10 Unconventional Travel Rules For Real Adventure (Ditch the Guidebooks!)

Forget the Guidebooks: 10 Offbeat Travel Rules I Swear By (And Why Dolf de Roos Might Just Be My Spirit Animal)

Ever feel like you’re stuck in a paint-by-numbers version of travel? Endless itineraries, “must-see” lists, and Google Map pins suffocating any chance of real discovery?

Yeah, I was over it too, until I stumbled upon the same philosophy that Dolf de Roos preaches: Travel without a script, no safety nets or luxury budgets, just you and a wide-open world.

Dolf de Roos, a real estate guru, might not seem like the go-to guy for travel wisdom. But this guy’s overland adventures, full of unplanned detours and pure curiosity, hit me like a wake-up call. My take?

When you strip away all the “perfect travel plan” nonsense, the real journey begins.

Here’s how you can do it, one spontaneous decision at a time.

1. The “No Plan” Plan Is King

Imagine landing in a city, any city, doesn’t matter if it’s Paris or Phnom Penh, and having no clue where you’ll lay your head that night. Scary?

Maybe. But freeing? You bet.

Dolf starts his trips with only one vague intention, like ending up somewhere in Malta.

Everything else?

He leaves to chance.

In my early days of travel, I thought booking just one night ahead was rebellious. Little did I know the thrill (and occasional minor chaos) waiting around the corner.

I’ve stayed in random Airbnbs, yes, even the “questionable” ones, just to let the city surprise me.

Spontaneity can lead you straight into someone’s backyard BBQ in a French village or a surprise wedding invite in western Ukraine.

Trust me, one taste of the unplanned, and five-star resorts with “trip itineraries” will feel like shackles.

2. Embrace the Art of Belonging Nowhere and Everywhere

Dolf de Roos has mastered blending in without “becoming the local” in a cheesy tourist way.

With homes scattered across continents and languages in his back pocket, he’s got this vibe of belonging everywhere while being tied down nowhere. And the key?

He doesn’t try too hard.

When I ditched my own attempts to “fit in” with French locals and just was, the world opened up in unexpected ways.

I stopped hanging onto guidebooks and Pinterest lists and started asking real people IRL, “Hey, where would you go if you were me?”

The responses?

Rich.

The results?

A totally unpredictable adventure every single time.

3. The Ultimate Travel Hack? Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Travel isn’t just about seeing cool sights, it’s about stretching yourself into an awkward, thrilling new shape.

Wandering a foreign city with no idea of the language or your next stop teaches you one crucial lesson: You can handle anything.

Dolf’s style, with its ‘no plan’ approach, showed me that discomfort can actually be a life skill.

It doesn’t matter if it’s in the form of cultural blunders or visa mix-ups; each stumble is a lesson, a laugh, or a story worth sharing.

Traveling this way helped me grow a thicker skin, and the funny thing? The “mistakes” are what I end up cherishing most.

Like getting lost and accidentally gate-crashing a Greek baptism, or asking for “dessert” in Italy and getting a glass of straight grappa.

There’s no app to warn you, no Yelp review to guide you. And that’s the point.

4. True Adventure = Chasing the Unknown

Here’s a dose of reality: Real adventure isn’t just for the Anthony Bourdain and Dolf de Roos types. You don’t need a massive bank account or a death wish.

The essence of adventure is a little courage and a lot of curiosity.

So the next time you’re looking for flights, leave a few days wide open.

Let curiosity guide you instead of someone else’s “must-do” list.

Adventure is waiting, you just need to give it some breathing room.

5. Feeling at Home in the Chaos

One trick I learned from Dolf? Treating each place not as some exotic “other” but as just another room in the house.

This mindset helps you settle in quickly, whether you’re in a bustling Tokyo alleyway or a quiet French hamlet.

And honestly, when you let go of feeling like an “outsider,” you begin to notice the little details that make each place unique without feeling out of your element.

At first, it’s hard. But slowly, the foreign places begin to feel like old haunts, each one a quirky part of your own story.

I’ve now got an old-school diner in Osaka and a tapas bar in Barcelona where they know me by name.

You don’t need to “belong” in a place to feel at home, you just need to embrace the chaos.

6. Make It About the People, Not the Places

Want a travel experience that sticks with you? Forget the selfie-sticks and Instagram hotspots. Dolf’s style reminds me that the best memories aren’t captured in photos but in connections.

I remember more of the people I met, not the “must-sees” I missed.

From a home-cooked lesson in “Tarte Flambée” in France to a toast at a random backyard party in rural Georgia, it’s the people who make a trip unforgettable.

So next time you’re in a new spot, throw out a question to a local. Ask for their favorite hidden gem or a dish they think you’ll love.

You’ll be surprised by the kindness and the stories you’ll bring back home.

7. Keep It Playful—You’re Not Saving the World Here

Let’s get real: Travel isn’t about conquering or collecting. It’s about being curious, open, and maybe a little silly.

Dolf’s style has an infectious playfulness that reminds me not to take it all so seriously. Lost? Laugh it off. Tried a terrible dish? Call it “authentic.”

Each moment is part of the journey, so stop chasing some idea of a “perfect trip” and just play.

8. Adventure Isn’t a Luxury—It’s for Everyone

If Dolf’s wild adventures taught me anything, it’s that anyone can be an adventurer. It’s not about deep pockets or even intense bravery.

All it takes is a bit of faith that something meaningful will meet you wherever you go. I’ve embraced this idea, and it’s changed my life in ways no meticulously planned tour could.

With just an open mind and a willingness to be surprised, you’ll find yourself in the kind of adventure they don’t sell in glossy brochures.

9. Keep Your Plans Loose, and Your Expectations Even Looser

If there’s one mantra I live by, it’s this: Expect nothing, and you’ll get everything.

Seriously, if you’ve ever taken a trip and hyped yourself up over an “iconic view” or “famous local dish,” only to feel underwhelmed, you know what I mean.

Rigid expectations have a way of deflating any moment that doesn’t live up to your mental picture.

Dolf seems to get this concept on a deep level, diving into every destination with open curiosity instead of a checklist.

And when I started traveling with the same open mindset, I discovered the beauty of unscripted moments.

So next time, set a loose plan, but stay ready for detours—they might just become the best parts of your journey.

10. Let the Place Unfold—Stay a Little Longer When You Can

One of my favorite unspoken rules is: Slow it down. Rushing from city to city for “bragging rights” or “Insta pics” is just a recipe for stress.

I’ve found that a slower pace allows each place to reveal its secrets, which you’d otherwise miss entirely.

Dolf’s approach reminds me to savor where I am, whether it’s getting to know a local bartender or returning to the same beach a few days in a row.

Staying a little longer lets you see beyond the tourist scenes and into the soul of a place. You begin to notice the rhythms, quirks, and everyday beauty of local life.

So, when you find somewhere that feels special, hit pause on your itinerary and let yourself get to know it in your own time.

There you have it, 10 travel rules that ditch the playbook and bring back the real magic of discovery.

Here’s a clip from Dolf De Roos

Ready to toss your guidebook and dive into the unknown?