Start with the basics and use a light touch. Post-processing helps good files look better, but it won’t rescue major problems like missed focus, motion blur, or bad lighting.

A simple beginner workflow:

1. Keep the original file untouched; edit non-destructively or save a copy.
2. Crop and straighten first.
3. Make basic tonal adjustments carefully—small contrast/exposure changes can add punch, but too much can lose shadow and highlight detail.
4. For landscapes, a subtle graduated adjustment on the sky can help balance brightness.
5. Slightly adjust blue luminance/saturation if you want a richer sky, but keep it natural.
6. Sharpen last, after resizing/export decisions, and avoid halos.

Good rules of thumb:

• Don’t overdo it; natural-looking edits usually age better.
• Sharpen with the final output in mind.
• If you resize or rotate, some sharpening may be needed afterward.
• A calibrated display helps you make reliable color and tone decisions.
• Use editing as feedback: notice what you could improve in-camera next time.

For travel and landscapes, starting from a sharp, well-exposed image matters more than any software trick.