12 Reasons We Travel, According to a Travel Writer Who’s Seen It All (And Lived To Tell the Tale)

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Travel is a gift that allows people to discover new cultures, visit the world’s most historic locations, escape the daily grind, and experience international cuisine. The world has everything, from picturesque Greek islands and Roman cities to modern-day wonders and scenic landscapes. As a result, there are many reasons why people travel.

In today’s article, we’ll look at 12 reasons we travel. As a travel writer, I can create my own work schedule and work from anywhere, allowing me to see and do more. Therefore, I’m well-positioned to share my experiences of why people choose to travel. Stick around to learn more.

To Escape the Daily Grind

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One of the main reasons we travel is to escape the daily grind. Many people find the monotony of everyday life tedious, boring, and tiring. Luckily, traveling, whether a one-week summer vacation or a six-month backpacking adventure, helps break the cycle and gives us something more exciting to focus on.

Without travel, life would be incredibly dull. Imagine a life where our workplaces don’t allow us vacation days to leave the office, refresh our minds, and do something different. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty terrible. We argue that it would be a form of torture. Believe it or not, paid holidays only became a thing in the United Kingdom in 1938.

Curiosity

Curiosity is a driving factor behind most people’s travel, including us. Our desire to know, see, and do more has driven us to explore the far reaches of the globe for centuries. From the first European explorers in the 16th century to holidaymakers like ourselves visiting the Pompeii ruins and hiking in the Amazon Rainforest, people have always had an itch to travel.

Without curiosity, people would not have the desire or passion to see the world and explore new places. Furthermore, curiosity is shaped by experiences rather than genetics. Therefore, we likely wouldn’t travel at all without it. As such, it could be argued that curiosity is the most crucial driving factor behind travel.

Because it’s Accessible

Many people might forget how accessible travel is today. Just over 100 years ago, consumer flights weren’t a thing. The world’s first scheduled commercial flight only took place in 1914. As a result, before that date, tourists couldn’t jump on a flight to their vacation destination.

Fast-forward a century, and we’re spoiled for choice when planning a vacation. In less than 10 hours, we can travel from one side of the world to the other. This accessibility makes many people want to travel, including us. In one week, we can easily explore multiple countries, travel to the far reaches of the globe, and experience completely different climates.

Experience New Things

The world is fascinating, with millions of things to see and do. As a result, the desire to experience new things is a common motivator of travel. It doesn’t matter what we like or enjoy doing; we can effortlessly find something new and exciting worldwide.

Some travelers want to spot the Aurora Borealis in Iceland and hike in the Bornean rainforest. In contrast, others prefer to shop at Harrods in London or admire the breathtaking architecture in Rome. Meanwhile, some travelers might want to try new food at a local market. Either way, the world has endless opportunities to see and do new things.

Create Unforgettable Memories

We don’t know about you, but some of the best memories we have were created through travel. Looking back in 20 years, we’ll be able to reminisce about the time we watched a sunset in the Amazon Rainforest, climbed an active volcano, and went on a tiger safari in India.

If we didn’t travel, the only memories we would have are of having fun at the work Christmas party or getting that promotion. Whether in your country or on vacation somewhere far away, traveling allows you to create incredible memories that will excite, thrill, and inspire. So, what are you waiting for? Get your suitcase packed.

Enjoy Some Sunshine

If you’re from the United Kingdom like me, you’ll likely use travel to find some sunshine. While we occasionally have good weather in the UK, most of us still crave hotter weather. Therefore, you’ll find that most British people plan their vacations and backpacking adventures around warmer weather.

You’ll be glad that we do, too, because we’d be even moodier and grumpier if we couldn’t escape the UK and enjoy hotter climates. There is no better feeling for us than boarding a plane in cold and wet Britain and stepping off a plane to be greeted by a wall of heat. We travel to Greece, Bali, and Turkey for warmer weather.

Discover World Wonders

From historic landmarks to natural wonders, traveling lets us witness some of the world’s most impressive locations firsthand. While we can watch TV documentaries about the world’s best places and scroll through Instagram to get inspiration, nothing beats seeing somewhere special in person.

With that in mind, get out there, discover the world’s most famous locations, and marvel at how beautiful the world is. These landmarks have had a lasting impact on the world for thousands of years, so it would be rude not to visit them at least once. Noteworthy world wonders include the Acropolis of Athens, the Colosseum of Rome, the Great Barrier Reef, and Mount Everest.

Reduce Living Costs

Believe it or not, many people travel the world to reduce their living costs and save money. If you choose your destination correctly, you can do the same. Unfortunately, the cost of living worldwide is high, especially in places like the United States and the United Kingdom. However, there are still many places that offer more affordability.

For example, the monthly cost of living in Bali, Indonesia, is $2,448 less than in London. You’ll find lower rents, cheaper food, and fuel prices in places like Bali. Places like this allow us to see more of the world while saving money. We don’t know what you think, but that sounds like a fantastic deal for us.

Improve Personal Well-Being

Travel is one of the best things in the world for personal well-being. Taking time to travel does wonders for your physical and mental health. Mentally, travel frees the mind of stresses and worries, giving you something different to focus on and enjoy. It also improves motivation and confidence.

Physically, traveling will allow you to get in the best shape of your life. Engaging in physical activities, such as hiking, cycling, and swimming, will boost your fitness and energy levels, which, in turn, will also likely increase your confidence. Better yet, travel allows you to break your routine, which can prevent burnout and improve your clarity.

Do Something Creative

One of the main reasons I travel is to do something creative. For me, travel encourages me to try new things and spend time doing the things I love, something I don’t feel like doing at home. Through travel, I have developed new interests and hobbies. For instance, travel inspired me to take up photography and blogging.

As a result, I found my passion for travel writing, which I now do for a living. These aren’t the only creative things you can do traveling, either. People can show their creativity in many different ways. For example, you could participate in various classes, such as jewelry, cooking, pottery, and painting. Even sporting activities like surfing can be deemed creative.

Meet New People

Meeting new people is one of the most beautiful parts of travel. We don’t know what it is, but there’s something special about the strength and sincerity of friendships made when traveling. We also love how age doesn’t matter. Whether 5 or 50, travel allows people to connect with others who share their interests.

You might find yourself chatting to a fellow traveler at sunrise while waiting to catch the perfect shot, attending a social gathering of like-minded travelers, chatting with a local, or joining a group tour to encourage people to meet other travelers. Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll meet people just like yourself.

Have Fun

Ultimately, most people travel to have fun. Linking back nicely to escaping the daily grind, experiencing new things, and discovering world wonders, we do most of these things because they are a lot of fun. If we couldn’t travel the world, life wouldn’t be anywhere near as fun.

Traveling is filled with excitement, intrigue, mystery, and plenty of laughs, which is why it often helps us create the best memories. When you’re not exploring new places, spending quality time with friends and family, and trying something new or planning to do so, you’ll likely get bored with life pretty quickly, especially if you don’t enjoy your work life.