bitten travel bug meaning

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The Travel Bug Idiom Meaning, Usage With Example, Synonyms

• Updated on  
• Aug 11, 2023

The travel bug idiom refers to a person with a strong desire to travel and explore new places. It’s a metaphorical term to describe the feeling of wanderlust, or the urge to travel and learn about different cultures, enjoy the picturesque scenery and engage in outdoor activities.

People termed as a ‘travel bug’ often feel a sense of restlessness and excitement when they haven’t been to new places in a long time. It’s a way of describing the psychological and emotional attachment to travelling and tourism.

Also read – Brainstorm Meaning

Usage With Example

‘The travel bug’ phrase can be used in different ways to describe a person who loves to travel. To understand where this term can be used appropriately, here are some examples which you can consider.

• ‘Ever since he went on the Europe tour, he’s had the travel bug and now he can’t stop planning his next trip.’
• ‘My father is saving money to satisfy his travel bug by going on an all-India trip.’
• ‘He had the travel bug for months now and he constantly browses travel websites and is dreaming of exploring different places.’
• ‘Once you catch the travel bug, it will be very difficult to stay in one place for a long time.’
• ‘Thanks to my grandparents because of whom I’ve been bitten by the travel bug: they used to take me to different places every season.’

The Travel Bug Idiom Synonyms

The idiom ‘travel bug’ has a lot of similar words and synonyms that can be used in different ways and aspects. Here are some similar terms to this idiom that you can consider.

• Desire to travel
• Longing to travel

Also read – Strike While the Iron is Hot Meaning

The Travel Bug Idiom Quiz

After completing his education abroad, Anurag returned home with a travel bug and now

• Wants to explore different places
• Tired of travelling
• Wants to spend time with family and friends.

Ans. Wants to explore different places

Also read – Fever Pitch Meaning

This was all about the travel bug idiom meaning and examples. Hope you understood the concept where it’s used. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

Shiva is a professional content writer with an experience of 2 years. Most of his content is focused on helping students with their education and future plans. In his spare time, Shiva enjoys reading biographies and real-life stories.

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10 Signs You Have Been Bitten by the Travel Bug

Have You Been Bitten By the Travel Bug?

The famous travel quote by Michael Palin says:

“Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote. And I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life”

I have always liked this quote, probably because I have always loved traveling.

That desire to explore the unknown , to visit the places you’ve read about or saw on tv… To learn about new cultures, taste new food… Yes, I have the travel bug! 🙂

10 Signs That Show You Have Caught the Travel Bug

1. you don’t understand why other people save money to spend on material things.

When you save money it’s for traveling.

You probably, like me, believe experiences are much more valuable than possessions. And what better way to experience new things than by traveling somewhere?

Also Read: 10 Reasons to Travel the World and How to Save Money While Traveling

2. You Both Love and Hate Airports

The airport has become the place where you say goodbye to loved ones but it’s also the place where new adventures begin…

The travel bug may take you away from people to chase after new adventures. But most of the time you will find that well worth it.

3. You Have Long Stopped Counting the Number of Times You Slept at Airports

A long layover? A delayed flight?

If you have been bitten by the travel bug you have probably spent A LOT of time at airports!

Also Read: Things to Do During a Layover

4. You Have Taken This Picture Many Times

I LOVE window seats and yes, I therefore often take a picture of the view while traveling to my next destination.

There is something magical about flying above the clouds. And about looking at the world from up above. It makes me feel small and it makes my problems seem insignificant.

5. You Love Your Passport Because of All the Cool Stamps It Has

Do you ever go through your passport, and look at all the stamps you have collected to reminisce past trips?

Or go through other people’s passports to hear the stories behind all their stamps? I can listen to those stories for hours!

6. You Have a Box Filled With Currency From Around the World

If you are anything like me you always save some money from the countries you have visited.

By now I have a big box with coins and bills from all over the world. Which, again, is a great way to reminisce past trips on a rainy day.

7. You Are Constantly Daydreaming of Where You Can Go Next

When you hear someone talking about traveling or see some Instagram pictures of idyllic destinations your travel bug is easily triggered and you are off dreaming about your next travel destination.

Also Read: Where to Travel to Next – Travel Inspiration From Instagram

8. Your Bucket List Never Seems to Get Shorter

There is always a new destination to add to your bucket list.

So instead of getting shorter, it seems like your bucket list is only ever getting longer!

Also Read: Incredible Bucket List Destinations For a Once in a Lifetime Trip

9. You Love Being Immersed in Different Cultures

A large part of the excitement of traveling is in exploring new cultures.

Learning about how other people live, what their culture is like and how that differs from yours is one of the most valuable parts of traveling.

10. WhatsApp Is Your Default Form of Communication

If you have been bitten by the travel bug you probably have friends all over the world.

And the best way to communicate with friends on the other side of the world is via WhatsApp. So by now, you are probably very familiar with this app!

What Does ‘Travel Bug’ Mean?

Simply put: people bitten by the travel bug have a passion for travel and like to visit new places .

Or, more formally, according to the Macmillan Dictionary :

Travel bug meaning: A strong desire to travel across the world

Did you catch the travel bug yet?

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• Why Should You Travel?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor and catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

– Mark Twain

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Idioms Meaning

Travel Bug is an informal expression used to describe someone who is constantly traveling or craving to be on the move. It is used to refer to someone with a strong desire to visit new places and explore the world.

My sister has a serious travel bug and is always planning her next trip.

I don’t think I’ll ever get over my travel bug, I just love to explore new places.

I got the travel bug after my first big trip overseas.

He’s been bitten by the travel bug and is always looking for his next destination.

My friend is always talking about her travel bug, she just loves to explore.

The first use of the phrase ‘travel bug’ is believed to have originated in the late 19th century, however its exact origin is still unknown.

Q: What does it mean to have a travel bug? A: It means to have a strong interest in travelling and exploring the world. Q: Is the phrase ‘travel bug’ commonly used? A: Yes, it is a commonly used phrase and is used to refer to someone with a strong desire to travel.

The Travel Bug

Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can’t wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. “Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries,” they say.

Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth- Antarctica.

Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.

Questions and Answers Choose True or False. Check your answers at the bottom of the page by clicking on the arrow.

1. To be  bitten by the travel bug  means you like to stay home.

 True  False

2. People bitten by the travel bug like to visit new places.

3. The great outback is in Europe.

4. Antarctica is in Africa.

5. Asia is vast.

6. Traveling opens your mind.

7. Traveling makes you feel alive.

8. Traveling helps you see things in a new way.

          Answers         1. F, 2. T, 3. F, 4. F, 5. T, 6. T, 7. T, 8. T         

Distance Out

Tales of a hipster traveller

What it Really Means to Get Bitten by the Travel Bug

The reference to getting bitten by the travel bug is used rather loosely these days, perhaps mostly because of the fact that there are about a million and more travel bloggers and even more travel-related websites. Most of these only exist out of someone’s desire to make money out of them and while there’s nothing wrong with making money out of writing about something you truly love, it kind of loses its flavour when the writer’s heart is not in it.

In fact, most of us who love to travel for prolonged periods (and would perhaps be on the road permanently, if it was at all possible) would love to live that dream of having something like your blog generate you money so that you can go about your business of completely enjoying your travels. Anyway, going back to the travel bug mantra — what does it really mean to get bitten by the travel bug?

It certainly isn’t what it’s usually mistaken for, which is harbouring a desire to have a complete lifestyle change, unless of course that new lifestyle you yearn for is one which will see you on the road the for longer than you aren’t. It certainly isn’t looking forward to that one or a couple of holidays you take per year to recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul.

No. These just make up but a tiny fraction of what it means to get bitten by the travel bug. When you’ve been bitten by the travel bug, a whole lot of things about your life come into perspective. Some of the things which you thought were really important to you suddenly send you into quite the frenzy, having you question just what on earth you’ve been doing with all your time, all this time.

You become consumed by an overwhelming desire to effectively eat up the world — to explore every single nook and cranny that you can manage to make your way to, even those which aren’t featured on Google Maps. Nothing much matters but your growing desire to book that next plane ticket, and if you can help it, be gone for a while to come. Some of those memes doing the rounds you see every now and then suddenly become so relatable that you might as well have been their author– Memes like “if travelling was free, you’d never see me again!”

Eleutheromania is real and is a direct effect of having been bitten by the travel bug, with some seriously itchy feet developing as a symptom.

A lot more people than you might even be aware of have been bitten by the travel bug, many of whom pick the bug up while on a trip they perhaps didn’t even plan in the first place. You might have been deployed by the company you work for and upon finishing whatever task it is you were mandated to do, you have some free time to explore your destination. This is one of those instances of getting bitten by the travel bug when you go back to your regular life and you’re just never the same again.

Now, this is where it gets real because there are people whose travel bug bite is so potent that they just find a way to make it happen. These people mostly assume the form of backpackers who disassociate travelling with the generalised perception surrounding it, that being luxury and comfort. Backpackers just find a way to make it happen, even if it means the most expensive part of their trip is their plane ticket, because getting bitten by the travel bug completely changes you.

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bitten by the (activity) bug

Definition of bitten by the (activity) bug

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Cite this Entry

“Bitten by the (activity) bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bitten%20by%20the%20%28activity%29%20bug. Accessed 12 Apr. 2024.

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• Sep 11, 2022

Travel Bug, what it is and when you know you have it

Ever felt anxious not having any flights booked? Some of you might have heard about ‘catching the Travel Bug’ or the ‘feeling of wanderlust’ but what are they exactly?

What is the Travel Bug

Every single trip we take in life has an enormous power of changing us. If you are a travel lover like me, you will likely get back to your home town, with your usual routine, with the same people around you and the ‘fake freedom’ you initially think you have in your life, and realise how much happier, free and especially alive you felt while being on the other side of the world.

Picture this: You have just come back from a long trip, you saw new places, met new people, cultures, you were able to experience things you could have never imagined and every single day was a challenging adventure. You are now back home, tired but happy with your mind full of amazing memories that will forever have a special place in your heart. You remember the sense of freedom and excitement you felt while away, so you close your eyes and start daydreaming but suddenly a sense of anxiety starts to grow inside of you and you feel the need to book a new trip straight away and escape once again from your everyday life. Does it sound familiar to you? Result: Well… you caught the Travel Bug!

The term Wanderlust and why you catch the Travel Bug

The official definition of the German term ‘Wanderlust’ translates as:

‘ a strong desire to travel’, or ‘a man/woman consumed by wanderlust ’.

Although, it is much more complex than that. All of those who feel fulfilled with travelling and are on a constant search for new challenges and adventures, will sooner or later catch the Travel Bug, there is no way to escape it and it’s also highly contagious! Of course everyone enjoys a good holiday and some time away from work but for those who caught the Travel Bug, travelling literally becomes part of their everyday life. It’s their drive and inspiration for everything they do. When you are a traveller (not a tourist, there is a huge difference) you are always a traveller, every single minute of your life.

However, this sense of Wanderlust and therefore the love and insatiable need for travel and adventure might also emerge or more specifically be triggered, not only due to the love for travel, yet also from other aspects of our life. A good amount of full time travellers for example, decided to leave everything behind and travel the world after a big event in their life.

The sense of frustration that some have of everyday life, a relationship that doesn’t make you happy as it should, but also due to the ‘boredom’ of western societies, the life ideologies and milestones that we are kind of ‘forced’ to achieve since birth such as finishing school, getting a degree, finding a good job, getting a partner, getting married, having kids are simply not for all of us (and by the way you can do all of those things while travelling as well if you really want it!). Just because one wants to do things differently than the rest of society, it doesn’t mean that that person is wrong and others are right or vice versa, it simply means that what makes that person happy might not be a happy place for someone else. Happiness comes in different forms and colours and for those who caught the Travel Bug, happiness is exploring the amazing world we live in, every single corner and shape of it.

How long does it last

There is just one straight forward answer to that. Once you get it that’s the end. There is no turning back and no way to get rid of it. It’s simply FOREVER! You get it, you're screwed!

How I caught mine

For me, it was another usual day in cold and rainy London back in 2015 when me and two friends decided that we wanted to visit Thailand. Before that trip I had already been to a few countries around Europe, yet that would have been my very first long trip and international flight. A huge Airbus was waiting for us at Heathrow Airport ready to take us all the way to Bangkok. Well, that trip had the power to change me. The level of excitement when arriving in Bangkok was out of this world and since the very first day everything I saw, learned and experienced in that country changed me and my approach to travel forever. That trip was my transition from a tourist to a real traveller! We spent over two and a half amazing weeks exploring the crazy streets of Bangkok, the beautiful island of Phuket, and the paradisiac nature and beaches of Phi Phi and The Similans. Maybe it was the kindness of Thai people, the amazing nature, the thought of knowing that being so far away from home in a country where most things we are used to in western societies are so different, but I was certain that I have never felt more alive! I was free, curious, fearless, amazed, excited and felt a sense of happiness that I had never experienced before. Once back to London I could not resist. My heart was telling me to start looking for my next adventure right away! Being caught again in everyday life made me realise that routine was not for me. I needed to be on the move, explore new countries, cultures, talk to people I never met, challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone to see what I was really capable of. Well, since that moment I knew it. I had caught it, the Travel Bug and feeling of wanderlust would have never abandoned me again!

How to deal with it

It sounds crazy but for some the desire to travel might be so strong that a constant sense of anxiety and depressive feelings might arise. The reason why I’m saying it it’s because I experienced it on my own skin. The pandemic was a jail I could not escape from. When I heard the news on TV that Airports were being shut down due to the virus and I could not travel or go and see the rest of my family back home for God knows how long, it was unbearable! The sense of Wanderlust kept growing more and more every day…

I believe that there is no straight forward answer on how to deal with your sense of Wanderlust, and if there is it might be a different one for all of us. Many start to look at ways that will allow them to work remotely to be able to travel the world full time, some try to manage their holiday at work as best as they can, while others decide to momentarily, please their sense of wanderlust by taking a sabbatical year in South-east Asia… Personally, as I’m currently still working full time. I feel lucky to have a job that allows me to take short breaks every month, as well as longer trips (usually not more than two weeks) at least two to three times a year. Therefore, I manage to satisfy my desire to travel looking forward to my next trip. If you are in full time employment but caught the travel bug, spend your time planning your next trip, watch travel vlog, read about the places you want to visit and get ready for your new adventure. Trust me it helps! And most importantly, don’t be one of those people who think that travelling full time is impossible. It is, and thousands are doing it right now, especially with the popularity that smart working has gained after the pandemic. Look for a way that will allow you to leave everything behind, be free and travel the world the way you want to.

Time is the most precious thing we have in life and it should not be wasted living a life you don’t feel as yours!

However, with such ideas in mind, I perfectly understand that many people might think that you are a weirdo, that you should stop dreaming and get back to planet earth. So if you are one of those lucky people, who like me, caught the Travel Bug, you might feel lonely in your own world sometimes but promise yourself not to ever give up on your dream, no matter how crazy they sound!

If you need a bit of a push, have a look at one of my related blog post here or at the bottom of this page .

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What Does Bitten by the Same Bug Mean?

Home » Phrase and Idiom Dictionary » What Does Bitten by the Same Bug Mean?

Bitten By the Same Bug Meaning

Definition:   Having the same interest or passion.

People who are bitten by the same bug have developed a shared interest. To be bitten by the bug refers to developing an interest in something, as when someone says,

• I have been bitten by the dancing bug.
• The running bug has bitten me.

Therefore, if two people have been bitten by the same bug , they are sharing an interest in something.

Usually, people will say this phrase either if they have recently developed a passion together or if they have been working on their passion for a very long time.

Origin of Bitten By the Same Bug

For example, a mosquito bite will spread itchiness and bumps (and sometimes worse bacterial infections). Everyone living in an area infested with mosquitoes will have similar skin reactions because they have been bitten by the same bug.

Likewise, the idiom bitten by the same bug means that people are having similar symptoms – not of a disease, but of a hobby. In this case, being bitten by a “bug” is a good thing!

Examples of Bitten by the Same Bug

 Other hobbies may have different symptoms. For example, people who have recently been bitten by the same bug and want to try cooking more often will be grocery shopping and looking up recipes more often!

People may also use this phrase to refer to how they first started with a hobby. Two women who have been quilting for fifty years may say, “back in our twenties, we were both bitten by the same bug, and we started to collect fabric. Now we have been quilting for decades!”

More Examples

• Seemingly bitten by the same bug, Jake, 39, established his own design studio in London in 2004. – New York Times
• He got his flight instructor’s license after the war, and I got bitten by the same bug, building model airplanes and learning about military aviation. – Chicago Tribune

People who are bitten by the same bug have the same interests or hobbies.

Getting Bitten by the Travel Bug and Why That's OK

There’s absolutely no cure for being bitten by the travel bug, and that’s ok, because in this article you’ll discover 9 major positives that come from travelling regularly, from massive self-development and new perspectives to the thrill of exploration and discovery, and meeting others with the same passion for adventure!

Do you love reading travel blogs and can’t wait for the travel blog subscription emails to arrive in your inbox? Secretly love watching Michael Palin? Tell travel stories nonstop from your last Euro trip? There’s no known antidote to this phenomenon, I’m afraid. The travel bug will always bite curious minds.

It All Started with Family Holidays

I must have somehow been bitten by the travel bug at a very young age. Growing up I always enjoyed family holidays to Europe and parts of my home country. I got just as excited as a child as I do now.

I especially loved the holidays in warmer climates. In fact my first was when I was 15 years old, visiting Majorca for two weeks in the summer. It was a standard British all-inclusive holiday at one of the 100s of hotels on the Spanish island.

It wasn’t exactly a cultural experience since we didn’t spend much time outside of the hotel and resort, but it definitely made a big impression on me.

I loved the intense Spanish heat, the swaying palm trees, the long golden beaches, and unfamiliar brands. We were only a two-hour flight from home but I felt so much further away.

I loved the feeling of being somewhere totally different from over-familiar grey England.

I was Always Obsessed with Far Away Culture

I hadn’t been before but the USA was so luring to me as a child. Most kids I grew up with were passionate Football fans but not me.

While my mates were watching and playing Football and other English sports, I was doing the same with US sports like Basketball and Baseball.

As a teenager, I wasn’t fond of the UK music scene. At that time it was mostly Indie and Brit Pop but their whiny Northern voices bored me to death.

Instead, I was listening to US rock bands and hip-hop artists whose lyrics about their lives were so far away from my own but I was so fascinated.

I was also obsessed with nature documentaries from all over the world. My Grandparents used to videotape as many as they could for me and I was always happy to sit and watch them for hours.

Elephants in Africa, Tigers in India, Monkeys in the Amazon, I wanted to see them all!

I was clearly a child, a teenager, and then an adult who was keen to explore other parts of the world outside of my comfortable British life. But had I actually been bitten by the travel bug? 

Then Along Came Shelley

I met Shelley, now my wife, who shared the same travel interests and outlook on life. She seemed to have the symptoms of being bitten by the travel bug too.

We both wanted to travel together so a year’s working holiday in Australia seemed the best option for us. However, we had only just graduated so we had no cash to fund any kind of trip like that.

So we spent a year renting together and working hard to save for flights to Australia. To satisfy the travel bug urges during that year of hard saving we even took a cheap trip to Turkey (this is what happens when you consistently check flight prices, looking for travel deals!)

We needed a dose of something to keep us going. We couldn’t even wait just a few months. A clear symptom of two people who had maybe been bitten by the travel bug.

Then came Summer. Flight tickets in our pockets, working holiday visas in our passports, and enough cash to last a few weeks to get us settled and working in Australia.

This was to be our first backpacking experience and we couldn’t wait!

The Year in Australia

We landed in Brisbane where we spent the first few months working and saving. I remember our first morning in Australia, sitting on a bench in Brisbane’s botanical gardens.

We both looked at each other with ‘ what have we done ‘ expressions on our faces and started crying. It was a big deal to us back then.

We were in our very early twenties, on the opposite side of the world from our family and friends. With nowhere to live and no job.

But we needn’t have worried because it was one of the best years of our lives. We easily found work in both Brisbane and Sydney.

So while renting cheaply we could save to fund lengthy trips around many parts of Australia. We even travelled through Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand on the way home.

I also remember the day it all ended and we landed back in London. Again we looked at each other with ‘ what have we done ‘ expressions on our faces and again started crying.

What a pair! We were so sad that the trip had ended. We had serious withdrawal symptoms! Both of us knew that what we had just accomplished was just the start of a new type of life for us.

We had well and truly been bitten by the travel bug.

It’s Referred to as Being ‘ Bitten by the Travel Bug’ for a Reason

In most cases, the travel bug infects you and will never let you go for your entire life. We’ve been infected for at least 10 years and the symptoms are just as strong now as they were from the start. Probably stronger!

We’ve come to terms with the fact that we now have to live with it. We think about travelling every single day.

Plan our lives around our trips and make constant sacrifices in order to cure our symptoms. To live our lives the way we want to.

But we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re glad we’ve been bitten by the travel bug. And here’s why.

1. We Get to Experience New Cultures

Too many people play it safe when choosing where to go on their next holiday. A lot of British people seem to think that the only place to holiday is on the same Spanish beach resort or similar.

Somewhere they’ve probably already been to year after year. They’ll book an all-inclusive hotel where they’ll eat the same British food they eat at home.

Socialise with only British people and never leave the premises to explore what else the country they have visited has to offer.

These people have not been bitten by the travel bug. Even if they think they have. 

10 years ago I would have been happy to go to a Spanish all-inclusive beach resort but now I couldn’t think of anything worse.

Getting bitten by the travel bug has made us realise that there’s a whole interesting and incredible world out there to see.

2. The Travel Bug Encourages Us to Think Outside the Box

We try new destinations and experience new cultures. For us, there’s nothing more exciting than landing in a country like Bolivia, India or Cambodia. Somewhere that’s the polar opposite of home in every way.

While for some the familiar is the only way to holiday but for us, it’s all about the unfamiliar. The feeling of arriving at a new destination and not knowing what to expect is so exhilarating.

Not knowing what we’ll see around every corner. What type of landscape we’ll come across, the kind of people we’ll meet, and what type of food we’ll eat.

We crave this because we’ve been bitten by the travel bug.      

3. We Get to Devour New Taste Sensations

Before we started travelling, food was not a big part of our lives. Sure we enjoyed food but not anywhere near the same level as we do now.

The travel bug has taken us to some interesting parts of the world where there are all kinds of amazing foods to try.  

There’s nothing better than visiting a country and discovering new dishes we’ve never tasted or even heard of before. Food that’s been cooked by real locals in the traditional way.

Browsing bustling food markets, smelling tempting street carts, being invited to dinner in someone’s home, and stopping off on the roadside to find the unexpected are all part of the food experience on a trip.

Food has now become such a huge part of our enjoyment while on the road.

However, there are some foods that we won’t be trying –  10 Strange Foods From Around The World That We Won’t Be Trying On Our Travels

4. We Get to Make Like-Minded Friends Who Have Also Been Bitten by the Travel Bug

Getting bitten by the travel bug has taken us all over the world and we have made some great friends along the way.

Sometimes these friendships only last a few days, enjoying their company while you’re in the same city or whatever. But sometimes they can last for years.

When you really get on with someone and make that extra effort to stay in touch.

The popular choice of accommodation for travellers is the hostel. Hostels are most of the time very friendly places to stay.

There’s something about staying in a hostel that makes you more sociable than you would be if you stayed anywhere else.

Hostels also have lots of communal spaces such as a shared kitchen, lounge, or bar. So you are constantly around other people.

The assumption in most hostels is that everyone else is a like-minded traveller.

This makes it easier to start a conversation with an individual or group and there’s a better chance that you’ll have lots in common and a genuine interest in each other’s lives.

There’s a lot you can share with people who share your passions – from shared inspirational travel images, making rough itineraries for the future based on other people’s experiences, where to find a killer backpack, or the best phone for travel in whatever country you’re in, as well as the best hotel deals or new airline deals to save you money.

Back home I have lost count of the amount of empty conversions I’ve had when meeting new people. I’ll always be polite and ask them questions to show some genuine interest.

They’ll happily tell me all about themselves but it’s often never reciprocated. In our experience, this is far less likely to happen when meeting a fellow travel addict on or off the road.

5. We Don’t Make Friends with Just Other Travellers

We’ve met some amazing local people from all over the world. Whether it be an owner of a guest house, a tour guide, or just someone you happen to start talking with on the train or bus.

Lots of other cultures are so open and welcoming beyond belief. Someone you’ve just met for the first time will invite you to their home for dinner. Another will invite you to their friend’s birthday party or invite you on their own birthday trip the following weekend.

It can be fascinating to talk to locals who are from a totally different part of the world from you. Learning about their cultures, their way of life, and their country’s history.

Travel is for us, one of the most magical love stories.

6. We Get to Improve Our Self-development

Saying that long-term travel develops a person is a bit of a cliche but I think it’s true. Travel has changed us in many ways and we feel for the better.

When I was a younger traveller fresh out of University and heading to the other side of the world, the experience was a massive learning curve in being responsible and self-sufficient.

Shelley and I had to make a life for ourselves in a foreign land by finding work and a place to live. Then budgeted our spending in order to make our trip last for a whole year. 

We would not have had the same learning experience at that age if we hadn’t taken that first epic trip.

We’ve become a bit of an expert on budgeting. Both during and pre-trip. This also helps us in other aspects of our lives like when we were saving for a deposit to buy our little London flat.

We’ve even written this post on how to save money so do check it out if you need help.

7. We Get a Different Perspective on Life

Western society has become obsessed with material possessions -nice cars, big houses, the latest mobile phone, and the best curve-screened television!

They feel these things will make them happy and some will overwork themselves in a job they hate in order to afford them. Do these superficial things really make them happy?

You’ll have to ask them.  We’re strong believers in spending money on experiences over possessions . Another symptom of what happens to you when the travel bug bites.

Traveling to poorer communities around the world makes you realise that none of the above is important.

People get by with very basic possessions and in most cases are still very happy. Their family and friends are what’s most important.

8. It’s Made us Extremely Grateful for what we have

It makes us realise how lucky we are to be born in a country like England. We don’t take things for granted that many other people do.

Our national health system for example. Even simple things like unlimited clean running water.

If you think about it it’s crazy to have access to as much clean water as we want when there are millions of people around the world who don’t even have that.

It sometimes blows me away that I have this plastic card in my wallet which I can stick into a wall, press a few buttons, and out comes some cash.

I know I work hard for that cash but there are people out there who work just as hard or even harder and still can’t afford to feed their families or put a roof over their heads.

You can read more about how travel changes you as a person here.

9. It’s Still Developing us as People Today

We’re learning new languages, and volunteering to help those less fortunate and I’m currently exploring ways in which Shelley and I can earn a living without being location-dependent.

Along the way, we’ll both be learning new skills which will hopefully enable us to live forever a life of travelling. We’re happily infected by the travel bug.

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Example sentences bitten by the bug

Once bitten by the bug , the couple certainly did their homework, visiting historic gardens and reading widely.

I was bitten by the bug .

He has been bitten by the bug .

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Bug and insect idioms and expressions

Idioms with animals.

• Idioms and Expressions
• Bug and insect idioms and…

bug and insect idioms and expressions

What are bugs and insects, idioms and expressions about bugs and insects, bee meaning, have a bee in one’s bonnet, make a beeline for someone/something, the bee’s knees, the birds and the bees, bug definition, as snug as a bug in a rug, don’t let the bed bugs bite, have the travel bug, butterfly definition, have butterflies in one’s stomach, social butterfly, fly definition, drop like flies, fly on the wall, wouldn’t hurt a fly, worm definition, open a can of worms, the worm has turned, worm one’s way out of.

Who is ready to learn the most common bug and insect idioms and expressions we have in English? Before we begin, let’s find out exactly what we mean by ‘bugs’ and ‘insects’.

First things first, you all know what insects are right? If not, I’ll tell you…

Insects are very small creatures that usually have 6 legs and wings. They can be classed as ‘pests’ (think mosquito).

There are many idiomatic expressions (idioms) about bugs and insects. Are you ready to take a look?

Scroll down for a list of common idioms and expressions with different types of insects. Each idiom includes the meaning and example. Keep scrolling to see the idiom with a real-life picture example.

Click here to find out the meaning of idiomatic/idiom (if you’re unsure)

A bee or a bumblebee as they are sometimes called is a flying insect that makes honey. Bees aren’t aggressive and will only sting you if they feel threatened. The mean ones are called wasps and hornets. They are a similar but bigger and angrier.

bee idioms and sayings list

meaning – an active and busy person example – Gary never stops, he’s such a busy bee.

meaning – be obsessed with something example – Leah has a bee in her bonnet about starting her own business.

meaning – go directly towards someone/something example – I made a beeline for the free bar as soon as it opened.

meaning – the best example – I’ve treated myself to a new computer, it’s the bee’s knees.

meaning – sex education example – My dad is talking to my little brother about the birds and the bees.

A bug is a general term for a small insect. e.g.

• Help, there is a bug in my bedroom.
• We need some pesticide; these little red bugs are eating my cabbages.

There is actually a good kid’s film called ‘ A bug’s life ‘ which can teach you the names of some common bugs. Children’s films are great for improving your English as the plot and the dialogue is fairly easy to understand.

bug idioms and phrases list

meaning – warm/cosy/comfortable example – Let’s go home, get as snug as a bug and watch some films.

meaning – wishing someone a good night’s sleep example – It’s past your bed time, go upstairs now. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

meaning – have a strong desire/an urge to travel example – I’ve had the travel bug for 10 years. I don’t think I’ll ever stop travelling.

A butterfly is a beautiful flying insect with colourful wings which sucks nectar from plants. A butterfly starts its life as a caterpillar until it forms a chrysalis and emerges as a butterfly.

I’ve always thought they should have been called a flutterby, as they daintily flutter by you.

Similar to a butterfly is a moth however they tend to come out at night and are not colourful more grey and brown colours.

butterfly idioms and expressions list

meaning – your stomach feels funny because you are scared, nervous, anxious etc. example – I had butterflies this morning, but they went just before the exam.

meaning – a person who is sociable and friendly with everyone example – Corey used to be a social butterfly, now he’s a recluse.

A fly is an insect with 1 pair of wings and compound eyes. They come in different sizes but are all annoying in my opinion (especially the ones that bite!).

Flies start their lives as maggots (a disgusting worm-like creature). Flies lay their eggs on rotting flesh; the maggots are born, and they pupate and emerge as flies.

If you like old school films…there’s a good one from the 80’s called ‘ The Fly ‘ about a guy who gets bitten by a fly, then turns into one.

fly idioms and expressions list

meaning – people are dying, leaving, stopping an activity in large numbers example – I’ve had three friends die in the last month. They are dropping like flies.

meaning – you would like to hear what is happening without being noticed example – Marty is in trouble with his girl. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when she gets her hands on him.

meaning – a gentle, peaceful person or thing example – My dog barks a lot, but she wouldn’t hurt a fly.

A worm is a long snake-like creature with no bones or limbs. They usually live in the soil however they can also live inside humans and animals as a parasite, yuck!

Did you know that ‘worm’ is also a verb ( a regular verb )? It means to wriggle and crawl your way into or out of something.

worm idioms and expressions list

meaning – a person who loves reading example – My mum has always been a bookworm, she’s always got her head in a book.

meaning – do/say something that will cause more trouble than it’s worth example – If the owner’s unqualified daughter gets the promotion, it will open a can of worms.

meaning – someone retaliates against the person who has treated them badly example – He treats her like shit. One day the worm will turn.

meaning – give clever reasons to avoid doing something example – We’ve wormed our way out of working this weekend, so we can come to the beach.

If you enjoyed learning about bug and insect idioms and expressions, why not click the buttons below to discover more picture idioms about animals.

Bitten By the Travel Bug: A Story of Wanderlust

I’ve definitely been bitten by the travel bug. I can’t say for sure when the signs or symptoms occurred, but I do know that for most of my life I’ve been struck by urges to see other places, sometimes distant and remote ones.

What is the lure of travel? Why has it occupied such an important place in my life?

There is of course the excitement of seeing new places, the adventure of encountering the unfamiliar, the exhilaration of experiencing the wonders and beauties of the world, the escape from quotidian existence. But surely there is more that informs the passion for traveling. What is the source of this periodic desire to pick up belongings and forego the comforts of home to become a nomad? I recently gained an insight about the answer to this question.

My mother passed away several years ago, and I was finally cleaning out her file cabinet, throwing out her old bills and papers. I happened to find a folder marked “My Writings: Do Not Destroy.” To my surprise and delight, the first paper I pulled out was an account she wrote of a dream she had at the age of twelve.

She related that this dream remained with her all her life and had a remarkable impact on her.

In the dream she walked out the back door of her rural home on a beautiful moonlit night and heard orchestral music playing, even though she had never heard music like that before, since her family didn’t even have a radio (the year was 1920). She looked up into the sky and instead of the moon “saw our planet, brilliantly lighted and slowly revolving with every continent in view, separated by blue waters. Stars shown brilliantly around it and the music played on. I gazed in amazement as it slowly disappeared and the dream was over.”

She reported that following that dream, geography and history were her favorite subjects in school and that she always wanted to travel but was unable to do so until later in her life, when she had the time and resources.

My mother’s dream took place the year her mother died. I imagine that the dream came to her at a time when she needed something to sustain her through her enormous and painful loss. In it a new world, in fact the whole world, opened up to her and changed her life forever.

New agers might say that she was tapping into a global consciousness; the ancients might say she was hearing the music of the spheres.

No matter how one might interpret her dream, it is unmistakably beautiful and profoundly spiritual. It engendered in her the passion for travel.

When my mother was in her mid-sixties, and her marriage of 42 years had come apart, travel emerged once again as something that helped her cope with, and perhaps transmute, a painful loss. With financial resources available to her, she traveled to every corner of the globe–to every continent and a mind-boggling number of countries. She even went on a 90-day around-the-world tour.

At the end of her life she had on her bedroom wall a map of the world, punctuated by pins marking each place she had visited. It looked like an acupuncturist’s delight. On the wall above her bed she had placed a huge poster of Machu Picchu. Most of the pictures she had were placed in elaborate frames, but the prominently placed poster was just that—a plain poster taped to the wall. The beauty and majesty of that site spoke for itself; no frills were necessary.

Her visit there was, quite literally, a peak experience.

She had a small globe custom-made of gold to wear as a necklace. On it every continent is slightly raised and contains a diamond. My mother took those diamonds from her wedding ring and placed them on that world globe. It represented the transformation that her travels helped her to make after her divorce, a transformation from the personal to the global, which once again helped her to survive emotionally.

I saved that globe as a treasured symbol of what travel meant to my mother.

I keep it in my jewelry box, and I take it out and hold it whenever I want to be reminded of the powerful message it contains about the capacity of travel to transform our lives.

I know I got the travel bug from my mother. Perhaps it came through in my genes, or perhaps it was the result of growing up with her and absorbing her love of travel through osmosis. I’m not sure how I got it, but I did, and my three children somehow got it as well—maybe through their genes, but primarily, I think, because of the influence of their grandmother.

To return to the question of why we travel, beyond the need for such things as excitement and adventure, my mother’s dream gave me a new insight. Her passion for travel, born in that dream, became a major theme in her life.

In her dream she tapped into a dimension of experience that was luminous, beautiful, and awe-inspiring. It motivated and informed her travel experiences.

Her dream enabled me to realize something that I understood on some half-conscious level but could not before articulate, and that is simply that travel feeds the soul, helping us to renew and transform our lives.

READ NEXT :  Does Too Much Travel Make You Jaded?

Susan Foster

What a beautifully written post and a profoundly inspiring story. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

I love this story! It is deeply moving and inspirational. Beautiful writing, Susan!

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What it means to be “Bitten by the Travel Bug”

  What it means to be Bitten by the Travel Bug

Bitten by the Infamous Travel Bug… Has it bitten you yet? If it has, you know it’s life changing. After caving in after so many years of holding back, I’d finally given in and packed it up to go travel the world. What was this insatiable desire to travel? Am I crazy? And why is it that the more places I go, the more new places I add to the list?!? Will it ever end?

My friends, if the travel bug hasn’t bitten you yet, be prepared as it may just bite you in the very near future. Should you get infected and join the rest of us, don’t worry, it’s not all that bad. In fact, once you are bitten, you quickly realize that life has more purpose and rewards you with a passion and desire like no other. You find yourself no longer settling for just two or three weeks of vacation here or there. Oh no… Travel very seriously becomes a part of your life, something that is planned and well accounted for in advance. You decide to shape your life around it. Your work, your career, your travel goals… they all need to be aligned together and in balance. Essentially travel becomes your passion and is what keeps you going. The never ending desire to travel into the unknown, to discover and to explore. To meet new people, experience new cultures, stand in front of majestic landscapes and experience new foods around the world.

In all honesty, it can consume you! But in a good way of course (it all depends on who you ask:) For me, it happened early. With a short 2 month stint backpacking Europe nearly 15 years ago, I was hooked. In the years that followed, I continued on a small trips here and there and but then became more infected and took the only remedy I could come up with by taking a trip around the world and I have forever been changed. Whether good or bad, I desire to travel more and more now and revolve my life and work around travel and surprisingly I live without regret for this unwavering travel bug that lives inside.

Luckily, it’s not a lonely path. Turns out, there many others like me! Those adventurous souls that yearn to discover and experience the world we live in. The ones that keep an ever changing list of places they want to travel to every year and those that want to get the most of the short life we have here on earth. They become your comrades, the people you meet and travel with when on the road and those that you associate best with. Life back home just is never the same again. For a great place to feed your travel bug, check out BucketList.org for new travel ideas and to view others travel dreams…

Have you been bitten by the travel bug? Are you one of us? Care to join us? Share your story….

Where on Earth Am I?

How to live life to the fullest, 51 most inspiring travel quotes, how to live life without regrets.

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What Happens When the Travel Bug Bites?

Many people are completely unaware of the travel bug until it bites them. It usually happens when they go on their first amazing trip, where everything is great and they feel like never going back home again. It doesn’t matter whether they’re traveling with family or friends. If the experience is indeed memorable, they’ll be hooked.

When it happens to you, you’ll instantly know the feeling. All of sudden, all your priorities change and travel becomes the main focus of your life. The more you do it, the better it gets.

Have you been bitten? Do you recognize any of the following symptoms?

You Travel at Every Chance

Do you know that friend that’s always away? They might come back from a week-long trip, but if someone invites them for a weekend away, they say “yes” and don’t even unpack? Well, you’re probably going to become just like that friend!

When traveling truly becomes a priority, it comes before everything. The thrill of exploring a new place and meeting new people is too big to pass. So, if the opportunity arises, you catch it in the blink of an eye and make the most of it.

You’re More Curious About Other Cultures

If before you were vaguely interested in other countries and only really paid attention to your own traditions and values, everything changes when you get bitten. You find yourself more inquisitive, really trying to understand other cultures and their points of view.

You’ll appreciate their religion, habits, and languages. You’ll become more interested in the story of immigrants and slowly appreciate the fact that people have a lot more similarities than differences,

You’re Constantly Looking for Cheap Flights

At the moment, the apps on your mobile home screen and bookmarked pages on your browser are probably related to social media sites, work, school/university, or your hobbies. As soon as the urge to travel frequently sets in, you’ll instead have many flight comparison websites, which you’ll visit daily.

Sometimes, you’ll check the prices to a random destination just to see if it’s expensive or if there’s a promotion going on. You’ll probably know most of the countries your local airport travels to and, in no time, probably visit all of them. Eventually, you’ll know the countries by their airport codes .

You Want to Learn Every Language Possible

It’s really hard for native English speakers to have the motivation to speak other languages. As it stands, English is quickly becoming the world’s lingua franca . As such, you can pretty much speak it everywhere you go.

However, once you start traveling around the globe and hear people speaking French, Spanish, Thai, or Arabic, you’ll get impressed with the different sounds, tones, and expressions. It won’t take long until you feel like learning these languages, so you have a more immersive experience.

You Have Several Trips Planned in Your Head

When traveling becomes the focus of your life, you literally can’t stop thinking about anything else. Because of that, it’s common to have at least five different trips all planned in your head.

You’ll probably have an ambitious long-term trip planned, where you visit many bucket list destinations. You may also have a weekend getaway to a place nearby or a culture-specific trip to do some volunteering or learn the language. The possibilities are endless!

You Worry Less and Less About Material Stuff

Have you noticed that frequent travelers tend to carry very little? Especially the ones on long-term trips. The more you travel, the more you realize you don’t need to take as much stuff you thought you needed. As a result, you often spend your money on experiences, instead of material things.

When you get back home you tend to maintain this behavior and only really buy things that are necessary. So why buy an expensive smartphone or pair of shoes, when you can go on an amazing trip with that money?

You Consume All Types of Travel Content

You’ll quickly find out that the travel bug changes you to your very core. All of a sudden, you’ll find yourself falling in love with travel writing , buying many travel memoirs, and literally becoming an armchair traveler.

But it won’t stop there. You’ll find many travel blogs you identify with, your shelf will be full of travel guides, and before you know it, you’ll have watched all the TV shows and films about travel.

If it smells like adventure, you’ll consume it.

You Wish to Find a Job Where You Can Travel a Lot

Many people choose their careers based on their passions, salary expectations, and family traditions among other reasons. But when you realize your chosen profession might not be entirely travel-friendly, you might freak out a little bit.

That’s one of the reasons remote jobs are on the rise. People want the possibility to travel whenever they feel like without necessarily quitting their jobs. Other people choose professions that traditionally involve travel such as flight attendants, tour guides, or cruise ship crew.

You Think Day-to-Day Life is Boring

It’s not that your life is boring. However, after you have jumped off planes to do skydiving, eaten weird insects, visited amazing temples, and met incredible people, it may feel slightly dull to be back home.

When you look around and see everybody working a lot to pay for their debts and only having roughly two weeks of holidays a year, you immediately decide you don’t want to be part of the rat race. While family and friends might disapprove of this lifestyle, you’ll be making the right choice for yourself.

You Become Part of the Hostel Community

The first time you traveled with your parents, you probably stayed in a nice hotel, camping site, or resort. You probably associated the word “hostel” with a shelter for homeless people and wanted nothing to do with that!

However, as you grow older you understand a hostel is an amazing concept, where travelers stay in dormitories, which in turn makes accommodation a lot cheaper. You tend to meet people from all over the world. Even if you’re not traveling, you can visit local hostels’ bars and still make international friends.

You Go Out to Exotic Restaurants

Do you know someone who always goes to the same restaurants and orders the same dishes every time? Well, you’ll never be like that after you start exploring the world. International cuisine is a big reason people travel to new places.

You’ll find yourself going to the local Thai restaurant just to see if the Pad Thai tastes like the real deal. You might also start visiting new places, such as a Nepalese or African restaurant, to try new and exciting dishes and put them on your bucket list, so you can eventually eat them when you visit the countries.

A Sabbatical is Always on Your Mind

Many people don’t understand how important a sabbatical can be. Even if you love your job and don’t mind working 40 hour weeks, you still need a break to realign and get some new perspectives. It’s not about leaving everything behind, it’s just some time for yourself.

The great thing about a sabbatical is that you’re just putting your life on hold. You will, most likely, return to it. However, in the six months to a year that you stay away, you’ll have the chance to explore the world, reflect on your life choices, and decide if you’re indeed following the right path.

You Explore Your City as a Tourist

The main change that happens in your mind when the travel bug bites is having a constant travel mindset. That is, you don’t have to be traveling to behave like a traveler. So instead of only looking outwards, you tend to fall in love with your city.

You’ll probably be more interested in its history. Even better, the monuments, museums, and parks you always ignored will gain new life. In no time, you’ll become an expert. Then you can take your friends around when they visit.

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Bitten By The Travelbug? Exploring Travel Beyond Boundaries

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Home » Bitten By The Travelbug? Exploring Travel Beyond Boundaries

Global connectivity, fueled by digital innovations and the daring spirit of intrepid explorers, has revolutionized how we perceive the world.

It has shrunk the planet, erasing the limitations imposed by conventional travel norms.

Boundaries no longer confine today’s travelers; instead, they constantly push the limits, venturing into uncharted territories and paving the way for a new travel paradigm.

This article delves into the unleashed wanderlust when bitten by the travel bug that drives contemporary voyagers, exploring the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to step outside their comfort zones.

Bitten By the Travel Bug?

From discovering hidden gems in remote corners of the world to immersing oneself in diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes, the journey becomes an exhilarating tapestry of experiences.

Embracing the spirit of adventure, these modern-day adventurers unlock the world’s secrets, unraveling its mysteries and leaving an indelible mark on their lives.

1. Break the Shackles of Conventional Travel

In the past, travelers typically stuck to well-known tourist attractions, pre-packaged tours, and tight schedules. But today’s adventurers value the freedom to explore undiscovered paths , dive into local cultures, and craft their own distinctive travel stories.

Thanks to digital platforms, travel enthusiasts have easy access to a wealth of information on off-the-beaten-path destinations, alternative routes, and unique experiences.

This has empowered them to break away from conventional tourism and design personalized journeys that truly reflect their interests and preferences.

2. A Quest for Authentic Experiences

Aligned with the worldwide movement toward more meaningful experiences, contemporary travelers aspire to deeply engage with diverse cultures and savor the essence of local living.

They are no longer drawn solely to the comforts of luxury hotels or the familiarity of routine surroundings.

Instead, their yearning is for genuine connections with locals and a profound grasp of their traditions, customs, and cuisine.

This pursuit of authenticity propels travelers beyond well-trodden destinations, encouraging them to explore remote areas and actively seek out off-the-beaten-path experiences.

3. The Rise of Adventure Travel

Adventure travel, a thrilling form of wanderlust, has gained immense popularity in recent years. It offers travelers an adrenaline rush and a profound sense of accomplishment.

Picture this: trekking through rugged terrains , reaching remote mountain peaks that touch the sky, and diving into the mesmerizing depths of the ocean.

Adventure seekers constantly challenge themselves, pushing beyond their limits to experience the extraordinary.

But it doesn’t stop there. This adventure travel trend has sparked a movement towards sustainable and responsible practices.

In response, many adventure companies now focus on providing eco-friendly and culturally sensitive experiences. They strive to create a harmonious balance between exploration and conservation, ensuring that natural habitats are preserved, and local cultures thrive.

Through adventure travel, not only do travelers satisfy their thirst for exploration, but they also become active contributors to the preservation of our planet’s invaluable treasures.

It’s a remarkable way to embark on self-discovery while positively impacting the world. Let your adventurous spirit guide you on an unforgettable voyage of discovery and conservation.

4. A Global Community of Travelers

The advent of social media has played a pivotal role in uniting a global community of passionate travelers who share a common love for exploration.

Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and travel blogs now provide a space for individuals to exchange their travel experiences, offer recommendations, and share valuable tips with a broader audience.

This digital connectivity has not only encouraged more people to venture beyond traditional boundaries but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie among like-minded travelers.

The exchange of ideas and perspectives facilitated by social media has opened up exciting new possibilities for exploration, enhancing the overall travel experience.

For example, you can now explore with Bram Verweij an outdoor enthusiast, who shares reviews on the latest outdoor gadgets and cycling gear.

In the digital age, connecting with others and sharing personal experiences has become more accessible, inspiring influencers to encourage others to break free from conventional travel norms and discover the world without limitations.

5. Embracing Diversity and Breaking Stereotypes

Exploring the world beyond boundaries is about visiting new places, embracing diversity, breaking cultural barriers, and fostering global harmony.

In today’s interconnected world, travelers can challenge misconceptions and stereotypes by engaging with people from different backgrounds and immersing themselves in their unique cultures.

Through travel, we can better understand our differences, celebrate our similarities, and promote mutual respect and acceptance. By experiencing firsthand other cultures’ customs, traditions, and values, we expand our perspectives and become more open-minded.

Traveling allows us to see the beauty of diversity, whether it’s in the vibrant festivals, the delicious cuisines, or the mesmerizing art forms of different cultures.

Through these experiences, we learn to appreciate the richness of our world and find common ground with people who may initially seem different from us.

Travel can also be a transformative experience on a personal level. It pushes us out of our comfort zones, encourages self-discovery, and fosters personal growth.

It teaches us resilience, adaptability, and the ability to navigate unfamiliar situations. It broadens our horizons and fuels our curiosity to explore more and learn more.

Final Thoughts: Bitten By The Travelbug and Exploring Travel Beyond Boundaries

Wanderlust, when unleashed, can ignite the world with its transformative power.

By exploring travel beyond boundaries, we satiate our desire for adventure and discovery and become ambassadors of cultural exchange and conservation.

Let go of conventional travel norms, embrace your inner explorer, and depart on a journey of self-discovery that will leave an indelible mark on your life.

The possibilities are endless, and the world is waiting to be explored beyond boundaries. 

Andrzej Ejmont

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Up to a Trillion Cicadas Are About to Emerge in the U.S.

Two periodical cicada broods are appearing in a 16-state area in the Midwest and Southeast for the first time in centuries. Can you get rid of them? Do they bite you? We answer your questions.

By Aimee Ortiz

In a rare occurrence, a trillion cicadas from two different broods are expected to begin appearing in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States at the end of April.

It’s the first time since 1803 that Brood XIX, or the Great Southern Brood, and Brood XIII, or the Northern Illinois Brood, will appear together in an event known as a dual emergence.

Thomas Jefferson was president the last time that the Northern Illinois Brood’s 17-year cycle aligned with the Great Southern Brood’s 13-year period. After this spring, it’ll be another 221 years before the groups, which are geographically adjacent, appear together again.

A roughly 16-state area will be center stage for these periodical cicadas, which differ from those that appear annually in smaller numbers.

Forested areas, including urban green spaces, are more likely to see higher numbers of cicadas than agricultural regions. To put into perspective just how many of these bugs could emerge, one trillion cicadas, each just over an inch long, would cover 15,782,828 miles if they were placed end to end, said Floyd W. Shockley, an entomologist and collections manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

“That cicada train would reach to the moon and back 33 times,” Dr. Shockley said.

When are the cicadas coming out?

The first cicadas are expected to start emerging in late April. Temperature determines when they come out, said Gene Kritsky, a retired professor of biology at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, and the author of several books on cicadas, including “A Tale of Two Broods.”

Professor Kritsky said that first the soil needs to reach 64 degrees Fahrenheit, about six inches deep, and “then you get a good soaking rain, and that’s when they really pop,” he said.

They’ll use their forelegs to tunnel out from the earth, their beady red eyes looking for a spot where they can peacefully finish maturing. A few days after they emerge and molt, the males will start buzzing in an effort to find a mate, a slow-building crescendo of noise that as a chorus can be louder than a plane .

Where will they be?

The first waves of cicadas will emerge in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, northern Georgia, and up into western South Carolina, Professor Kritsky said.

Then they’ll surface in central North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and northern Arkansas, followed by southern Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky . Finally, he said, the cicadas will appear throughout central and northern Missouri and Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.

How long will the dual emergence last?

The Midwest and Southeast should be buzzing for about six weeks.

In most cases, Dr. Shockley said, the cicadas, which live about a month, will die not far from where they had emerged.

Are cicadas dangerous?

Cicadas don’t bite or sting, nor do they carry any diseases. But since they’re “not great fliers and even worse landers,” cicadas often end up on sidewalks and city streets, where they can be squished by people or cars and “could conceivably make things slick.”

“In urban areas, there will be sufficient numbers to necessitate removal of their bodies,” Dr. Shockley said. “But rather than throwing in the trash or cleaning up with street sweepers, people should consider them basically free fertilizer for the plants in their gardens and natural areas.”

If you have a dog that likes to eat them, it’s not good to let them gorge themselves on the insects because it can lead to intestinal blockage, said Professor Kritsky.

How do I get rid of cicadas?

The short answer is: You don’t. If you have delicate plants that you want to protect, then use special netting created for that purpose.

The bugs are beneficial to the environment, acting as natural tree gardeners. The holes they leave behind when they emerge from the ground help aerate the soil and allow for rainwater to get underground and nourish tree roots in hot summer months. The slits they make in trees can cause some branches to break, and the leaves then turn brown in a process known as “flagging,” which is a kind of natural pruning. When the branch grows again, the fruits it yields will tend to be larger. When they die, the cicadas’ rotting bodies provide nutrients that trees need.

John R. Cooley, a biology professor at the University of Connecticut, said that his best advice for people living in the regions of the dual emergence is to let the bugs be.

“The forest is where they live,” he said. “They are a part of the forest. Don’t try to kill them. Don’t try to spray insecticide, all that kind of thing. That’s just going to end badly because there are more than you could possibly kill with insecticide. You’d end up killing everything.”

Aimee Ortiz covers breaking news and other topics. More about Aimee Ortiz