. Furthermore, you will build a relationship with your private guide, and a good private guide will want to get to know you and help you create the best possible experience. I would like to make one final point about this topic. 

The reason I keep mentioning a private guide is that I personally hate being part of a group. Groups can be annoying; you will almost certainly clash with the many different personalities, lose your freedom to do the things you want to do, and, most importantly, there's ALWAYS someone who shows up late. 

Traveler’s tip #2: Keep in touch with your guides through WhatsApp after your trip, as they are excellent sources of information in case you want to go back. 

Please always respect all the local laws and rules of culture.    

3) Hit Up all the Local Markets

As stated above, one of the keys to having a great local experience is to visit all the local markets. Most places have several, and they are a fantastic experience. The regional markets open your senses and mind to try things you never thought were possible as they turn your “adventure switch” on. I should warn you that once the switch is turned on, the sky's the limit for how much fun lies ahead. 

Perhaps, because I am an herbalist, I am a bit biased. 

However, markets are a fantastic place to find and experience some of the local specialities and herbal tonics. I highly recommend that you explore these amazing places with a competent local private guide. This is your insurance policy for keeping safe and not eating things just because they look fun, exciting, and unusual. 

That fried tarantula may look like a crunchy culinary adventure; however, you may not like how it feels coming out the other end. On the opposite end, if you are in Spain or Italy and want to try one of their special cured meats, your guide will almost assuredly take you to the best places for the best experiences. 

The local markets are where you find all the gems, immerse yourself in the real travel experience, and, most importantly, make memories. They are cost-effective and support local businesses. Believe it or not, grocery stores in foreign countries can also be a unique and wonderful experience. Simply walking around reading labels and seeing firsthand all the things you have read about on the internet regarding simple things like the difference between A1 versus A2 dairy. There it is, in the flesh.   

Finally, as a Master Herbalist, one of the epic experiences that I look forward to when traveling is finding good sources for local health tonics. Of course, I conduct research to discover the various tonics in different areas and consult with my guide to explore all the unique experiences I can have with these tonics. 

Tonics from around the world come in many different forms, like teas, broths, beverages, or even as a part of your food. 

4) Local versus Fancy Restaurants

Many people think that great food experiences in foreign countries can only happen in expensive Michelin-star restaurants. That idea is entirely false. As a matter of fact, many seasoned travelers I have met throughout the world, including myself, all agree that the vast majority of these Michelin-star restaurants are nothing special. 

Two dirty secrets about them may surprise you: 

1. The Michelin star belongs to the chef and not the restaurant specifically. 
2. In many of these restaurants, the chef who earned those stars may no longer work there and may only have created the menu, which is prepared by people they trained.

Therefore, you may not get what you pay for. That is not to say that some of these restaurants are not incredible. I recommend inquiring about these aspects before spending the money. 

Traveler’s tip #3: The best food is often found in tiny local restaurants, where you'll mostly see locals and few tourists. 

This is where talking to your local guide comes in very handy. Remember earlier in the article, I spoke about how exploring and getting lost is a great way to find unique gems? 

Well, here is a perfect example of where I've often had some of my best meals abroad: sorry, tech people, no Google reviews on these places. 

This trick is about trusting your gut and remembering the golden rule: lots of locals, few tourists. 

Finally, if you plan your trip correctly, you should arrange to have a homemade meal with a local family. If you have been to Italy and not eaten with a local family where grandma cooked the meal, you have not lived. This is one of the best ways to get to know the real people of the region without the crowds and fuss. Always be respectful, but ask questions and listen to their suggestions.      

5) Consider traveling off-season

If you want to avoid crowds and higher prices, consider traveling off-season for your next adventure. For the record, when I say off-season, I mean about a month before the season starts or a month after it ends. Now, there are two things to keep in mind regarding this tip. 

• First, there is the weather. One of the main reasons why the season is so popular is that the weather conditions are more favorable. However, if you don’t mind cooler weather (I personally find that more comfortable), then the off-season might be a better choice for you. It is best to check the region, as the off-season in some areas can bring a lot of rain, which isn't ideal. 
• Second, some things you may want to experience may not be available. However, with proper planning, almost anything can be arranged. For example, while you can always visit a family-run olive oil mill in Italy or Spain, if you want to see the oil being made, your timeframe is limited to the specific time of year it is done. Keep in mind that times change due to growing patterns and environmental issues. 

6) Make friends with the concierge and the front desk staff at your hotel; They can be a wealth of information. 

After a long, fun, and exciting day of travel, there is nothing quite like a great meal to end your day. If you're in a small area, almost any restaurant will serve you an incredible dish. However, in major cities, your choices can be tougher to navigate due to the sheer number of options. 

If you are in Florence and craving a delicious steak Florentine, you have plenty of options, but you may not know the best place. Having a conversation with your hotel concierge to get suggestions is a good idea. However, before you make your choice, ask the front desk staff for their opinions. There is a good reason to get a second opinion. 

The front desk staff tend to be budget-conscious people and have their favorite places that their families have been eating at for a long time. That is excellent information. I can tell you all that I have never been given a bad suggestion from the front desk staff regarding local restaurants. The biggest mistake people make is thinking that the most expensive is always the best; that is simply untrue.

7) Consider using a travel agent to help you build a perfect itinerary and book your trip

I realize this may not be the most popular suggestion. However, in my opinion, when you take the time and build a relationship with a good travel agent, you will never go back to doing it all on your own. I have been working with the same agent for over 10 years, and she knows me very well. For those of you who think travel agents are expensive and unnecessary, allow me to point out a few things: 

• A good travel agent is a wealth of information because they have connections all over the world, and they have done extensive travel themselves. 
• Planning a real adventure takes a lot of time and effort. Our most valuable commodity is TIME. Therefore, if you are a busy person with many responsibilities, then your time is valuable, and a travel agent is a perfect solution. I am very impatient, so a travel agent is ideal for me. 
• Travel agents will most assuredly help you avoid making bad choices that ruin your trip. Can things still go wrong? Yes, however, chances are it would be a lot worse if you didn’t have the travel agent. 
• It is always good when traveling internationally to have a contact person both locally and back home, in case anything goes wrong, to help you navigate the issue. 

Traveler’s Tip #4: Visiting a new, exciting place can be invigorating and stir up feelings of wanting to move and live there. Please keep in mind that you are a guest, and what you experience may not be the complete reality of everyday life in that country. Therefore, before packing your bag, consider visiting the country at least three times, with each visit lasting longer. This tip will give you a better idea of the reality of living abroad and potentially save you from making a mistake. 

In conclusion, international travel adventures can be some of the most wonderfully exciting experiences an individual can have in their lifetime. Spend every moment experiencing the tastes, smells, and unique flavors that each country and region has to offer. Some of your travels may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Therefore, treat each experience as if it will never be the same again. 

The Author’s Bio
Michael Stuchiner is a Master Herbalist and proud graduate of The School of Natural Healing, with over 25 years of experience in various aspects of the field. He is a retired elite-level powerlifter who competed for 27 years. As an avid international traveler, he is passionate about the use of medicinal and tonic herbs, as well as foods traditionally found in local markets in the 35 countries he has visited. Michael shares his years of experience as a Master Herbalist, traveler, and athlete through the hundreds of articles he has written and his YouTube channel, "A Master Herbalist Perspective." He is considered a true educator in this field. For more articles written by Mike, go here: Master Herbalist.