Travel seems to do something for my happiness and wellbeing that simply nothing else can. I have tried to work out what it is that makes travelling or even just going on a short break away so special, and I reckon it is a mix of different elements. Below are four key factors that I believe make travel so valuable to me.

Satisfying a craving for adventure

I feel alive when I am on the move and in a different environment. It feels as though this change in scenery wakes up my soul, and perhaps satisfies a primal instinct to explore and to discover. Whether I am going it solo or with others, I can always guarantee that my longing for travel will be satisfied at the end of a trip away. A large part of this, of course, is also the planning and organising that happens before setting off. For me, this is one of the highlights of any excursion, as it allows me to dream and to get a bit creative with how I would like my trip to shape up.

Getting a taste for a culture and way of life different to your own

When travelling across borders (or even sometimes within one’s own country), there will be a difference in culture and way of life, even if the most minute of differences. I have always found it fascinating how other cultures operate and how the population live their lives. I also believe that there are lessons to be learnt from observing and engaging with other cultures – this forms a big part of my drive for personal development. An example of this is through my trips to Slovenia, where I have stayed a couple of times now in a rural farm setting amongst the local villagers. Through these experiences, I found an admiration for the outdoorsy and active lifestyles of the locals, and their love of getting together for a lively and shenanigan filled celebration or party! There is usually an excuse for a get together, and the mood is always fun and welcoming!

Meeting different people

Meeting different people can be a fun and exciting way to live out your travels. Even when I am travelling solo, I almost always find someone to talk to in the most random of settings. This makes me feel more comfortable and welcome in my new setting, alongside giving me a feel good post-social buzz (for someone who isn’t usually the most social of people!) Memorable occasions of sporadic conversations (am I a poet?) for me are with fellow diners from the US and Thailand at a restaurant in Rome overlooking the Pantheon at sun set, with a local in an outdoor jacuzzi in Tromsø with the northern lights shining in the background, and at a bar in Stavanger with a group of inebriated Norwegians!

An opportunity to learn languages

I love learning languages! I tend to pick these up pretty fast, and enjoy testing out my skills on the locals, when I can muster up the courage to do so! My travels have directly led to me learn more German and to learn a fair bit of Norwegian plus some basic Slovenian words/phrases. I have also learnt some of the Cyrillic alphabet, in an attempt to understand a tiny bit of Ukrainian, Russian and other Cyrillic based languages! Next on my list is Spanish, however, I have been dragging my feet for a while now on this, so I may need a kick up the bum (or a holiday to Spain?!) to get the ball rolling!

To finish, a couple of questions for my readers! What is it that drives you to travel, and really acts to scratch that travel itch? Which was the destination that gave you the greatest sense of nourishment for the soul? Travel can mean different things to different people, so I am always eager to hear some thoughts and opinions that may differ to my own!