Agreed.
My spouse would contend that the perfect vacation is a week at home (with no distractions, if that could be arranged).
I think a vacation week at home would actually increase my level of stress (theoretically--it's never happened so I don't know).

Why do you travel?

Is it to get away from work, your house, the stresses of daily life?

Is it to see a new place, the good, bad and ugly, learn about a new culture, taste new foods, meet the natives, see things you've never seen before?

Is it to re-connect with your spouse or family members since you don't get quality time together on a day-to-day basis?

So many reasons to travel. But reasons #1 and #3 say more about our current quality of life, not the need to leave our homes and go somewhere new . . .

This isn't a judgement of any of these reasons (or others), just something I'm pondering in my ole noggin.

I guess I am #1 and 2, but if I won megabucks tomorrow and could quit my job, I'd be travelling primarily for question #2. You have to travel not just to see the world, but understand your place in it. That, and because the world is my buffet!!

To see new places, meet people, learn new things, experience someone else's culture. I love being surprised. I enjoy trying new foods and drinks; I'm also really into art, architecture, and gardening. Travel is inspiring and energizing to me.

I can relax pretty well at home (alone) when I have a day off, so I don't travel to destress. We have a lot of family time at home as well. Travel does allow me to connect with extended family and friends who live far away.

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

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!

My response is ABSOLUTLEY ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And then some.

Awesome post!

To explore, experience, and learn...

Just arrived back from Maui and seem to have caught an "intestinal bug" similar to ones you hear about from Mexico. There were places I was swimming in the ocean that appeared to have brown bubbles on the surface bit I ignored it at the time. I was curious whether anyone else has experienced any such problems after a trip to Maui. Thanks.

Paul,

I would be more likely to think you picked it up on the airplane than from the water on Maui! Actually, I've never heard from anybody who felt Hawaii made them sick, and I hope it isn't true in your case!

Hope you're in good shape now.

Is this what's known as "Maui Wowie?"