I thought I would write a post today about why I travel. As you read this, I would love for you to consider why you travel, or don’t and comment. I am always curious about what motivates or holds people back when it comes to travel, whether it is international or domestic within your home country.
For me, travel has always been about the excitement of something new and different. What secrets are contained around the next corner, in the new place? You see, as a person whose curiosity knows very few boundaries, I have always been drawn to adventure. When I am looking for a place to explore, I want to hear the stories and find the secrets that are held there. It could be as I explore a street market (be watching for a story on street markets) or sample new foods, or share a beer with a local. (Tip: If you want to find a key to unlock the mysteries of a place, find a local tavern and buy someone a pint. You will be surprised at what you learn about the place, the person, and perhaps yourself.)
Humans have a propensity to accumulate things, myself included. I know a lot of people who collect a lot of things. From antiques to cars, I even know someone who collects shoes. But, several years ago (I was probably watching one of my favorite travel shows, most likely Anthony Bourdain) I decided that I wanted to accumulate new experiences through travel. I want to collect all things culture and I want to try all the food, especially street food. I want to meet new people and see the world through their eyes, walk their streets, taste their food, and drink their beer. This is why I travel. I can look back on my photos and I am immediately transported back to the place and can recall the wonderful memories.
It is for this reason that I have dedicated myself to travel someplace new at least once a year. But Jeff, travel is expensive. Yes, it can be, but like anything else, if you have a plan and are intentional about it, travel can be attainable. For example, I am an avid #airbnb traveler. Rarely do I stay in hotels anymore. If you haven’t used Airbnb, I highly suggest giving it a try. It has proven very reliable for me. For flights, there are so many options now to find affordable domestic and international flights. I always begin my search at #googleflights, it is easy to see prices on their flight calendar. Also, Google Flights allows the individual to watch flights and will notify when there are fare changes. Another flight searching option is #scottscheapflights. I have used both the paid and free option on Scott’s Cheap Flights and find it very much worthwhile (and affordable) if you are looking for international air travel give it a try and let me know if it works well for you. A new one that I am going to be looking at is #nextvacay. NextVacay’s slogan is “We’ll find the cheapest flights in the world, so you can have the trip of a lifetime.” Sounds pretty good to me.
Do you have a go-to method for booking travel, if so I would love to hear about it? Please share in the comment section below. Also, click the subscribe button to stay up to date with the latest story.
Remember, travel is a key that will unlock many treasures. It will remind you that the world is a much smaller place where we have more in common with others than you may realize.
Go Explore!
Cheers,
Jeff
Pura Vida Journeys 