Tansy,

I travel for all the reasons you listed and more...

Like you and Birdie, I need to pick up and go every now and then. I was raised as an Air Force brat and have now been living in Ohio for over twenty years. Sometimes I just have to get out of Dodge...

We travel to see the world, new places and take in how life is so much different in every area of this country (and others) from where we live. But, to add to that, I feel it makes me more "worldly". I feel like a much more knowledgeable and well-rounded person because we travel. I don't mean that in a smug sort of way, but since we are DINK's (Dual Income No Kids), we've had a head start on this since we were young(er). Many others our age can't get away and appear envious, and at times with family, almost angry, that we can and do get away. I also have friends who "could" travel, but don't because of frugality or, with one person in particular, because they don't want to leave their dog (they get a sitter for one-night occasions). So to sum it up, we travel because we can! Sometimes in our travels, my husband will point out a person he might see in a wheelchair or walker--and his point for doing so is just to say how lucky he feels we can travel now because there might come a time later in life when even though we would want to, we wouldn't be able to or at best, it would be difficult.

Tansy:

As implored, you asked us to REALLY THINK...WHY?

OK: I travel because I have sacraficed and saved to do so.

Everytime I can pull out a suitcase, no matter how large or small, I thank God that he makes all of my travel possible.

So, I travel because God blesses me to be able to do so.

Great Question!

Oaktown Traveler

2 & 3 but also to see new things, eat new food and to go back to places that a we have visited before to admire again- for example Saint Chapelle.

Yes, part of the fun is in planning but in the last few years we let somebody else do the planning.

I have recently retired after 55 years so a good part of the stress is gone but it is still fun to "get away". Even if it is one 80 miles. :-B

Cassandra, I can really relate to what you wrote:

"I travel to wake my brain up, to refresh my spirit from the staleness of same-old same-old."

That's definitely a big reason why I travel so much. And the planning! I always have a trip planned, which is my "carrot" to keep me going when work gets too stressful.

I love to read and then I love to see the places I've read about. It seems that the more places you experience, the richer your life is. Someday when I'm sitting in a rocking chair at the "home" I will have memories. I was watching an old western the other day, and I reconzined the mountains in the movie as being in the Canadian Rockies. Then maybe I love to rtravel because I grew up hearing my dad play the piano and sign "Far away places with strange sounding names, are calling, calling me."

This has been fascinating. I love travel for many of the reasons sited in the previous post. I do have a stressful job, but I can't say that I travel to escape stress. I find it sad when people can only relax when they leave their life behind. Right now, I get 5 weeks of vacation, so realistically that's about it for travel time. Since my family live on the other side of the country, I do try to get out there to see them as well. But I don't want to spend 47 weeks of my life getting so stressed out that I need those 5 weeks to just unwind!

GULP...why not?

LOL

Oaktown Traveler

I can't drink champagne in the middle of the afternoon!

I just came back from the Palm Springs Elderhostel, and one lady there was doing 3 back-to-back South California programs because her house is being remodeled... now that's the reason for travels, LOL!

travelis, I think you misunderstood me. I simply meant that many people like to travel to get AWAY from stress, or to get in touch with their immediate family -- because we live such busy, stress-filled lives that those things are not possible in our day-to-day lives.
Even if I could reduce my stress level and have quality time with every member of my family on a regular basis, I would still want to travel, for reason #2, among others. But it's sad to think that for many of us, the only way we can truly relax is to physically REMOVE ourselves from the place we live and work!

Goint to Montreux with large group for one week in late May. Some tours already set up, but have option of day trip to Zermott and will spend day in Interlaken. Any suggestions on things to do--or to not miss while there?

Hi Bob, <BR>I envy you your trip to Montreux; as I've said lots of times, it's my favorite spot in Europe. I keep finding more things to do there. You say you've got tours lined up, but here's my two cents: <BR>Spend a morning walking along the flowered lakeside promenade from Clarins to Villeneuve, passing the Chateau Chillon along the way; there are plenty of cafes to stop and have a coffee & snack along the way to replenish your strength. Top it off with a wonderful pizza & beer lunch at a lakeside cafe in Villeneuve, then take the ferry back to Montreux. <BR> <BR>Spend a morning walking the vineyards around Chexbres, hitting Rivaz & St. Saphorin. For lunch, hit the Augerge du Raisin in St Saphorin or just find your own spot. I've heard that Cully and Lutry are worth a trip as well. <BR> <BR>Spend a day in the mountains, taking the train to Gstaad. On the way back, stop at Glion and walk the rest of the way down to Montreux. <BR> <BR>Spend an afternoon in Gruyeres, making sure to sample the berries in creme-double. <BR> <BR>Spend an afteroon in Nyon at the Roman museum and the Caesar's columns nearby. <BR> <BR>Spend a morning walking up to the old city & the museum & the old church. Fantastic views from the old church (can't remember the name -- but it's prominent in the old city). Have lunch at the restaurant at the museum. <BR> <BR>Let me know if I can help with other information. <BR> <BR>s