Why do you travel? No, really, think about it -- why?
 

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.

Good question, Tansy!
I travel for the new place, new things reason you stated. The other reason is that we are divers and live in Northen CA where the ocean is much too cold and murky !
We are trying to go to all the interesting/great scuba spots around the world as we can. We also love wine but then we live in the Wine Country-as good as any reason to "vacation' at home! and still try new things!
R5

I have two completely opposite reasons for travelling: to spend quality time with my kids, and to get away from them! My husband and I try to take two "big" trips a year. One with the kids and one without.

The trip without the kids is our opportunity to reconnect with eachother as a couple and to relax and recharge without the constant demands of two preschoolers. We like to take this trip when it's cold here in the East. We head to a warm locale with beautiful beaches. Our days include sleeping in, having leisurely meals, and hours of reading, swimming, and snorkelling. Cocktails start well before the traditional cocktail hour.

Our trip with the kids is our chance to spend quality time with our boys without jobs/housework/etc interfering. We are able to completely focus on eachother, have fun, introduce the boys to new places, and make great memories. We usually return from this trip more tired than when we left (think lugging bulging carry-ons and carseats through the airport), but we treasure this special time with the kids.

Right now I feel I need to get away. I'm having vacation relaspes..(ughhh!!) I'm in Michigan where it's cold & cloudy & can be snowy. You can only take so much of this dreary winter weather.

Anyways, I love to travel to see new places. It's funny cause my DH calls me a travel addict. I love looking up trips/destinations online, helping others with there vacations, investigating about different destinations to go. I just love vacationing period. From packing the suitcase to being at the airport watching the airplanes. We don't have any kids so kids are not a factor. We just enjoy being away, around beautiful surroundings, dining at different restaurants, just being somewhere else. Just being away from your normal daily routine,especially work :-) Travel is definitley my passion!!

:-? I travel, therefore I am.

We travel to see the world.

My father died in 1997 without seeing much of the world. I realized then that life is short, and you don't get extra points for having the most money in the bank at the end of your life, so I try to take one nice trip a year.

As for stress, I keep my souvenirs on the wall in front of my desk, and the memories I have of these places always help relieve the stress.

Mike Honeycutt

I NEED to travel. I was raised as a corporate brat, moving to a new city every few years. I go nuts if I spend to much time at home.

I travel to live....to breath. At the end of the year, what are my life memories?...work? sometimes....mostly, however are those magic moments I have created to make life living, the adventures when you embrace each and every moment of each and every day. I travel to embrace living and being.............. when everyday life tries to make me forget why we're here and that we're here.

Good point, Birdie. I was raised as an Army brat, never in one place more than 3-4 years. Now I've been in the same town for 11 (GASP) years, and I can only handle it because I take SO many trips! Very important to satisfy that wanderlust.

It gives me something to look forward to and planning gives me something I enjoy doing. I think planning sometimes is the best part of the vacation and the anticipation of the approaching trip. I like going places I have never been and gathering information about the place plus learning about it before I go. I usually start planning my next trip as soon as I get back.

Insatiable curiosity.
I am interested in visiting almost anywhere I've never been....just to see what it's like.
Small towns, empty plains, touristy spots, wherever.
And there aren't too many places I like returning to (never get tired of NYC and Italy).

Tansy said: "But reasons #1 and #3 say more about our current quality of life, not the need to leave our homes and go somewhere new . . . "
To that I say, would you want to wear the same style of clothes and eat the same food every day for the rest of your life?

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!

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).

We love the adventure of exploring towns, cities, and regions that we have never been before. We also enjoy going back to some of the places we have visited, like New Orleans, and Boston. We try to "get away" once a month. It keeps us planning, which is half the fun.

My favorite day of the year is the first day of my annual half-week vacation, because it's the day when I just walk the streets and explore.

I travel to learn about another place -- everything about it. I want to learn about the food it specializes in, what people are like, how they treat streets and buildings, what locals do to pass the time, how they do things differently. When people say they approach traveling like an anthropologist, I have to say I'm the same way. A lot of it is pure discovery.

I travel to please the senses. I feast on local snacks and dine at fine restaurants. I admire towering buildings and quaint neighborhoods. I soak up majestic mountainscapes and misty waterfronts. I get my fix of live jazz and a feel for the local vernacular through conversation with strangers. I like the challenge of learning the public transportation system, the vindication of picking a great restaurant/nightspot, and the high of taking an awesome picture. I love the smells of a public market.

To learn and enjoy; that's why I travel.

I was raised by a mom who loved nothing more than planning adventures. My dad liked domestic travel only, probably from being in Europe during the war. Once school was done for the year, off we'd go. She spoke several languages and covered most of the friendlier countries during her lifetime. She believed that being in one area and becoming provincial was a horrible tragedy. I guess I have some of the same outlook. I love the planning and research before a trip. Before I discovered this site, I could be found hanging out in the travel section at Barnes and Noble. My collection of Fodor's books is quite extensive. Plus, the eye opening quality of seeing life elsewhere, and now, showing the world to my kids. In these days of such poor television programming, I like having the opportunity to see the real world, vs. the stereotyped and oversexed morons from "reality tv". It's funny to think it used to be embarrassing to see commercials for feminine hygiene products. Now we have the 24/7 viagra ads. Even my 14 yr. old asked why so many men had to take that, but it was a good discussion on marketing strategy. Oops, I'm off topic now,lol.

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!!

i travel because i love to see the world, learn about other cultures (my parents were big time world travelers).
although lately, my travels have been solely to relax. my hubby and i both have stressful jobs and a cutie 2-year-old. when he's a bit older, we'll start traveling again for the culture.
p.s.: the hubby and i (just the two of us, without cutie pie) travel once a year for our anniversary to reconnect.

Aside from obligatory trips to keep connected with family, I travel to wake my brain up, to refresh my spirit from the staleness of same-old same-old.

As much as I love being in new places and seeing things I've never seen before, I also know I need to get the sludge out of my mental "arteries" and get an adjustment not only of attitude but of perspective.

I know I've gone too long without traveling if I find myself getting overwhelmed by the preparations to travel -- the packing, taking care of house- and pet-sitting, etc. When I hear my inner voice saying, "why am I doing this to myself? I could just stay home and relax, do I really need this?"

The answer is yes, I really need that.

And when I get home and no longer get swallowed up by work (at least for a time), or by my reactions to local and national news, local gossip, etc., and find myself looking for sources of international news or news of other parts of the country, new kinds of restaurants, etc. -- then I know I definitely needed to travel.

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."

Makes you appreciate the words even more when someone has to "sign" them, then you have to interpret.
Sorry, I'm only kidding. Couldn't resist.
If I ever make it to the "home" I hope I still have the neuronal capacity to remember and appreciate the memories I've stored up.

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 want to see EVERYTHING. And just being somewhere new and far away is awesome ("WOW, I can't believe I'm HERE!").

I also love to travel just for the memories of the awesome places and experiences. I've kept journals for several of my trips, and reading them later is such a hoot!

Many of my vacations are a little stressful in themselves. Since I often have little time to plan, I have to wing it sometimes. Figuring out where you're going to stay that very night, what you're going to do & where you're going to get all your meals (esp. when you're with a very picky eater) can be tough. But...an adventure!

Sometimes I do travel to de-stress though...and I'll take some type of all-inclusive adventure trip. It's just easy...and the exercise is revitalizing.

And I have never, ever in my entire working life taken a vacation day at home. That's something I just don't understand. You see your home every night and on weekends...why not spend your free time seeing something new?

I can relate to almost all the reasons you all have stated. My childhood vacations have influenced me in a diiferent way than some of you. My memories are of car trips trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. I can remember looking out the window of the backseat (covered in that cheesy plastic protector!)wishing we would stop at some of those points of interest. We were usually on the way to see family, which was really important to my folks. I am glad my kids have had the chance to see some different countries, and different ways of living. I think it is easier to understand what happens in other parts of the world. Have any of you noticed that when you return from a trip to a different place that you everday surroundings look a little different? I have discussed this with my Hub and we decided it is because when you travel you are really looking at things as opposed to everday life with eyes wide shut!

I travel for all three of your reasons. Different trips fulfill different needs.

I also enjoy the fresh perspective I have on returning home. Staying in nice hotels makes me want to make my bathrooom as luxurious as theirs. Staying in a rental condo with the minimum amount of kitchen items makes me want to de-clutter my kitchen when I get home. Staying in a cozy inn makes me want to refresh my bedroom.

In the same vein, I always read about the location I'm going to both before and after the trip. I always find something I want to know more about when I'm in a new place.

Trying new foods or restaurants inspires me to recreate different recipes at home.

And of course, living out of a suitcase for a week or two makes me realize that I don't need half of the clothes I have.

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

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,

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...

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

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.

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!

So fun to read your answers...I suppose none of us travel for just one reason. I guess I have a couple of compelling reasons. I travel because it makes my world larger. The people I meet, the art I see and the natural wonders I view all expand my understanding of others and myself. I also travel to get perspective. When home for too long, I get to thinking that my problems or stresses are larger than they really are. Travel reminds me that my situation is one among millions and that I would miss all that is "out there" if I stayed stuck in my own universe.

To escape my "real" world!

At 45 I just started started to experience the luxury of travel. I've always been blessed by being able to spend summers in Wisconsin with my parents. My children are fortunate to spend their entire summer up north also with my parents. The only draw back to this is that as a family (Husband and 2 boys) we never really went anywhere else. Last year the four of us went to Maya Riviera for a week and it was wonderful. We spent a lot of time reconnecting with each other and the memories are great. Next Feb. my girlfriend and I are planning on going somewhere warm for a week to just relax and have "girl fun." Traveling is a privilege and the planning and anticipation are just as fun. Any suggestions? Carla

hugglynn, I completely relate to your comments about relatives or friends being envious/angry about the amount of travel my husband and I do. We are also DINKs and take many trips per year. Some people seem to think it is wasteful somehow (!) -- like we should be spending our money on something more "worthwhile." As if travel is not worthwhile!

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

Awesome post!

I like to travel to get away from my regular routine. It's a refreshing way to see new surroundings and meet new people. I like to just drive and look at the scenery. Very relaxing for me.

Why do people travel?? because it does something special to your heart, soul, your whole being! for example, My husband and I tryed unsuccessfully for 4 yrs. to conceive our 2nd child, when lo and behold we go to the ocean for 1 week, (had not been on vacation since my 1st born)and I guess watching my husband and son frolick in the ocean must have done SOMETHING to me because I came back (with child)!!! we found out 3 weeks after we got back>

because I don't have a a tranquil blue sea and warm sun in my backyard!