As Mark Twain wrote, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” 

By venturing beyond your comfort zone and exploring different parts of the world, you can gain many other valuable experiences. The duration and scope of your travel are entirely up to you, whether it's a short six-week trip or a long two-year journey, visiting a handful of countries or a dozen. Regardless, you are likely to come away with any or all of the following experiences:

CHALLENGES & ACCOMPLISHMENT: Embark on a journey of self-discovery by challenging yourself. Conquer your fear of heights by taking a treetop walk in Laos, test your physical endurance by hiking through the Grand Canyon, or confront your insecurities by taking charge of your life and putting yourself in unfamiliar situations. By stepping out of your comfort zone and accomplishing things you thought were impossible, you will experience a profound sense of achievement. Traveling regularly presents you with various challenges, and it's almost impossible to return home without a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. These challenges take us out of our comfort zone and expose us to unfamiliar environments where we surprise ourselves with our ability to overcome the obstacles they present

ADVENTURE & FUN: Adventure doesn't always have to involve high-octane activities like white water rafting, bungee jumping, skydiving, or scuba diving. It can also be as simple as strolling through the unfamiliar streets of a city and intentionally losing your way, only to navigate your way back to your hostel. It could be the experience of using a squatter toilet or struggling to communicate with limited knowledge of a foreign language. As demonstrated in many children's movies, adventures may have moments of uncertainty, but they often culminate in a great story and a smile on your face, one that you'll want to retell countless times.

ESCAPE & RELAXATION: Occasionally, we crave nothing more than a peaceful retreat, away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. We seek refuge in a quiet beach, where we can practice yoga or read a book, and lose ourselves in the tranquility of our surroundings. As we watch the sunset with a local beer in hand or wake up to the sweet melodies of birdsong in a jungle, we're reminded that we're a world away from our usual responsibilities and demands, granting us an incredible sense of calm and renewal. For some, a walk through a rainforest or a scuba dive into the silent depths of the ocean can be an effective natural de-stressor. Whatever brings you this sense of peace, allow yourself to relax, let the tension fall from your muscles, and revel in the escape from the stresses and obligations of daily life.

EDUCATION & CULTURE: Travelling is a journey of constant learning, whether it's mastering a new skill or language, delving into a history lesson, or discovering more about human nature through our encounters with others. Through the challenges that come with travel, we gain insights into our own strengths and limitations. Beyond that, travelling provides a form of self-directed education, where we set our own curriculum. We cannot help but absorb knowledge about the local cultures, people, art, food, and traditions we encounter on the road, offering us a fresh perspective that we cannot obtain in any other way. By learning about others, we also learn about ourselves, forming new ideas and opinions about world politics and the struggles and successes of others. Furthermore, travelling provides us with countless opportunities to develop new skills, whether it's through attending cooking classes, or simply immersing ourselves in a new language to navigate our way around.

FRIENDSHIPS & CONNECTION: Often, we set out on a journey with the purpose of visiting friends and family overseas. But regardless of our intentions, we inevitably return from our travels with new friendships. The road is filled with opportunities to meet people, whether it's on a tour, at a hostel, or in a local pub. There's a certain human connection that we seek and find on the road, perhaps due to the experiences we have or the sense of loneliness that can sometimes accompany solo travel. It's amazing how even hearing a familiar voice in a foreign land can lead to a new friendship. Some travelers immerse themselves in the local culture and strike up conversations with the locals to learn about the area's hidden gems or hear their stories of triumphs and struggles. Some of the people we meet will only cross our paths briefly, while others will become lifelong friends bonded by the shared experiences of travel.

GIVE & TAKE: Most people travel to take a break from work, but for others, it means working in a different country. Volunteering is a popular option where people contribute to less privileged areas or give back to the community. Whether you're building a school in Africa, teaching English to monks in Laos, or caring for elephants in Thailand, you're immersing yourself in a new culture while making a difference in the lives of the locals. Some people are fortunate enough to have paid work abroad, such as doing a ski season in Canada, being sent to London or Singapore for a year by their company, or teaching English in Japan or China. These opportunities allow you to fully embrace the local way of life and culture by living and working there. The only downside is that you may find yourself feeling like you have multiple homes.

EXPERIENCE & LIFE MEMORIES: Perhaps you desire to accomplish something unique, like enjoying a drink at a pub on every continent or becoming a true food enthusiast by sampling a diverse range of cuisines from around the world. These aspirations lead to experiences and recollections that remain with us. It's often said that it's not material possessions like cars or clothes that we recall when reflecting on our lives, but the experiences we've had. Anyone who's travelled knows the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia when they stumble across an old trip photo - the flood of recollections, the scents, the exhilarating moments, and the amusing anecdotes. They also understand the feeling of kinship and lively conversation that results when they encounter someone who has either travelled to or is from a location they've visited.

JUST BECAUSE: There are various reasons why people feel stuck in life and yearn for a change. Perhaps they despise their current job and seek a new career path, or they recently went through a rough divorce, retirement, or just graduated from school and are unsure of what to do next. Some are contemplating starting a family and wish to experience one last adventure before settling down. Whatever the motive, travelling can provide a perfect opportunity for personal reflection, self-discovery, and exploration. Therefore, there's no better time to embark on a journey than now, even if you don't have a specific purpose in mind. Don't hesitate to reach out to our agents to begin your travels today and reap the many benefits of globetrotting.