Human beings are amazing creatures.  And as such, we have several ways in which we make long-lasting memories.  The 5 senses are key to making memories. Why?  The same part of the brain that’s in charge of processing our senses is also responsible, at least in part, for storing emotional memories.

Most everyone loves to travel, and if you want to make amazing memories to relive long after the vacation is over, try these 5 tips. The 5 tips are directly related to the 5 senses.

1. Sight
2. Smell
3. Taste
4. Touch
5. Sound

5 Senses = 5 new ways to make memorable, emotional memories.  And one bonus tip that is the most important of all! Use these tips to guarantee memorable moments on all your journeys!

Memorable Moment – Breakfast in San Miguel Allende.  

When I was in San Miguel de Allende in 2014, my friend and I were staying in a hostel near the center of town.   When we got up in the morning and decided to go out for breakfast, my friend said that she didn’t want to go towards town, but she was sure we find something if we walked through this residential area.  Seemed crazy to me but I followed along.  Sure enough, while walking by these little houses, we found a small kitchen that was open to visitors.  They made us fresh tacos right off the comal and we watched as they traded their tacos for eggs, sodas, dishing washing detergent, and shoes.  It was amazing to see the barter system in place.  Everything was traded.  The food was so fresh and very inexpensive but talking to the sisters was even better.  We had breakfast with these wonderful sisters named Antonia & Argenia in their makeshift kitchen/restaurant.  They only had two tables and we had wonderful conversations in Spanish! This was a memorable moment I will never forget.

Senses = Memorable Moments

#1 The Sense of Sight

Don’t just take snapshot after snapshot, and don’t rush, take your time with photos to get that perfect shot.  Let your joy shine through in your photos.  Ask strangers to pose with you and pose in different and unusual ways.  Be Creative.  And wait for the perfect shot. Shoot it again if you need to.  Later when you look at your pictures, each photo will invoke emotions and take you back to that spot… much more memorable than the same selfie over and over.  Humans are such visual creatures.  These photos will for sure bring back memorable memories. 

Memorable Moment – Goofy Photos in Lima, Peru

This is one of my most favorite photos from Lima, Peru.  We were just playing around in the park and I was being silly, while my friend captured some photos. 

#2 The Sense of Smell

Look for a local spice shop or tea factory.  Even a cafe will do.  Seek out places with unique and aromatic ingredients.  Bring home a spice bag or local tea.

Memorable Moment – Peppermint Room at Celestial Seasons

I recently took a tour of the Celestial Tea Factory in Boulder, Colorado.  Ask anyone who went on this tour in the past 10 years what they remember the most about the tour and it is undoubtedly the Peppermint Room on the factory floor.  Peppermint is so strong and overpowering that the peppermint has to be stored in a separate room.  You get to go in that room and the smell fills your lungs with this crisp, cool flavor.  Definitely the highlight of the tour. 

#3 The Sense of Taste.  

Try a dish you have never tried.  When in Rome, as the saying goes.  It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to taste the flavors of another land.  Be creative. Be adventurous.  Try alpaca or guinea pig while in Peru.  Try haggis while in Scotland, well you get the gist.  It won’t kill you, you might like it, and at the very least, you will always remember these odd things you tried. Or if you have some cooking talent, even consider taking a cooking class while traveling. Imagine the memories you’ll have when you recreate a special dish for your family and friends once you are back home.

Memorable Moment – Cooking classes in Playa Del Carmen

My friend Emily took a cooking course when we were in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.  She learned to flambé.  It was a great time filled with laughs, a great dinner and she brought her skills that she could use back in the states.  What did she cook?  Chipotle hibiscus vinaigrette on a salad with marinated garbanzo beans; chicken with green pipian salsa and black bean purée and rice; and bananas flambé in rompope sauce w roasted nuts and vanilla ice cream. Included an in-depth chili pepper explanation and tequila & mezcal tasting.

#4 The Sense of Touch. 

Go off the beaten path and seek out the road less traveled. Find exhibits and architecture that you can touch, climb, and put your hands on.   Ask around via word of mouth for unique hands on experiences.  If you just follow TripAdvisor, you’ll end with the same experiences, pictures and memories as everyone else.  If you get lost or take a wrong turn, explore that possibility and see where that path leads.   Ask locals for something not listed on the online travel sites.

Memorable Moment – Climbing Urquhart Castle in Scotland

We visited many beautiful buildings, castles and churches in Scotland, but by far my favorite was Urquhart Castle in Edinburgh on the shore of Loch Ness.  The main reason was that we could climb on and in all the structures.   This castle is technically considered a ruin, but we were allowed to climb up the spiral staircases and go down in the dungeon and storerooms underground and climb to the 3rd and 4th story above and touch all the structures.

#5 The Sense of Sound

Seek out the local music.  Find a venue with live music, performing native or local style music.  Talk to the band when they go on break.  Buy them a beer.  Buy a copy of their CD. Go see a concert while you are on your trip.  Talk to the band afterward and tell them you traveled hundreds of miles to see them.  Buy their CD too.  When you listen to those CDs later back at home you’ll be transported in your mind right back to trip location. 

 

Bonus Tip: Genuine Love of People

Love may not be one of the senses, but it is what connects us with all the people we meet. 

Talk to people, locals, and other travelers.  Talk in the airport, on the train, in the supermarket, start conversations, ask about their experiences, and Listen.  Find things you have in common.  Invite a local to have dinner with you. Give and receive love in its simplest form, the attention and acknowledgment we show to one another.  These conversations won’t always lead to a memorable moment but occasionally they will and when they do, it can be truly magical and it can be a moment you talk about forever.  And when someone asks if you want to experience something different and unusual, just say yes!

Memorable Moment – Shaman Blessing in Cusco, Peru

When traveling in Peru, we had an experience where we went off the beaten path on a side detour so to speak. We were asked if we wanted to stay on the bus and wait or talk to some locals while we waited. I said Yes, let’s talk to some locals. We quickly found some interesting folks to talk to. One of which was proclaimed to be a Shaman. Now, who knows if he was a real shaman or not, but I accepted the blessing wholeheartedly. He blessed my spouse, and my kids (which I didn’t have any at the time). But maybe he saw a glimpse of what was coming. Three months later, I meet the love of my life and now how a spouse and step-kids. I feel like I got way more than those that chose to wait on the bus.

Hope you have found some tips to help make Memorable Moments where you journey takes you. What memorable moments have you made that you want to share ? Comment below!