Why do we travel?

[Pauline]

We had another thread about this, but it ended up in a food fight over the definition of Slow Travel (my apologies for my part in that). I deleted that thread.

All of us on these forums love to travel. But why - why do we put ourselves through it all? The time researching and planning, the time booking, the money, the uncomfortable flights, the jet-lag. Maybe being in a place where we don't speak the language, where we can't easily find our way around, where we don't know anyone.

For me, I love being in European countries (Italy, France, Switzerland). I love the history, the historic buildings, the way the cafes, restaurants and food shops are different from what I am used to. I like solving the puzzle of where to go, how to get there, what to do. And I like the feeling of being in a place where I do not live, seeing how others live.

I think breaking our home routines is good for us, keeps things fresh. And travel does that.

 

[Ian Sutton]

A very good question.

We have had 'staycations' before and there is merit in them, especially for those of us who have moved through our lives, so may not know our local area as intimately as we would know a place we were brought up in. In many ways this is an extension of 'heading out for the weekend', but can lead us to places we wouldn't get to otherwise. Often we end up somewhere we really like (well I hope we all do), so exploring more has good appeal.

So why do we travel?

• Breaking the routine. I agree with this, that first coffee or food shop in Italy really wakes me up. I'm energised when on holiday eager to explore places I've read up about, to get my bearings and just soak it all up.
• Relaxing. My partner is almost the opposite of me, in that once away the daily humdrum is gone, and it's a chance to relax, unwind, read a book or lie in (or 'go native' and sleep through the lunchtime break). At home there are day to day worries and concerns, but those can be put aside whilst away from the triggers that get the mind racing.
• Fare la spesa (do the grocery shopping). I joked when checking into the apartment in Torino, that I was there to do the grocery shopping, but it wasn't really a joke. Fruits, Cheeses, Pasta, Wine, cured meats, smoked burrata, etc. were brought back and allowed us to still continue to enjoy the holiday long after we returned. I also got stocked up on deodorants from Kelemata, which I much prefer to anything in the UK. Proper markets & farmers' markets are also a joy in many countries.
• Language. If making a commitment to regularly visit a country, I studied Italian at home for a few years, then took some face to face tuition at the local adult education centre. Returning regularly helps me retain and reinforce what I've learnt, but also helps correct bad habits I've learnt along the way.
• An excuse to get out in the fresh air, walking or cycling, where the scenery really encourages you to explore
• Funghi. My partner is an amateur mycolgist, so an extension of the above is heading out into woodland to see a completely different spread of mushrooms to that we see locally. We rarely pick to eat at home, as there isn't too much worth it locally, however we had done so in Sweden (stunning) and Italy (we even bought a licence, which the local tourist office were rather pleasantly surprised that we wanted to follow the rules).
• Eating out. Going to an Italian restaurant in England is VERY rarely near to the experience of eating out in Italy. They become anglicised, and the English locals aren't as picky/critical of quality as the Italians. The wine lists are a joy, often with tiny markups (vs. typically charging 3x retail in the UK), and with extensive ranges of local wines, some never seen in the UK. No 'turning of tables' every 90 mins a la the sweary Scottish one.
• Warmth. Not a big reason for us, and we avoid July/August, with May/October are our preferred months to go. Getting 3-4 extra degrees centigrade is however really pleasing at those times of year.
• Cultural interest. I'm not a great art gallery enthusiast, but will go in and not grumble at having to do so . Museums hold a little more interest, though sometimes it's the small and quirky that appeals more than the grand & prestigious. Architecture appeals, and it's one way to distinguish tourists from the locals, as the latter rarely stop to look at, let alone photograph the architecture or scenery! Other historical sites also hold some interest, but they are always likely to be the side trip rather than main attraction. Of more interest to me is human culture, the people and interactions I experience or observe. From the stunning opera in Verona, to the ebb and flow of people in Poste Italiane as I wait to send a parcel of goodies home.

There probably are other reasons, but those must be the biggies for me.

regards
Ian

 

[Rome Addict]

To see if the marriage will last. For 40 years I have told my friends if you are getting engaged get in a car (the smaller the better) load it with camping gear and drive for 7 days. If you are still together after that week than you are good to go. If you discover that he turns passive aggressive and is sullen or she is a nag then think about facing that for the rest of your life. A vacation is fun and if these traits bother you when you are having fun think about the hard times and do you want to deal with those traits then. It has consistently been good advice in both creating binding ties and in breakups.

 

[Cameron]

It comes down to being awed by new experiences--wherever, whenever, whatever. Travel touches all of our senses.

By traveling, I've learned to be patient, flexible, open-minded and non-judging of those who are different. It's always an education.

Most important, I've made friends in my travels. I cherish those friendships and do my best to stay in touch and not let those friendships fade.

 

[Ian Sutton]

Hi Cameron
I really like your point about experiencing people/cultures that are different. Very much the thinking of town/city 'twinning' after the war, that if real people meet real people, then it's not 'them' and 'us'. The student foreign language exchanges built on this, even though us British weren't always the most enthusiastic .

People are people. The same mix of vivacious, grumpy, easy-going, bureaucratic, etc. that no artificial borders will change.

regards
Ian

 

[PatrickLondon]

I suppose the short answer is - to get away from home, and appreciate it all the more when one gets back.

 

[Jan55612]

Thanks for starting this thread, Pauline. I enjoyed reading each person's reflections on why we travel.
As several of you have mentioned, I like breaking the routines we have at home. I feel invigorated by the stimulation of new experiences. Shopping in European cities is a fun adventure for me. One of the first things I do after checking into our apartment is find a nearby market for staples, but after that, I search for a great bakery, markets, wine shops, etc.
I, too, love observing how others are living in a new place. When we settle into an apartment for an extended stay, I can feel that I "live" there, if only temporarily. It is fun to be recognized at local shops and restaurants as a "regular."
My husband and I love the art experiences we find in European cities and sometimes make specific plans to be able to go to a special exhibition.
As Ian noted above, eating in local restaurants. The quality and variety of foods, learning local specialties, people watching are all part of it.
Walking. I love exploring European cities. My walking mileage is always highest when I am on the ground, finding new things to explore while traveling.
Cameron, I agree that making new friends is an enriching part of the experience.

 

[phirhon]

We also enjoy the change in routine when you are away from home. Now travel for us, in retirement, has a variety of forms. With two sons and their families living interstate, some trips away are simply a long drive to spend time with them and our grandchildren.
Other trips involve packing up our camper trailer and heading to a favourite coastal spot. Here our days are simple with long walks on the beach, a paddle in our kayak perhaps, lots of reading. We enjoy the freedom these trips give us to sit and read a book without thinking about the lawn that needs mowing or the pile of ironing waiting to be done. We also do road trips with our camper to explore new parts of our country now we have more time.
And then there are our trips to France. These are our adventures where the language is different, driving is on the opposite side of the road, there are wonderful places to discover that are very different from the (still wonderful ) places at home. We can eat foods that are not readily available where we live. We can see history. Our country has a long history , but there is not much tangible evidence of that prior to the late 18th century. So we are often left awestruck by the places we see in France , Italy and the UK.
And, yes, travel does open your minds and make you more tolerant, I think. And it definitely makes you appreciate your home more and look at it with new eyes.

 

[PatrickLondon]

Although he had something much more spiritual and ethereal in mind, there's a quote from TS Eliot's Little Gidding that's relevant:
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."