By: Frayed Passport
Traveling wakes a natural wanderlust in us and makes us want to pursue adventure long after we’ve returned home. The thrill of discovering new places, learning about cultures different from ours, trying amazing new foods, and meeting extraordinary people—it’s romantic, exciting, and inspiring.
Every trip we take is a chance for personal development and connection with the world around us. If you want to keep falling in love with travel over and over, read on! We’ve got some great tips for you.
Discovering Your Wanderlust
Do you dream of traveling the world and chasing adventure wherever—and whenever—it may take you? Start with a bit of introspection.
Think of experiences that have stuck with you, even day trips, weekend jaunts, or even a family vacation you loved as a child. What fascinated you the most, and what made you the happiest about these trips? What fills you with joy now? What feelings do you want to capture with your travels? Do you want to accomplish something on your journeys?
Don’t stop there; think about TV shows, movies, books, podcasts, and people that inspire you and make you want to explore our beautiful planet. As you understand your “why,” seek out resources to help you get there. You might be interested in budget travel, adrenaline-fueled excursions, long-term travel (or even living abroad!), last minute travel tips, or even destinations famous for food, spectacular views, or incredible weather…finding what speaks to you will help you develop a lifetime of passion for discovery.
Planning Your Adventures
Even if you want to build a lot of spontaneity into your travels, taking some extra time to plan will help your trip go smoothly and let you focus on what you want to get out of every trip.
- Know your objectives: Do you want to relax and unwind? Do you want to get off the beaten path and explore something new? Create a list of the things that you really want to see and do on your trip, and start triangulating when you’ll go, how to get there, and where you’ll stay based on that.
- Know your budget: Choosing a destination and activities that fit your budget will help you plan your itinerary in more detail. Maybe you dream of going on a safari in South Africa, but it’s not in the cards with your finances this year—that doesn’t mean you can’t travel at all! Taking smaller trips in the meantime can help you satisfy your wanderlust and learn even more about what kind of traveler you are.
- Plan the “boring” things in detail: It’s super helpful to understand your options and get all the details squared away when booking flights, getting insurance, gathering documents (say, if you need a visa), and so on. Preparing the less-exciting parts of your trip well in advance and knowing what to do if there’s a hiccup in your plans will go a long way toward reducing travel anxiety and making your vacation an absolute dream.
Related: Embracing the Unexpected: Mixing Planning with Spontaneity in Travel
Embracing Cultural Immersion
Learning about, respecting, and participating (if invited or welcome) in local customs and traditions can transform a journey from a simple visit to a profound experience.
Learning some basic phrases in the local language can go a long way toward building connections and making your travels unforgettable and deeply rewarding. Look for places to go (safely!) beyond the tourist track by researching locals’ recommendations and asking questions in forums like Reddit or on apps like BlueSky. And for a delightful learning experience, see if there are festivals, art shows, concerts, or other events highlighting local creators, history, and culture that you can attend during your travels.
Sustaining Your Travel Lifestyle
Most of us can’t travel all the time—but there are tons of ways to build travel into your lifestyle!
- Set up a trip fund and regularly add whatever you can, whether for a big, once-in-a-lifetime adventure or more minor excursions that bring you lots of joy and happiness.
- Consider taking weekend or day trips to check out nearby areas that you haven’t visited yet but can explore and enjoy with minimal planning.
- Join clubs or travel groups to meet like-minded wanderers who can inspire you and give you ideas for new journeys.
- Collect souvenirs from your trips to preserve memories and to share with friends and family.
- Write down your favorite moments, draw pictures of sights you loved, and add photos, tickets, and other mementos to a bullet journal if you want to get really creative!
Every journey provides possibilities for reflection, connection, and personal improvement. Building travel into your life as a tangible goal, with honest intentions, will broaden your horizons, make you more empathetic, and teach you so many new things about yourself and the world around you. Why not do it?
Featured image by Persnickety Prints on Unsplash
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