travelling for passion

10 Ways To Find Your Passion Through Traveling

Travel can become an influential steppingstone to finding our passion and purpose because it introduces us to new cultures and ways of life.

Countless people will tell us that following one's enthusiasm is necessary for sustainability and career satisfaction. But how can humans do it if we have not yet identified our areas of interest? Few have been given to discover what they want or are meant to do. It is normally a long process as one’s life experience can help one figure it out. Travel can become an influential steppingstone to finding our passion and purpose because it introduces us to new cultures and ways of life that can inspire and boost our world awareness. To know further, here is the list of ways to find something we’re passionate about through traveling:

10 Finding Our Purpose

Traveling is yet another way to devote ourselves as we can make friends , interact with different cultures, and take part in events that aren't even popular in our homeland as we take trips. When something in our lives is unique, we are more flexible and creative in seeing or experiencing the world. So this will provide us with a new sense of meaning in life. Also, if we have not yet realized what we'll do with our lives, all we should do is take a trip.

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9 Realizing That The World Is Our Home

Many people describe their households as the central location where they were born and raised. However, once we begin to make a journey of our own, we will then start realizing that a household is far from a village or town. It's also our world, our sanctuary. Recognizing that various locations were not just people's households, however, will raise our awareness and make it much easier to help those in need because we can recognize and relate to their struggles.

8 Knowing How Little We Know

Many students spend years in school learning about subjects in a classroom but are missing a diverse hands-on experience if they have not traveled . Theoretical and practical approaches are opposed. We would then understand how little we understand about the humanity and world that lives in it as we travel. People cannot rely on what they see on social media as others choose what they are allowed to see about a certain issue or place, so traveling helps us perceive things as they are.

7 Realizing The Similarities Within People

We prefer to exaggerate our distinctions with other individuals in our separate worlds. We perceive others differently than we perceive ourselves. However, we are far more comparable to our surroundings than we realize. Everyone has necessities in common with their behavior being more understandable as one realizes basic psychology and empathy.

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6 Make Friends Easily

One of the most common anxieties individuals have nowadays is trying to approach and engage in conversation with strangers. This anxiety has increased as people are mainly indoors with the same human beings, scared to venture to talk to others because they fear judgment. Communication is necessary as people need to know directions, where to buy things, and more. Furthermore, conversing in a genuine and raw manner will encourage someone to be genuine.

5 Our Life Is A Wonderful Gift

People will understand how valuable our lives are as we make the journey. Having followed the very same old schedule every day creates tension or, in the worst-case scenario, anxiety . When we begin our journey, we will discover that indeed the world is filled with gorgeous things and people. We would also be appreciative of all the experiences we have ever had in our lives. Furthermore, we do not even have to sit tight until anything substantial occurs in our lives before we begin traveling.

4 Understanding Ourselves

By freshening up our usual schedule, we will be able to think about and consider our lives. We'll have plenty of time and room to just let our thoughts roam freely whenever they travel. People will gain knowledge further about themself as they discover something new. Getting to know oneself will enhance the standard of living significantly. Furthermore, since we seem to be alive, everything else is essential to us. Lastly, traveling makes us appreciate how fortunate we are.

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3 Challenging Ourselves To New Experiences

When we are going through a rough patch in our everyday schedule and existence has begun to feel more motor-driven than enchanting, we are most likely yearning for new difficulties and perspectives. Traveling is among the greatest ways of putting ourselves towards the assessment and stepping outside of our safety zone . We'll also see how creative one can get into an unfamiliar setting. Furthermore, combatting obstacles not only will strengthen our vitality but will also make people satisfied in the long run.

People are traveling to remove themselves from relationship stress, job stress or grieving of loved ones. Traveling is among the most effective antidotes to emotional turmoil as well as frustration in people's lives as they are able to explore beautiful landscapes, the climate, or the free expression to do whatever they truly desire. Furthermore, if people are hard workers, they should think about having to travel.

It is respectable to be focused on self-growth but it is necessary to recharge in order to preserve energy to increase general wellness and productivity. Also, taking a holiday getaway to go mountain climbing or lie on the seaside will charge up our battery cells. People will also have the opportunity to recognize and brainstorm options to improve things much easier at the job.

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Why Are You Passionate About Traveling?

Home » Blog » Uncategorized » Why Are You Passionate About Traveling?

We asked twelve business leaders and creative professionals why they are passionate about traveling. From travel fueling personal and professional growth to finding a source of inspiration and energy, discover the unique perspectives and experiences that fuel their passion for exploring the world.

Traveling Fuels Personal and Professional Growth

Finding a home and business in italy, exploring new countries enriches life, gaining personal growth through cultural exposure, embarking on a digital nomad’s journey, venturing on a path to unique perspectives, learning life lessons along the way.

• Inspiring Musical Introspection and Artistic Growth
• Experiencing Cultures Through Culinary Adventures

Receiving Global Learning Opportunities Through Work

Uncovering historical gems through travel, finding a source of inspiration and energy.

Traveling ignites a passion in me. It breaks my daily patterns, allowing me to analyze my business from an outsider’s view. Being part of the free-tours movement, each trip becomes a mission to scout the next great destination.

My experiences inspire my team, driving us to innovate and help millions find the best free tours worldwide. Each journey is an adventure and a lesson, enriching not just me, but the value we bring to our global community of travelers.

Traveling, therefore, is my tool for personal and professional growth, fueling our mission, one free tour at a time.

When I first visited Italy as an adult in 1997, I knew “I was home.” I have been passionate about traveling to Italy ever since and have been professionally guiding travelers on small-group tours there since 2013.

I started my custom tours of Italy then and love to create customized private trips for people who don’t want to ride on a big tour bus, along with me as their private guide.

There’s something incredibly exhilarating about stepping foot in a new country, breathing in the unfamiliar scents, hearing foreign languages, and seeing the sights that I’ve only seen in pictures before.

I’ve always been passionate about travel because it fuels my sense of adventure and curiosity. It’s a thrilling experience to explore new countries, immerse myself in different cultures, and witness the beauty of our diverse world.

Travel has taught me valuable life lessons, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to forge connections with people from all walks of life.

It’s a constant reminder of the vastness of our planet and the limitless possibilities that await. Simply put, travel enriches my life and brings me immense joy and fulfillment.

Traveling is a fantastic way to analyze and develop as a person. It exposes you to new cultures, people, and ways of life. It can challenge your assumptions about the world and assist you in developing a more open and tolerant mind.

It is a fantastic way to foster personal growth and it can assist you in stepping outside of your comfort zone and learning new things about yourself. Also, it can help you in developing new skills, such as language learning, problem-solving, and adaptability.

In addition to the personal benefits, traveling can be a lot of fun and is an enriching experience that can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.

Passionate about traveling and living life on the road, I found myself in a homeless shelter in the Netherlands at 19. My first time living abroad was when I found a job in Romania and lived there for a year. Since then, I’ve traveled to over 20 countries and continue to live life as a digital nomad.

Currently, I am planning a road trip through Mexico and South America. Traveling has not only helped me get out of my comfort zone, but I also attribute a big part of my current professional success as a freelance marketer to traveling and exploring new cultures. That’s why I am passionate about traveling.

Travel does so much for me as a person and has provided me with unique perspectives and several valuable lessons.

Without travel, you miss out on so much of what is out there, and it’s difficult to consider the perspective of others as you go through life. Travel can provide so much more, like empathy for others, making you feel grateful, opening your eyes to a variety of foods and entertainment, and so much more.

I’m passionate about travel because I’ve seen what it can do for me as an individual, and I envision what it can do for others in creating a more open-minded, smart society.

Traveling is my favorite way to keep learning! Though I’ve been done with school for years, I find myself still craving a learning atmosphere simply because I feel like there is always going to be so much more out there for me to discover.

When I travel to new places, I am able to completely immerse myself in the culture and landscape, and that allows me to expand my mindset in ways I don’t get to in my day-to-day life.

I discover new things that I like, different ways that other people live, and so much more. Whenever I return from a trip, I always feel like I come back at least a little bit transformed!

Inspiring Musical Introspection and Artistic Growth

As a DJ, my passion for traveling is deeply tied to reflection and personal growth. Each new city and crowd offers a fresh vibe and energy that shapes my music in novel ways. But beyond the immediate experiences, the real magic for me lies in the moments of quiet reflection between the rush of the journey.

Whether I’m musing on a flight or in a hotel room, these opportunities to pause and reflect allow me to process the new sounds and rhythms I’ve encountered, shaping them into my unique sound. But they also provide a time for introspection about my own journey as an artist, helping me understand my path and the direction I want to take in my music.

So, for me, traveling is not just about experiencing new places—it’s about the introspection it inspires, enriching both my personal growth and my music. That’s why I’m so passionate about it.

Exploring Cultures Through Culinary Adventures

Exploring diverse culinary traditions during my travels is a hidden passion of mine. Food holds the power to reveal a culture’s history, traditions, and way of life. Whether savoring street food in Thailand, indulging in traditional French cuisine, or trying exotic dishes in Japan, each bite is an adventure.

In Thailand, I explored the vibrant street markets, relishing the flavors of aromatic spices, tangy sauces, and fresh herbs. In France, I discovered the artistry behind classic dishes like Coq au Vin, appreciating the delicate balance of flavors and techniques.

And in Japan, I embarked on a gastronomic journey, sampling sushi masterpieces and experiencing ancient tea ceremonies. Through food, I not only satisfied my taste buds but also gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for diverse cultures. It’s the perfect way to immerse myself in a new destination and create lasting memories.

Traveling for leisure is great, but traveling for business is something I am equally passionate about. The company I launched over ten years ago was global from day one, which meant learning about and working with (and for) people all over the world.

There is something amazing about finding that someone from a totally random country finds value in what you do from your own corner of the world, and you get a very unique chance to learn about them and craft the perfect product just for them.

Being a history buff, I find that one of the benefits of traveling is discovering hidden gems and secrets that most people overlook. Human beings are naturally curious creatures.

Traveling satisfies this curiosity by presenting us with the opportunity to uncover the unknown and learn about places we’ve only read or heard about. Stepping into a foreign land allows me to embrace my inner Indiana Jones. (Although, the TSA confiscated my bullwhip the last time I tried to carry it on—so beware.)

For instance, here in my hometown, Fort Worth, Texas, there is a lonely historical marker on the street. Most people walk by it every day without a second look. It just blends into the scenery. However, it tells the story of a gunfight from the late 1800s. The very gunfight that caused all the spaghetti westerns to have the cowboys meet at high noon.

Every city has a unique history. Traveling makes that history come to life!

Traveling is not just a leisurely pursuit for me; it’s a profound source of inspiration and a refreshing boost of energy. I’m passionate about traveling because it takes me out of my everyday routine and lets me explore new perspectives, lifestyles, and places. It’s like a breath of fresh air that energizes and inspires me.

Traveling is not just a way to relax; it’s an essential form of active rest. It helps me recharge and find inner peace by getting away from the usual hustle and bustle. But what really excites me is the realization that there’s so much to see and experience in the world. It would be a shame to miss out on all the beauty and opportunities waiting out there if we just stayed home.

Another thing that fuels my passion for traveling is the incredible inspiration it provides. Exploring new destinations, encountering breathtaking landscapes, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds fill me with an indescribable sense of awe and wonder.

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Slow Travel. Eat Local.

Why I Love Traveling

//  by  Lisa 22 Comments

[updated August 2022]   Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore. Dream. Discover.    – Mark Twain

Hi. I’m Lisa and I love to travel. Plain and simple. And it’s a passionate affair, not hyperbole. I had to write this ‘why I love travelling’ essay to try to express how much I love travel. I started this blog in 2006 to document my trip around the world. Now I’ve been to more than 60 countries and counting . My travels have changed and shaped my life.

Ever since I was a kid, I had a sense of adventure. Just going around the ‘next bend’ on my bicycle, to see what was there, was exciting. And then as adult, it got the best of me and I quit my job as an Emmy award-winning TV producer, sold most of my stuff, and took off to travel around the world for two years. I never thought I’d do something like that. It was a pipe dream. It seemed impossible. Until..it wasn’t.

In most cases, traveling is cheaper , easier , and safer than you think.

I have always loved the adventure of travel — the unknown, something different, something new. And I feel the same way today… even though now the ‘next bend’ may be on another continent. I have been extremely lucky to continuously feed my passion and love of travel. Many out there share my passion while others do not. Looking back I can recount how I developed this travel bug . But, why do I love traveling so much? Here’s my ‘I love travel essay’ to try to explain this magic of travel!

Table of Contents

1.  I love the excitement of traveling

I love the excitement of it all — feeling like an explorer — discovering a new land, a new language, new money and all the little challenges that go along with it. When I travel, I am more spontaneous and don’t live for the future or the past… just in the moment. Being impulsive and saying ‘yes’ to nearly everything is part of the fun.

2.  I love the adrenaline rush of traveling

I love the rush . Habitual runners get off on the kick-in of endorphins that give them that extra boost they need to keep going. I get the same jolt from a day of travel or an unexpected side trip to a new and undiscovered land (for me… not for all mankind) that I hadn’t planned to visit.  Traveling seems to give me a near constant adrenaline rush.  After a few years of uninterrupted travel, I became quite addicted to this feeling. Traveling can be a challenge, but to me, a fun challenge that I enjoy conquering time and time again.  Plus it sure beats having to vacuum, pay bills, or shop for toilet paper.

“…so many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day, to have a new and different sun.” -Chris McCandless – “Into the Wild”

3.  I love learning new things

I learn so much from travel . World travel broadens your mind in so many ways. You meet new people, share new experiences, and let down your guard much more than when back at home caught up in the mundane day to day routine of life that we think is normal.  I get to see how the world lives. I see the sun and smiles in Israel that go way beyond the CNN clips. I learn about the differences and embrace the similarities. I am not there to complain about how it is ‘so different than back home,’ but rather to appreciate these dissimilarities. Just because something is different does NOT mean it is wrong and in many cases it can even be better. And, the people I meet get to know a bit about me, my world, and my background which can help dispel some other stereotypes as well. And now, some headlines I may have not noticed in the past, grab my attention. I’ve been to these places and have experienced their generosity. Now I’m much more interested and aware of what is going on there.

4.  I love the l ogistics of traveling

I like landing in a new place and trying to figure it all out myself. Where to get money. How to speak the language. How to go from point A to point B. How to pack my bag right so I don’t go insane after packing it for the 135 th time. Well, okay, maybe I don’t love that mundane task, but I still figure it’s better than all the tedious chores I left back home when I decided to travel. It all actually becomes easier and easier as it goes and gives you the sense of confidence that you can do anything. If I can plop down in an airport amidst the chaos of Cairo or hubbub in Hanoi and manage to get myself into the heart of town and find a place to stay, all the while, not getting ripped off and keep my sense of humor, then I am certainly not really worried about being able to go anywhere, anytime.

5.  I love the simplicity of it all.

My only job is to go somewhere and figure out how to do it. My to-do list is rather short: figure out the exchange rate and get cash out of an ATM, figure out a few key words in the native language , figure out transport to my lodging and around town, exchange books (find English used bookstore), do laundry every 2 weeks or so. Because I travel for longer periods, occasionally I also have to: get a haircut and buy new clothes to replace ratty, holey old ones.

Everything you own is with you in one bag . You only have a few pairs of pants or t-shirts, so getting dressed each day is an easy task. The more we have, the more it seems to weigh us down. Your life isn’t complicated by all the nonsense that is back home. But, guess what? If you really need a new shirt or shoes… you can buy it anywhere in the world. There is not much we actually really need and I think in this mega-consumerist society, we too often forget that. You need food and you need shelter… that’s about it. I enjoy some love, laughter, and happiness too… but that’s free and takes up no space in my luggage.

6.  I love meeting new people all the time.

In no other time in my life have I met so many people and made so many new friends in such a short time. The world is full of friendly, generous people. Sure, every place has its share of nitwits too, but as a traveler, you seem much less likely to meet them.  Maybe because people want to help you or maybe because you just don’t know some people long enough to uncover their schmuck-like tendencies. Since the nature of travel is to keep moving, these folks never become boring… because you simply don’t know them long enough to discover their flaws or get sick of them.

7.  I love the freedom .

I experience a great feeling of independence from traveling solo . I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. I can sleep in. I can stay out late. It’s all up to me.

All this also shows me how easy it would be just to live somewhere else… anywhere else really.  Staying in each place for an extended bit of time taught me how I could make friends, find work, and find a flat all rather easily.  Things that I would have to do if I was living there anyway-so, in many ways, for all intents and purposes it’s as if I was living there already.

“Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open roads Healthy and free, the world before me. The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune. Henceforth I whimper no more, Postpone no more, need clothing, Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms. Strong and content I travel the open road.” -Walt Whitman, from: Leaves of Grass

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Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, three-time Emmy® award-winning TV producer, video consultant, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical, which turned into three years traveling around the world. She created this blog in 2006. Lisa also owns LLmedia, a media & video consulting business. Her writing and photography has been published by American Way, Hemispheres, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, West Jet Magazine, Scandinavian Traveler, Orbitz, and Luxury Las Vegas. Her book, The Ultimate Travel Tips: Essential Advice for Your Adventures, is available on Amazon.

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Reader Interactions

June 16, 2009 at 4:59 am

Great perspective on the why's of travel (love the quotes) – especially in regards to simplicity and freedom from possessions. I am in the midst of re-configuring my life for long-term travel and just wanted to say thanks for the encouragement you offer by just doing what you want to do.

June 19, 2009 at 12:14 am

We need to travel to see faces different from the one that we always have around and to avoid the depression of being stuck in the same place.

June 19, 2009 at 12:17 am

I think traveling is incredibly important. It increases tolerance because you actually meet people from different cultures and learn that they are not so different from you.I wish that I could travel far more but I can't afford it! Great review !

June 21, 2009 at 4:35 am

I love the empowerment, the feeling of self-confidence. After some time on the road, I feel I can conquer the world – there isn't anything I can't take on. Travel makes me strong as well as worldly.

June 22, 2009 at 10:58 pm

I’m addicted to travelling,we can meet new people especially love talking with them and we can understand their way of life. When I plan a trip away, I always create a list of places that I want to visit, and make sure I visit those places.

July 5, 2009 at 4:33 am

Nice B/W pictures!

January 7, 2010 at 3:51 pm

I quoted that same Mark Twain line to a friend some time ago and he replied, "There was never a safe harbor." At the time I thought he was just being antagonistic, but I see that it was very true. we could get run over by a bus any day of the year. our heart can get broken in any city in the world, and every day people go to sleep and never wake up. I think his pessimistic response is just more of a reason for everyone to go see what the world has to offer them.

February 13, 2012 at 10:46 am

I just love travelling just the very thought of getting to an unknown desination is enough to get me excited. Unfortunately iam not able to travel all due to certain circumstances and culture… i envy those people who truly understand the importance and need to able to let yourself go and even if busy in the day to day life are able to take some time away for their soul:) its an enrichment process in my opinion… i hope it changes and i am able to do some travelling if not too much… thx for the lovely insight i enjoyed reading it:)

April 17, 2012 at 3:34 pm

Every person has a dream, my dream was broken and shattered. I used to love travelling, every day i always used to ask my parents, Can we go somewhere new? The truth was, I was so badly addicted that i started leaving in a dream world of my own. I used to draw photos of south america, used to look up all the facts.. but deep inside I forgot that reality is so bitter. The place I was living was alright, but soon it became depressing. I felt like life without travelling for just a few moments would ruin my life. The people I started meeting in different countries made me feel like i belonged there, not here. My happy memories travelling? I cry whenever i think of it again. I feels like being locked in a cage, full of darkness. Every month i'd wait for my holidays, cry and plead my parents to at least take me to a nearby country. No one understands how much i love travelling, and you know? One day Im going to get there. Im going fufill all my dreams because You only live once. That's all to say.

May 30, 2012 at 1:08 pm

This resonates with me on many levels, particularly the excitement of it all and figuring out logistics. I'm so glad that I've had a passion for travel since I was a kid, too. It makes me happy to be going places.

May 30, 2012 at 1:25 pm

I guess the passion for travel is hardwired in us. The passion may wane but somehow, the desire to travel (even just from one city to the next) will be there.

December 26, 2012 at 1:29 pm

Such a well-written post! I really like the freedom travel provides…and the sense of wonder 🙂

January 2, 2013 at 6:27 pm

Thanks Adam!

September 10, 2014 at 7:25 am

I agree with you so much about travel. Think it is something that everyone must experience at one point in their lives. It opens you up to so much more with experiences, people, culture, and much more. Thanks for sharing your views and congrats on leaving the hustle lifestyle.

September 14, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Thank YOU De’Jav for commenting and also being out there in the world being another good ambassador for the human race!

March 3, 2018 at 9:58 am

Great Work.. Keep it up!!

May 26, 2018 at 9:08 am

Lovetralling and bring along with 1 bag… Lets discover your life and dont regret for anything. I am in viet nam and i love to introduce vietnam beauty to my friends in the world.

August 2, 2018 at 7:16 am

Really, it’s an inspiring blog and its true travel gives us a freedom to explore the place, gives the wisdom to understand the things better and adapt the changes in a more flexible manner. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful blog with us!!

August 26, 2018 at 9:54 am

good one keep it up

March 17, 2019 at 11:11 am

adrenaline* you forgot the e in the end.

July 11, 2019 at 5:44 pm

Thank you! That’s been wrong for years. Fixed it! 🙂

[…] Lisa's Tongue & CheeksI was going after my biggest dream to travel the world – with no schedule, no return date, and no pressure.  I did not want the stress of ‘having to’ update my blog a certain number of times or anything like that.  And for the most part that worked.  I updated only when I had an interesting story to share that I knew would inform or simply entertain and hopefully make you smile or laugh.   I did not post about every place or every cup of coffee…it was really about things that moved me and stories that I knew could leave an impact. […]

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33 Meaningful Reasons Why People LOVE to Travel

A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here .

“Do you like to travel?”

This is a question I’ve been asked so many times in my life.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with seeing the world. In high school, I joined all of the clubs that had travel opportunities to out-of-state conferences.

In college, I studied abroad four times – and planned solo trips and trips with friends in between!

You could say that I LOVE to travel – it’s also one of the reasons I created this blog! Traveling is in my blood, and I have two major missions in life: 1. see as much of the world as possible, and 2. inspire others to do the same!

There’s even a word for people like me. I’m a hodophil e , which means “one who loves to travel.”

I could talk all day long about why I love traveling and the fulfillment that traveling has brought to my life. And there are tons of other travelers out there that feel the same as me!

To put together this ultimate list of reasons why people love to travel, I worked with some fellow travel addicts to tell stories of what travel means to us.

You’ll find stories of personal growth, checking off bucket list experiences, and learning new things – all thanks to travel.

So, if you’re thinking about traveling the world for yourself, or are just wondering about how traveling can change your life, keep reading for personal stories of why people love to travel!

Table of Contents

1. Travel helps you check things off your bucket list.

Written by Sydney from A World in Reach

Growing up in a small, rural town, I dreamed of one day flying across the ocean, visiting world-class cities, and seeing the landmarks I had only seen on TV in real life.

I had always found Stonehenge and its history to be so fascinating, and I thought that climbing the Great Wall of China would be one of the coolest things anyone could do.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower in Paris sparkle at night was something I often dreamed about, as was walking through the hectic streets of Tokyo.

At the time, all of these experiences seemed like a pipe dream. How would I ever be able to afford to visit such faraway places?

But now, thanks to the gift of travel, I’ve been able to check all of these things and more off of my bucket list. And thanks to learning how to travel on a budget, I’ve been doing it cheaply while still maximizing my experiences.

Today, my bucket list is never-ending – each time I check something off, something new gets added. I’m still dreaming of seeing the Pyramids of Giza, going on a South African safari, and eating my way through Mexico City.

I wake up each day thankful for the experiences I’ve been given, and I look forward each day to checking the next thing off my bucket list.

2. Traveling gets you out of your comfort zone.

One of the things I love most about traveling is that it gets me out of my comfort zone.

To me, travel is one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences in the world. Hopping off a plane and being in a completely new environment is a feeling unlike any other.

When I get stuck in my day-to-day routine, I crave the excitement (and sometimes, chaos) of a travel day.

Traveling forces you to do something difficult – you might have to navigate a city with a language barrier, get accustomed to cultural norms totally different from your own, or figure out how to get a spare key to your accommodation when you got locked out of your Airbnb late at night with a dying phone battery (if you’re wondering why that’s so specific, it’s because it was easily my most stressful travel experience to date!).

Thanks to travel allowing me to get out of my comfort zone, I’ve improved my critical thinking and decision-making skills. I’ve also become a more empathetic person, and striking up conversations with strangers doesn’t seem so intimidating since I do it regularly when traveling.

Travel is an incredible way to broaden your horizons and expand your worldview. It challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, confront your fears and insecurities, and connect with others.

If you’re ever yearning for an escape from the routine, start planning a trip.

3. Travel lets you try new foods.

I travel for a lot of reasons – seeing iconic landmarks in person, learning something new at museums and historical sites, and meeting new people from different walks of life.

One of my favorite things about travel though is all of the different food!

I’ve always been a foodie, and traveling has opened me up to so many unique dishes and cuisines that I can’t get at home.

Some of my fondest travel memories include eating my way through Ueno Market (one of the best things to do in Tokyo ), trying cuy (guinea pig) in Ecuador, and taking a Hawaiian cooking class in Oahu.

When I’m planning a trip, I always keep a list of foods to try and the best restaurants to visit. I also love taking local cooking classes so that I can learn how to make the dishes at home!

One of the #1 pieces of travel advice I always give others is to always try a new food , even if it’s something out of your comfort zone. You never know, you might end up with a new favorite!

4. Travel lets you escape everyday life and discover yourself.

Written by Kristin from Tiny Footsteps Travel

Traveling helps you discover not only new places but yourself.

Having grown up in a small town that I never left where I faced bullying at school, it was hard to imagine life outside of my reality.

At 12 years old, I got on a plane for the first time, to visit family in Sweden. This was my first taste of international travel, and it taught me more than just that there are beautiful, breathtaking landscapes abroad.

In meeting my extended family members, I learned that life could look different from how I grew up. Travel became my passion that fired my spirit, and became the dream at the end of the tunnel whenever I faced hard days.

I pursued traveling in my teens and early 20s. I traveled back to Sweden and also lived abroad in France, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, and Australia.

Overseas in far-off countries, it didn’t matter whether I was popular in school or not. I got to meet people as a whole new person and discover what I liked and who I really was.

I empowered myself by doing adventurous things, like skydiving on the beach in Australia.

Now as an adult, I love to give the gift of travel to my own two children. Our most recent family trip was to Costa Rica , which is the perfect destination with kids, a partner, or on your own.

5. When you travel, you get to learn about other cultures.

Written by Cristina from My Little World of Travelling

One of the main reasons why I love traveling is learning about other cultures. Although you can read books, watch documentaries or hear other travelers’ stories, nothing is better than experiencing the culture yourself.

Each destination I’ve visited has taught me something about a culture, but Mexico stands out for me. Despite Spanish being my first language, Mexican Spanish and culture are very different from Spain’s.

Visiting places like Chichen Itza and eating at local restaurants inspired me to cook more Mexican foods at home, learn more about its gastronomy, and made me curious about their traditions.

I also love that you can take new habits and traditions from other countries. Having traveled and lived in the UK , I adopted new habits like drinking tea and using words and expressions from regions like Yorkshire.

6. Traveling allows you to meet new, interesting people.

Written by Tammi from Wander Healthy

Traveling is a fantastic way to meet new and interesting people, especially for first-time travelers.

It puts you outside of your usual routine, providing opportunities to interact with people who share unique insights and experiences about the places you’re visiting. This is an easy and awesome way to learn about different cultures and customs.

Whether it’s chance encounters or shared experiences, you’re likely to interact with others every time you turn around.

It could be striking up a conversation on a train, meeting someone in a coffee shop, or attending a local event, but the possibilities for meeting new people are endless.

Staying in hostels or going on tours, my personal favorites, have a way of leading to conversations and lifelong connections with friends you wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Whether you’re backpacking through Europe, exploring Southeast Asia, or taking a road trip across the United States, you’re likely to meet people with interests and hobbies similar to yours, and your community builds naturally.

Traveling is the only thing that does this so effortlessly, letting you meet new and interesting people from all walks of life and create memories for a lifetime.

7. Traveling lets you see unique landscapes unlike any you’ve seen before.

Written by Sierra from Your Guide to Wandering

Traveling has allowed me to see landscapes found nowhere else in the world.

There are many places on earth that, without protection, would have disappeared with time. I’m grateful for our protected lands and historic monuments to allow me to experience nature and history from a first-hand perspective.

The ability to see fossils along my hikes in Moab, Utah, bike along 75-foot sand dunes in Cape Cod , or stroll the grounds of 12th-century castles in Portugal is invaluable.

Travel allows every day to be a different story and a different adventure. I don’t have to read about history or natural wonders just in books – I can experience them in real life.

Traveling to unique landscapes sparks our curiosity and childlike wonder. How were humans able to build the Roman Empire in ancient days with the most primitive of tools? How were the caves in Carlsbad, New Mexico formed over millions of years by just wind and water?

Travel constantly inspires me and keeps me exploring the bounds of history, science, and nature. What a privilege we get to travel and see such unique historical and natural places on Earth.

8. Travel helps you see things from a new perspective.

Written by Jo from World Wild Schooling

One of the things that I love most about traveling is the ability to see things from a new perspective.

Whether it’s a different culture, a new environment, or simply a change of scenery, traveling has a way of opening up your eyes to the world around you.

When we’re stuck in our daily routines and familiar surroundings, it’s easy to become complacent and forget about the wider world.

Traveling helps to break us out of this bubble and expose us to new ways of thinking and living. It allows us to see how people in other parts of the world approach life, work, and relationships.

For example, I was surprised to find out that in Phuket, Thailand, buses have no glass in the windows due to the consistently warm climate. This may seem like a small detail, but it highlights the unique ways that different cultures adapt to their surroundings.

Similarly, my jaw dropped when I first visited Brussels, Belgium , and saw that all signs are bilingual, even the subtitles in cinemas (yes, this means 4 lines of text!). This reflects the country’s complex linguistic history and the ongoing efforts to maintain both French and Dutch as official languages.

9. Travel can make you feel alive.

Written by Michele from Adventures Abound

Traveling makes simple experiences feel momentous, it sparks creativity, and it makes me come alive!

My first time going to another country was when I studied abroad in Costa Rica , and I realized that even the smallest experiences like taking a bus to a cool landmark or walking to a neighborhood festival were suddenly interesting in a new country.

I loved meeting new people, learning about the culture and the language, and traveling around to see beautiful nature in Costa Rica. Even just taking a bus to go visit a coffee farm felt like the most fun adventure.

Once I went on that trip, I was bitten by the travel bug as they say.

I started seeking out ways to feel like I was exploring and that often meant getting out around where I lived.

It’s so fun to explore little towns, peruse around farmer’s markets and shop with local vendors with the lens that I am traveling like I would if I were further from home.

10. Traveling allows you to see art in the world’s best museums.

Written by Lisa from Waves and Cobblestones

One of the reasons that I love to travel is that it gives me the opportunity to visit world-class art museums and spend time looking at fabulous pieces of art up close.

It’s quite a special way to experience art when you can look at a statue from different angles to note and admire all of the fine details.

If you can, always walk around a sculpture to view it from all sides. You just can’t appreciate it in the same way from a photo.

In some museums, the way that the art is displayed improves the viewing experience. In the Musée de l’Orangerie (one of my favorite Paris attractions ), Monet’s Water Lilies paintings are displayed in a unique oval room for an immersive panoramic viewing experience.

Visiting museums is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. And it’s also a great option for a rainy day!

11. Traveling strengthens friendship bonds.

Written by Kristin from Global Travel Escapades

One of the biggest reasons why I love to travel is because it allows me to strengthen the bonds I share with friends.

My friends and I traveled together right after graduating from university.

Although we somewhat knew each other before going on the trip, we didn’t really know each other!

But on this trip, we spent over a week laughing our butts off, dealing with stressful situations, and generally going on all kinds of crazy adventures around French Polynesia together.

There was no shortage of mistakes during this intense period, but we all came out on the other side for the better!

Fast forward almost two years later, and we all still speak so fondly of that time together. In addition, we went from mere acquaintances to the best of friends.

So, for me, I love traveling because it helps strengthen the friendships and relationships I have with others!

12. Travel helps you learn about history and its impact on places you visit.

Written by Diana from Travels in Poland

Traveling has always been my passion, but when you visit a place where you really feel something you can’t explain, it can transform your perspective on travel.

This happened to me when I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau .

My family is Polish and my grandmother, who was there with me, couldn’t get herself to enter the camp fully for several hours. She lived through the occupation and knew people shipped off to the camp. I realized how deeply this impacted me when I visited.

I’ve long been captivated by the way events shape societies, leaving indelible marks on the fabric of their being.

Stepping onto the hallowed grounds of Auschwitz, I felt the weight of the past heavy on my shoulders.

My grandmother’s eyes, glistening with unshed tears, told a thousand stories. This was where she lost family and friends, their lives snuffed out by the unimaginable cruelty of the Holocaust.

It was in walking onto these grounds that I grasped the true power of travel: the ability to connect with the past, witness history firsthand, and gain insight into the myriad of ways it continues to shape our world.

Through this poignant journey, I found a renewed appreciation for the transformative potential of travel, and a deeper understanding of the impact places have on people. Learning not only about history, but about the way it has shaped our world, and how we can learn from it.

13. Traveling helps you find a home base.

Written by Mal from Where To Stay Bali

Traveling was always my passion, but since I quit my career in finance and my conventional life in my home country, traveling has a whole new meaning for me.

Slow travel has become my way of life and a search for somewhere I can one day settle.

Since the beginning of my digital nomad life, I’ve lived part-time in Greece, Albania, Mexico, and the Netherlands.

I loved each of these places for different reasons – for their weather, culture, food, and people.

But, there has been one place that felt different to me, more special, a place that I want to keep coming back to. I found a place in Bali , which is now my second home.

If you keep an open mind during your travels, you may also find a place like that – a second home that can change your life!

14. Travel gives you the chance to study and learn in a new culture.

Written by Amber from Amber Everywhere

I love to travel because it allows me to experience new cultures and ways of living.

In particular, I had wonderful experiences studying abroad when I was in college because it gave me a chance to learn and live in a new place.

I stayed with a host family during my first two trips abroad, once in Guatemala and again in Jordan.

Living with a local family gave me a chance to experience the culture, try different foods, and see entirely different parts of those cities that I would’ve otherwise found.

Studying abroad also gave me a chance to travel slowly, and I stayed in each place long enough to have a favorite restaurant or route to take to school.

There were smaller cultural nuances that I learned, either because they were explained to me by locals or because I just picked them up as I went.

15. Travel teaches self-confidence and self-acceptance.

Written by Chelsea from A Wandering Redhead

I want to personally thank travel for the self-love and self-acceptance that it has taught me. 

Pre-travel, I was shy, people-pleasing, and disbelieving if someone called me pretty. 

Post-travel, I am confident, I love my body and what it can do for me, and I’m overall more radiant and bubbly. 

Without travel, I may have never started my self-love journey and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today. 

I love the progress that I have made and believe that everyone should solo travel at some point in their life.

16. Traveling fulfills childhood dreams.

Written by Colleen from Then We Walked

As a girl, I would watch Whicker’s World on our black-and-white TV.

Every week, Alan Whicker would appear on screen like a traveling James Bond, complete with his very correct English accent, and transport me to a new exotic corner of the globe.

I was enthralled. It lit a flame. I wanted to explore, too. I dreamed of Table Mountain, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Sphinx, the Parthenon, Hal Long Bay, and the Cook Islands.

But ordinary people didn’t travel in the 1960s, and I was a child.  I started work, married, bought a house, and had a family. Inside, I still dreamed.

We traveled a little, ticking off some of my bucket list, but last year, our children had flown the nest and we retired.  Now, we’re traveling and exploring in earnest!

I’ve waited half a lifetime to go exploring and I’m beyond excited about our plans.

My advice to the girl who watched the TV: don’t wait.

17. Traveling allows you to connect with nature.

Written by Taryn from Happiest Outdoors

One of my favorite things about traveling is connecting with nature.

I love the simplicity of hiking and wilderness camping because it removes all the chaos and distractions of everyday life. It’s just me and the mountains.

It’s also a great way to understand the local ecology. I find it fascinating to learn about the way glaciers and volcanoes work or what unique animal species live in the area.

Instead of just looking at a spectacular view, I can understand the way the landscape came to be, and that deepens my relationship with the place.

Spending time traveling in nature has also been pivotal in my life.

Back in 2019, I had some time to think while hiking the 65-kilometer Overland Track in Tasmania, Australia . The trek made me realize that it was the right time to leave my 9-5 job and write full-time.

Since then I’ve expanded my outdoor adventure website, written a hiking guidebook, and moved to a small mountain town so I can hike every day. 

18. Travel increases feelings of gratitude.

Written by Kristin from World on Wheels Blog

One of the reasons I love to travel is that it makes me more grateful.

When you are constantly in the same country or even environment, it’s easy to take things for granted.

As a traveler who uses a wheelchair and lives in the United States, it’s easy to forget that not all countries have ADA laws that guarantee access.

When I travel to places like South America, I am reminded how little things like curb cuts make a huge difference in how hard or easy it is to navigate a town. I can’t help but feel sad for the people with disabilities that actually live there.

Aside from reminders about how lucky I am to live in a country that encourages accessibility for all, I also feel a sense of gratitude that I’m able to explore the world and witness some of the immense beauty it has to offer.

There’s something incredibly special about seeing the power of Iguazu Falls and realizing how small you are in this massive world of ours. It’s a feeling and experience that photography just cannot seem to capture.

Travel is important for so many reasons, but helping to feel more gratitude is one of the things that I love the most.

19. Travel humbles you.

Written by Milijana from World Travel Connector

Gustave Flaubert, a literary genius and a wise man, once noted: “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

And indeed, it is one of many lessons that traveling teaches you. Traveling puts you into a broader perspective of time, place, and the universe.

Visiting fascinating archeological sites like Petra in Jordan, Angor Wat in Cambodia, Giza in Egypt, and Pompeii in Italy made me see what a tiny place I occupy in today’s world and question the knowledge of contemporary times. It made me think.

Meeting other cultures while traveling showed me how oblivious I could be to other customs and traditions and how much there is always left to learn.

Traveling made me aware of the prejudices that I thought never existed. Travel shamed me. However, it also taught me the importance of being always open to learning while keeping the ego in check. 

I found it especially rewarding to hike Camino de Santiago in Spain. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walked the trail before me. The Camino reminded me of the importance of modesty, effort, perseverance, and purpose. And, most importantly, what a tiny place I occupy in the world.

So, if you like meaningful travels, prepare your  Camino de Santiago packing list and walk the Camino. Let the Camino teach you valuable life lessons! 

20. Traveling helps you de-stress and recharge.

Written by Paulina from UK Everyday

Traveling is an excellent way to de-stress and recharge.

Discovering new places can allow you to reconnect with yourself. It can also help reduce stress levels by providing a change of scenery and an escape from the mundane routines of everyday life.

Traveling can also provide people with a sense of freedom from their work-related responsibilities, allowing them to relax surrounded by natural landscapes.

Exploring some of the best beaches in Wales can be a great way to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life.

Additionally, traveling can help boost creativity, as it encourages new ideas and perspectives. This can help spark creativity by introducing fresh ideas that you might not have otherwise thought of when stressed.

For these reasons, traveling is great to help de-stress and recharge.

Furthermore, travel also provides a break from your daily routine, allowing you to step away from your comfort zone and explore the unknown without worrying about your daily problems.

21. Travel lets you connect with other cultures through the arts.

Written by Dawn from Culture Feasting

If you consider yourself an artistic person, know that traveling can be a total game-changer.

As a creative person myself, I’ve found that exploring new destinations has the power to expand my spirit and give me all sorts of new artistic opportunities.

Over the years I have come to crave the stimulation of experiencing different cultures and their unique art forms.

From visiting local museums to catching a traditional dance performance, there are so many ways to connect with the arts while on vacation.

It’s not just about admiring pretty paintings or sculptures, either. It’s about immersing yourself in a foreign environment and gaining a whole new perspective on the world.

I’ve found that this can really inspire me to incorporate new artistic elements into my own creative projects.

So next time you’re planning a trip, consider how it could enhance your love for the arts and help you connect with other cultures on a deeper level.

22. Travel gives you a change of scenery.

Written by Tina from Veganderlust

I grew up in a small village in Austria, a country with beautiful lakes and mountains, but also a landlocked country.

The best part about traveling is the change of scenery. My favorite places to go to are cities next to the ocean, which is a completely different scenery from landlocked Austria.

There’s nothing better on your holiday than exploring a city and then relaxing at the beach.

That’s why I really loved my last trip to Barcelona . There’s so much culture and history to discover in this city, and afterward, you can go swimming in the sea.

By visiting different places with a change of scenery, you also develop a new appreciation for your own home scenery – one of the many positive side effects of traveling.

As much as I love traveling to coastal destinations, I always love seeing the mountains when I come back home.

23. Travel can strengthen your romantic relationships.

Written by Amy & Liam from Plain2Plane

There are so many wonderful reasons to travel.

If you’re in a relationship then there is nothing better than sharing experiences with your significant other.

Imagine waking up in Egypt with your partner, ready to go out for the day. You are going parasailing together, enjoying cocktails, quad biking – the list really is endless. You get to enjoy all of this with someone that you love and care about.

Traveling can be challenging at times and you have to make many different, sometimes difficult, decisions.

You have the luxury to share these moments together and form a closer relationship unlike any other. This will help you create a deeper bond with your partner.

You will also be able to step out of your comfort zone and try new things together. This will ultimately bring you closer together too!

24. Travel is inspiring.

Written by Chelsea from Adventures of Chels

One of the reasons I enjoy traveling is because of the many ways it inspires me.

Traveling inspires me to better myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I’m inspired physically when I’ve committed to a trip that involves physical effort. One example would be hiking the Inca Trail in Peru.

When I learned that the trail involved miles of steady incline at high altitudes I felt motivated to prepare for that physically. This resulted in healthier eating habits and weeks of exercising leading up to my trip.

I’m inspired mentally by the way traveling increases my desire to do even more of it. This usually prompts me to tighten my budget to save for my next trip.

It also helps put into perspective the things I need vs. want and how that plays into not only my budget but also my overall happiness.

Emotionally, traveling inspires me to be a better person. When I see the way people in other parts of the world live, many times with very little, I feel humbled.

I feel inclined to be more grateful for the things I have and the experiences I’m afforded. It contributes to my overall well-being when I’m reminded of how little I need to truly be happy.

There are many reasons why I love traveling; but, the way it inspires me is definitely high on the list.

25. Travel turns kids into global citizens.

Written by Brodi from Our Offbeat Life

As full-time digital nomads, my family has seen so many places and experienced so much that I never thought possible when I was younger.

My son is learning about different cultures, languages, and ways of life that he would have never been exposed to if we had stayed in one place.

Traveling as a family has allowed him to gain a greater appreciation for the world around him.

He’s able to see how people live differently in different parts of the world and understand why those differences exist.

He is also learning valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving as he navigates through unfamiliar places and situations.

Most importantly, traveling has given him the opportunity to explore his own identity as a global citizen.

He is developing an understanding of what it means to be part of something bigger than himself – a global community – and how he can contribute positively to it.

26. Traveling helps you find new opportunities in life.

Written by Min from Amsterdam Travel Blog

Traveling is not just visiting new places, experiencing new cultures, and trying local food. It can mean much more than that; it allowed me to find new opportunities and has changed my life forever.

When traveling to Europe for the first time at 18 years old, I noticed how big the world was, and life was so different on the other side of the world.

Because of that, I became more motivated to embrace the world. I decided to travel and meet more people.

While traveling in Amsterdam , luckily, I met some friendly people, including international students from Paraguay and South Africa. They studied in the Netherlands with a full scholarship.

They told me that the Netherlands was their first choice since they could have more connections with people around the world quickly while studying, and easier to find a job here after graduation as a non-European.

I came from Taiwan and grew up there all my life. After working for a few years, I quit my job and studied in the Netherlands. Now, I finally moved to The Netherlands permanently on my own, and if I didn’t travel, I would not know that it was possible to move here.

I encourage you to travel more and be open to meeting new people. The world is so big – people you meet can help you see the world from a different perspective and get valuable information about your life.

27. Travel can help you create change in your own community.

Written by Annie from Your Friend the Nomad

Travel is not just about the place you visit, but the transformation you experience and how you transform your community in response.

I learned this when I spent a few months volunteering with a reconciliation organization in the Middle East.

Despite decades of violence between their communities, I saw ordinary people working together to build bridges across social divides.

As an outsider looking in, I only saw the tip of the iceberg of the challenges locals were facing—yet I could see that peacemaking was not an easy or quick task.

After a few months, I returned to the US completely changed. The framework for reconciliation that I learned abroad guided how I navigated the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, conversations about immigration, and even interpersonal conflicts.

Personal transformation is available to you as you travel whether you’re traversing war zones or relaxing on  tranquil tropical beaches . You just have to lean in and allow your biases to be broken.

28. Travel lets you see the vast landscapes of the world.

Written by Jessica from Uprooted Travel

As an outdoor adventure lover, one of the primary reasons I love to travel is to experience the vast array of landscapes the world has to offer.

This can take shape in so many different ways, from exploring the lush rainforests and rugged beaches of my own backyard in the Pacific Northwest to checking out any of the best hikes in Arches National Park in Utah, with unique sandstone fins and dramatic natural arches.

Of course, this takes me beyond my home country of the United States—there’s endless natural beauty to explore, like the turquoise waterfalls of Costa Rica , the luscious highlands of Iceland, or the sweeping grasslands of the Serengeti.

Along the way, of course, I get to enjoy all of the other aspects of travel, like trying new cuisines, befriending locals, and seeing the world through a new perspective.

But for me, getting to step foot in a uniquely stunning landscape propels me to keep traveling and seeing this big, beautiful world.

29. Travel helps you make the world a better place.

Written by Chloe from Passport Down Under

Traveling has allowed me to positively impact the world by leaving the country in a better position than when I entered it, which is what I love most about traveling.

Traveling has allowed me to give back by supporting local businesses and economies.

By choosing to buy locally-made products and using local services, I have helped to create jobs and support the growth of small businesses. This can contribute to the development of sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Furthermore, traveling has allowed me to give back through volunteering and community service.

I have participated in activities such as clean-up projects on the beaches of Byron Bay, wildlife conservation projects in Cambodia, and teaching English to local children in Thailand.

These experiences not only allowed me to contribute to the community but also to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and needs of the local people, especially in counties such as Cambodia.

Overall, traveling has allowed me to leave the world a better place by positively impacting the communities I visit.

30. Travel is great for learning a new language.

Written by Diana from Avagu Press

Learning a language is a huge reason to travel. While textbooks and classrooms might work for math and literature, learning a foreign language requires a bit of independent study and a lot of practice time.

The best way to get that practice time?

Immersion — spending hours, days, weeks, and even longer completely immersed in a foreign language, using it to live.

Unless you happen to live somewhere where multiple languages are spoken, travel is key to immersing yourself in a foreign language.

For the most effective language-learning, language-learning resources that specifically target your travel plans (like a Swahili-learning guide specifically for safari ) will help you make the most out of your experience.

Focus on communication, and don’t worry too much about mistakes.

The beautiful thing about being a novice in a foreign language is that nobody expects too much, so the pressure is off! Enjoy your trip, and enjoy your language learning.

31. Travel brings adventure.

Written by Melissa from My Beautiful Passport

One of the reasons I love to travel is for adventure and trying adventurous activities.

When traveling to new destinations, not only do you get to immerse yourself in different cultures and try new foods, but you have the chance to participate in exhilarating adventure sports that will leave you breathless.

From snorkeling with turtles to parasailing over beautiful coastlines, and volcano boarding down an active volcano, the rush of excitement is unmatched.

For adventure-seekers like myself, traveling to participate in activities like these create memories that last a lifetime.

I have chosen many of my vacation locations specifically for the fun adventure sports I can try there, and often, it is the first time I’m trying each activity.

The thrill of adventure travel is hard to beat, and the rush of excitement that comes with it is truly unforgettable.

32. Travel inspires me to write about and share my experiences.

Written by Wayne from Always On The Shore

The biggest reason that I love to travel is because it inspires me to write about places I’ve visited and my experiences, so I can motivate others to travel and do the same.

I have always liked traveling but I never had the money to travel until my mid-30s.  Once I started traveling more consistently, I fell in love with the idea of warm-weather locations, such as Florida.

Since I’m from Minnesota and half the year is snowy, cold weather, beach vacations became something that I became obsessed with. Later, that became writing about all things Florida and even the Caribbean.

I know that other people can relate and have similar reasons for wanting to get away, but maybe there’s something stopping them. Like maybe they’re too nervous to fly, which I also experienced, until I did research on flying, and learned ways to cope with flight anxiety.

The main takeaway is that if you’re passionate about seeing amazing places and the world like I am, don’t let anything stop you. If I can inspire others to do the same by sharing my experiences, then I’m happy.

33. Traveling gives me a creative outlet.

As I was growing up, I always assumed that I wasn’t creative. I couldn’t draw, didn’t play an instrument, and I certainly couldn’t sing or dance.

I always did great in English class, but I never enjoyed the creative writing assignments. Coming up with fictional stories just wasn’t my strong suit.

When I finished my undergraduate degree, I had studied abroad four times in four different countries. I had also gone on several independently-planned trips, both international and domestic. At that same time, I also discovered a new creative outlet: travel blogging.

In school, I was always great at writing research papers and writing travel guides was a fun way to use my strengths. Plus, I had always enjoyed giving travel advice to friends and family, so why not share my stories and tips with the world?

Since starting A World in Reach in 2018, I’ve learned and grown so much. I’m so glad that I have a creative outlet where I can share about one of the most important aspects of my life – travel – and help others explore the world on a budget.

Reasons Why People Love to Travel: Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are SO MANY reasons why people love to travel.

For some, traveling sparks creativity, brings personal growth, and helps them escape the routine. For others, traveling brings bucket-list-worthy experiences, delicious food, and adventure.

The question “Why do you love to travel?” has no right or wrong answer. Traveling is a deeply personal experience that can bring happiness to different people in many different ways.

So, if you’re thinking about traveling in the future, I hope this post and the stories told within have shown you all of the positivity that travel can bring to your life.

If you were asked, “Why do you love to travel?”, what would your answer be?

After traveling outside of the US for the first time while studying abroad, I quickly developed a love for travel and an obsession for exploring as much of the world as possible. Now, I'm on a mission to teach college students, young adults, and anyone else who wants to see the world how to travel while minimizing their expenses and maximizing their experiences.

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How to find your passion during your travels abroad

Travel paves the way for self-discovery and is a perfect way to reconnect with what brings you joy. Read on for practical advice on how to find your passion(s) during your travels abroad.

May 15, 2023

It's Christmas Day and I'm standing at cloud level in a place where Andean mountain peaks touch the sky, wildflowers add flecks of pink across the landscape and miles of jaggedy terrain stretch out below me.  I'm sweating and have felt the burn in the strong muscles of my legs as I've ascended this steep incline.

The trail is not a long one but it sure is steep as it meanders from the base up to the sharply-angled peak and so I'm not exhausted but rather, I'm feeling the satisfying tiredness that comes after I've accomplished a physical challenge like this.

This here hike is the El Mandango trail, a relatively short route up the mountain by the same name in Ecuador's Vilcabamba village. As mentioned, it's Christmas morning and since I'm celebrating away from Canada and my family for the first time, I've made a point to do something I love: hiking in the mountains. 

I'm attracted to El Mandango for two reasons: one, it's visible from the outdoor yoga studio at my hostel and so it's been teasing me every morning since I rolled into town. Two, since it's a short route, I can be back on time to enjoy a massive lunch and holiday festivities with my new friends afterwards.

You might also like:  4 reasons why traveling can make you better

This took place four months ago and it's an important memory to me because it illustrates perfectly what I've learned about discovering your passion since I left Canada 14 months ago on a  sabbatical . 

"Follow your passion" is one of those phrases that, I feel, has been tossed around easily and excessively since early childhood and phrases like that tend to lose their meaning... at least they do for me. These days, I'm living in Ecuador a year and some after completely overhauling my life and expectations of myself and so it has been a great time to self-reflect, self-examine and question lessons that have been arbitrarily enforced since early days. 

During this time, my definition of "follow your passion" has come to be less about career goals and self improvement and more about doing the thing that gives me the purest form of enjoyment. 

I think traveling is the perfect way to find out what that thing — that passion — is. Since trading life in Canada for life abroad, I've learned that being in the mountains makes me happier than anything. Travel can change your life because it has the power to point you in the direction of your truest joy.

Looking back now, I see some of the things that I did which helped lead to this conclusion. If you're looking to find your passion in life while abroad , here's some of my advice.

1. Reconnect with activities you loved as a child

When I left Toronto for Medellin, Colombia , I wasn't sure if I'd stay in the Andean city or if I'd get bored and make my way to the coast to enjoy sunshine and saltwater tides. While I did eventually explore the Caribbean coast at leisure, when I did, I felt entirely ready to return to the mountains after two weeks. 

When I left Colombia for Ecuador , it was a mountainous city I was after again. (I chose Cuenca.) It shouldn't have come as a surprise that a mountain environment would suit me in the end, though. 

If I only looked back on my childhood, I'd have remembered hikes with my family in the Rocky Mountains where I dipped my feet in crystal clear waters and balanced above the current on a fallen tree. I'd have remembered skiing and being in awe at the view from the tops of snowy mountains.  As a kid I enjoyed the outdoors: riding my bike with friends, playing with boats in the stream by my house and running. 

While I never fell out of touch with this side, further reflection would have shown me that living in Andean locations rather than a jam-packed city makes total sense.

2. Forget about your career for a minute

I'm a career person and I always have been so I don't give this advice lightly. Finding a career that's satisfying and reflects your strengths and talents is super important, but it's not the be-all and end-all.  I love writing and editing but that's not the only thing I want to spend my days doing. 

By giving yourself days where you don't allow work to be the focus, you find the hobbies that feed your soul and allow you to recharge. For many, the easiest time to do this is while traveling because it's the time you're most likely to not be saddled by any work obligations at all. 

Recently after a busy week filled with deadlines, I escaped for the weekend to a countryside home in the mountains where I drank my coffee while taking in the beautiful landscape. A smaller-scale version of this is leaving my home office in the afternoon to run by the river with the mountainscape in full view.

Keep reading:  The real importance of work-life balance: 6 things you need to know

3. Ditch your ego too

Ego can be a driver but it can also be a killer of inner peace and happiness. Satisfying the ego can easily lead to feeling overworked, tired and burnt out. It's also frequently accompanied by us asking ourselves what we "should" do rather than what we WANT to do. 

Ego is a great motivator but when spending time away from home, most people will realize that ego-driven actions are only one element of a well-rounded life. 

I'm not saying that you can't be passionate about whatever fuels your ego, I'm just saying that doing things purely for the sake of it (and not as a means to an end) are another necessary way to feel fulfilled.

4. Ask yourself: what's your favorite way to spend a day?

This advice is almost too simple but I think it's really easy to jam-pack our weeks with things we're not even slightly passionate about. 

Ask yourself what is your favorite way to spend a day and be honest with your answer . That thing (or things) is probably something you’re really passionate about. 

The great thing about doing this exercise while traveling is that you're less likely to be over-scheduled and over committed. Therefore, you're more likely to be able to commit to this perfect day sooner rather than later.

5. If that doesn't work, ask what you'd like to do for Christmas, your birthday or any other special occasion

For this past Christmas, New Year's Eve and my birthday, I made a point of hitting the trails. For me, there's nothing like spending hours outdoors treading on both light and rough terrain in the pursuit of reaching a final destination. (Here in Ecuador, it's so often the case that that's a misty and powerful waterfall.) 

Personally, I love the feeling of feeling sweaty and out of breath but still confident that I am strong and physically capable to reach the top of a mountain. When I get there, I feel proud of my accomplishment, happy to be using my body for these active pursuits and the fact that the views are always impeccable and I've been enjoying the sun's benefits for hours doesn't hurt. 

I know this feeling all too well now and so when it comes to planning something for the most special days of the year, it's not a case of if I'll be exploring on a trail, it's a question of which one. When scouting out foreign lands during these times of year, most of us plan a special activity we know we'll enjoy . 

Become aware of the types of things you gravitate towards. Then, make a point to do them during non-descript days too.

6. Spend more time being bored

Whether it's a standard two-week vacation, four months of backpacking through Europe or (like me) the beginning of a new life abroad, travels lend well to having less time burdens . 

Take advantage of that by letting yourself be bored for once. That could mean less time spent on social or family obligations, time away from the desk, a social media hiatus or lounging in bed until late morning just because. 

Allowing the mind time to be less active or, dare I say, bored wields many surprising benefits. 

Pay attention to where your minds wanders. There might be something worth exploring there.

7. Pay attention to those who inspire you and ask yourself why they do

Perhaps there's a friend or sibling you've always looked up to. Maybe there's an Instagram influencer or travel writer whose profile you're constantly checking for updates. There could be a local group of artists or a local business owner whose work you admire. 

The people who we look up to or who inspire us often tell us something about a hidden passion . 

For years, I've admired trail runners, climbers, and adventurous thrill-seekers who scout out amazing off-the-beaten-path expeditions.  I've also admired my older brother's knack for committing to his travel plans above all else. 

These people inspire me much more than well-do-to business owners or those with the perfect homes and wardrobes. Had I paid attention to that sooner I could have learned something quite useful though, I'm happy to know this now.

8. Think about what you'd willingly get up super early for

I'm a sloth in the morning. I know it and I've been told it by family, friends, boyfriends and coworkers. Recently a friend, another non-morning person, said to me "I need time in the morning for my personality to load."  I have never related to anything more in my life.

For all my complaining and moaning though, I will roll out of bed shortly after dawn for a day trip to the nearby national park no problem. The same goes for a run along a country road with friends first thing in the a.m. or to catch a bus to a nearby town to find some new trails.  A morning race through my city wouldn't phase me; however, if I’m to start my day at 6:30 a.m. for any other reason, everyone and their sister will know about it. 

For me, a major indicator that I've found something I'm passionate about doing is whether or not I find that activity worthy of setting my alarm extra early for. 

And if I'm to miss a great night out on the town with all of my best friends on top of that, then I know I've found something that has truly won my heart. For non-morning people, I think this is absolutely a great litmus test to find out if you've found your new favorite hobby. 

And if you hit snooze or shut off the alarm altogether, chances are you've got to keep looking.

You might also like : TOP 5 Reasons why you should volunteer abroad

When I reached the top of El Mandango in the south of Ecuador on Christmas Day, I knew I couldn't have chosen a better way to spend the holidays away from home for the first time. I said so myself as I stood on the mountain peak taking in the 360-degree views of Andean peaks all around me. 

I felt lucky to be there in my favorite hiking outfit and once I caught my breath, I said something about how traversing the mountains in South America is what inspired me to put the backpack down and rent an apartment instead.   I've found what I love and so here is where I'll stay... for now . 

The week after, on New Year's Eve, my El Mandango pals and I hit the trail again in search of a waterfall. But that's another story. 

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Sinead Mulhern

Sinead Mulhern is a Canadian travel and lifestyle writer who lives in Ecuador. In 2018, she quit her editorial job to pursue a career as a full-time freelance journalist. Over a year later, she spends her days running and hiking in the mountains, sampling local flavours, working on her Spanish and writing (duh!). Her work has appeared in various magazines in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. Follow her adventures at @SineadMulhern.

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May 18, 2020

You're amazing, thanks for sharing your awesome tips :)

محمد دفع الله

Dec 22, 2021

J'aimer bien la nouvelle culture et nouvelle soicité et de changer les èdees et aider les personnes.

May 10, 2023

Hello, I am Mohamed from Egypt, 29 years old.. I want a volunteer job

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Travel Passions: 40 Destinations for Food, Health, Adventure & Creativity

January 30, 2019 by Janice Waugh

What are your travel passions?

Some travel is about exploring a specific destination. Some travel is about feeding your interests and obsessions.

If you fall into the latter category, you're not vague about why you travel. You go to savor the food, paint the landscape, taste the wine, experience adventure, or any other of a myriad of things that inspire a person's soul.

Your travel is more about what you will do than where you will do it.

For this reason, I've dug into the Solo Traveler archives and pulled together a list of posts to help you find the destinations that match your travel passions.

Table of Contents

If Your Travel Passion is Food

A Guide to the Best Food & Wine in Western Canada  Enjoy this tasty and colorful overview of the landscapes, food and wine of Western Canada, courtesy of award-winning culinary travel writers.

Mmmmm, Rome. A Fabulous Trastevere Food Tour  The Trastevere food tour is a delicious way to explore about Rome. Take the tour with me (in photos) and learn about my favorite discoveries.

Best Food in St. John’s, Newfoundland: Tips from a Local  To find out where to eat in any destination, ask a local. Solo Travel society member Jessica shares her picks for the best food in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Flavors of Nova Scotia: My Top 5 Tastes  Come along with me as I share my favorite flavors of Nova Scotia, discovered on a summer road trip around this Canadian maritime province.

Bitter to Smooth: Tasting Olive Oil in Lombardy  Tasting olive oil in Lombardy is an absolute pleasure. Tasting fresh olives – not so much! A tour of Frantoio Montecroce provides a delicious lesson.

The Oxford County Cheese Trail: A Photo Tour  If you love cheese like I love cheese, you’ll thank me for this introduction to the Oxford County Cheese Trail. It makes for a tasty solo road trip.

If Your Travel Passions Are Health and Relaxation

Solo Travel as a Spiritual Journey  Solo travel can help us understand the true desires of our hearts and souls. Two authors share their perspectives on solo travel as a spiritual journey.

True Relaxation Found Walking Through Vineyards  On a self-guided walking tour of the Loire Valley in France I discovered the truest form of meditative relaxation in the simple process of navigation.

Our Need for Solitude – How Solo Travel Delivers  We need solitude. Yet it can be difficult to find. Here’s the value of solitude, how solo travel delivers it and top destinations where you’ll find it.

Bike Ontario: Rail Trails Make it Easy  Bike Ontario, feel strong, go solo. It’s all good. Here’s a report on my recent cycling weekend with Ontario by Bike.

Solo Travel, Running and Run Crews  ant to meet people, uncover local gems and stay fit as you travel? Whether you travel solo to run or like to run when you travel solo, here’s how to do it.

If Your Travel Passion Is Adventure

A Magical Canadian Solo Kayaking Adventure  On a solo kayaking trip, Grace learns how to paddle on a peaceful bay in the morning and tackles small rapids on the magical Madawaska in the afternoon.

Adventure Travel in Western Canada  Ziplining, skiing, snowmobiling, and bobsledding: here are great ideas for experiencing adventure travel in Western Canada from someone who’s done it all.

Solo Hiking: Top Tips for Walking Holidays  Hiking solo is peaceful, relaxing and rejuvenating. Here are my tips on gear, training for your hike, hiking safety and some fabulous hiking destinations.

Safe and Easy Hiking Destinations for Solo Travelers  Solo travelers can enjoy hiking too. Here are nine safe and easy hiking destinations that I’ve enjoyed with an overview of what’s special about each.

Solo Surfing: Is a Surfcamp Right for You? Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, young or (shall we say) older, solo surfing, especially at a surfcamp can make for great travel.

Solo Travel Destination: Cairns, Australia For easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, the Atherton Tablelands, and the Daintree Rainforest, this Solo Travel Society member recommends Cairns.

Solo Travel Destination: Patagonia Backcountry A road trip in Patagonia included fascinating landscapes, swimming in mountain lakes, and lots of soul searching for this Solo Travel Society member.

If Your Travel Passions Are Ideas and Creativity

Grace’s Nerdy New York City Adventure: A Twenty-Something Travels Solo Nerdy? Traveling solo to NYC? Here are plenty of tips and suggestions for creating your own nerdy New York City adventure.

How to Find Classes when Traveling Solo – 10 Tips Educational travel – taking classes and courses while you travel – is great for solo travelers. This is how to find them.

Solo Travel to Creative Destinations: 10 Tips to Go Creative! Creative travel is a new and growing form of travel. It focuses on local arts as an entrance into a culture. This guest post gives you 10 tips on how to travel more creatively.

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How To Plan Your Travels Around Your Passions

When it comes to planning a trip of a lifetime, it can be overwhelming to make decisions on your itinerary. We’re given lists upon lists of “must do” activities, iconic sights and bucket list items galore. It’s exciting, it’s enthralling, but it’s important to also make travel planning decisions based on you ! Thinking outside the box is a key aspect of curating the absolute perfect trip. Here are some awesome passions to plan your travels around!

The Foodie Trip Of A Lifetime

Booking a trip centered around food? Yeah, we’d jump at the chance! If you’re a true foodie, do your research! Italy , France , Japan , India ! There are a TON of amazing destinations centered around your taste buds. Say hello to cultural delicacies and newfound flavors. Embrace your love of food and book accordingly.

The Literature Loving Babe’s Dream Location

Have you ever completely lost yourself in a book? Who hasn’t, right? If you’re a literature loving Dame Traveler, follow your passion. Choose a setting of your favorite novel and explore it with your own two feet. Walk through Hemingway’s Paris, see J.K. Rowling’s United Kingdom, or experience you’re own version of Eat Pray Love. The added context of learning the setting of your favorite novel is such a joy.

The Artist & The Muse’s Metropolis

Art lovers – the selection of destinations available are seemingly limitless. Seeing the great masterpieces of the world with your own eyes is a trip of a lifetime. Visit Provence through Van Gogh’s eyes, visit the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel, peruse through Rodin’s gardens. Dream every artist’s dream while trekking the same trails as they did.

The History Buff’s Dream

Should you be a Francophile, Japanophile, Nordo-phile (did I just make that up?), plan a trip to relive a part of history you are enthralled with. For the history buff, travel planning starts with a simple skim through your books. Ancient Greece beckons! Our beginnings in Mesopotamian are calling! Vikings await! All it takes is a passport, some research and a little decision making.

The Athletic, Outdoorsy Destination

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast or even obsessed with a certain sport, planning a trip around your active passion is a great idea! Yogis will love a trip to Bali, scuba diving enthusiasts will love a dip in Thailand’s wild oceans, and soccer lovers will love being in Europe during the World Cup. When it comes time to trip planning, focusing on the activities that make your heart (and body) happy is a great idea!

The True Relaxation Trip

How many times have we all said, “I just can’t wait to relax?” and yet we still find ourselves stressed for time and energy on vacation? Making relaxation your number one priority when it’s time to plan your travels, is difficult! After all, we always wants to do it all and see it all! Remember, if your peace of mind is requiring some R&R… maybe you should prioritize relaxation over sightseeing on your next adventure. Doesn’t a mindfulness retreat in upstate New York or a beachside home with no plans sound so dreamy?

The Fashionista’s Dream Come True

Fashion-loving gals, maybe it’s time to do some trip planning around your love of clothing, couture or icons! After all, every fashionista dreams of having her own Carrie Bradshaw’s Manhattan or Audrey Hepburn’s Paris. Embracing your love of clothing is a creative way to plan your itinerary. And don’t forget ladies, get your Pinterest ready. Packing for a trip like this is half the fun!

The Nature Loving Location

Connecting with nature is life changing. City living Dame Travelers who crave some Vitamin C and some time away from the hustle and bustle of city life will love planning a trip around the beauty of nature. Book a lake house disconnected from wifi or a trip to a national park!

Wherever your passions lie, remember that are fantastical, creative outlets for you to plan your travels around what you really and truly love. It’s important to remember that your enthusiasm for whatever you love is worthy of your attention! Say yes to itineraries that focus on what you feel drawn to and are inspired by.

Have you ever done any trip planning centered around your passions? What did you do? 

Https://dametraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/livingoff-thegrid.png” alt=”how to plan your travels around your passions” width=”735″ height=”1102.

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Laura Jean is the editor of Dame Traveler and creator of the creative travel blog Roam + Go Lightly . She believes in traveling with curiosity and an open heart. On any given day, you can find her on her laptop, writing or furiously researching her next adventure. Laura is a world traveler and serial wanderluster, but is most passionate about one thing - writing a love letter to this world. You can find her writing, daily musings and adventures on Instagram .

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Against all odds: the story behind my passion for travel

Travelling brings me so much happiness ­– the excitement pre-trip, the new experiences, friendships, food… what’s not to love? I don’t think I’ll ever tire of wanting to see new places and learn more about our cultures and history, but this passion to travel really took hold one life-changing summer in my early 20s.

Some of you who’ve been following our adventures for some time may already know this story, but for those who don’t here’s a short recap ­– my life got turned upside down when at the age of 22 I suffered extensive blood clots that ravaged the lower half of my body. For those who’re interesting in learning more about what happened, and how I’ve recovered, then you may want to read my post about travelling with an invisible illness , but today I want to talk about one of the positive things that came from this whole experience – my passion for travel.

This incident happened mere weeks before I was supposed to be heading off on a big family holiday to Malta – our first in a good few years. Sadly in the early days I wasn’t able to bear weight on my legs at all, so I waved my family off and told myself I’d plan a trip of my own when better.

It’s not safe to fly

As the weeks progressed I focused on pushing myself to stand, step, walk etc all while trying to understand why the clot happened and what it meant. Of course, 15+ years ago they didn’t know all the answers and so with the knowledge they had at the time, my doctors’ advice was not…to…fly.

I was crushed. At 22 I’d only just started to explore. My longest flight had been eight hours to Disneyland and I’d only started dreaming of visiting exotic locations like Japan, or Costa Rica.

But, I was, and still am, a stubborn cow. Telling me I couldn’t fly was like a red rag to a bull. If someone tells me I can’t do something then I’ll find a way – being told I wouldn’t be able to travel the world made me want to more than ever! So I started looking for solutions – maybe my future trips would have to be cruises, or perhaps I could go on long train adventures? These all sounded fun, but being able to fly would give me so many more opportunities to travel.

Finding a way

So began bugging the doctors with a million questions and tried to find out everything I could about blood clots and the risks of flying. This gave me a focus, and one I think really helped me push myself. I decided that if I could get myself as well as possible then perhaps I’d be able to fly.

18 months after my clot I felt ready to take the leap and I booked my first flight, a weekend in Barcelona with my bestie. It was a small but scary step ­­– this first trip was around two hours, and I’d researched my ass off on how to keep healthy and lower my risk of clotting on a flight (and I’ve shared everything I’ve learnt about this in my post Air travel tips from a blood clot survivor ).

That first flight

I’ll be honest, I was petrified throughout that flight – worrying about every twitch in my legs, but aside from some extra discomfort, some nasty bruising and swelling I was fine and had an amazing trip.

Over time, as my health continued to improve I pushed my boundaries further and further, doing a five hour flight, then later an eight hour flight. With each trip I got a better understanding of what my new ‘normal’ was and accepted that although flying was more uncomfortable and often painful for me, as long as I took care, it wouldn’t cause me any true damage.

My clot gave me this passion for travel, and I’m grateful

I’d always wanted to travel, but being told I couldn’t really lit a fire in my belly. I may have to be extra careful when I travel by breaking flights up and not sleeping on overnight flights (boo!) but I’ve made sure my condition hasn’t stopped me from seeing the world and all it’s wonders.

Although I wouldn’t wish my condition on anyone in a way I’m grateful for it, as it made me even more determined to see more of our beautiful planet. I truly appreciate every experience I have and I never take the wonder of travel for granted. We’re all so lucky to live in this amazing world, and even luckier that we have the opportunity to explore it.

What ignited your passion for travel? I’d love to hear about it – so please share your stories in the comments below!

By day Co-Editor Keri is a freelance journalist and copywriter, but spends most of her free time either travelling or planning her next trip!  A complete travel fanatic, she has a love of tropical climates, wildlife and afternoon tea (hence the creation of her Global Afternoon Tea Challenge!)

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18 comments.

Thank you for sharing more of your story. I’ve always admired your determination to fulfil your dreams, and hopefully you’ll get to visit every place you ever want to!

Thanks Ania – I’ll definitely be giving it a good go! 😉

Wow, what a story! How amazing that you were able to overcome and fulfill your dreams! You’re very brave. #farawayfiles

Thank you very much Hilary x

Bryna | Dotted Line Travels

Thank you for sharing your story, and I’m so glad that you didn’t let it stop you from seeing this beautiful world! I really admire your determination! For me, my passion for travel was ignited by my parents. They always encouraged me to see the world when I was little and would take me on trips. I’ve taken their advice to heart and try to see at least one new place a year (I’m a part-time traveler).

Thanks Bryna! Yes parents can have a huge influence on us right? My mum was the same. When she was young she had the opportunity to travel around Canada visiting relatives, so she gave me the same opportunity to live with my cousin in the US one summer after I completed my exams. 😀

Vanessa Brune

I love your story! I’m the same – whenever people tell me that I can’t do something, I’m only determined to do it even more!! So good for you that you’re continuing to travel and inspire others!

Thanks Van – yup, stubborness can get you far, right?! 😉

Wow, very interesting story. I can see how being told you can’t travel would make you want to travel more. I think I would be the same way.

It’s always the way isn’t it Erin. Is someone tells you can’t do something it makes you want to do it more!

Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles)

This is so interesting and so inspiring, Keri. Good on you for being so determined to forge your own path and keep travelling. Thanks for inspiring us all on #FarawayFiles

Thanks Clare! 😀

Erin Gustafson (Oregon Girl Around the World)

It’s a brutiful story Keri – thank you for sharing it with #FarawayFiles. I applaud your determination and appreciate your gratefulness (see what I did there? ;). It’s the falling down that makes us who we are, but the getting back up. And up and up. Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin

Thanks so much Erin! xx

I’m glad that you’re able to pursue your passion for travel despite the health challenges. Kudos to you for pushing the boundaries! And travel does not have to be flying off to a destination faraway – we can always explore the places that close to us, slowly venturing farther away while improving our circumstances, be it money, health or time. Eventually, we will reach our goals, achieve our dreams. Wishing you best of luck in your health, and please continue to travel! 🙂

Thank you Kat, that’s lovely. And yes, it’s true that we all have so much to see on our doorsteps, right?

Wow, this is such an inspiring story! I can only imagine what you have to go through and what you went through initially. I think it’s fantastic you’ve pushed yourself and proved others wrong. Keep doing it! 🙂

Thanks so much David! x

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• 5 years ago by Claire Trickett

10 reasons to love travel

What does travel mean to you here are just 10 of the many reasons i love to travel….

• Travel Specialist

In today’s tech-obsessed world, social media may well be the perfect platform to showcase the world’s beauty to armchair travellers across the globe, but travel is so much more than just getting that perfect Instagram shot. Travel should be meaningful. It should excite and inspire you, rejuvenate and ground you, educate and challenge you, and most of all, it should humble you.

Travel gives us our greatest stories, our most cherished memories and countless irreplaceable learnings that we can choose to pay forward to others. It teaches us about ourselves and each other, it broadens our horizons and, just like a reset button, it forces us to refocus on what really matters.

Here’s what travel means to me…

For me personally, travel is a way of life. I was born into a travel-obsessed family and had already lived on three different continents by the time I started school, so wanderlust (and an often ridiculed hybrid accent) was inevitable for me. My sister and I are incredibly fortunate to have parents that insisted that travel was the best classroom and, thankfully, our school holidays were spent exploring fascinating places, both near and far.

Upon graduating university (and turning 21), I was given the greatest gift: the gift of travel. Armed with a round-the-world plane ticket and a sense of adventure, I took off on a six-month solo backpacking trip through Europe, Southern Africa and Australia and, without a doubt, it changed the way I saw the world. So, as a self-confessed travel addict, here are the 10 reasons why I love to travel.

1. Travel to leave our world a better place

I have been fortunate to work and travel with &Beyond for more than 13 years now and what inspires me most is our company ethos and unwavering commitment to care for the land, wildlife and people. Travelling with &Beyond has given me the rare privilege to actively take part in so many unforgettable and truly meaningful experiences, such as: witnessing endangered rhino being safely translocated; observing an elephant cow being collared for research and monitoring purposes; helping to relocate a vulnerable nest laid by an enormous and highly endangered sea turtle; spending a night in a traditional Maasai manyatta (homestead); and so much more. &Beyond ’s authentic, experiential travel not only enables travellers to participate, engage and learn, but it also allows them to travel with purpose and to help leave our world a better place.

2. Travel to meet different cultures

Travel exposes us to different cultures and ancient traditions and through these authentic encounters, we learn to embrace and celebrate both our similarities and our differences. Travel teaches us about humanity and gives us an appreciation, understanding and respect for different points of view and ways of life.

3. Travel to learn

Not all classrooms have four walls and travel is the best way to immerse yourself in geography, history, culture, gastronomy, languages, biology … you name it. Travel enriches the mind and educates us far beyond any textbook or travel guide. Not only do curious travellers learn about different landscapes, languages and lifestyles; glean fascinating facts while observing wild animals in their natural habitat; delve into a region’s history and taste the local flavours; but they also learn about themselves (and each other) along the way.

4. Travel to escape reality

We all need to fall off the radar and escape reality every once in a while. Travel allows us to enjoy complete anonymity in new and unexplored territories. It gives us absolute freedom to live in the moment and it allows us to be anyone, to go anywhere and to do anything. The best part of my six-month trip around the world, way back when, was the freedom of being able to just wake up and pick a spot anywhere on the map and find a way to get there. Travel enables us to be spontaneous and seek new experiences.

5. Travel to relax

Our lives are time-starved and technology-driven and, let’s be honest, it’s not often that we actually take the necessary time to de-stress and truly switch off. Travel allows us to escape life’s daily demands, dramas and deadlines and enables us to clear our minds. It encourages us to recharge our batteries and to truly disconnect (from our phones, Wi-Fi, emails, laptops, social media, etc.) in order to reconnect (with ourselves, each other and the natural environment).

6. Travel to explore

Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones. Whether you seek adrenaline and non-stop activity, or unapologetic siestas and ultimate relaxation, travel gives us the opportunity to explore with an open heart and an open mind.

7. Travel for humility

Without a doubt, travel is a crash course in humility. As we cross borders, and oceans, we gain true perspective. We learn to recognise and be grateful for all of the things we take for granted in our own lives, and we also gain an appreciation and respect for how others live. Travel teaches us to be tolerant, flexible and open-minded, and most of all it makes us humble.

8. Travel to eat

One thing you’ll never find on a suggested packing list is a diet. Leave it at home! Just make sure you bring a healthy appetite and a willingness to taste new flavours and sample all of the local delicacies. Remember, mimosas are totally acceptable at breakfast and dessert is always a good idea. Indulge, go back for seconds and exercise when you get home.

9. Travel to be transformed

Don’t just travel for travel’s sake. Travel to seek adventure and feel alive. Take part in authentic experiences that will not only change the way you see the world, but that will also encourage self-reflection, environmental awareness and global action to help protect and conserve our planet.

10. Travel to live out your bucket list dreams

Every traveller’s bucket list is different. Whether you long to watch the sun set over the Taj Majal, snowshoe on the side of an active volcano, witness Africa’s Big Five and the Great Migration, or find your Zen on a yoga retreat in the Himalayas, if you can dream it, you can do it. Travel is the best medicine and long may it continue to take our breath away and turn us all into storytellers (and committed custodians of our precious planet).

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19 Inspiring Travel Experience Stories About Life-Changing Trips

Love inspiring travel experience stories ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Grab a snack and your favorite beverage and get ready to settle in, as you’re about to read some truly inspiring travel stories about life-changing trips.

In this roundup, some of my favorite bloggers share their best travel stories.

You’ll hear about travelers embarking on sacred pilgrimages, growing after a first solo female travel trip, deeply connecting with locals on the road, and getting out of their comfort zones in ways that completely alter the course of their life.

And if you’re looking for a unique travel experience, you’ll likely find it in the short stories about travel below.

Table of Contents

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I regularly share about solo female travel, New York City, lesser-known destinations, unique experiences, active adventures, and how to turn your passion for exploring the world into a profitable business through travel blogging.

Click here to head back to the travel blog .

There is so much included!

Plus, I’m constantly adding new resources, guides, and personality quizzes to help you travel beyond the guidebook!

On that note, let’s dive into the inspiring travel stories .

1. Travel Experience Stories In South America

My travel story takes place in South America, back when I used to travel solo for months at a time.

I was in my mid-20s, and even though I’d backpacked Europe, Southeast Asia, and China and had studied abroad in Australia, the mix of intense excitement and nerves I had leading up to my South America backpacking trip was different.

And despite family and friends warning me that South America wasn’t a place for a solo female traveler , it ended up being my best trip ever.

There are so many interesting short travel stories and unforgettable travel experiences woven into this trip, like:

• Getting invited to have dinner with my Brazilian plane seatmate and her grandma
• Having a group of complete strangers on Couchsurfing take me out for dinner and dancing on my birthday in Mendoza
• Attending a small house party in Argentina and learning about the tradition of mate
• Getting stuck on a broken-down bus and having an impromptu language exchange with an elderly woman in Peru
• Having a love interest back home break up with me via text, and then experiencing the kindness of strangers as a woman in my hostel who I barely knew treated me to ice cream to cheer me up
• Having a romance with a hostel mate in Ecuador and then traveling through the country together
• Living in a giant treehouse with a group of strangers during a solo trip in Brazil and spending our days exploring hiking trails and swimming and our nights drinking and exchanging stories about traveling
• Taking a 4×4 from Chile to Bolivia across the Siloli Desert to see otherwordly sites like rainbow lagoons and train graveyards in the middle of nowhere
• Experiencing some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, like Iguazu Falls, Torres del Paine, the Amazon River, Uyuni Salt Flats, and Perito Moreno Glacier

At times the trip was also challenging, from dealing with long bus rides and car sickness to flipping over my bicycle handlebars in Peru and getting my body (and ego) badly bruised.

But, I was okay.

In fact, I was more than okay, as the trip showed me how independent I could be and what I was truly capable of. It also showed me the beauty of immersing yourself in cultures different than your own and connecting with locals who want to share them with you.

Years later, when people ask what my best travel experience has been this is the trip that comes to mind.

-Jessie from Jessie on a Journey

2. Traveling With An Open Mind

Many people think of travel as an experience and rightly so. Sometimes, however, you cannot choose the places you travel to.

This happened to me in 2019.

My husband found himself posted in Brunei for work.

Three months pregnant meant that I had a choice:

Either stay with him in Brunei for three months before returning back to India or remain in India, alone.

I chose the former. Not because of my love for the country but because I wanted to be close to him.

Brunei had never held any appeal to me. Whatever research that I pulled off the Internet showed me nothing other than one beautiful mosque.

The flights in and out of the country were expensive so traveling frequently out was not an option either.

I was engulfed by a sense of being trapped in a remote place.

Needless to say, I reached Brunei in a pretty foul mood. I think one of the things that struck me the most even in the midst of that bad mood was the large swaths of greenery that surrounded us.

Mind you, we were not staying in the big city but as far away on the outskirts as you could imagine. I’m not a city girl by any stretch and the greenery eventually soothed my nerves.

It took a week, but I soon found myself interacting with people around me. Fellow expats and locals all went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

The more comfortable I felt, the more we explored. We trekked (yes, while pregnant!), we joined the board game community, and we enjoyed the local cuisine.

Three months later when it was time to leave, I found myself reluctant to say goodbye to the warmth of the country I had called home for a short while.

I think that my time in Brunei taught me a valuable lesson:

Don’t judge a place by what others say or a lack of information.

Sure, you may not always like what you see, but there will always be something that you will like. You just need to look hard enough to find it!

-Penny from GlobeTrove

3. From Half-Day Hiker To Walking Holiday Enthusiast

I’ve always enjoyed walking but never in a million years did I imagine I’d end up walking over 200 kilometers (~124 miles) in 10 days, become a fan of walking holidays, and end up developing self-guided hiking routes in Portugal with a local tour operator as part of my business.

The shift from being someone who was content with an easy three-hour walk to an experienced multi-day hiker began with a brief taste of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim trail through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.

Back in 2013 I did a guided one-day hike along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino, north of Ponte de Lima. It’s also one of the most challenging sections so it was hard work, but the views from the top of Labruja Mountain made the climb worthwhile.

My guides were so enthusiastic about the thrill of arriving at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral after the challenges of day after day on the Camino that I began to think I might want to give it a go, despite not being religious.

Fast forward a few years and I set off from Barcelos with a friend of mine to follow the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

Apart from suffering from chronic back pain, I thought I was quite fit but nothing had prepared me for how utterly exhausted I would feel at the end of each walking day.

This was truly a slow travel experience, as we were averaging about 20 kilometers (~12 miles) per day and by the time we reached our hotel, I would barely have enough energy to get cleaned up and find food before collapsing. I had envisioned plenty of sightseeing but that ended up being minimal.

Quickly, I realized the moral of this unique travel experience:

The Camino was all about making the most of the journey rather than the destination.

For me, that was quite a shift in thinking as I am usually all about getting to where I want to be as soon as possible so that I can start exploring. It was, perhaps, also my first step on the path towards mindfulness.

I will never forget the sense of achievement and progress at the end of each walking day, and the relief and pride I felt when we finally made it to Santiago de Compostela.

We met people who had walked the Camino several times and I can totally understand how it can become addictive. 

-Julie from Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal

4. A Story About Traveling & Its Ripple Effect

Tucked away in far eastern Indonesia is a tiny archipelago of islands called the Banda Islands.

Apart from world-class snorkeling and some crumbling colonial buildings, the Banda Islands are mostly forgotten and would be described as a backwater by all accounts.

However, the Banda Islands are possibly the main reason that I am who I am today. 

Well, the Bandas are the original Spice Islands.

Nutmeg used to grow on this tiny group of islands alone and nowhere else. The Dutch colonized Indonesia and promptly became the owners of islands where money grew on trees.

The only problem was that Indonesia was so far away that they needed a halfway stop to and from Indonesia.

That’s where my travel experience story comes in.

The same Dutch East India Company that traded in spice set up a halfway station at the foot of Table Mountain to break up their long journey. As a result, my Dutch ancestors arrived in the southernmost point in Africa , and generations later we are still there.

When I visited the Banda Islands, it dawned on me how something happening on the other side of the world can ripple out and affect people on the other side of the planet.

And I’m not the only one!

The spice trade was so important to the Dutch that they even traded a tiny island in the Banda archipelago for a much bigger island…Manhattan.

Yes. That Manhattan.

Before visiting the Banda Islands I never really knew about this part of my history.

Along with the spice that the ships carried back to Amsterdam, it also carried slaves. These slaves, more often than not, ended up in Cape Town.

Just like my European ancestors, they too became a part of Africa and added another shade to our beautiful Rainbow Nation.

It was in the Banda Islands that I realized how much of my culture, food, stories and even words in my mother tongue, Afrikaans, actually originated in Indonesia.

Because of these tiny islands, I am a true mix of Europe, Africa, and Asia. While I always thought I knew how all things in life are somehow connected, I didn’t really grasp it until my visit to Indonesia.

This could have been a resort travel experience story, as I went to Indonesia to swim and snorkel and relax on the world’s best beaches. And while I did get to do that, I also learned a lot about who I am as a person, my people, and my country…on another continent. 

My visit to the Bandas has sparked a fascination with Indonesia, which I have visited seven times since. I’m already planning another trip to this spectacular country!

-De Wet from Museum of Wander

5. Awakening My Spirit In A Costa Rican Cloud Forest

In February 2017, I was just coming out of a decade of mysterious chronic illness that had shrunk my world.

And one of the things that finally helped me to resurface during the previous year was an online Qi Gong course I stumbled upon: 

Flowing Zen .

To the casual observer, Qi Gong looks a lot like its better-known cousin, Tai Chi — the ancient art of moving meditation — but it’s actually energy medicine for healing.

In fact, it’s commonly used in Chinese hospitals.

My daily practice that year made such a difference for me that I dangled a reward for myself:

If I stuck with it all year, then I’d head to Sifu Anthony’s annual retreat in a cloud forest in Costa Rica the following February.

And I did! It was my first trip out of the country for more than a decade.

Just like that, I booked a solo trip — something I hadn’t done since I was an exchange student to Europe 30 years earlier — to San Jose where I met up with a dozen strangers and Sifu Anthony, our Qi Gong master.

We boarded a tiny bus and rode up, up, up around carsick-inducing curvy mountain roads into a magical cloud forest jungle where we finally arrived at The Blue Mountain (“La Montana Azul”) for a weeklong Qi Gong retreat. 

There were no Internet or distractions here — just delicious organic vegetarian meals made with love and shared with the community under a gorgeous open-air palapa.

There were also colorful tropical birds singing in the jungle, as well as the largest arachnid I’ve ever seen in my gorgeous (but also roofless) room for a little extra adventure.

I’d felt a little energy movement during my year of online practice, but during that week on The Blue Mountain, my body began to really buzz with Qi — life force energy — as I Lifted the Sky, stood in Wuji Stance, and practiced Shooting Arrows.

I felt electrified and joyful. 

And that was when everything changed for me.

At home, I had a successful career as a freelance writer, but I decided during my week in the cloud forest that I wanted more from life.

I wanted to explore the beauty, diversity, nature, and culture in every corner of the world.

And I wanted to share this intoxicating joyful feeling of life-giving freedom and adventure with anyone who wanted to come along for the ride.

Shortly after that, at age 53, I launched my travel blog.

Dreams really do come true. They are just waiting for you to claim them.

-Chris from Explore Now or Never

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6. From Rome With Love

This wasn’t the way I wanted to see Rome. 

Sure, I was happy to spend Christmas in Rome and stand in awe of the city’s many iconic attractions. But, life wasn’t meant to turn out like this.

I was supposed to go to Rome with my mom back in 2012; however, life had different plans, because a week before our trip, I got a double kidney infection. A condition that required a week of hospitalization.

Although I was annoyed I had missed my trip, it wasn’t the end of the world since I was fine and everything seemed okay…until my mom developed a cough.

A cough that later became a heartbreaking diagnosis of stage four ovarian cancer. 

My mom spent the final months of her life in chemo, desperately trying to fight a horrific disease so that she wouldn’t let her family down.

And she didn’t.

Instead, she showed us how to never give up on life, even if it was a losing battle. 

So, when she eventually passed away, I booked a trip to Rome. 

Sure, it wasn’t the trip I had hoped for. But, I knew that as her daughter, it was my job to live enough for the both of us. 

And that’s exactly what I did.

Was I an anxious, sad, angry mess of a person?

Absolutely. I was still getting used to a world that my mother wasn’t a part of. 

And honestly, you never get used to that world. You just deal with it because you don’t really have a choice.

But I also knew that I wanted my mom to live on through me and that I didn’t want to live a life where the haunting phrases “should of,” “could of,” and “would have” swirled through my head and ate away at my happiness.

So, I went. I packed a boatload of tissues, sobbed my heart out, and attended Christmas mass at the Vatican. 

I also threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, walked through the Colosseum, chowed down on gelato, and spent two weeks doing all the things my mom and I had wanted to do. 

And that’s when it hit me. I had never gone to Rome alone because my mom had always been there with me. Maybe she wasn’t physically there, but I thought of her and felt her presence every minute of every day. 

Her presence also reminded me that life isn’t about the things we buy or the money that we have.

It’s about making memories with the people we love; people that never really leave us since they are constantly influencing our lives in countless ways.

And after my trip to Rome, I finally knew that my mom would always be there because she had forever changed my life in the best possible way. 

-Kelly from Girl with the Passport

7. Studying In Finland

One of my major life-turning points happened during my exchange studies in Finland.

Until then, I was studying at a university in Prague, had a part-time job at a renowned management-consulting firm, and thought I was on the right path in life.

At the University of Economics where I studied it was notoriously difficult to get on an Erasmus exchange trip abroad since the demand was huge. Everyone wanted to go!

Regardless, I decided to sign up early for my last semester, just to see what the process was like to be better prepared for applying again in a year.

I did make it through all the three rounds and surprisingly got a spot at a University in Turku, Finland! I was ecstatic. The success brought its own challenges, but once you set your eyes on the goal, nothing can stop you.

And I had the time of my life in Finland.

I met the most amazing people, traveled a ton, partied a lot, and bonded with friends from all over the world.

Given I was one of the few people there who really needed to pass all her courses and additionally write her thesis, I managed to run on an impossible sleep schedule of four hours per night. But I made it!

My studies in Finland opened up my horizons, too.

The summer after, I wrapped up my life in Prague and went on to study in Germany and China . The whole time I traveled as much as possible, often going on solo adventures. It was only a matter of time when I’d start my own travel blog.

My Finland adventure led me to a life of freedom made up of remote work, travel blogging , and plenty of traveling. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. And it gave me one of my favorite true adventure stories that I can now share with others.

-Veronika from Travel Geekery

8. How Cuba Changed My Life

One of my favorite inspiring stories about travel takes place in Cuba.

I visited Cuba in February 2013 and it changed my life — and I like to think it did so for the better.

Interestingly, I expected a completely different country and was compelled to write about it when I got back home.

But let me tell you more.

I read copious amounts of blogs and travel diaries to prepare myself for the trip to Cuba so I thought I’d go in with a fairly good idea of what to expect. Each and every post I read spoke of marvelous landscapes, pristine beaches, crumbling but charming cities, and welcoming locals.

All of it was true, in my experience — except for the locals.

I didn’t find them so welcoming. At least, not genuinely so. They only seemed to welcome me as far as they could get something in exchange: money, clothes, pens, soap, you name it. 

Each and every day in Cuba was a challenge to avoid the scams, to avoid being ripped off, to fight off each and every attempt of people trying to take advantage of me. I usually managed, but it was exhausting and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

Once I got back home I felt the urge to write about my experience — not for other sites or papers as I’d often do. This time I was afraid I’d be censored.

So I opened my own blog. With zero tech knowledge, zero understanding of online content creation and SEO, I started writing and telling people what they should really expect during a trip to Cuba.

I’d put up the occasional post, but continued with my usual job.

At the end of the year, my contract as a researcher in international human rights law at the local university ended, and I decided to stop pursuing that career for a while.

I packed my bags and left for a long-term trip to Central and South America . I started writing on the blog more consistently and learning, and eventually took my blog full-time , turning it into a career.

As of today, I have never looked back and have no regrets.

The one thing I’ll do, as soon as I can, is travel to Cuba to say thank you — because it changed my life in a way nothing else has ever done. 

-Claudia from Strictly Sardinia

9. A Short Travel Story About Finding Inner Peace In Patagonia

Life in London is hard.

Life in London as a gay single brown refugee is harder.

Juggling between work, my passion for traveling, and the prejudices that I dealt with on a daily basis eventually took their toll on me and I reached a breaking point.

The fact that I couldn’t return home to see my family and being away for them for almost nine years was enough to hammer in the final nail in the coffin.

I almost had a nervous breakdown and in that moment of desperation, which I knew would define the rest of my life, I took a month off and headed to Patagonia.

It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. The 36 hours it took me to get to El Chalten from London were tiring but Patagonia blew me away.

On my first day there I did a 28-kilometer (17-mile) hike which included a steep mountain climb. It was incredible how moving through the forest helped me clear my mind. And as I stood in front of Laguna de Los Tres, the rain and clouds gave way to sunshine and a rainbow.

I felt at peace.

The countless hikes, great food, and the warmth of locals in Chile and Argentina helped me get back in my skin and find the peace I was missing in my heart.

Nature is indeed the best medicine when it comes to stress relief and I won’t be coy about hugging trees to speed up the process (it did).

Patagonia was life-changing for me.

The beauty of nature struck me at each point and every time I thought it wasn’t possible to beat the view, the next one did just that.

I came back a changed, resilient, and most importantly, a happy person.

-Ucman from BrownBoyTravels

10. Looking Inwards & Making Connections With Strangers

It was decades before I traveled solo for the first time in my life.

This trip — a six-day escape to Colorado — was the first trip that was not for business or family reasons but just to travel and discover.

As I prepared for it, I had a strange feeling of excitement and nerves at the same time. I had all sorts of thoughts and doubts:

Would it be fun?

Would I be bored?

Would I stay in bed all day or would I bounce with excitement to do the next thing?

I wasn’t sure. Little did I know that it was going to be a memorable journey of self-discovery. 

As a good wife and mom, for me travel is always about the family; always thinking of who would enjoy what. It’s about family time and bonding. It’s about creating memories and travel stories together. It’s all so wonderful.

But on a solo trip who would I connect with? What would I say?

Well, I found that I got to do anything I wanted!

Usually when I travel with my family, if I feel like going on a drive that’s not on the itinerary or getting a snack no one else is interested in, we simply don’t do that.

So it was weird to just go do it. Really, that’s a thing?

As for making connections, it was so easy to meet locals while traveling and also to connect with other travelers. Honestly, I had conversations everywhere — on planes, while hiking, in restaurants, in the hotel lobby.

It was quite an eye-opening experience to meet a mom of 18 kids and hundreds of foster kids, a cookie baker, a professional photographer, a family of Fourteener hikers, and an internationally ranked marathon runner.

The inspiring stories I discovered were amazing and nothing like my wonderful safe life at home. 

In terms of travel safety , I got to go rock climbing, solo hiking, driving up a Fourteener, eating alone.

And it was all fine. Actually, it felt surprisingly normal.

It was was just me, my SUV, and my backpack for a week. Most of all, it was a breath of fresh air that I didn’t know existed. 

It’s wonderful to be back home and know that possibilities are endless and there is so much more out there to explore and be wowed by!

-Jyoti from Story At Every Corner

11. A Solo Hike To Find Connection

I have traveled solo many times, but I admit I was a bit uneasy booking my trip to Colombia . In part, due to the country’s dark past. But also because I desperately wanted to do the Cocora Valley hike, and if I’m honest, I was terrified.

This hike is located in the Coffee Triangle, an area recognized for its beauty as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features both rainforest and a stunning green valley speckled with cartoonishly-tall wax palms rising 200 feet or more.

It’s incredibly beautiful.

It’s also a long hike and quite challenging — it generally takes between six and eight hours and there is a steep area with over 3,000 feet of elevation within a quarter of a mile.

I wasn’t in hiking shape, so I was a little concerned. But, worst of all for me were the seven dodgy-looking suspension bridges. 

I’m terrified of heights.

And, I’d be going alone.

I decided to go anyway and I met an incredible woman on the bus to Salento, the town near Cocora. She was also traveling solo and we agreed to hike together.

The town is a backpacker enclave and we met up with a small group of people all traveling solo. As the days passed, our group got larger and it was such a magical experience.

As much as I love city travel, this small town won my heart.

My new friend and I set off on the hike and met two other women who were nervous to do the hike. We all went together.

When we got to the first suspension bridge, I paused. I was embarrassed to admit my fear, but the bridge swayed widely and there was nowhere to hold onto.

When they realized how out of my comfort zone I was and how scared I felt, everything changed. Instead of me dealing with it alone, they were all there to encourage me.

One crossed the bridge to encourage me from the other side and they stayed off of it to limit the sway. Crazy enough, I not only crossed the seven suspension bridges, but I also crossed one an extra time when we went the wrong way on the trail.

I did it! 

I was prepared to be blown away by Cocora Valley’s beauty, but what I wasn’t expecting was what a life-changing travel experience my time there would be.

 -Sam from My Flying Leap

12. How A Pet Sitting Travel Experience Led To A Passionate Career

We wanted to go to the Caribbean but didn’t know much about the islands or how we were going to afford it.

By chance, a friend of ours in Australia mentioned “pet sitting” and that it is something you can do all over the world.

We quickly created an account on a pet sitting website and began searching for options. There were only a couple of sits available in that part of the world, but we tried our luck, sent a request, and to our surprise landed a three-month gig in a beautiful house in the US Virgin Islands — with an infinity pool overlooking the British Virgin Islands.

A month into our sit, we had explored the destination pretty well and so had a lot of time on our hands. We managed to secure another sit in Grenada, so our year was going to be taken up with Caribbean pet sits.

Inspired by a Canadian couple that had previously stayed at our Grenada housesit, we decided to start our own travel blog. We began by writing about The Virgin Islands, highlighting the beautiful beaches and funky bars.

But for every photo of a beautiful beach there were 10 photos of trash.     

It was hard to ignore the plastic pollution issue, especially on such pristine and remote beaches.  So, we began to share photos of the trash we saw and how much we could pick up on our daily dog walks.

The more we looked into plastic pollution, the more we realized the severity of the global plastic pandemic. From that point, we used our platform to create awareness and highlight ways to say no to plastic and travel plastic-free .

We changed our daily routines, our way of living, and even our diets to accommodate more organic foods and little to no plastic packaging.

It’s been over three years now and we continue to do what we can. This journey has led us to some amazing places, working with great conscious brands and even organizing a country-wide beach clean-up campaign in Grenada.

Our aim now is to keep on going.

We love connecting with like-minded people and love the shift over the last few years that brands have made towards creating more sustainable products and services.

It’s been an amazing few years that was sparked by a conversation about pet sitting. Who would have guessed?

-Aaron & Vivien from The Dharma Trails

13. Learning To Slow Down The Hard Way

On Christmas of 2017, I was born again.

We like to spend our Christmas holidays somewhere warm abroad, and that year we chose Uganda.

Nature, wildlife, and sunny days were a blessing when it was so cold and dark in Europe. Life was beautiful, and we had a rental car and a busy schedule ahead to explore the country.

This is where this short travel story turns into one of my more scary travel experiences :

At Murchinson Falls National Park, we had a car accident.

I lost control of the car, and it rolled over, destroying windows, chassis, and engine.

But we were alive! My right arm was severely injured, but we managed to walk to our lodge, not far inside the park.

In the lodge, I was happy to learn that there was a pretty decent American hospital in Masindi that was just a one-hour drive from the lodge. Moreover, one of the lodge’s guests was a nurse who cleaned the wound while we were waiting for the taxi from/to Masindi.

The hospital took care of us, and after a couple of injections and stitches, I was ready to head to our new hotel in Masindi; however, my wound required daily dressing and more injections, so we were asked to stay in town for a few days.   

Masindi is the kind of place where you may want to stop to buy some food or water, but that’s it.

The town’s highlights were the market and our daily visit to the hospital, so we ended up looking for the small things, chatting with the medical staff, the hotel staff, the people in the market, and learning more about their customs.

We learned to slow down the hard way.

When we were allowed to leave, we took a road trip south through the country to see something else. We did not care about our travel bucket list anymore — we were alive, and we wanted to enjoy Uganda’s unique nature and its people. 

In the end, our Uganda trip was not about the places that we saw, but the people that we met. It was travel for experience vs sightseeing.

I hope to revisit Uganda one day, with a stop at Masindi for some food, water, and maybe something else.

-Elisa from World in Paris

14. A Cycling Trip To Remember

During the summer of 2019, I cycled solo from London to Istanbul. This huge bicycle tour took me 89 days and through 11 countries.

As you might expect, it was a challenging yet incredible journey, which saw me pedal along some of Europe’s greatest rivers, pass through some of its best cities, and witness some of its most beautiful scenery.

It’s becoming more and more important for us to think about the impact that travel can have on our environment. This was the inspiration for my bicycle tour; I wanted to find more responsible ways to explore the world and avoid flights where possible.

I discovered that bicycle touring is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel, as using nothing but a bicycle and your own pedal power you can carry everything you need while covering surprising distances each day.

The simplicity of life and the sheer amount of time I spent cycling alone gave me a lot of time to just think . This really helped me to come to terms with some personal problems rooted in my past and, as a result, I arrived solo in Istanbul with newly found confidence, independence, and liberation. 

Cycling across the entire European continent may seem like an impossibly daunting task, but I assure you, it will make you feel like a new person, just like it did for me.

-Lauren from The Planet Edit

15. How The Caribbean Shaped Me Into A Fully Sustainable Traveler

One of my first international trips as an adult was traveling around the Caribbean .

I checked into my hotel in Jamaica and asked for a recommendation for a local place to eat. The receptionist told me that under no circumstances should I should go into the town because it was really dangerous, but that — to my luck — the hotel’s restaurant offered wonderful Caribbean food.

I pondered my options:

Did I really want to spend all my time on the beach without getting to know a single local?

I was a very inexperienced traveler and very young, but there was only one answer to my question:

Absolutely not. I was not going to be visiting a new place and staying hostage in a hotel chain. So out I went.

The poverty hit me in the face. After only seeing fancy resorts, the reality was hard to swallow.

A few locals approached me and were super curious as to what I was doing there alone, since most tourists didn’t go there.

I told them I was interested in meeting them and experiencing their culture. And just like that, I was embraced.

We met more people, had some food, and then we danced the night away. They had so little, yet they wanted to share it with me. They wanted to make me feel welcome.

And they undeniably did.

The next morning all I could think about was how all the money most tourists spend goes to big corporations. The locals have to be thankful if they get a job that pays minimum wage, while foreign businesses earn millions.

I have always been environmentally conscious, but this trip made it clear that sustainability goes well beyond nature and wildlife.

It’s also about communities.

From then on I always look for locally owned accommodation, eateries, guides, and souvenirs.

Sustainability, with everything it entails, became a motto for me and changed the very essence of the way I travel.

-Coni from  Experiencing the Globe

16. Lessons From My Students In Peru

One of the most life-changing trips I’ve ever been on was a volunteering experience in the stunning city of Cuzco in Peru.

I spent a month there teaching English and Italian to a group of local adults. And even though my time there was short, the travel experience was so humbling that it changed my outlook on life.

My lessons took the form of active conversations, which essentially turned into a massive multilingual cultural exchange between me and my students. Hearing my students talk about their lives — and realizing just how different they were from mine — made me look at my own life with a fresh new perspective.

One person spoke about the three years he spent living in a jungle with his dad, where they fed off of animals they hunted in order to survive.

Another student told me about her ultimate dream of mastering English so that she could become a tour guide and have a more stable future.

For me, these stories were a reminder of just how small I am in this world and how much we can get consumed by the small bubbles we live in. 

Most of all, my students showed a passion and appreciation for life that I’d never witnessed before.

This is true for the locals I met in Cuzco in general. The quality of life in Cuzco is very modest; hot water is scarce and you learn to live with little.

But the locals there do way more than just that — they spontaneously parade the streets with trumpets and drums just because they’re feeling happy, and their energy for the simple things in life is incredibly contagious.

It was impossible to not feel inspired in Cuzco because my students always had the biggest smiles on their faces, and the locals showed me again and again that simply being alive is a blessing.

I went to Peru to teach, but ended up learning more from my students and the locals there than they did from me.

Ever since I got back from that trip, I made it a goal to slow down and not take the simple things in life for granted.

Every time I get upset about something, I think about the Peruvians in Cuzco parading their streets in song and pure joy, and I tell myself to stop complaining.

-Jiayi from  The Diary of a Nomad

17. Braving Travel With Chronic Pain

Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful city with a prominent cathedral positioned centrally within the city.

While the historical cathedral attracts numerous visitors, even more well-known is the route to Santiago de Compostela, Camino de Santiago –- the world-famous pilgrimage route that has a plethora of trailheads and ends in Santiago. 

Home to locals, students, English teachers, and those on a spiritual pilgrimage, personal conquest, or a great outdoor hiking excursion, Santiago is a magical city.

My introduction to Santiago de Compostela doesn’t begin on the pilgrimage route, yet ends with a spiritual awakening analogous with those other unique pilgrimage stories.

It was my first solo trip abroad teaching English in Spain, a country that’s always been on my travel bucket list. A small town outside of Santiago was selected as the school I’d be teaching at for the year.

Unknowingly, this teach abroad program chose the perfect city for me to live in. 

A year prior, I suffered a traumatic brain injury that left me unable to function normally and complete average tasks. Migraines, headaches, and dizziness became my body’s normal temperament, a hidden disability invisible to the naked eye. 

Braving travel with chronic pain was the first lesson I learned during the trip.

The vast green outdoors and fresh dew from the morning rain enlivened me daily and reminded me about the importance of slowing down so I could enjoy traveling with my hidden disability. 

I also learned to stop often for daily tea breaks and to embrace the long lunch hour,  siestas , with good food, company, and a nap to rest.

Meeting locals , indulging in local food, and learning Spanish allowed me to connect deeply with the beautiful culture of Santiago. After all, my dream was to travel to Spain, and I more than accomplished that dream.

Difficult or not, I learned to own my dream and I was more than surprised with the results.

Who knew that a year after my injury I’d be traveling the world with chronic pain, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

-Ciara from Wellness Travel Diaries

18. A Blessing In Disguise

2020 has been a wild year for all of us and foreign students in China are no exception. As soon as the malevolent virus began to make its rounds in China, our university sent us home for “two weeks.”

However, within a short time, countries began to shut their borders and these “two weeks” turned into months, a full year even.

Crushed by the burden of online lectures and virtual labs, my boyfriend and I packed our bags and caught one of the first flights to his home country of Pakistan.

I had always been an over-ambitious traveler. I believed numbers were everything — the number of countries I visited, the number of hours I spent on a plane, the number of international trips I took in a year. These numbers were what defined me.

My feet were constantly itching and I never liked to spend more than a few days in a place before heading to the next country. Revisiting a place felt superfluous to me.

That’s why I was hoping to spend a month or two in Pakistan and then continue to check new countries off the list — after all, my online classes finally granted me the freedom to “work on my numbers.”

But as is usually the case in 2020, things turned out quite different from what I had expected. Borders remained closed and worldwide infections stayed rampant. At this point, I have already spent nearly half a year in Pakistan.

During this peculiar time, however, an amazing thing happened:

My mindset about travel started to change and I began to look at my long stay in Pakistan as perhaps my most valuable travel experience ever.

I may not have visited dozens of countries like in previous years but my experiences were deeper than ever before.

From trekking to one of the world’s tallest mountains to sharing tea with heavily armed officers at nearly 5,000 meters altitude to exploring hidden beaches in the most secluded regions to spontaneously being invited to village homes, my adventures in Pakistan couldn’t have been more incredible. They opened my eyes to the sheer diversity of many countries and completely transformed my idea about traveling. 

It took me nearly a full year of heavy restrictions on international travel and a few months in one of the world’s most fascinating countries to give up on my superficial ideals and become a more mature traveler.

This time will always have a special place in my heart.

-Arabela from The Spicy Travel Girl

19. What The River Taught Me

My travel story takes place in the summer of 2017 — the final summer before I graduated university — as it continues to play a significant role in the person I’ve become.

When I say that, people ask me if it was the portion of the summer I spent solo backpacking in Europe . And to their surprise, it wasn’t. It was actually the latter portion of the summer where I stayed closer to home.

For July and August I worked as a canoe guide leading whitewater canoe trips on remote rivers in Canada. It was here that I got to canoe the powerful and iconic Missinaibi River, a river that continues to influence me all these years later.

The Missinaibi River flows from the powerful Lake Superior to the even more powerful salty waters of James Bay. Here, I led a group of eight teenagers through dozens of whitewater rapids over 500 kilometers (~311 miles).

With no cell service for 25 days, we were forced to disconnect from anything other than the river.

During this trip I learned two important lessons:

First, I learned to be confident in my own abilities as a leader and problem solver.

There were a few rapids where my campers’ boats flipped and I had to rescue the campers and the canoes. One rescue saw two boats flip on a mile-long rapid. It took six hours to make it down the rapid, and during this time I managed stuck canoes and crying campers.

And while this was one of the most difficult rescues I’ve done, I was amazed at how calm I was throughout it. I gave clear directions, prioritized effectively, and kept my campers safe throughout the entire experience. Following the rescue, I had a newfound sense of confidence in my abilities.

The second lesson I learned on the Missinaibi was the power of disconnecting from society and connecting with the people around you.

A wild river commands all of your attention. Each day, you and your group must take down camp, load canoes, paddle up to eight hours while navigating both rapids and portages, get to a new campsite, set up camp, cook dinner, and go to bed.

And without the distraction of technology, your attention has nowhere else to be. You focus on the river and your teammates.

As someone who had wrestled with anxiety and depression prior to this summer, I felt at total ease on the trip. Now I seek societal disconnection and human connection as much as I can. 

Sometimes the most profound, life-altering trips are the least expected trips closer to home.

-Mikaela of  Voyageur Tripper

More Short Travel Experience Stories

25 Crazy Travel Stories You Need To Read To Believe

23 Inspiring Travel Stories Sharing The Kindness Of Strangers

17 True Short Adventure Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Trip

38 Inspiring Travel Love Stories From The Road

16 Short Funny Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh

20 Embarrassing Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh & Blush

21 Travel Horror Stories About Scary Travel Experiences

Do you have any inspiring travel experience stories about life-changing trips to share?

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These stories are so much fun to read! Thanks so much for putting a post like this together. It’s great to be able to check out other people’s blogs and read about other people’s experiences!

Always great to read about travel experiences of others. Some great stories to read over coffee. I’ve Pinned your post for future reference and to share with others. Will check out each story author’s blog as well. Great Job! 🙂

Amazing story for new traveler like me thanks for your contribution

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4 Reasons to Turn Your Passion for Travel into a Career

by Lindsay Paige Stein October 26, 2020

Lindsay is a travel entrepreneur and Founder of The Roundtrip Collective , the first-ever program designed to help students to turn their wanderlust into their dream jobs. Lindsay has a diverse background within all facets of the industry, from managing PR for travel companies, writing about her travels for top publications, to running her own foodie travel blog. Her mission is to take her experiences and mold the travel industry’s future generation.

Since I was young, I’ve always been drawn to travel, but I had no idea that one day I’d be getting paid to visit new countries and help tell the stories of destinations around the world. Studying abroad in Prague during college is really what lit the fire in me to pursue a career in the travel industry, and it’s been a journey. After graduating from college with a degree in Mass Communications, I took my skills in writing, public relations, and social media, and combined them with my love for travel.

After completing several internships, building my resume, making connections, and continuing to showcase my passions through my blog , I was able to set myself apart from competitors in such a niche industry and land my dream job at a travel PR agency in New York City. After getting my foot in the door, I now have a diverse background within the travel industry for over five years, doing everything from managing the PR for travel brands, writing about my travels for top publications, and running travel influencer campaigns.

Fast forward to when COVID hit. It was a tough time for travel professionals and I had a gut feeling that this was my time to help make an impact. As I was grounded at home amid the pandemic, I needed a way to harness my creativity, share my love for travel, and pave a path forward for the next generation of travel industry pros. Spending countless hours scrolling TikTok and dabbling into some content creation for fun, one of my travel TikToks suddenly went viral, garnering over three million views and sparking conversations with curious college students and young professionals desperate to break into the travel space.

I launched the first-ever program for travel-obsessed students called The Roundtrip Collective , unlocking ways for them to turn their passion for travel into their dream job through online courses, one-on-one mentoring, access to industry pros, and more. The Roundtrip Collective's mission is to ignite the travel industry’s future generation and create a community of ambitious students at a time when we all crave inspiration and connection.

Here are the four reasons why I decided to turn my passion for travel into my full-time career.

1. The storytelling aspect.

What drew me into this career in the first place was the ability to bring awareness to destinations around the world and help promote the life-changing experiences that travel brings. Whether it’s bringing an underrated destination to the forefront through my freelance writing or launching a new travel company through my public relations experience, travel is an ever-changing industry that never gets boring. Storytelling is a natural way to paint a picture and build a narrative to inspire others to get out and explore the world.

2. The travel perks.

Of course, when working in the travel industry the number one career benefit is—you guessed it—traveling! For my PR job, I plan and go on press trips where I bring journalists to experience our travel clients first-hand. Since I’m on both sides, I also get invited on press trips as a freelance travel journalist and it’s opened so many doors for me, allowing me to visit bucket-list destinations like Morocco, Maldives, Italy, and the Caribbean, among others.

3. I improved my communication skills.

Once my inbox started getting flooded with messages from college students asking about what I do, how they can work towards this career, and tips on how to get started, I knew I wanted to be a mentor to help others achieve their dream travel jobs. I was in their exact shoes and would have loved a mentor who has been in the industry for years and has the connections. I realized there are no real resources like this out there, so launching my Travel Career Course and seeing the success stories of my members and positive feedback has been everything to me.

4. The constant creativity.

Being in the travel industry gives me creative freedom and always sparks inspiration. The travel space has so much opportunity to showcase your skills through social media content creation, videography, creative writing, and more. It’s easy to be inspired when it comes to travel. Just thinking of the local pasta and wines in Italy or hiking through the lush jungles of Costa Rica immediately fuels my wanderlust and reminds me why I love it so much.

The travel industry is full of opportunities to flex your creative muscles and turn your wanderlust into a meaningful, exciting career. Waking up every morning knowing that I’m putting my skills to work and making an impact on a younger generation of travel obsessives is the best feeling—I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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by Lindsay Paige Stein

Lindsay is a travel entrepreneur and Founder of The Roundtrip Collective, the first-ever program designed to help students to turn their wanderlust into their dream jobs. Lindsay has a diverse background within all facets of the industry, from managing PR for travel companies, writing about her travels for top publications, to running her own foodie travel blog. Her mission is to take her experiences and mold the travel industry’s future generation.

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Why People Are Passionate About Travel

Whether it is India or abroad, it is not difficult to find people who are love travel more than anything. Even though the population of ardent vacationers in India is quite less than that of those living in more developed countries, the number is still big enough to motivate those living around them. The non-travelers often have a question to ask- why do people travel? What is there in wandering around places, which people cannot find in their homes? The answer is simple, yet complicated.

Many travelers, before they become full-time travelers, think that travel for leisure is not easy. They would think that it is difficult to be out of the town for days or weeks without going bankrupt. However, it is better to realize that visiting new places and meeting new people is better than squandering the time on virtual friendships online or watching Big Boss every night. Before their eyesight begins to fail them or they die of cancer someday, the travelers find it better to gain the real experience of their valuable lives.

Travel helps people unwind after long months of work, relax on a beach, and figure out the direction of their lives. They find a solution to their relationship issues only by getting out of their house. As Mark Twain once quoted that you can quickly figure out whether you love someone or despise them just by vacationing with them. Travel helps people shed their reservations and shyness, and bring a change in their otherwise dull existence.

Travel makes travelers gain patience wisdom, perspective, appreciation, and relationships. When you go to new place, you have to deal with a lot of unexpected things. You need to deal with different kinds of people, try foods you may or may not want to eat, adapt to new cultures- all these things teach patience.

Living at home lets publics have a lot of luxuries that they may take for granted. At home, they may never value water, electricity, food, and clothes. However, when they have to pay the price on the road for the necessities of life, they start valuing things more than ever. They realize the things that they always neglected in the city are actually luxuries for more than half a population across the globe.

Being on their own forces them to take decisions without any help from people they always trusted, which gives wisdom and experience. There can be more than one ways to solve one problem. Being on the go lets one see things from other’s perspectives and how they deal with the same issues as that of theirs. They may gain the view that some problems are no issues at all; they are big concerns only in mind.

One common thing that travel lets them experience is deconditioning. While watching people with different mannerisms of eating, clothing, speaking, lazing, commuting, they tend to appreciate various forms of leading lives. They tend to distance themselves from the stubborn ways of religion, food habits, clothing, desires, and needs that you were always habitual of. The realization that everything you saw since your childhood is not absolute and unquestionable; it may be just a perspective of their society that may alter with geography.

Travelers are often less stubborn than regular folks who have never seen anything outside their city. They are, in other words, the proverbial frog in the well. Although any rare wanderer would demean others, the fact is that one needs to learn the ways to unlearn so that they can vacate some space in their mind and heart to accommodate new things. Only a traveler can define the true meaning of travel, or maybe even he or she cannot do so because the definition and goals of travel differ for each person. One needs to experience an occurrence on one’s own to find out the meaning or implications of it in life soon. So why wait, pack you bag and explore some new places with your loved ones, book self-drive car for an unstoppable journey.

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Turning Your Passion for Travel into a Career

If you’re the kind of person who’s never happy unless they’re on the move; if you’re the kind of person who is always to be found pouring through Lonely Planet guides and planning your next trip’s itinerary, chances are you have a passion for travel. 

If that’s the case; if you live and breathe travel, then finding a career that encompasses the world of travel is likely to be the holy grail, and you know what? It’s far easier to achieve than you might have thought. 

One of the best ways to run your passion for travel into a career is by becoming a travel blogger or vlogger – someone who gets out there and reports what they see for the people back at home who may be considering visiting a given destination themselves or maybe just living vicariously through the blogs they read and the vlogs they watch. However, there are lots of other roles, from tour guides to travel agents that can also be great career choices for travel lovers too.

Sound good? Here’s how to get a career in travel in 2021:

Focus on what you want to achieve

Before you can achieve anything in life, you need to focus on what exactly it is you want to do and why. This will give you the motivation, and a pathway to follow to get you to your goal. So, do you want to travel the world reviewing high-end restaurants for money? Do you want to be a travel writer? Do you want to educate people about the beautiful places on this planet that are under threat? Do you want to work for the TSA? Then take a TSA CBT test prep course . Work out exactly what you want and only then can you find a way to make money doing it.

Take a risk

Turning travel into a career is not easy, if it was, we’d all be doing it! However, it is possible, but you will probably need to take a risk or three before you find your feet. If you want to be a successful travel vlogger , you need to get out there and start filming your travels; you then need to upload those travels on the internet for everyone to see. That is scary stuff! People will be watching you and judging you and there’ll be nowhere to hide, but if you want to succeed, you need to take the plunge and film that trip to Tokyo or document your trip to Denmark on Instagram or whatever. There is no getting around that fact. This applies to pretty much any travel career too – taking the first step is tough, but it is a must if you want to get anywhere at all.

This is a difficult point because many of us have various obligations that we need to fulfil and we would not be able to easily give up our day jobs to pursue a career in travel. If you are one of those people, it could be a good idea to keep a day job for the time being.

Of course, if you have few commitments, or you’re willing to take a really big risk and you have a little money saved up, there’s nothing like quitting your job, buying a round-the-world ticket and jumping right into the world of vlogging or travel writing or whatever to make you sink or swim. It’s a gamble, but it might be one that you’re willing to make to live the life you really want?

Have an angle

If you want to have a successful career in travel, then you need an angle. If you play it too broad, you may end up interesting nobody at all, which means you will not make nearly enough money to survive, let alone thrive. Your angle could be anything from running an eco-travel agency to exploring theme parks around the world and documenting them in vlog posts – just try to make it something that people will actually be interested in, and which you will have plenty of enthusiasm for because at the end of the day, people will know if you’re faking it and they will not buy.

Have confidence

If you want to make it in this particular career, then it almost goes without saying that you need to be confident in all that you do. If you believe you can do it, you are one step closer to actually doing it. So, try not to doubt yourself, make the best content/pitch/resume you can and let your passion shine through, and eventually, you will get there. Travel is all about passion and knowledge and if you have both, and it is obvious that you have both, you can make it in your chosen travel career for sure.

Connect with people

In terms of vlogging, for example, f you can build a connection with your audience, they will follow you wherever you go. They will want to know if you managed to find the best dumplings in Osaka or the most thrilling theme park ride in the world, and they will keep tuning in to see how you are doing. So, as well as creating content, make a real effort to connect with your audience, talk to them, and build a rapport, Doing so will benefit you immensely.

Of course, connecting with people is useful no matter what your chosen travel career might be. Networking is a great way to meet people who are already doing what you do and pick their brains on how you can do the same. It is also a good way to hear about new positions first, and get recommended for your dream job.

Make your own job

Of course, if you’re struggling to forge a career in the world of travel, you could consider, for example, learning how to book Universal Vacations and starting your own travel company, or getting your scuba diving certification so that you can travel the world working at various beaches and resorts to support yourself, while also teaching fun and valuable skill. You could even set up your own website or blog just like this one. If there isn’t a market for your skills in the world of work, forge your own path instead. There is always room in this world for self-starters who are willing to get out there and take what they want from the world and starting your own business is a really good way of showing the world what you’re really about.

Stay focused

When you end up working in the travel industry, you may be jetting off to various far-flung destinations at regular intervals. it’s easy to get caught up in the travel and forget about the work part of the equation, but if you do this, you could potentially end up losing your dream job due to poor performance or letting your business go under because you are not dedicating enough time to it. Don’t let that happen, and stay focused on the goal – working in the travel industry. Sure, you can have fun and take some time out in the sun, but you need to get the job done too.

Never give up

Sometimes, it can feel like getting your dream job in the travel industry will never happen, but more people than you know are blogging, vlogging, running tourism companies, and living their dreams. If you truly want it, you just have to keep plugging away at it and looking at it from new angles. For example, if you can’t make it as a blogger, maybe you’d be better off working as a tour guide? Teaching English online is now also an excellent option. If you want something badly enough, there is always a way to get it, even if it doesn’t quite come in the form you thought it would.

Keep up to date

Whether you want to be a vlogger, a tour guide or a travel agent, it is vital that you keep your working knowledge of travel up to date. No one is going to have confidence in you if you don’t even know the basics about the thing you are supposed to be most passionate about, so take the time to read travel journals, books and magazines, and maybe spend some more time going off the beaten track when you do travel so that you know more and have more to offer as a result.

If you’ve been dreaming of turning your passion for travel into a career, what is stopping you? Life is too short to not do what you love, and as you can see, it is not nearly as difficult as you might have thought to get into the travel industry and make waves. Of course, it’s not easy either – it will take time, dedication and creativity to make a success of your new endeavour, but won’t it be worth it when your life is even more immersed in the world of travel than it was before?  

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• North America

Is Travelling A Passion Or Hobby?

Travelling is a popular activity for people of all ages. The question of whether travelling is a passion or hobby is a difficult one to answer. There are pros and cons to both, but ultimately, the answer depends on the individual.

For some, travelling is an outlet for their passions and interests. They may be interested in a particular culture, cuisine, or destination that they want to experience and explore. Others may view travelling as simply a hobby, something to do for fun or to take a break from their everyday lives. It can be a great way to relax and have fun with friends or family.

There are a few key factors to consider when determining whether travelling is a passion or hobby. First, consider the amount of time and effort that goes into planning and executing a trip. Passionate travellers may spend months researching and planning their trips in order to get the most out of their experiences. On the other hand, someone who just views travelling as a hobby may be more spontaneous and carefree with their planning.

The amount of money spent on travelling can also be an indication of whether it is a passion or hobby. Those with a passion for travelling are often willing to spend more money to ensure they have a great experience. They may splurge on activities, accommodations, and transportation to make the most of their journey. Those who view travelling as a hobby may be more budget conscious and may opt for less expensive options.

Ultimately, the answer to the question of whether travelling is a passion or hobby depends on the individual. Those who view travelling as a passion may be willing to go the extra mile in order to have a great experience. Those who view it as a hobby may just be looking for a break from their everyday life. Whichever you choose, travelling can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Exploring The Relationship Between Travelling And Passion

Travelling has always been a popular pastime for many people, and while some may consider it a hobby, others may see it as a passion. But what is the difference between a hobby and a passion? While a hobby can become a passion, travelling is different in that it is both a hobby and a passion. It is a way of discovering new places, cultures, and people, and it has been found to be beneficial in many ways. It can help people to gain new perspectives, learn new skills, and build relationships with others.

The relationship between travelling and passion is complex, but it is something that many people find fulfilling. People who travel often have a strong connection to the places they visit, and they often feel inspired by the experiences they have. These experiences can lead to a deeper understanding of the world and can open up new possibilities. Additionally, travelling can provide a sense of adventure and a way to explore new cultures, ideas, and perspectives.

It is important to consider the cost of travelling when exploring the relationship between travelling and passion. The cost of travel can vary depending on the destination, and it can also be affected by the time of year and the availability of lodging. Additionally, travelling can be a major expense, so it is important to budget carefully and plan ahead. Additionally, it is important to consider the safety of a destination and the quality of the accommodations available.

There are many different ways to explore the relationship between travelling and passion. One way is to take a vacation or a trip. This can be a great way to explore new places and experiences, and it can be an opportunity to meet new people and discover new cultures. Additionally, it can be a great way to spend quality time with friends and family, and it can be an opportunity to explore different activities and attractions.

It is also possible to explore the relationship between travelling and passion through online resources. Many websites offer tips and advice about travelling, and they can provide valuable information about different destinations. Additionally, online communities can be a great way to connect with people who have similar interests, and they can provide support for travellers. Finally, there are many online resources available that provide reviews of different hotels, airlines, and attractions, making it easier for travellers to find the best deals.

In conclusion, exploring the relationship between travelling and passion can be a rewarding experience. It can be a great way to gain new perspectives, learn new skills, and build relationships with others. Additionally, it can be a great way to discover new places, cultures, and experiences. Ultimately, travelling can be both a hobby and a passion, and it is something that can be enjoyed by all.

The Benefits Of Incorporating Travel Into Your Hobby List

Traveling to explore new places, meet new people, and experience different cultures is a great way to break up the monotony of your everyday life. It can also be an incredible way to ignite your passion and inspiration for hobbies. Whether you’re an avid hiker, photographer, or artist, incorporating travel into your hobby list can help you to discover a new perspective on life and uncover creative ideas.Traveling can stimulate creativity and can be an educational experience in of itself. A lot of hobbyists will find themselves in a creative rut, and while it can feel like a dead end, the answer is often right in front of us. Taking a trip can help you to clear your mind and find new ways to bring your hobbies into new territory.Traveling can also be an incredible way to gain new skills and insights. By taking a trip to a different country or region, you can immerse yourself in a new culture and learn about the history and customs. This exposure can help to inform your hobbies and provide fresh ideas for future projects.And, of course, it’s important to keep in mind that travel costs money, but it doesn’t necessarily have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to experience the world on a budget, such as couch-surfing, camping, or staying in hostels. You can also look for discounts or deals on flights and accommodations to make traveling more affordable.Incorporating travel into your hobby list can help you to gain new perspectives, ignite your creative spark, and experience the world in a whole new way. It’s a great way to jumpstart the creative process and explore new opportunities. Whether you’re a hiker, an artist, or a photographer, make sure to consider adding travel to your list of hobbies.

Travelling can provide a lot of benefits such as personal growth, learning about different cultures, and gaining unique experiences.

Activities associated with travelling can include sightseeing, exploring different types of cuisine, trying various outdoor activities, and shopping.

Travelling can be both a passion and a hobby depending on the individual’s preference and enthusiasm for travelling.

The costs associated with travelling can include transportation, accommodation, food, activities, and souvenirs.

People can prefer different types of travelling such as leisure, business, or adventure, depending on their interests and budget.

The best way to plan a trip is to research the destination, create an itinerary, book a budget-friendly accommodation, and purchase travel insurance.

You can stay safe while travelling by doing research, abiding by local laws, being aware of your surroundings, and being cautious of your belongings.

The most important things to carry while travelling are identification documents and cards, a form of payment, essential medications, and appropriate clothing.

The best ways to save money while travelling are to travel during the low season, book lodging in advance, take advantage of public transportation, and plan meals beforehand.

You can make the most out of your travelling experience by immersing yourself in the culture, making local connections, trying new activities, and engaging in meaningful conversations.

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• South America

26 Best Jobs to Turn Your Passion for Traveling into a Career

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An insider's guide to working abroad.

Enjoying a life, a year, or even just a few months of travel doesn't have to come at the cost of a career. Today's global economy brings with it an equally global-minded business culture, in which companies see the value in encouraging their employees to travel, hiring employees from overseas, and promoting tourism as a way to connect people around the world.

Aspiring globetrotters can make their dreams a reality by finding a job that marries their skills with their passion for travel. Fortunately, landing a job that strikes the balance between building a career and seeing the world is more achievable than one may think. Whether that be a short-term gig in another country, occupations that require travel as part of the job or careers with potential for permanent assignments abroad, opportunities in just about any field exist for professionals with wanderlust.

Top Travel Jobs (And How Much You Can Make)

Travel jobs don't fit neatly into any one category. They include roles that involve travel as a necessary part of the job, like a flight attendant or geologist, alongside career paths that allow people to find work anywhere in the world, like a bartender, chef or massage therapist . Freelance and remote occupations, on the other hand, give professionals the flexibility to work from anywhere with an internet connection, earning the nickname as digital nomads. Still, other travel jobs defy categories altogether. Use the tool below to browse top travel jobs and compare their average earning potential.

8 Companies That Pay You to Travel

Companies across the board—whether in the finance, technology, marketing, hospitality or other sectors—realize the value of having a global perspective and an international workforce. These companies find creative ways to encourage their employees to travel the world, benefitting both their businesses and their employees at the same time.

Some companies, like Airbnb, offer team members yearly stipends to spend specifically on travel. Others, including Edelman and Boston Consulting Group, craft special fellowship programs that transfer employees to one of their international offices for one- to two-year stints. Earning a permanent assignment abroad can be the golden ticket to experiencing another part of the world while working for a company with a large global presence, such as Marriott International or American Express. Meanwhile, growing companies like Uber allow their U.S.-based employees to work at one of their overseas offices for a few weeks each year.

These eight companies make a great starting point for job seekers who list travel as a high-priority; their global employee count, major U.S. locations and a sampling of current job openings are listed below.

Company size: 16,000

Locations: San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle, Los Angeles and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: software engineer, communications associate, community operations manager, data analyst, account representative

Company size: 55,000

Locations: New York City, Phoenix, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Houston and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: marketing coordinator, customer care professional, fraud analyst, intern, accounting specialist, java engineer, full stack engineer, information security analyst, administrative assistant

Company size: 177,000

Locations: Bethesda, Orlando, Houston, St. Louis, Portland, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, Newark and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: guest relations manager, concierge, chef de partie, massage therapist, bartender, front desk manager, manager of housekeeping, hotel operations manager, sales executive

Locations: Boston, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Seattle, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: financial analyst, business analyst, administrative assistant, consultant, finance specialist, customer success manager, IT developer, operations coordinator

Company size: 5,850

Locations: Chicago, Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Portland, Orlando and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: editorial associate, production intern, art director, assistant account executive, design intern, insights analysts, senior copywriter, market research intern, human resources analyst

Company size: insert 3,100

Locations: San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: software engineer, experience researcher, data scientist, customer experience specialist, copywriter, account security specialist, trip designer, public relations manager, project manager, technical illustrator

Company size: 263,900

Locations: San Francisco, San Jose, Denver, New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, Austin and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: supply chain consultant, customer consultant, human resources associate, cyber risk consultant, cloud security manager

Company size: 126,600

Locations: New York City, Boston, Fort Worth, Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco and other locations world-wide

Jobs available: customer service, aircraft mechanic, member services representative, flight attendant, senior analyst, corporate sales specialist, pilot

Travel Careers Spotlight

While most careers can involve a bit of travel or possible employment options abroad, some jobs are simply made for professionals with wanderlust. The careers profiled below not only require travel as part of the job description, they also promote opportunities for forging a deep connection with the people, culture, and lifestyle of a place while doing so.

Teaching English abroad provides the unique opportunity to do invaluable work as an educator while living in a foreign country for at least a year. The demand for ESL (or English as a Second Language) teachers around the world continues to grow as the English language predominates in international business, politics, computing, and entertainment.

Such an abundant need for teachers means that native English speakers can fill positions overseas without having years of specialized training. While requirements vary by country and by employer, international ESL teachers generally need to hold a bachelor's degree in any field and a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification. Several companies connect prospective teachers with schools and language academies in foreign countries, streamlining the process of earning a certification and getting hired. In general, ESL teachers have the freedom to choose his or her host country.

The day-to-day work involves teaching grammar, vocabulary, and written and spoken language skills in public school classrooms, private lessons or private language institutions to either children or adults. Those who choose to teach in Europe or Latin America are more likely to have adult learners, while most students in Asia are children. According to the International TEFL Academy , the five countries boasting the best job markets in 2018 for teaching English abroad are China, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Czech Republic.

If getting paid to travel the world while taking photos of fascinating people, nature and events sounds like a dream job, that's because, well, it is. That doesn't mean that the life of a travel photographer comes without hard work. Getting that first big break can be the biggest hurdle for many—especially with such fierce competition nowadays thanks to the accessibility of quality photography equipment and digital sharing platforms.

Almost all travel photographers are self-employed, working on freelance assignments for various clients, selling prints or photo books, licensing images online, or providing destination photography workshops and tours—or any combination thereof. Companies in the travel industry that frequently contract photographers include travel magazines, destination marketing organizations and tourism boards, hotels and resorts, and outdoor- or travel-related consumer brands.

The uptick in digital media marketing in the travel industry, particularly through social media, comes with broadened opportunities for contract photographers. Starting and maintaining a professional social media presence is a must for freelance photographers nowadays, especially on Instagram, and can often help budding photographers get discovered. Managing an online portfolio through their own websites provides another avenue for travel photographers to sell their images and showcase their talent to potential clients.

Also known as diplomats, these U.S. State Department employees work on assignments in over 270 American embassies and consulates worldwide. The role of a foreign service officer has a strong emphasis on public service, international affairs, and economic development. Generalizing the responsibilities of a foreign service officer poses a unique challenge, as the work varies greatly depending on the assignment and the location's current affairs with the U.S. Overall, diplomats function as the face of the U.S. in their location and provide help to American citizens traveling abroad.

Becoming a foreign service officer is a rigorous process. The first step requires candidates to choose one of the five career tracks (consular officers, economic officers, management officers, political officers, public diplomacy officers), which will shape the type of work they do for the bulk of their careers. Successfully passing the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)—a written exam which includes sections on geography, history, popular culture, math, economics and U.S. government—marks a major step forward in the application process. After that, applicants must submit a personal narrative, complete an oral assessment, and go through security and medical clearances.

Those who make the cut go on for training in Washington D.C. and get their first assignments overseas, typically for 18 months. Generally, diplomats serve on assignments in multiple host countries around the world throughout their tenure, which means sometimes moving after each assignment. The effort to join the foreign services comes with the benefits of living overseas during the bulk of one's career, working in the challenging yet often rewarding field of public service, getting paid to learn languages, and connecting with people and cultures in one's host country.

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Our Passion For Travel

G'day traveller.

Thanks for dropping by, we’re glad to have you here. We’re fascinated by travel. Travel shows what has come before. Travel opens our eyes. Travel shows you the power of humans to overcome, to move forward, to do better. It’s our favourite thing in the world. This site is a collection of some of our travel experiences. We hope you find Our Passion For Travel somewhat useful, and your travels as a result, somewhat better.

Jeff and Kristen

Hi, we’re Jeff and Kristen. Two happily married Australians who pack in as much travel as we can – at home or abroad.

We love finding new destinations and re-exploring old favourites. No matter how much we travel, we’re always short on time to explore everywhere we want to see. 

Together, we’ve visited 75 countries, have lived abroad and completed a few stints of long term travel too.

If you want to find out a little more about us and our travels, head on over to our  About Us page  for more details. 

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One week in Puglia, Italy

Oh boy, what a delight Puglia is. 

Located on the heel of Italy’s boot, it’s a relatively unexplored area compared with some of the more popular Italian destinations. 

Here you’ll find some sensational beaches, a laid back lifestyle and magnificent Roman ruins with the crowds. If you’re planning an Italian adventure, we implore you to consider adding Puglia to your itinerary. It’s a decision you won’t soon regret. 

Read on for an itinerary to whet your appetite. 

A Dolomites road trip

Snow capped mountains. Fresh air. And a part of Italy that doesn’t really feel like Italy at all.

Perched up in the top corner of Italy, you might well think you’re in Switzerland, Austria or Germany. Popular in the winter as a place for skiing enjoying winter, that’s not our jam. 

Come in the summer and the see those flowers bloom. With those snowy peaks in the background. And a warm sun on your skin. 

Read on for our road trip itinerary for those who don’t plan on hiking for days on end. 

A perfect Monument Valley itinerary

We love visiting places in the middle of nowhere. And Monument Valley is right in the middle of nowhere. Straddling the Utah/Arizona border, you’re far from…well anywhere. 

And that’s the best part about Monument Valley with its other worldly landscapes. 

Read on for an itinerary amongst this stunning part of the USA – we promise it’s worth a visit.

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How to Make Money Travel Blogging: 10 Ways I Monetized My Passion

By Will Hatton

Today, many folks dream of hitting the road and traveling the world while working remotely on their own business, as their own boss. It’s a path that has been heavily romanticized, and for good reason. To live life on your terms, choosing where you live and work from, is a truly liberating experience. But to get to this promised land is a challenge, and most folks who try to build an online business are ultimately not successful.

I'm the founder of The Broke Backpacker , one of the world’s largest travel blogs, and I'm a serial entrepreneur with over a dozen different online ventures under my belt. I started my own journey fifteen years ago while backpacking the world on a budget of just $10 a day, and since then I have learned a TON about what does and what doesn’t work when trying to build an online income.

How I became a travel blogger

Embarking on my own journey as a broke backpacker, I was hungry for both adventure and great stories. I found I had a passion for writing in-depth reports of what it was truly like to be living in a tent, hitchhiking, couch surfing, and basically living like a hippy around the world. I was passionate about the potential for personal development through challenging travel that threw me out of my comfort zone and I used this passion to build up my travel blog and to launch some other projects along the way.

Simply being on the road as a young and naive teenager without two cents to rub together presented me with numerous challenges. I took a good number of risks and made pivotal decisions that transformed this passion project of mine into a sustainable source of income. From refining my niche to leveraging productivity systems, each decision was a stepping stone toward building a sustainable and successful business.

I am sharing some of the key decisions that propelled my humble travel blog for budget backpackers into a profitable business with an audience of over 1 million users a month. So, fasten your seatbelts and join me as we explore the pivotal moments that transformed my budget travel blog into one of the internet’s best-known travel sites.

10 strategies I used to build my travel blog into a business

1. investing in a catchy domain name.

It may sound simple, but let's be honest—picking the right brand name is a pivotal decision for any business. The Broke Backpacker is a memorable name that immediately tells the audience what the site is about. It also has a personal element to it.

This not only helped me establish a strong brand identity but also attracted the right audience from the get-go: people who wanted to go backpacking, but were pretty broke.

Back in the day, 10 years ago when I first started this blog, there was hardly any content online about traveling on an extreme budget. Indeed, most travel blogs talked about traveling on a budget of $50 a day (so $1500 a month) after flights. This was way more money than I ever had access to and I’m glad, as it pushed me down a different path. Ultimately, I saw a sizable gap in the market.

By aligning my domain name with my niche, I positioned myself early on as a trusted resource in the budget travel space, drawing in readers who resonated with my content and message.

2. Embarking on crazy adventures

One of the game-changing decisions I made was to embark on extraordinary adventures that captured the attention of both readers and the media.

I explored and covered off-the-beaten-path destinations like Venezuela when not many were doing it—especially with the same level of detailed, raw coverage that I brought to the game. Some of my photos in Venezuela went viral and this was a crucial moment for me.

By undertaking epic journeys like embarking on an attempt to travel from the UK to Papua New Guinea overland, I managed to attract the attention of powerful media like the BBC and The Daily Mail , scoring the first powerful backlinks that helped ramp up The Broke Backpacker’ s value in Google’s eyes and helped me build some more monthly traffic.

I also documented my adventures on Snapchat, taking my audience with me as I hitchhiked across Iran, hiked deep into the Pakistani Himalayas, and drove a rickshaw all around India. I was raw and real in my videos, often enjoying a cheeky smoke on camera and always trying to tell it how it is.

The exposure and credibility gained through these adventures propelled my blog's visibility and opened doors to new opportunities.

3. Launching expeditions to Pakistan

Photo courtesy: Will Hatton

In 2015, I visited Pakistan for the first time. I was broke (big time) and I covered everything on my Snapchat. I was the first blogger to do this, and the first in Pakistan for a LONG time. My audience was stoked to see this misunderstood part of the world.

I went back there a second time in 2016. I turned to my audience on Snapchat and asked if folks would be interested in seeing this amazing country with me as their guide.

I put up a PayPal link to secure deposits and overnight it sold out. I suddenly had $6000 (12 x $500 deposits) in the bank, which I immediately spent on trying to grow The Broke Backpacker, reasoning that I had six months before I led the first tour and therefore time to make it back.

It was a pretty big risk but…I made it work.

4. Being authentic

Authenticity pays off, and it has been a cornerstone of my success.

I made the conscious decision to openly talk about topics that are often considered taboo, such as drug use and things that real people do in the real world. I felt like travel blogs often hid such things, and I made an effort to always be transparent.

By sharing authentic stories and vulnerabilities, I created a deeper connection with my audience. People related to the raw and unfiltered nature of my content, and this genuine approach built up a lot of trust and loyalty among my readership.

Being authentic and true to my personality allowed me to build a strong community of people who appreciated my transparency and valued the realness I brought to the table.

5. Going ALL in

I think perhaps what separates successful entrepreneurs from those who dream of working for themselves but struggle to make it work is their refusal to give up and their ability to fully commit to a project.

I spent two years in Chiang Mai working 60 to 70 hours a week. During that time, I had to put my travel goals and dreams on hold and focus solely on working tirelessly. It's ironic that in order to be successful in running a travel blog, I had to temporarily step away from the road and dedicate more time to writing posts, designing strategies, organizing standard operating procedures (SOPs), cultivating relationships, and hiring writers. There was so much involved in that stage, and I made numerous sacrifices.

I vividly remember feeling incredibly anxious and worried, often struggling financially to the point where I couldn't afford to eat or do much else. I had traded the freedom, joy, and personal development of being on the road for a desk, where I became my own boss and worked relentlessly. I faced significant internal struggles with self-belief and self-talk, constantly questioning whether all the hard work would pay off.

Throughout it all, I managed to hold on to the belief that it had to work because I had reached a point where I had no other options. I had borrowed money that I could only repay if I succeeded. The pressure on me was immense, but ultimately, it galvanized me to do whatever was necessary to achieve my goals.

6. Building an awesome team and knowing when to outsource

The Broke Backpacker is huge. It has about one million monthly visitors and 3,000 unique posts. Building a team to help me organize and think of projects and bounce ideas around has been crucial to my success.

Every cent I earned along the way, I invested in hiring and expanding my team. Now, I am proud to have an incredible team of broke backpacker adventurer folks—and let me tell you, they do a stellar job at keeping the show running.

Knowing when to outsource tasks allowed me to focus on my strengths and allocate resources effectively. By assembling a team of expert vagabonds, I enhanced the quality of my content, expanded my reach, and freed up valuable time to explore new opportunities.

With them, I’ve managed to build systems that work, develop a ton of standard operating procedures for new hires and projects, and all of that combined has been the foundational force behind the scalability and success of my blog.

Recognize the power of collaboration and the value of expertise. Hire good people, focus on honesty, work ethic, and creative flair over experience. Trust your gut, not everybody can be trusted.

7. Leveraging the power of existing traffic

Over the years, I realized my blog was bringing in considerable traffic to our affiliate partners in the gear space, so I decided to capitalize on that.

I ventured into the world of dropshipping and started designing my own lines of backpacker essentials like hammocks and quick-dry towels under the brand name Active Roots.

This strategic move not only allowed me to diversify my revenue streams but also solidified my brand presence in the travel industry. It was successful for a while until Covid started and made it impossible to sustain, as shipping costs increased by 400%. Sadly, I had to throw in the towel on that business.

But now that the storm has passed, I’m already working on an upgraded version of that business that is aligned with the evolving demands of my audience, including a new line of Broke Backpacker Basics.

8. Going physical

The online world can be very fun, and I’ve dabbled in a lot of interesting business models and creative ways of building an income. Driven by my passion for online entrepreneurship, I recently ventured into creating a physical business that catered to my audience’s evolving needs.

I am passionate about the power of online entrepreneurship to change lives and raise people out of poverty. For a long time, I had dreamed of opening a business that would act as a beacon, a hub, and a muster point for aspiring entrepreneurs and digital nomads to find their tribe, as well as sleep, eat, work, and play.

In 2022, after a few challenging years, we finally managed to open Tribal, Bali’s first custom-built co-working hostel. I’m thrilled to say that we’ve been getting great feedback, and we’re usually full.

This project allowed me to merge my love for travel, community building, and entrepreneurship. Tribal Bali became a hub for like-minded individuals, fostering collaboration and connection among digital nomads, as well as overall just being a kickass place for my nomad folks to get some work done.

9. Being disciplined

Being disciplined is a crucial skill for entrepreneurs and digital nomads to develop. Personally, I found that cultivating discipline was essential in building and managing a successful travel blog.

To achieve this, I focused on staying organized using tools like Google Calendar and Trello. I set clear goals for myself and identified the habits I needed to cultivate in order to reach those goals. I have whiteboards placed throughout my house, displaying various goals, affirmations, and reminders to keep me on track. Each evening, I review my habits and tick off the ones I successfully accomplished during the day.

I also employ a two-phone system to avoid getting too engrossed in my phone and ensure a proper winding down before sleep. The second phone is dedicated to music, audiobooks, and podcasts, devoid of any social media or communication apps. Ultimately, the key is to minimize distractions, maintain focus, and establish goals for each part of the day. I've spent the past 10 years cultivating these practices.

I've also developed a strategy to ensure that every aspect of my blog receives the attention it deserves. I break down all the necessary tasks over a three-month period and chip away at them on a weekly basis, even the ones I may not particularly enjoy. Honesty and self-awareness are important in recognizing both successes and failures.

It can be tempting to spend time on your online businesses’ social media, or endlessly designing a logo, but at the end of the day, there are essential tasks that only you can accomplish—the "big business domino" that needs to be toppled every day.

Cultivating discipline enables you to get things done, especially when faced with challenges. It helps you focus and avoid unnecessary distractions. This skill is paramount for any aspiring entrepreneur.

10. Being patient

During Covid, the site's monthly user count plummeted from 1.5 million to a mere 200,000. Travel-related search traffic took a massive hit as well. Even when looking at it from a percentage standpoint, the revenue generated from the remaining traffic wasn't as expected. While some people continued to search for travel-related terms, bookings for hostels and purchases of gear were virtually non-existent.

The entire world was in a state of anxiety and uncertainty.

In such circumstances, there was no choice but to double down and fully commit. We utilized that time to rebuild the site, making it faster, leaner, sexier, and smoother. Previously, it had become a Frankenstein-like creation, initially designed by me and later worked on by various developers who never communicated with each other.

Over a six-month period, we rebuilt it from the ground up. We also expanded our team of writers, focused on revamping different content series, and updated older posts. Fortunately, our efforts paid off, but it was undeniably a nerve-wracking experience to double down when everything seemed to be falling apart.

I firmly believe that if you aspire to succeed and create something remarkable, you have to go ALL in.

FAQs about creating a travel blog

How can i monetize my travel blog.

Display ads are a good way to start generating income, though they might deter some readers. My suggestion is to start by joining affiliate programs for brands you love and find ways to plug them as hard (and as softly) as you can.

Is travel blogger a good career?

Starting a travel blog can be an extremely rewarding career, though you really have to be passionate, patient, and persistent. With the right mindset, ahead of you await plenty of travel, income, and creative expression opportunities.

What should I include in my travel blog?

Start by asking yourself what is your speciality or travel superpower. Finding the right niche is more effective than going broad. Perhaps you know a specific destination/region better than anyone, or a style of travel. Start there, study the competition, and create something better.

About the Author

Post by: Will Hatton

Will Hatton is the man behind The Broke Backpacker travel blog. For many years, he journeyed to far-flung lands all over the world on just $10 per day. Today, his site is the ultimate resource for aspiring adventurers looking to ditch their desks and hit the road in search of raw, real, and meaningful adventures.

Company: The Broke Backpacker

Website: www.thebrokebackpacker.com

Connect with me on LinkedIn and Instagram .