travelling the world benefits

5 Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Traveling Abroad

When was the last time you traveled abroad? Traveling for business is one thing, but I’m talking about packing your bags, logging out of your email account and disconnecting from your normal routine for a week or more.

Traveling the world isn’t just fun and exciting; there’s ample research to suggest it’s highly beneficial for your physical, mental and emotional health as well.

Check Out These Five Proven Benefits

Americans may say they like to travel, but most don’t venture abroad very often. According to a study published in the Hostelworld Global Traveler Report, Americans are half as likely as Europeans to go abroad and visit more than one country.

The average resident of the UK has visited 10 countries, Germans have seen eight, and the French traveled to five nations on average. But Americans? They tend to visit just three. In fact, 29 percent of American adults have never been abroad!

When citizens of the U.S. do move past the border, most visit Canada or Mexico. Affordability is evidently a big factor — about 71 percent of Americans say it’s too expensive to leave the country — but that’s hardly the whole story.

Given what all the travel and deal sites have to offer today, you can travel abroad without ransacking your piggy bank. Perhaps many Americans don’t grasp the benefits of traveling abroad — and there are many!

Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the health benefits that researchers have explored and verified scientifically.

1. Travel Makes You Healthier

According to a joint study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, traveling actually keeps you healthier . The study found that women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack than those who only travel every six years or so.

The same is true for men. Men who do not take an annual vacation show a 20 percent higher risk of death and 30 percent greater risk of heart disease.

2. Travel Relieves Stress

Although missing a connecting flight or losing baggage in a foreign airport is sure to boost your anxiety, traveling has been scientifically proven to lower stress levels, and rather dramatically.

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According to one study , three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood. Interestingly, these benefits tend to linger for weeks after the trip has ended.

3. Travel Enhances Your Creativity

“Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” explains Adam Galinsky , a professor at Columbia Business School who has authored a number of studies that investigate the concrete links between creativity and international travel.

Travel alone isn’t enough, however. Galinsky has found that international travelers have to be purposeful about engaging.

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“The key, critical process is multicultural engagement, immersion and adaptation,” he continues. “Someone who lives abroad and doesn’t engage with the local culture will likely get less of a creative boost than someone who travels abroad and really engages in the local environment.”

4. Travel Boosts Happiness and Satisfaction

Most people tend to be happier when they’re traveling and don’t have to worry about work, of course. However, one of the more interesting takeaways from a Cornell University study is that people also experience a direct increase in happiness from just planning a trip.

Three days after taking a vacation, travelers report feeling less anxious, more rested and in a better mood.

The study found that the anticipation of taking a vacation is far greater than the anticipation of acquiring a physical possession. Thus, the benefits of traveling abroad begin well before the trip does.

5. Travel Lowers the Risk of Depression

While people tend to avoid the subject in our society, depression is unfortunately a major problem. Millions of Americans struggle with depression on a regular basis and it’s not uncommon for doctors to overprescribe medication for depression.

Luckily, healthier alternatives are available for escaping the hopelessness of a depressed state. According to research, travel may be one of them.

A study from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin found that women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress than women who vacation less than once every two years.

Where Will Your Travels Take You This Year?

So there are clear, scientifically-backed health benefits of traveling the world. Mentally, physically and emotionally, you can gain a lot from packing your bags and visiting places you’ve never been.

But where will you go? Thousands of places across the world are worth visiting. Here are a few that should be on your radar:

• London, England. London is a must-visit city. If you’re new to international travel and want to get your feet wet, there’s probably no better destination. Not only is there a lot to do in London , but it’s cheap and easy to get to from most major U.S. cities. There’s also no language barrier, which is a bonus for people who get nervous about that.
• Cape Town, South Africa. The beauty of Cape Town is astonishing. Not only is the landscape unique, but there’s wildlife galore, including the Big Five (lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhino). There’s much to see ; whether you prefer a fast pace or slow and easy, there’s an itinerary for you.
• Lucerne, Switzerland. If you’ve never been to Switzerland, Lucerne is a fantastic first city to experience. Conveniently near to the Zurich airport, the town is compact, yet lively. Not only are there lots of attractions in the city , but you can enjoy an array of hiking trails just outside of town.
• Auckland, New Zealand. Whether you want to kayak to a volcano, abseil down a waterfall, swim with sharks, or tackle challenging trails on a mountain bike, Auckland has everything an adventure lover could ask for. Oh, and it’s also a city that teems with good food and entertainment.

For many, the notion of international travel isn’t as mysterious and thrilling as it used to be. In a world accessible via YouTube, Google Earth, and virtual reality, many think they’ve already seen all the world has to offer, when they’ve really only stared at a screen a few inches in front of their face.

If you want to enjoy the scientifically proven health benefits of travel abroad, you should start planning a trip. Whether you go to London, Cape Town, Lucerne, Auckland, or somewhere entirely different, boarding a plane and flying to a foreign destination where you’re equal parts excited and intimidated is great for your growth and development.

Where will you go?

22 Benefits of Traveling

By: Author Zachary Friedman

Posted on Last updated: May 17, 2024

Categories Travel

Home » Travel » 22 Benefits of Traveling

Whether you’re taking a quick weekend getaway or a multi-month sabbatical around the world, travel offers a wide range of benefits. From making you happier to reducing stress to teaching you about the world, this guide outlines 25 benefits of traveling.

Over the past 12 years, I’ve traveled to over 60 countries on 6 continents. I feel that travel has greatly improved my life. In this guide, I’ll share some of the biggest benefits that I have noticed.

1. Travel Makes You Happier

According to a recent study in the Journal of Tourism Analysis, people who travel frequently report being 7% happier than those who rarely or never travel. Interestingly, you don’t have to travel far to benefit. Participants of the study reported greater levels of happiness when they traveled 75 miles or more from home.

Spending money on experiences provides longer-lasting happiness than spending money on material items. This may be because people experience more happiness from anticipating experiences rather than from waiting to obtain material possessions. You’ll be happier if you spend your money on a plane ticket to Thailand rather than a new iPhone.

There other ways travel can make you happier. For example, travel allows you to experience new and exciting things. Travel also allows you to get away from the daily grind of work and other responsibilities. In addition, travel gives you the opportunity to create memories with your friends or family. Alternatively, it can also give you some time for yourself away from your parents, kids, boss, or co-workers. All of this can improve your happiness.

Personally, I feel the most happy when I’m on the road. Most of my best memories were made while traveling.

2. Traveling Improves Your Communication Skills

If you’re traveling somewhere completely foreign, you might face a language barrier. In this case, you will have to learn how to communicate in nonverbal ways using hand gestures and body language. This can improve your overall communication skills.

Travel also forces you to speak with people who are different from you. You’ll talk to people from different religions, social classes, cultures, political affiliations, and ethnic backgrounds. This will help you learn how to communicate with people with different beliefs, values, and life philosophies. Being able to talk to anyone is a great skill to have.

Travel also teaches you about different communication styles and how to adapt your own communication style to meet the needs of others. For example, in some cultures, people communicate more directly than in others. In some cultures, people are friendlier than in others. You’ll learn how to adapt to this during a conversation.

Finally, when you travel, you’re also forced to interact with lots of people. You’ll talk to tour guides, ticketing agents, receptionists, other travelers, and random locals. Chatting with lots of people can help you improve your social skills. This is particularly beneficial if you suffer from social anxiety.

Traveling is a great way to become a more effective communicator. Communication is an important skill that can help you in both your personal life and professional life.

I am not a good communicator. It’s something I’m constantly working on. I feel that travel has helped me improve in this department. I am way more confident when talking to people I don’t know.

3. Travel Helps Reduce Stress and Anxiety

In a recent study , researchers found that travel can help to reduce stress and anxiety. During the study, a group of middle managers was sent on a short vacation (4 nights) in a hotel. This had an immediate effect on their reported levels of stress levels.

In this study, researchers also found that the mode of travel didn’t matter. Participants just needed to be outside of their normal environment for a few days to benefit. The effects were also surprisingly long-lasting. 30-45 days after the vacation ended, stress and anxiety levels were still reported to be lower among those who went on vacation than those who didn’t.

Travel can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety in your life. If you work a stressful job, a long weekend away can help you recover.

If you’re traveling to reduce chronic stress, you will need to choose a style of travel that won’t cause you more stress. For example, if you’re afraid of flying, take a train instead. If you don’t like traveling alone, take somebody with you. Don’t give yourself more stress. It doesn’t matter where you go. You just need to leave for a few days and take a break from daily life to benefit.

4. Travel Makes Your Life Feel Longer

We all want to live longer. Travel can’t make you live longer but it can make your life feel longer. Here’s how:

Travel has a major impact on the way we perceive time. According to this interesting article, experiencing new things can slow our brain’s perception of time. This is why time seems to pass slower when we’re children. We’re constantly having new experiences.

When you’re traveling, time seems to move much more slowly because you’re constantly taking in new sights, learning new things, and tasting new foods. There’s always something new to experience.

When looking back, your vacation feels like it lasted far longer than it actually did. When you’re in your normal routine at home, months can fly by without you even noticing. It’s easy to get trapped in a routine and let years slip by.

When you travel frequently, your life will feel longer and more fulfilling because time seems to move more slowly. A month on the road can feel like a year when looking back. To me, this is one of the main benefits of travel.

5. Travel Helps You Achieve Peace of Mind

When you’re feeling stressed, burned out, or just fed up with life, sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a break and explore someplace new. Travel has a way of resetting your mind. When you return home, you can look at everything with fresh eyes. Even a short trip can help clear your head.

Being in unfamiliar surroundings makes it easier to let go of all the worries and concerns that are weighing you down at home. It takes your mind off things. When you’re exploring a new place, you don’t have time to dwell on whatever is stressing you out.

Travel is an excellent distraction. It can distract you from people in your life, your job, politics, and technology. You’re too busy taking in new sights, sounds, and experiences to think about your problems. This can bring you some inner peace.

Travel can also help you put your problems into perspective. When you view a beautiful site, you realize how great the world can be. You might also realize that your problems are minor compared to the problems of those living in other parts of the world. Someone living in poverty in a developing country might envy your life, even with all of your problems.

6. Travel Enhances Your Creativity

When you travel, you are exposed to new cultures, people, and experiences. This can open your mind to new ideas. In turn, this can lead to an increase in creativity.

Studies have shown that there is a link between travel and creativity. For example, in this article , Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky says, “Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms.”

Cognitive flexibility is the brain’s ability to switch between different ideas, tasks, or viewpoints. This is a key part of creativity. The study found that people who had spent time abroad were more likely to come up with creative solutions to problems than those who had not traveled.

If you’re a writer, photographer, designer, or artist, and you’re looking for a way to boost your creativity, consider taking a vacation. It could be just what you need to come up with your next big idea. Travel can help you think outside the box and inspire your work.

I have been living as a digital nomad for the past few years. I have noticed that I am more creative and productive when I travel. Most of my work involves writing. The ideas flow better when I’m on the road. It makes me more creative.

7. Travel Allows You to Try Excellent Food

When you travel, you have the opportunity to try all sorts of different foods that you would never have the opportunity to taste at home. You get to experience new flavors and textures that you would never otherwise encounter.

For me, the food is one of the best parts of exploring a new culture. Some people travel for food alone. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you really love the cuisine, you can learn how to cook it by taking a cooking class. This is a great way to further immerse yourself in the culture. As an added bonus, you’ll learn how to prepare some authentic meals for your family.

Even if you end up not caring for the food, it’s still worth it for the experience. For example, while in the Philippines recently, I tried Balut. This is a fertilized duck embryo that is developing in the egg. It’s sold on the street. It’s not the most appetizing thing but eating it is an experience that I will never forget.

8. Traveling Has Physical Health Benefits

Many of us live sedentary lifestyles. We don’t get as much exercise as we should. While traveling, you will be active and you will get exercise. For example, you’ll walk more. You’ll be on your feet all day while sightseeing, walking through airports, and traveling around the city you’re visiting. You might also participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, surfing, or cycling. Also, if you’re at the beach sitting out in the sun, your body produces vitamin D.

Additionally, travel has been linked with a reduction in heart disease. According to this article , “A nine-year study from the State University of New York at Oswego found that vacationing every year reduced the overall risk of death by about 20 percent, and the risk of death from heart disease by as much as 30 percent.” This means travel can reduce your risk of one of the leading causes of death.

9. International Travel Makes You More Tolerant and Understanding of Different People and Cultures

Before you travel, you might have some biases about certain groups of people. You may not even notice this. Travel challenges our beliefs.

While traveling, you’ll meet and interact with people from different backgrounds. Traveling also gives you a chance to learn about different customs, religions, and beliefs.

Travel allows you to see that people from all walks of life can be interesting, kind, and valuable members of society. You learn to accept others despite their differences. You become more tolerant towards people from different backgrounds.

In addition, people who are different from you learn to accept you. During your travels, you may encounter people who’ve never met a foreigner before. By meeting you and having a positive interaction, they may become a bit more tolerant and understanding of different people. Tolerance and acceptance can spread. This can make the world a little more peaceful.

10. Get Real-World Experience and Real-Life Education

When you travel, you gain real-world experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom. You learn how to plan ahead, problem-solve on the fly, improvise, navigate new surroundings, and deal with different types of people. It’s an education that you can’t get from a book. In other words, travel can help you become street-smart.

For example, before your trip, you need to learn how to book accommodation, transportation, tours, etc. When you arrive in a new city, you have to learn how to use the public transportation system. If you miss your bus, you have to find an alternative mode of transport. If there is a language barrier, you need to figure out how to communicate with body language. These real-world experiences teach you life lessons that come in handy in your day-to-day life.

Traveling also gives you a chance to learn about new cultures and customs. You can try new foods and experience new traditions. It’s an opportunity to learn about the world in a way that you can’t in a classroom. You learn through experience.

Travel also educates you. While traveling, you’ll learn about the history, geography, politics, art, and religion, of the places you’re visiting. You become more worldly and knowledgeable. I’ve picked up loads of interesting facts and bits of information in my travels that I otherwise would never have learned.

You also gain life experience when you travel. You might fall in love, make friends, and view the most beautiful artwork and landscapes the world has to offer. At the same time, you might fall victim to a crime, have your heart broken, get into an argument, or get in trouble with the law. All of these life experiences, both positive and negative, help you grow as a person.

11. You’ll Understand Yourself More When You Travel

When you travel, you’ll find yourself in unfamiliar situations. This is a great opportunity to learn more about yourself. You’ll see how you interact with people who are different. You’ll see how you respond to problems and setbacks. In addition, you’ll see how you react in various situations.

How do you react under pressure? How do you deal with unfamiliar situations? What kind of person are you? These are the kinds of questions that you can only answer by putting yourself in new and challenging situations. Travel forces you to grow and adapt in ways that you never would at home.

You will come back from your travels with a greater understanding of who you are and what you want out of life. Travel also helps you identify your shortcomings. After returning home, you can reevaluate yourself based on what you observed while traveling. You can work on improving yourself.

When you travel alone , you also have the opportunity to think about your emotions and thoughts. You can practice introspection. Long bus and train journeys are a great time to reflect. You have hours to yourself to just think. For some people, this is incredibly valuable.

Travel also allows you to compare your culture to other cultures. When you travel, you’ll see how others think and behave. This can help you better understand why you think, behave, or feel a certain way.

12. Travel Boosts Your Self Confidence

While some people are born confident, others have to work a little harder to find it. For those of us who struggle with self-confidence, traveling can be a great confidence booster.

If you can navigate your way around a new country or culture, you can pretty much get around anywhere. This is a great skill to have in life. It allows you to be more independent. Knowing you can get around anywhere can inspire confidence.

In addition, when you travel you learn how to talk to anybody. You might have to interact with a shopkeeper in Delhi, a flight attendant from Singapore, or a security guard from London. Being able to talk to anybody is extremely beneficial in social situations. It makes it easier to approach people, ask questions, and strike up conversations. This makes you feel more confident.

Traveling can also help you feel more comfortable in unique or challenging situations. For example, maybe you have to deal with a language barrier. Maybe you get lost. Maybe you just get confused.When you’re constantly exposed to new situations, you become desensitized. You can deal with these situations more confidently without feeling fear.

When you step out of your comfort zone, you realize that you’re more capable than you thought. You’ll overcome obstacles and take risks. Suddenly, anything feels possible and your life is no longer limited by your fears. When you’re confident, you can pursue your passions and goals without anything holding you back.

I have always struggled with self-confidence and self-doubt. Travel has helped me realize that I am more than capable of anything I set my mind to. This has been incredibly inspiring.

13. Travel Helps You Get Out of the Rut of Everyday Life

Travel can be a great way to get out of a rut. It allows you to free yourself from your daily routine and have time to yourself to relax or explore.

It can be a break from the mundane and repetitive day-to-day life of a 9-5. It’s easy to get caught up in a routine. You wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, watch TV and then go to bed.

When you travel, you have the opportunity to shake things up. You can try new activities, meet new people, and see new places. You escape the routine of staying in the same place.

Travel also gives you an opportunity to focus on yourself for a change. It can be a time to reflect on your life and what you want from it. While you’re traveling, you can also work on your physical health, mental health, or emotional health. Maybe you realize that you want to make some changes in your life.

14. Travel Expands Your Social Network

Making friends is one of the best parts of travel. When you travel, you meet people from all walks of life. You’ll have friends with different backgrounds. You’ll have friends from different countries and cultures.

These friends can come in handy when you visit their home countries. They can show you around, introduce you to new people, and help you get the most out of your trip.

As your social network grows, new opportunities open up. During your travels, you might meet someone who can help you get a job in a new city. A friend might connect you with other travelers. Maybe you meet your future spouse through a travel buddy.

I have made a number of lifelong friends while traveling. Some of them I still keep in contact with over a decade after meeting. Whenever we meet up, we pick up right where we left off.

15. Personal Development

Travel can make you a better person. Travel can make you a better communicator, more independent, more adaptable, more confident, more accepting, and more patient.

When you leave your comfort zone to travel, you’re forced to develop social skills. You’ll talk to people at hostels, on tours, and on public transport. Sometimes people will approach you to chat because you’re a foreigner. This can teach you better communication skills.

You also have to learn how to be independent. There is nobody there to hold your hand if you make a mistake or get lost. You will also spend a great deal of time alone while traveling. You have to learn how to live with your own thoughts.

When you travel, you also have to learn to adapt to the local culture. The locals won’t change to accommodate you. You have to change. Travel will make you more adaptable.

You also become more accepting of others. The locals may have different religious beliefs, morals, diets, languages, political beliefs, cultures, ways of life, or behaviors. You’ll learn to accept these differences and look past them. 

And as you navigate new surroundings and meet new people, you’ll become more confident. You may become more courageous after facing scary, uncomfortable, or dangerous situations.

Travel can also help you develop personality and character. This happens when you face hardships. Travel isn’t always easy. You might fall victim to a crime. People might discriminate against you. You might have to deal with a language barrier. These may seem like negative experiences when they happen but they can help build character.

You’ll also develop patience when you travel. Things don’t always go as planned. Maybe your flight gets delayed 12 hours. Maybe you have to gather a stack of documents and deal with a bunch of red tape to apply for a visa. The internet might go down or the power might go out. You learn to just roll with the punches.

16. Travel Teaches Us to Appreciate Nature and the Earth

When we travel, we get to see some of the most amazing natural wonders that the earth has to offer. For some of us, travel is the first time that we see mountains, deserts, jungles, or oceans. Travel allows us to view different types of plant life and wildlife in their natural habitats. It’s also our first experience with different types of climates and landscapes.

One of my greatest travel experiences was going on a safari in the Serengeti . Seeing the Milky Way for the first time while camping in the desert in Namibia was also unforgettable. If I stayed in my hometown and didn’t travel, I would have never seen an elephant, an ocean, or a desert.

While traveling, you’ll also witness the destruction of natural environments through pollution, deforestation, and other human activities. You’ll realize how fragile the planet is. This can be heartbreaking but educational.

Through travel, we learn to appreciate the Earth. We learn how fortunate we are to have such a diverse and beautiful planet. We start to realize that it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the Earth for future generations.

17. World Travel Makes you Appreciate Your Home Even More

Traveling can be an amazing experience. It can also be exhausting, overwhelming, and uncomfortable.

After a long vacation, there is nothing like coming home and sleeping in your own bed. While traveling, all of the little things that you took for granted, like a soft bed, a hot shower, and your own bathroom, become luxuries. During a long trip, you will miss the comforts and conveniences of home. It’s hard to get a good night of sleep while camping, sharing a room in a hostel , or simply sleeping in an unfamiliar place.

Travel can also be exhausting. Packing and unpacking. Moving from place to place. Sitting on buses, planes, and trains for hours, and walking around sightseeing takes a lot out of you. When you return home, you may actually appreciate your normal routine.

In addition, you may find a new appreciation for how things work in your home country. In some countries, nothing works. There is bureaucracy and red tape. There are long lines to withdraw cash or buy food. The power may go out frequently. The tap water might not be potable. When you return home, you may realize that most things just work. You may find a new appreciation for your country.

You may also have a feeling of relief when you return home. On your home turf, you know the local laws, customs, and culture. You know your rights and freedoms. You don’t have to worry about accidentally breaking a law or offending someone. It’s nice to feel like part of society. Like you belong. When you’re abroad, you’re always an outsider. You’re not quite sure what you can and can’t do.

You also won’t have to deal with a language barrier when you return home. It’s nice to be able to hold an in-depth conversation and talk freely with other people. Struggling to communicate gets exhausting.

All of this can help you appreciate your home country much more.

While traveling, I have gained a much greater appreciation for my home country, the United States. After traveling to 66 countries on 6 continents, I can’t think of a place I’d rather live. I think the U.S. is the greatest country, even though it has its flaws.

18. Travel Helps You Find a New Purpose

Many people find that travel can be a life-changing experience. It can help you to find a new purpose or direction in life, especially if you feel like you’re at a crossroads. Traveling can give you the time and space to reflect on your career or your life, and make decisions about what you want to do next.

Travel can also help you to see the world from a different perspective and learn new things about yourself. If you’re feeling lost or stuck, taking some time out to travel may be just what you need.

Travel certainly helped me find a purpose. When I left home on my first solo trip , I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. After returning home, One thing I knew was that I wanted to travel.

Years later, after losing my job, I felt lost I didn’t know what to do so I took a trip to Africa. After returning from that trip, I launched this website and started making a living writing about travel. These days, I live as a digital nomad . I make my living as a professional blogger. I feel happy.

19. Expand Your Horizons and Try New Things

Traveling to a new place will help you see the world in a different way. When you travel, you’ll have the opportunity to try new things. You’ll see new sites, taste new foods, talk to new people, hear new music, smell new smells, and be introduced to new thoughts and ideas.

For example, maybe you go surfing, Scuba diving, or horseback riding for the first time. Maybe you see the pyramids, taste sushi, or talk to a local student.

All of these experiences allow you to learn and see things from a different perspective. It can also simply be a lot of fun to try new things. Travel opens the mind. It might open your eyes to something new.

20. Travel Lets Us Take a Break from the Rat Race and Recharge

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind. You might feel like you’re on a hamster wheel. If you’re starting to feel burned out, travel gives you an opportunity to take a break and recharge.

Travel allows you to take a step back from your normal life and just relax. Not every trip needs to be educational or challenging. You can just relax by the pool and have some drinks or take a stroll on the beach.

This can help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also give you a much-needed opportunity to simply rest and rejuvenate. An annual vacation can provide some real health benefits.

21. You Can Learn a New Language

If you’re trying to learn a new language, traveling to a foreign country where that language is spoken will help you tremendously. Actually, the only way to truly become fluent in a language is to immerse yourself in it.

When you travel, you will constantly be exposed to new words and phrases. You’ll also have the opportunity to talk to native speakers. This gives you a chance to practice and improve your comprehension and pronunciation.

Even if you’re not actively trying to learn the language, you’ll pick up some words here and there. For example, I learned basic Portuguese while traveling in Brazil for 2.5 months this year. I probably won’t use it often but it was fun to learn.

Learning a language allows you to communicate with people who only speak that language. This opens up new opportunities to travel and experience different cultures.

In addition, learning a new language can help to sharpen cognitive skills, such as memory and critical thinking. Studies have even shown that bilingualism can delay the onset of dementia.

22. You’ll Make Lifetime Memories

When you travel, you create memories that last a lifetime. Some of my most memorable life experiences have happened while traveling. I will never forget my motorcycle trip across Vietnam. I will never forget walking on the Great Wall of China .

You can tell stories about your adventures to your friends and family. My dad’s travel stories are one of the main reasons I started traveling myself. He inspired me.

If you travel with friends or family, you’ll have more stories to look back on and reminisce about when you’re older. Even though I’ve only been traveling for a decade, I still enjoy looking back at old photos and talking to travel buddies about our journeys.

How has travel benefited you? Share your experience in the comments below!

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Zachary Friedman is an accomplished travel writer and professional blogger. Since 2011, he has traveled to 66 countries and 6 continents. He founded ‘Where The Road Forks’ in 2017 to provide readers with information and insights based on his travel and outdoor recreation experience and expertise. Zachary is also an avid cyclist and hiker. Living as a digital nomad, Zachary balances his professional life with his passions for hiking, camping, cycling, and worldwide exploration. For a deeper dive into his journey and background, visit the About page. For inquiries and collaborations, please reach out through the Contact page. You can also follow him on Facebook.

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Wednesday 17th of January 2024

I like that you talked about how traveling is a great way to become a more effective communicator. I want new experiences, so I am thinking of traveling. First off, I'll try going on a Miami tour.

27 Surprising Benefits of Traveling Abroad: How Traveling Changed My Life

Personal growth might not be one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about traveling abroad, but perhaps it should. When you leave the comfort and familiarity of life in your home country, you turn every day into an opportunity to learn, discover, explore, and grow. But the lessons you learn may not be what you always expect. Here are 27 surprising benefits of traveling abroad that have transformed my life for the better.

Benefits of Traveling Abroad

1. you regain your curiosity..

As children, we all have an innate sense of wonder. We view the world as a magical place to explore using our favorite two words: ‘how’ and ‘why’.

Unfortunately, as we grow up too many of us are taught to stop questioning things and to instead do as we are told. Whether at school, at home, or in the workplace, we are led to believe that following directions is the primary means to success and happiness. And over time, we simply stop asking how or why.

Travel is the perfect opportunity to regain one’s curiosity. Leaving the banalities of everyday life behind and instead surrounding yourself with the new and exciting reignites the flame of exploration . You’re not only allowed to ask questions, you’re encouraged. How do the locals live? Why is a particular custom followed?

When you travel, being curious becomes a way of life. You get accustomed to asking questions about everything you see, do, and feel. And when you return home these habits follow. With curiosity, a trip to the neighborhood grocery store can be as interesting as a walk through the bazaar of Marrakech. It’s all mindset.

2. You gain confidence.

Travel isn’t always easy. Spend enough time on the road and you’ll have your share of mental and physical challenges. But these obstacles are almost always less intense or consequential than those you face at home.

The culture shock you get arriving in Japan for the first time or the strain your put yourself through hiking to Machu Picchu might seem intense in the moment, but these pale in comparison to the challenges you’ll have starting a business, raising a child, or battling a serious illness.

The challenges you face on the road rarely compare to those you face at home. But in this way, it makes for the perfect training ground.

Travel provides the perfect opportunity —i n a fun and relatively safe environment — to overcome obstacles and build confidence. Whether your future challenges are mental or physical, research indicates that believing in yourself is the most important thing you do to succeed.

3. You learn to take things slowly.

How often do you slow down and simply enjoy the moment in your daily life? Be honest.

If you’re like most people, it’s not very often. We live in a time where, despite--or perhaps because of--all the advances in technology, we feel as though we must constantly rush from thing to thing, accomplishing goal after goal.

This is not a good way to live. You miss out on so many incredible things when your not focused on the present moment. All too often we fail to notice the warmth of a friend’s hug or the joy passed on through a stranger’s smile because we’re thinking of something entirely unrelated to our current circumstances.

Many novice travelers pack this habit with them on vacation. They try to see the whole Louvre in one day, or all of Europe in two weeks. Invariably, they return home exhausted, stressed, and disappointed, wondering why their hurried experiences didn’t live up to their lofty expectations.

Fortunately, one of the benefits of traveling abroad is that you realize how counterproductive this is. You decide to either do less or travel for longer. And you discover that slowing down actually allows you to experience more.

For a single day spent living in the moment—fully focusing on people and places you encounter—will provide infinitely richer feelings and insights than a whole month of rushed travel.

It pays to slow down when traveling.

And while it’s not always possible to go through life at home with the same leisurely pace we have on the road, the memories of your travels inspire you to regularly slow down—even if just for a few moments.

4. You realize it’s OK to fail.

Anyone who honestly looks back at their past travels recognizes that they are often filled with failure. From butchering the pronunciation of the local language, to getting lost in a foreign subway system, to wrongly guessing which of the menu items won’t come with eyeballs, travelers are always making mistakes.

The wrong guess was made.

And yet, 99% of the time, everything works out just fine. We learn something new about the way things are done in whatever corner of the world we’re in, and we move on. Often, such minor failures are so common that we simply overlook them.

This is in stark contrast to how many people live at home, where they treat failure not as a useful tool to be embraced but rather as something to be avoided at all costs.

I used to feel this same way. I thought that one C on an exam was a disaster or that a mess up at work would instantly result in a pink slip. Somewhat unsurprisingly, this made me incredibly risk adverse. I avoided situations where failure was a possibility, and always tried to take the safe route.

All this changed once I began traveling. I saw how travel mistakes mostly make for a good laugh or a minor inconvenience. Sometimes they even turn out for the better.

Mispronounce Chianti at a Florentine wine bar and the bartender might snicker. Get off at the wrong stop in the Paris Metro and you might have to walk 30 minutes back to your hotel. Grab the train to Ljubljana rather than Lisbon and you might meet the love of your life

Sometime failure to take the correct exit on the highway leads to unexpected discoveries, like this hidden valley in Iceland, which I had all to myself.

By seeing firsthand through travel that failure can be a valuable learning tool—perhaps the most valuable—rather than something to be feared, you return home eager to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow.

5. You have better stories to tell.

Mark Twain once said that “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Traveling only supports this.

The absurd mishaps, random occurrences, and incredible adventures that occur while traveling make for fascination stories that almost no one—save perhaps the Most Interesting Man In the World—can top. So regardless of whether your audience is your family, your friends, or a hot date, the traveler is able to entertain and (often) inspire simply by sharing a few stories from the road.

Locals dancing in Kargi, Kenya.

6. You learn to focus on what you can control — your responses.

One of the most appealing aspects of travel is that you never quite know what will happen next. Most of the time, this means that life on the road is filled with surprise and novelty, but sometimes it results in unexpected setbacks. 

Missed flights, closed museums, or minor illnesses; almost every traveler has dealt with these issues at one point or another, and there’s little you can do to prevent them.

However, one thing travelers can always do is control their responses. When things go south, it’s up to you to decide quickly whether you react with annoyance and anxiety, or strength and strategy.

Rather quickly, travelers realize that the best way—and sometimes the only way—out of difficult circumstances is to focus on what they can do to improve their situation rather than on what’s gone wrong.

Ask politely for a spot on the next departure when you’re flights been cancelled, and you’ll usually get whatever spots are available. Lash out in anger, and you might be spending the night sleeping on the airport floor.

Whether at home or on the road, we all experience setbacks like this at some point. As travel teaches you, what ultimately determines your future is how we react to these challenges.

7. You better appreciate what you have at home.

It’s easy to take what you have at home for granted. While I don’t believe that you can easily say that one country or city is clearly better than another, when you visit somewhere that doesn’t have the same things that you’re used to it helps you to better appreciate what you have at home.

Of course, not all the things you learn to appreciate about your home while traveling are as serious. A trip abroad can inspire a newfound gratitude for family, friends, certain foods, and even your local weather (nothing quite makes you appreciate the winters in Wisconsin like a January trip to Antarctica).

8. But you also gain humility and perspective.

Of course, traveling isn’t just about reinforcing the good aspects of life at home. Rather, it shows you different ways of doing things, some of which may actually be superior to what you’re used to.

Example: in Japan, you shower before you bathe, which makes sense. Who wants to swim in their own filth?

This process can be somewhat humbling, especially if you’ve been raised to think that your culture and society does everything the best. In the long run, however, having a realistic perspective on things allows you to identify problems and to take the necessary steps to correct them.

Furthermore, once you acknowledge that you may have been wrong (or at least less-correct) on one thing, you become more accepting of new ideas and possibilities in general--something that will help you in all aspects of life.

9. You become a better communicator.

Travel is a great tool for developing your communication skills. While traveling, you encounter all sorts of people, many of whom will share neither your language nor culture. In these circumstances, it can be difficult to convey even the simplest of ideas. Such challenges makes you use ingenuity and creativity to exchange information.

Learning to use tools like Google Translate, point books, hand gestures, and even sketch pads to express your ideas, you begin to think of communication in entirely new ways. And in dealing with people from disparate backgrounds, it becomes clear how the same thing can be intercepted very differently depending on your life experiences.

This process ultimately forces you to think more carefully about how and what you say and do, making you both a more nuanced and more adaptive communicator.

10. You become friends with people around the world.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have met and befriended people from around the world while traveling. Whether they were fellow adventurers or amicable locals, these relationships have enriched my life both on the road and at home.

The same can happen for you with the right attitude and initiative. If you keep an open mind and are willing to speak with strangers, you’ll discover a world filled with interesting and engaging people.

Who wouldn't want friends in Paris?

Naturally, the more you travel, the more people you meet. Over time, you’ll develop a personalized, global network of like-minded individuals with whom you can share ideas, discuss international events from a local perspective, and plan future experiences.

Often, you’ll find yourself taking turns visiting your new friends in their hometown, such as when I went to Dublin ,  Warsaw , or   Skopje . And when you decide to travel somewhere different, you can reach out to this network for advice and to connect you with other like-minded locals. What’s not to love?

11. You learn to trust your gut.

Of course, not everyone you meet while traveling has your best intentions at heart. Because of this, it’s common for less-experienced travelers to feel as though they need to be on constant high alert.

Unfortunately, this can cloud their whole travel experience in negativity and fear, which in turn can lead to unnecessarily mental and physical strain.

Seasoned travelers recognize this problem. Instead of constantly sizing up everyone and everything, they rely on their gut to keep them safe or to make a decision—a practice back ed up by science .

Our sub-conscious minds are incredibly adept at noticing the subtle indicators that suggest that something is off. Because of this, in general you only need to react as if there is danger if you feel something is off.

If your gut says it's not safe, don't risk it.

Experienced travelers don’t worry if acting on their gut makes them appear rude or cowardly; they know that this feeling is there for a reason, and that being safe is only smart.

They also use these gut feelings to assist in less-serious matters. Whether they are trying to decide what restaurant to eat at or which city to travel to next, they discover over time that trusting their instincts often leads to better outcomes. [Check out my article on How to Overcome Your Fear of Flying (And Change Your Life in the Process) .]

12. You see that nobody’s life is perfect.

We live in an age where perfection in life seems not only attainable but common. On television, in the movies, and on the internet, we are bombarded with examples of people whose lives seem to have no flaws. They are happy, healthy, and wealthy.

Making matters worse, social media allows everyone to publish their daily highlight reels, where the only things we do are drink, laugh, fall in love, and travel.

Even if you rationally know that this is an illusion, you subconsciously hold it to be true. And so you begin to ask yourself why—-despite all your efforts—you are not seeing the same results that so many others have achieved. This often leads to stress, self-doubt, and sometimes, even despair.

Travel helps to kills this fantasy. On the road, people tend to let their guard down. They expose more of themselves to the world than they otherwise would.

And so you see that everyone—regardless of personal or professional success—has more to their story than what they share.

You don't often see people sharing the moments where they're exhausted, sick, or sad.

Recognizing that nobody’s life is perfect—that no one is happy, healthy, or successful all the time—allows you better empathize with the plight of others and to stop feeling guilty for being human.

You accept sadness as an everyday part of life. You see failure as inevitable aspect of learning. You stop obsessing over artificial standards of beauty.

This is not to say that you don’t keep trying to improve yourself. If anything, knowing that perfection is not the goal motivates you even more because you can actually see the finish line.

13. You become more creative.

History is filled with writers, inventors, and thinkers whose work has seemingly been invigorated by time abroad. Think Ernst Hemingway, Nikola Tesla, Mary Shelley, or Thomas Jefferson.

Research   has now proven why this is; traveling abroad leads to greater creativity levels. Visiting a different country—and experiencing all the novelty that entails—encourages the development of new ideas by making it easier to change thoughts quickly and to create connections between seemingly unrelated topics (think: sharks + tornados = Sharknados).

What creative thoughts will travel inspire you to have?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the more you immerse yourself in the local culture, the greater the benefits.

Travelers who spend their days interacting with locals—eating as they eat, drinking as they drink, and (attempting) to think as they think—will become more creative than visitors who merely observe native culture from afar.

To be creative, you need to think outside of your normal horizons. To develop new thoughts and create new things, you need to be open to different ideas and activities. Travel teaches you to do all these things.

14. You uncover new passions.

So much of what we do—whether it be the food we drink, the thoughts we have, or the activities we pick in our free time—are a result of our surroundings. Our actions and habits are often copied from our parents, our friends, and our neighbors.

When you travel abroad, you’re able to escape the confines of social pressure and routine of home.

On the road, things that you never would have dreamed of trying at home—either because they go against social expectations or because they’re not easily available—seem to present themselves at every turn. And if you’re willing to take the risk and try, you often uncover new, life-long passions.

Another surprising benefit of traveling abroad: you uncover new passions, such as hot air ballooning.

A farm boy from Kansas may realize they love mountain climbing while backpacking through Austria. An architect from Johannesburg may discover an unknown obsession with baseball during a summer in Chicago. A body builder from London might embrace veganism while in Tibet.

You never know what hidden passions you will find when traveling abroad.

15. You start to see the beauty in small, everyday occurrences.

As travelers we often fetishize the people and places we discover abroad. It’s part of the mindset we develop. When on the road, we’re regularly enchanted by everyday occurrences that we completely ignore when at home.

I still remember how charmed I was the first time I noticed the scent of fresh bread from a neighborhood bakery in small-town France, something to which I’d normally paid no attention.

If you travel enough, this way of looking at the world follows you home. You begin to see the beauty in small, everyday occurrences , like the rustle of leaves on your lawn in autumn or the daily calls of songbirds in the morning.

And in this way, you discover a whole world of simple pleasures.

16. You gain confidence.

When you travel abroad, you inevitably face challenges. Whether these are as minor as driving on the left side of the road (on second thought, that’s actually quite hard!) or as major as learning to live without running water, your confidence grows when you handle new and difficult circumstances.

And the more you travel—and the greater the challenges you face—the more confidence you gain.

Overcoming obstacles results in greater confidence.

Returning home, everything seems easier and more manageable than before. Since you’ve handled adversity on the road—usually without the support systems you have at home (think family, friends, and routines)—you can confront challenges knowing that you’ve got what it takes to succeed, regardless of the circumstances.

17. You find love (even if just temporarily).

As almost any world traveler will tell you, no matter if you're looking for it or not, love seems to find you on the road.

Whether it’s with an amorous local, an intriguing sightseer, your fellow travel parter, or something less human—like Spanish siestas, pistacchio gelato, or Japanese Kit Kats—you’ll feel your heart strings tugged at some point or another.

And though the risk of heartbreak is real (Kit Kat does retire flavors occasionally), the immeasurable joy that comes from deep passion is always worth it.

Love is in the air when you travel abroad.

18. You realize that experiences are way more valuable than objects.

Growing up, I was convinced that the key to happiness was having lots of nice things. At various points in my life, I told myself that I’d be happy forever if I only had a room full of legos or a fancy new car or the latest smart phone.

Traveling the world helps you to see how absurd this is. Yes, you may gain some temporary joy from getting a cool toy, but it won't last long. Soon, you’ll be looking for that next fix.

Experiences (such as exploring the salt flats in Bolivia) > things.

In contrast, the happiness one gains from experiences lasts a lifetime. Memories of an evening spent hanging out with friends on the beach don’t become less enjoyable with time, they become even more precious.

19. You stop watching so much TV.

It’s rare to sit down and watch TV for any extended amount of time while traveling, save perhaps for a big soccer match or news event. Frankly, there’s no time nor need. During the day you’re usually running around seeing things, and at night there’s almost always something more entertaining and exciting going on.

The longer you go without television, the less you feel the need for it.

Spend enough time traveling, and you’ll return home actively wanting to avoid TV, instead preferring to spend your free time doing the same type of things you did while on the road. Chats with friends, live music, walks in nature, reading books—these all instinctually get prioritized over TV watching.

20. You better appreciate the internet, but realize that you must limit its use.

As any traveler can attest, the internet is a godsend.

It allows you to do research quickly, connect to family and friends easily, and even earn a living remotely.

But it’s also a major time suck and a diversion from real life. You can easily get stuck looking up obscure facts on Wikipedia instead of exploring the local Mayan ruins, or distracted by your Instagram feed while out with friends in Bangkok. So experienced travelers learn to limit their use of the internet, opting to look at the world rather than a screen.

Don't miss sunrise at Angkor Wat because you were too busy swiping right.

21. You become painfully aware that you cannot please everyone.

Growing up in the Midwest, I was told that if I only tried hard enough I could indeed make everyone happy. Well, traveling the world has convinced me otherwise.

No matter how friendly or accepting you may be, there will always be someone that doesn’t care for you simply because of who you are, where you’re from, or what you represent. It’s not a large number, but they exist. Once you realize this, it’s as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders.

You’re free to stop worrying about what others think and simply be yourself.

22. You become more employable.

Yet another of the unexpected benefits of traveling abroad: you become more employable.

Traveling abroad helps you develop and enhance a number of skills that are incredibly important in today’s creativity-based economy. These include:

-Adaptability : Travel is practice in quickly and easily adjusting to new customs and cultures, handling unforeseen adversity, and making the most of unexpected opportunities—all useful when starting a new job.

-Creativity : Travel—especially when it’s immersive—has been shown to help you create fresh ideas and develop new solutions to old problems. What employer wouldn’t like that?

-Patience : On the road, the world doesn’t always move at the pace you would like. Whether due to delays, cancellations, or a cultural emphasis on ‘taking one’s time’, travelers learn fast that sometimes you have no choice but to wait patiently.

-Curiosity : Surrounding yourself with new and exciting ideas inspires you to explore and learn as much as you can, something that bosses always love.

-Communication : Traveling to faraway places, where you often don’t share the same language nor the same cultural references, forces you to uncover new ways to express ideas based upon your audience.

-Time Management : Faced with only limited days to see and do everything you want, you have to be smart with your time while traveling. You become an expert prioritizer, and experienced time-estimator, and adept at knowing when to say ‘it’s time to stop’—all incredibly valuable skills when facing deadlines.

-Organization : Travelers, especially those that change locations a lot, have to be well- organized. To have a trip run smoothly—and to keep yourself from losing passports and sim cards—you quickly realize that you need planing and systems.

-Self-Responsibility : When you travel abroad—especially if alone—you take complete responsibility for yourself. Your friends and family aren’t right there to help if something goes wrong; you need to solve your own problems. Employers love to hire people who aren’t afraid to fix things when they are broken.

23. But you also set yourself up to be your own boss.

Perhaps you can see why the digital nomad lifestyle is so appealing.

These same skills also can be used to be your own boss.

The spirit of independence and adventure that travel promotes often inspires people to start their own businesses or to become freelance.

Self-discipline, organization, resiliency, the ability to accept and learn from failure—these are all essential traits for any entrepreneur. There’s a reason so many world travelers become successful digital nomads, working for themselves remotely from all corners of the globe.

24. You realize that almost everyone wants the same things.

The more you travel, the clearer it is that almost everyone wants the same things. Whether you’re in Bangladesh or Bermuda, surrounded by Berbers or Bushmen, deep down the locals you meet are all just looking for some combination of love, security, meaning, validation, and a better future.

Smiling locals in Termi, Ethiopia.

We usually focus on our differences—skin color, religion, economic status—but there’s something quite comforting in realizing how much you have in common with the rest of the world. In fact, it may be the greatest lesson I’ve learned from traveling.

25. You also see that people are very different—and that’s OK (for the most part).

At the same time, there are clear differences between cultures. The ways in which people try to achieve these basic human desires varies greatly from person to person and country to country.

In Japan for instance, the emphasis is almost always placed on the group rather than the individual. As a result, what you want matters much less than what is best for the group.

Sometimes, the way local people decide to live their lives and organize their society might confuse or upset you. When this happens, try and figure out why things are they way they are. Often there’s a logical reason. And if there isn’t, or the reason is something you find morally repugnant, that’s OK.

You don’t have to accept or agree with everything you encounter while on the road.

26. You see that money is not the solution to all of life’s problems.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while traveling is that money is not the solution to all of life’s problems. Growing up in the U.S., I was convinced that happiness was only dollars away, whether they were spent on the latest video game system, a fancy car, or a massive home.

Local children in Chư Păh District, Vietnam.

Yet while traveling, the happiest people I have met have been those who worked just enough so that they could afford food, shelter, and health care (if it wasn’t already provided for them by the government—a shocking concept, right?!). Unless their profession was something that brought them great joy or directly helps others, to work anymore than necessary would have been silly to them, as that would have taken away time from the things that really mattered to them: family and friends.

They might not have the cash to buy a yacht or a month’s stay at the Ritz Carlton, but their wealthy in so many non-material ways.

27. You understand what it means to be truly generous.

Growing up I thought being über generous meant to tip 20%, donate old clothes to Goodwill, and to occasionally share the nachos at sporting events.

I only learned what it meant to be truly generous after traveling abroad. Without fail, I consistently found that those with the least material goods to give—people who lived paycheck to paycheck, if there even was a paycheck at all—were the most likely to offer me a   a place to stay, a meal to eat, or even just a heartfelt smile.

While I’m not suggesting that you should give up everything you have—after all, generosity deals with more things than just money and things—it does put into perspective the sacrifices I’d been making (or not making) up until then.

Bonus benefit: you realize how lucky you are.

It’s easier than ever before to travel abroad—at least for some people. The majority of the world still has neither the money nor the freedom to leave home. Whether due to personal and professional commitments, health concerns, or a lack of rights, many would-be adventurers cannot travel at all.

When you visit places where the locals rarely travel, you truly see how lucky you are. Not only are you getting to experience a new culture, but you also become a window to the outside world for those you meet. You may indeed be the first American, Canadian, or Australian they’ve ever seen in person, and they might have lots of questions.

Having the ability to share your insights and shape the perspectives of others is a powerful and unique opportunity. You never know what your words will inspire—happiness, curiosity, anger, or perhaps change.

As you can see, the benefits of traveling abroad are numerous.

When we leave our homes, we enter into a world of personal growth, education, and adventure. We develop new skills, uncover new passions, and learn lessons that last alifetime. In these ways travel transforms you, enhancing and changing your life in the process.

And though your journey eventually comes to an end, you’re never quite the same. 

You may also enjoy:

Mark twain – travel quote of the week, thoughtful thursday – october 6, 2016, thoughtful thursday – august 4, 2016, thoughtful thursday – march 16, 2017, leave a reply cancel reply.

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17 Reasons Why Around the World Travel is Good For You

Why travel around the world.

We’ve compiled a list of the best reasons why everyone should enrich their life with around the world travel. And while we’re at it…all these reasons can also be taken as our motivation for doing what we do at AirTreks.

1. Traveling is easier than you think.

We believe that traveling around the world shouldn’t be hard: it’s actually something everyone should be able to do at least once in their lives. Whether you choose to spend a few years or just a couple months traveling this beautiful planet, it’s important to see what’s out there. It’s up to you to make the dream come true and take the first step. Launch TripPlanner to piece together and price your ideal route. Not sure where to start?  You can always call one of our travel consultants and get some complimentary advice!

2. Travel opens your eyes.

If you’re open and willing, travel will make you an incredibly more well-rounded human being. And that’s really the goal, isn’t it? If you don’t know where to start, check out our Around the World planning guide .

3. Traveling helps you learn who you are.

All the challenges and opportunities travel lays at your feet help you discover who you are in a way that’s only possible on the road.

4. Travel creates meaningful relationships

People you meet while on the road become some of the most valued names on your contact list. They become places on the map to visit later on. These folks give you a glimpse outside your hometown circle of friends, and force you to take in new and refreshing perspectives, and ultimately realize that everyone is the same.

5. Traveling develops skills you didn’t know you had

Sometimes it’s only far from home that you realize you you’ve got skills you’ve never used. It’s travel that brings them to the surface and makes you smile, satisfied to have reached the mountain top, or  crossed a gorge  or helped a villager clean up after a storm, or even to have successfully ordered a meal at a rural Chinese restaurant.

6. Travel helps you learn new languages

There’s something satisfying about being able to throw around a few words of Greek, knowing how to say thanks in Thai, pulling out that long dormant Spanish to book a room in Santiago, or simply hearing a language you didn’t know existed just a few weeks before.

7. Travel means adventure

Zip-lining over the jungle canopy in Peru, successfully navigating the maze-like streets of Venice, bartering for the best price in the traditional markets of Marrakech, taking a speedboat ride in New Zealand, or hopping in a Land Rover and heading out to watch animals grazing  in Tanzania: these are adventures worth having. People are hardwired for the excitement of adventure and travel may just be the best way to tap into it.

8. Traveling gives you perspective

Meeting people from other cultures will teach you that the way you’ve been looking at the world isn’t the way everybody else does. In fact, your point-of-view might have some major blind spots. Seeing the world for yourself will improve your vision and your grip on reality.

9. Travel helps you move forward

If you’re between jobs, schools, kids, or relationships, around the world travel can be a perfect way to move from one of these life stages into your next great adventure. A big trip won’t just ease your transition into the next stage of your life , it’ll give you a chance to reflect on where you’ve been, where you’re going, and where you want to end up.

10. Travel is education

Seeing the world provides an education that’s absolutely impossible get in school. Travel teaches you economy, politics, history, geography, and sociology in an intense, hands-on way no class will.  Fortunately, the school of travel is always taking applications , no entrance exam required.

11. Travel challenges you

Getting your daily latte at the same place and staring at your screen at your nine-to-five every day not nearly interesting enough? Even if you choose to work on the road (and keep staring at the screen), you’ll have to find a new place to drink your latte, and depending on your destination, finding coffee, and foamy milk or a good place to sip them could prove to be a sizeable challenge. Travel is full of moments of joy and challenges. Overcoming the challenges gives you some of the greatest joys of all.

12. Travel shakes things up

It sucks to be stuck in a rut. Everyone knows what that’s like. A big trip can be your perfect solution. Fly around the world, stopping over in all of the places you’ve always wanted to visit. Go ahead and plan your ideal route around the world  (it’s easier than you think!)

13. Traveling proves that dreams do come true

You imagined it, daydreamed about it, envisioned it. Guess what? It can be done. Around the world travel is possible, you just have to decide you’re willing to take the first step and start planning your itinerary.  What are you waiting for? We’ve put together some specials to inspire you to live your dream .

14. Travel gives you cool stories

Let’s face it. Even for folks who can’t tell a story, just the words “last year in Mongolia” get you instant party points.  Even when events seem trivial, nostalgia and distance create an irresistible spin that makes mundane things like getting your laundry done in Zanzibar, entertaining. Just don’t be that person and overdo it!

15. Travel is literally food for thought.

You’ll be constantly surprised at the flavors the world has to offer.  The way people in other cultures and countries prepare food, and break bread together (not that all cultures even eat bread) will astound you.

16. Travel gives you a sense of accomplishment

If you’re the kind of person that dreams big, you’re probably one to reach for new challenges. Finishing a trip gives you the satisfaction that you were able make a goal to travel and  accomplish what you set out to do–see the world.

17. Traveling for the hell of it

Why travel? Because you can. Because you want to. Because it beats the alternative (staying home). Why not  pick up your tickets and get the ball rolling!

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• THE BIG IDEA

Why travel should be considered an essential human activity

Travel is not rational, but it’s in our genes. Here’s why you should start planning a trip now.

In 1961, legendary National Geographic photographer Volkmar Wentzel captured two women gazing at the surf off Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. This and all the other images in this story come from the National Geographic image collection.

I’ve been putting my passport to good use lately. I use it as a coaster and to level wobbly table legs. It makes an excellent cat toy.

Welcome to the pandemic of disappointments. Canceled trips, or ones never planned lest they be canceled. Family reunions, study-abroad years, lazy beach vacations. Poof. Gone. Obliterated by a tiny virus, and the long list of countries where United States passports are not welcome.

Only a third of Americans say they have traveled overnight for leisure since March, and only slightly more, 38 percent, say they are likely to do so by the end of the year, according to one report. Only a quarter of us plan on leaving home for Thanksgiving, typically the busiest travel time. The numbers paint a grim picture of our stilled lives.

It is not natural for us to be this sedentary. Travel is in our genes. For most of the time our species has existed, “we’ve lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers moving about in small bands of 150 or fewer people,” writes Christopher Ryan in Civilized to Death . This nomadic life was no accident. It was useful. “Moving to a neighboring band is always an option to avoid brewing conflict or just for a change in social scenery,” says Ryan. Robert Louis Stevenson put it more succinctly: “The great affair is to move.”

What if we can’t move, though? What if we’re unable to hunt or gather? What’s a traveler to do? There are many ways to answer that question. “Despair,” though, is not one of them.

In this aerial view from 1967, wall-to-wall seaside sunbathers relax under umbrellas or on beach towels in Ocean City, Maryland .

A 1967 fall festival in Guadalajara, Mexico , starred traditionally costumed musicians and dancers.

We are an adaptive species. We can tolerate brief periods of forced sedentariness. A dash of self-delusion helps. We’re not grounded, we tell ourselves. We’re merely between trips, like the unemployed salesman in between opportunities. We pass the days thumbing though old travel journals and Instagram feeds. We gaze at souvenirs. All this helps. For a while.

We put on brave faces. “Staycation Nation,” the cover of the current issue of Canadian Traveller magazine declares cheerfully, as if it were a choice, not a consolation.

Today, the U.S. Travel Association, the industry trade organization, is launching a national recovery campaign called “ Let’s Go There .” Backed by a coalition of businesses related to tourism—hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, airlines—the initiative’s goal is to encourage Americans to turn idle wanderlust into actual itineraries.

The travel industry is hurting. So are travelers. “I dwelled so much on my disappointment that it almost physically hurt,” Paris -based journalist Joelle Diderich told me recently, after canceling five trips last spring.

(Related: How hard has the coronavirus hit the travel industry? These charts tell us.)

My friend James Hopkins is a Buddhist living in Kathmandu . You’d think he’d thrive during the lockdown, a sort-of mandatory meditation retreat. For a while he did.

But during a recent Skype call, James looked haggard and dejected. He was growing restless, he confessed, and longed “for the old 10-countries-a-year schedule.” Nothing seemed to help, he told me. “No matter how many candles I lit, or how much incense I burned, and in spite of living in one of the most sacred places in South Asia, I just couldn’t change my habits.”

When we ended our call, I felt relieved, my grumpiness validated. It’s not me; it’s the pandemic. But I also worried. If a Buddhist in Kathmandu is going nuts, what hope do the rest of us stilled souls have?

I think hope lies in the very nature of travel. Travel entails wishful thinking. It demands a leap of faith, and of imagination, to board a plane for some faraway land, hoping, wishing, for a taste of the ineffable. Travel is one of the few activities we engage in not knowing the outcome and reveling in that uncertainty. Nothing is more forgettable than the trip that goes exactly as planned.

Related: Vintage photos of the glamour of travel

Travel is not a rational activity. It makes no sense to squeeze yourself into an alleged seat only to be hurled at frightening speed to a distant place where you don’t speak the language or know the customs. All at great expense. If we stopped to do the cost-benefit analysis, we’d never go anywhere. Yet we do.

That’s one reason why I’m bullish on travel’s future. In fact, I’d argue travel is an essential industry, an essential activity. It’s not essential the way hospitals and grocery stores are essential. Travel is essential the way books and hugs are essential. Food for the soul. Right now, we’re between courses, savoring where we’ve been, anticipating where we’ll go. Maybe it’s Zanzibar and maybe it’s the campground down the road that you’ve always wanted to visit.

(Related: Going camping this fall? Here’s how to get started.)

James Oglethorpe, a seasoned traveler, is happy to sit still for a while, and gaze at “the slow change of light and clouds on the Blue Ridge Mountains” in Virginia, where he lives. “My mind can take me the rest of the way around this world and beyond it.”

It’s not the place that is special but what we bring to it and, crucially, how we interact with it. Travel is not about the destination, or the journey. It is about stumbling across “a new way of looking at things,” as writer Henry Miller observed. We need not travel far to gain a fresh perspective.

No one knew this better than Henry David Thoreau , who lived nearly all of his too-short life in Concord, Massachusetts. There he observed Walden Pond from every conceivable vantage point: from a hilltop, on its shores, underwater. Sometimes he’d even bend over and peer through his legs, marveling at the inverted world. “From the right point of view, every storm and every drop in it is a rainbow,” he wrote.

Thoreau never tired of gazing at his beloved pond, nor have we outgrown the quiet beauty of our frumpy, analog world. If anything, the pandemic has rekindled our affection for it. We’ve seen what an atomized, digital existence looks like, and we (most of us anyway) don’t care for it. The bleachers at Chicago ’s Wrigley Field; the orchestra section at New York City ’s Lincoln Center; the alleyways of Tokyo . We miss these places. We are creatures of place, and always will be.

After the attacks of September 11, many predicted the end of air travel, or at least a dramatic reduction. Yet the airlines rebounded steadily and by 2017 flew a record four billion passengers. Briefly deprived of the miracle of flight, we appreciated it more and today tolerate the inconvenience of body scans and pat-downs for the privilege of transporting our flesh-and-bone selves to far-flung locations, where we break bread with other incarnate beings.

Landscape architects work in their Rio de Janeiro, Brazil , studio in 1955.

A tourist photographs a towering century plant in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, in 1956.

In our rush to return to the world, we should be mindful of the impact of mass tourism on the planet. Now is the time to embrace the fundamental values of sustainable tourism and let them guide your future journeys. Go off the beaten path. Linger longer in destinations. Travel in the off-season. Connect with communities and spend your money in ways that support locals. Consider purchasing carbon offsets. And remember that the whole point of getting out there is to embrace the differences that make the world so colorful.

“One of the great benefits of travel is meeting new people and coming into contact with different points of view,” says Pauline Frommer, travel expert and radio host.

So go ahead and plan that trip. It’s good for you, scientists say . Plotting a trip is nearly as enjoyable as actually taking one. Merely thinking about a pleasurable experience is itself pleasurable. Anticipation is its own reward.

I’ve witnessed first-hand the frisson of anticipatory travel. My wife, not usually a fan of travel photography, now spends hours on Instagram, gazing longingly at photos of Alpine lodges and Balinese rice fields. “What’s going on?” I asked one day. “They’re just absolutely captivating,” she replied. “They make me remember that there is a big, beautiful world out there.”

Many of us, myself included, have taken travel for granted. We grew lazy and entitled, and that is never good. Tom Swick, a friend and travel writer, tells me he used to view travel as a given. Now, he says, “I look forward to experiencing it as a gift.”

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Brain Health

7 Ways Traveling is Actually Good for Your Health & The Earth

Did you know that travel is good for you?

It is! And it’s good for you in real and scientifically studied ways.

In fact, research indicates that traveling can improve your brain function, boost your heart health, improve your physical activity, turn on your creativity, and help you to be happier , to name a few health benefits.

And if you add eco-travel into the mix, you can experience the feel-good hormones that come from doing something positive for others .

As travel begins to open up with more vaccinations rolling out, it’s a great time to contemplate the benefits of traveling and how it is good for your health.

Let’s explore!

7 Benefits of Traveling for Your Health & The Earth

Traveling to new locations is good for your brain. According to adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Paul Nussbaum, traveling can stimulate your brain and spur the growth of new connections within its cerebral matter. There’s a link between new experiences and the formation of dendrites, which are the branch-like extensions that grow from brain neurons.

Dendrites help to transmit information between different regions of the brain. When you have a greater number of dendrites, your brain functions better, especially its memory and attention.

When you come up against an obstacle or problem in traveling, and your brain is forced to focus on the situation to create a solution, that act both boosts dendritic growth and tests your problem-solving skills.

The newness is key. When traveling to a new location, your brain is challenged to make sense of new stimuli. Add a foreign language and your brain cognition sharpens even more!

Heart Health

Travel can reduce your chances of heart health problems.

A study conducted by The Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association found that women who vacationed every six years or more had a significantly higher risk of developing a serious heart issue compared with women who vacationed at least twice a year.

And for men, if they didn’t take an annual vacation, they were shown to have a 20% higher risk of death and about a 30% greater risk of death from a heart health event.

Stress Relief

Travel has been shown to relieve stress , and that stress relief appears to continue even after you return home.

One study showed dramatic reductions in stress for corporate middle managers who took a vacation for just four days and the stress relief lasted four to six weeks after they returned.

When you consider that stress may play a role in 60-80% of primary care visits, stress relief is super important to your overall health. With that statistic in mind, travel takes on increased importance for your health.

Increased Physical Activity

Another factor contributing to the heart health benefits of travel may be the increase of physical activity that often goes with it. In fact, research shows that substantial physical activity may accompany active travel.

Physical activity increases even more if you adventure travel. People of all ages can build trips around physical activities, whether that’s hiking , mountaineering, rock climbing, scuba diving, surfing, skiing, golfing, or a simple walking tour. The possibilities are endless.

But even with simple exploration, sightseeing, and visiting local attractions, you’ll likely be walking greater distances, which is wonderful for both mental outlook, your brain, and your body.

Boosts Creativity

There’s a well-documented link between multicultural traveling and creativity. Exposure to other cultures presents a person with new ideas, concepts, and ways of seeing the world. This kind of exposure expands your mind and facilitates the flow of creative energy.

Of course, engaging in creative pursuits helps us to feel a greater sense of well-being , and reduces stress and anxiousness.

Increased Happiness

With all that physical activity, better cognition, and creative thinking resulting from travel, is it any wonder that travel makes us happier? This was reflected in a survey of 500 people conducted by Washington State University earlier this year. It showed that people who regularly take trips are happier than respondents who rarely travel.

Yet, it may come as surprise to learn that even thinking about travel makes us happy. A Cornell University study explored how thinking about an experience such as a trip can increase a person’s happiness even more than the anticipation of buying material goods. Another study found that people feel greater well-being and happiness in anticipation of a holiday.

Eco-travel Benefits Well-Being and the Earth

For example, in the Amazon Rainforest, there are several ecolodge, adventure travel options. The income from these operations can help restore rainforest areas and support local communities, helping them to refrain from rainforest destructive practices such as gold mining, logging, and slash and burn agriculture.

Knowing you’re making a difference by helping others and the earth can help boost your own mental well-being. It’s a win for all involved.

Time to get planning! Better health and new adventures await.

At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD .

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Why Travel Is Good For Your Health

Even a brief break can help boost your well-being.

benik.at | Shutterstock

Use your vacation days to relax, recharge and increase your physical and mental health.

Americans are forfeiting their vacation days, despite the stress, anxiety and other negative effects of not taking time off from work. In fact, a report by Project: Time Off , shows U.S. employees took about 16 vacation days in 2013, down from about 20 in 2000. Apart from depriving yourself the chance to enhance your productivity and work performance, avoiding taking a break can lead to stress overload and other potentially damaging effects on your health, experts say.

After all, vacations offers the chance to relax and restore overall well-being. But simply taking a hiatus from your demanding workday schedule isn't enough. Traveling somewhere new can enable you to immerse yourself in new surroundings, boost your brain power and fully recharge. With this in mind, here are five reasons why traveling is smart for the mind, body and soul and expert tips for making the most out of your vacation days to rejuvenate and ensure a stress-free getaway.

You'll Recharge Emotionally and Increase Empathy

According to Wallace J. Nichols, author of "Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do" vacationing – especially near the water – can help us reset our emotions and actually increase compassion. "Often associated with feelings of awe and wonder, water can boost our empathy and compassion, our connection to ourselves and those we are with, and for many — from musicians like Pharrell Williams to neurologists like Oliver Sacks – it's a steady source of creativity and insight," he says.

You'll Get Back in Shape

While some may not describe vacations as an opportunity to escalate their fitness routines, travelers may be more active than sitting in an office chair all day. Tourists may walk as much as ten miles a day while sightseeing in Europe or visiting Disney World. Travelers may also be more inclined to try new activities while in a new place, like paddleboarding or hiking. There are also fitness-centric resorts that encourage guests to get fit and try new workouts to boost physical and mental health away from home.

You'll Engage in New Surroundings and Eliminate Stress

Traveling has many advantages, with stress relief topping the list, according to Dr. Margaret J. King, the director of the Center for Cultural Studies & Analysis, a think tank focused on the ideas, products and ideas that drive consumer decisions. 'There are lots of psychological benefits from change of venue from home and work to 'third places' devoted to just experiencing the environment. With a short list of activities each day, freed up from the complexities of ongoing projects and relationships, the mind can reset, as does the body, with stress relief the main outcome. Humans thrive on novelty, and travel offers the complete package with new faces, sounds and sights," she says.

You'll Wind Down and Rest Up

Little sleep   mixed with  high stress  can lead to irritability and negative consequences on your cognitive performance and efficiency. Max Hirshkowitz, chairman of the board of the National Sleep Foundation says a vacation is a great opportunity to catch up on sleep. To feel more energized, the NSF recommends at least seven hours  of sleep per night for adults. "Reserve that time," he says. "Make it an important thing you need."

You'll Boost Your Mood

Many studies suggest that travel can improve our emotional state. A 2014 survey conducted by Diamond Resorts International found over three-quarters of respondents reported feeling happier when they planned a trip at least once a year. Dr. Leigh Vinocur, a certified physician and spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians, isn't surprised by the findings. "It's hard to sit on a beautiful beach somewhere and ruminate about paperwork or deadlines. That is why over three-quarters of respondents to the Diamond Resorts International survey reported feeling happier when they regularly vacationed. Periodic and regular vacations while taking time for yourself and your family lowers your stress level and decreases the release of all those stress hormones that contribute to degrading our mental and physical health," she says. Plus, studies show reminiscing about pleasant vacation memories may trigger happiness long after your trip. 

Tags: Travel , health , Travel Tips

About En Route

Practical advice on the art of traveling smarter with tips, tricks and intel from En Route's panel of experts.

Contributors have experience in areas ranging from family travel, adventure travel, experiential travel and budget travel to hotels, cruises and travel rewards and include Amy Whitley , Claire Volkman , Holly Johnson , Marsha Dubrow , Lyn Mettler , Sery Kim , Kyle McCarthy , Erica Lamberg , Jess Moss , Sheryl Nance-Nash , Sherry Laskin , Katie Jackson , Erin Gifford , Roger Sands , Steve Larese , Gwen Pratesi , Erin Block , Dave Parfitt , Kacey Mya , Kimberly Wilson , Susan Portnoy , Donna Tabbert Long and Kitty Bean Yancey .

Edited by Liz Weiss .

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

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• GENERAL TRAVEL

Why Traveling Abroad is Important

Having lived in Singapore, Qatar, Japan, and now Mexico, Munira is basically a walking GoAbroad e...

• Travel Inspiration
• General Travel
• button]:border-none [&>button]:bg-white [&>button]:hover:cursor-pointer [&>button]:hover:text-cyan-400"> button]:hover:text-cyan-400 [&>button]:bg-white hover:cursor-pointer" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

Traveling abroad can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. We can’t stress the importance of travel enough—it can open your eyes to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of living, and can help you grow and develop in ways you never thought possible.

There are so many reasons why traveling is important, but above all, it is a valuable experience that can help you grow and develop as a person. Whether you're looking to learn a new language , make valuable connections, or simply have an adventure , traveling abroad is an experience you will never forget .

12 reasons why traveling abroad is important

1. personal growth and development.

Traveling to a foreign country can be a challenging and transformative experience . This is a big reason why travel is important.

Being thrust into a way of life completely different from what you know back home can push you out of your comfort zone, help you develop new skills, and give you a sense of independence and self-reliance. It can also help you gain a better understanding of yourself and your place in the world.

2. Cultural understanding

Traveling abroad allows you to experience different cultures firsthand. It can help you gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world and the people in it. It can also help you become more open-minded, tolerant, and accepting of different ways of life, and you will return home practically a new person!

3. Career opportunities

Traveling abroad can also have many benefits for your career . It can help you develop new skills, make valuable connections, and gain a better understanding of international business and politics. Additionally, the experiences you gain abroad will make you stand out from other candidates and can be an asset in your future job search.

As the world becomes smaller and more globalized, top companies are always prioritizing candidates with valuable international experience . A meaningful trip abroad can be vital in making you stand out from the crowd when you start applying for your dream job.

4. Language learning

Another key benefit highlighting the importance of traveling abroad? The great opportunity to learn a new language .

Traveling abroad means making connections and meeting friends you’ll keep for life.

Immersing yourself in a foreign culture and speaking the local language can help you pick up new vocabulary and grammar, and also help you develop your listening and speaking skills. Being able to converse in more than one language will give you a leg up in many future opportunities, and you can also expand your social circle by making lifelong friends from diverse places.

5. Improved mental health

Traveling abroad can also have a positive impact on your mental health . It can help you reduce stress and anxiety and also can offer a sense of adventure and excitement. Additionally, being in a new place can help you disconnect from your everyday life and give you a chance to relax and recharge.

Many companies now include paid gap years and increased paid time off for employees as they have recognized why it's important to travel and how important traveling is for people to stay at the top of their game at work. Traveling is also a great way to prevent burnout—it cleanses your brain and allows you to come back a stronger and more focused person.

6. Lasting memories and experiences

This is one of the top reasons why traveling is important! Traveling abroad gives you the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. From the new foods you will eat to the people you will meet and the places you will visit, every experience will be unique and special. Imagine the stories you’ll be able to share when you get back!

7. Enhanced creativity

If you’re an artistic person like a painter or musician, traveling abroad can help to enhance your creativity . But even if you’re not, just being in a new place and experiencing different cultures can inspire new ideas and ways of thinking, which can be beneficial in both your personal and professional life.

This highlights the real importance of travel for everyone: You will learn to see the beauty in places you never thought to look before, and develop ways to appreciate the little things in life!

8. Appreciation of diversity

You can read as many travel articles as you want or watch documentaries and videos from the comfort of your own home, but traveling to different parts of the world can give you the chance to appreciate the diversity of the human experience. So—why is it important to travel? You will be exposed to different customs, traditions, and ways of life, which can broaden your perspective and help you appreciate the world in a more holistic way.

9. Enhanced problem-solving skills

Figuring out how to get from point A to point B is just one skill you’ll learn while traveling abroad.

Improving your problem-solving skills is a big reason why it's important to travel. When you are in a new place, you will have to deal with unexpected situations , and this can help you develop the ability to think on your feet and make quick decisions. You’ll need to be resourceful and make the best out of situations no matter what, and there’s no better way to challenge yourself than by venturing abroad into the unknown!

10. Increased knowledge

Traveling abroad can also increase your general knowledge about the world, which is always a good thing! How many times have you felt secondhand embarrassment from those videos where people can’t seem to point out famous countries on a map? That will never be you when you travel . You will be exposed to different cultures and customs, which will give you a deeper understanding of the world's history, politics, and geography.

11. Networking

You’ll widen the potential to create connections with some of the most interesting people in the world when you travel! You will meet people from all walks of life, and this can be a great way to build professional and personal relationships.

You might meet someone today who will be instrumental in helping you out five or 10 years down the line. With social media, there’s no limit from distance when it comes to friendships and connections, so traveling is a great way to fill up your digital Rolodex with the coolest people ever.

12. Inspiration for future goals

Finding a source of inspiration for your future goals is a major reason why traveling is important. Seeing different places and cultures can help you discover new passions, and this can help you choose new endeavors and set aspirations for your future.

5 important types of travel to try out

1. study abroad.

• Why it’s important: Studying abroad will take your academic experience to the next level. Simply put, studying abroad is a period of time (perhaps a semester or year) during which you pursue your academic interests abroad. This can be done through a program at your own institution or through a separate study abroad organization that works in conjunction with your school or degree program. You may also have the opportunity to study abroad in high school even though most people do it in college!
• Recommended program: TEAN - Australia - Bond University, Gold Coast
• Explore all study abroad programs

2. Volunteer Abroad

Make a difference for people and the planet by volunteering while you travel.

Why it’s important: There's no doubting that as a society, we've moved into a time where the desire to do good for humanity and the planet is more relevant than ever. Volunteering abroad mostly benefits the host community rather than you—remember the point is to make a difference in the country you go to. The work you conduct while on placement will have an influence on your host country for a long time if it is done correctly, ethically, and sustainably, and can be a key reason why travel is important in the grand scheme of things!

• Recommended program: Women’s Empowerment Volunteering in Cambodia
• Explore all volunteer abroad programs

3. Gap Year

• Why it’s important: Searching for the ideal harmony between travel and enlightenment? Then a gap year might be just the thing you need . It will be time well spent, whether it's a year off between high school and college or after graduation, or even a break while you’re employed. Programs for gap years are full of chances for growth on a personal level, acquiring new skills, reevaluating personal and professional objectives, and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
• Recommended program: Seamester Study Abroad and Gap Year Voyages
• Explore all gap year programs

4. Intern Abroad

• Why it’s important: As an international intern, you’ll gain real-world experience at a foreign firm or organization while participating in study abroad activities and earning college credit. Interning abroad has several advantages , chief among them the extraordinary personal and professional development that comes with the experience. Internships abroad also provide flexibility. There are hundreds of placements available in dozens of disciplines for international internships, whether you want to change careers, you’re still in college, or you’ve just graduated (or are about to graduate). So, why is it important to travel and intern abroad ? You'll experience life-altering adventures and meet a ton of new people!
• Recommended program: Internships and Volunteer Programs in Africa
• Explore all internship abroad programs

5. Work Abroad

• Why it’s important: Programs that allow you to work overseas are a terrific opportunity to earn more than money. The benefits are nearly endless : a challenging new environment, increased freedom, new friendships (and business connections), the addition of a new language to your toolkit , and the chance to advance your professional aspirations. Your employment overseas won't even seem like work; rather, it'll feel more like one wild—and paid!—adventure because you'll be having so much fun overcoming new obstacles and enjoying new experiences.
• Recommended program: Jobs and internships in Spain
• Explore all work abroad programs

Our Online Advisor can match you with 5 programs abroad—it’s free!

Why travel because you’ll be living your best life, that’s why.

Get out there and learn the importance of travel for yourself!

So in conclusion— why is travel important ? Traveling abroad is not only an exciting and enriching experience, but it also has many benefits for personal growth and development. From enhancing creativity and problem-solving skills to increasing knowledge and networking opportunities to giving you inspiration for future goals, the reasons why traveling is important are numerous.

Travel is an experience that all who have the opportunity to do so should embrace. Now that you know the importance of traveling, you’re ready for an experience you will never forget.

Plan Your Next Trip with our Travel Resources Hub!

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7 Personal Benefits of Travel

Forget milling around in your finest evening wear, Singapore Sling in hand: You'll be lucky to get peanuts. Flying isn't quite the party it was in Sinatra's days, and lots of time, energy, and money are expended to leave home, so why travel? How long do the  personal benefits of travel last?

Getting away from home and stepping outside of your usual routine is beneficial for both mind and body. The long-lasting personal benefits of visiting a foreign country far outweigh the costs and time to get there.

The great travel writer Pico Lyer said: "Travel is not really about leaving our homes, but leaving our habits." Here are seven ways that travel, especially  international travel, will enhance your life.

Travel Sharpens the Mind

You've done your old routine for so many years that you could run through it on autopilot. Being dropped into a new environment engages a dormant part of your mind and gets those synapses firing again.

Suddenly, you'll be required to navigate unfamiliar places, read foreign languages , try new things, make quick decisions, and choose your new eating and sleeping schedule.

Unlike at home, all the new sights, sounds, and places will require mental processing and filing. Your brain will welcome the workout! Once you return home, you'll be sharper than ever for better organizing and sprucing up your daily routine.

A Shift in Perspective

"Nobody comes back from a journey the way they started it." — Unknown

Being exposed to new cultures and people will greatly shift your paradigm and create a healthier perspective once you return back home. Seeing different social classes creates compassion and really makes you feel more blessed and content. Large portions of the world's population have to deal with daily threats such as hunger, disease , and landmines .

A hard day at work suddenly doesn't seem so bad when you see people in developing countries toiling in sun-scorched fields from morning to dark, or begging for a drink of water.

A Chance to Try New Things

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

While you may branch out at home from time to time by trying new restaurants or splurging on expenditures, traveling kicks you out of the comfort zone and forces you, for better or worse, to try new things!

Even if you don't enjoy your first attempt at scuba diving , at least you'll be able to relate in a new way the next time you see it in a movie or hear someone talking about it.

Becoming a well-rounded individual enhances self-confidence and will help you find new material for conversation in social settings with a wider variety of people.

Who knows, you may accidentally discover your new favorite food or find out that you want to pursue a new career in karaoke!

Meet New People

"A journey is best measured in friends, not in miles." — Tim Cahill

You'll meet far more friendly people on the road than you will under ordinary circumstances at home.

Other travelers are always looking to share experiences, give tips on places to go, and meet people from all over. Striking up a conversation with other travelers is extraordinarily easy.

A polite "so where are you from?" breaks the ice quite easily and may lead to lasting friendships with people from all over the world.

See the Real Deal

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." — Aldous Huxley

Until you visit a place and form your own opinions, your understanding only comes from what you were taught in school, read in books, or saw on media, which may or may not be a complete truth.

Don't over-research your upcoming destination in guidebooks. Do your best to avoid building a bias toward a place or installing mental filters before you visit. Wait to form your own opinion, remaining objective until you can make up your own mind.

Exercise and Sunshine

Sure, you could just go sweat in the gym under fluorescent lighting, but chances are that you'll be much more active from day to day while on the road, regardless of whether your trip is an adventurous one or simply a relaxing beach trip .

You could be exploring new cities on foot, hiking , swimming, walking between places, and hopefully soaking up some needed sunshine while doing so. And it's guaranteed to smell better than the gym.

Come Home Renewed

After stepping away from home for a while, you'll return with renewed energy, a new set of mental filters, and ready to take on the next big project or challenge. Call it a life reboot.

Getting away for some time, even though it requires effort, will greatly enhance your attitude and productivity once you return home. Sure, you may have some mail piled up and matters to attend, but those are simple challenges easily knocked out.

Breaking up the monotony for a while is a great way to reduce stress and give your life an injection of excitement. Don't be surprised if shortly after your return, you're already counting down days until the next trip!

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Why is Travel Important? Here Are 7 Important Benefits of Traveling

Wondering why travel is an important part of life here are the most impactful benefits of traveling, including health, happiness, and more.

As I write this, the world is in the midst of the second wave of the coronavirus crisis. Travel is far below the level it was at back in 2019, and it’ll be some time before it picks back up to pre-pandemic levels.

So, it feels a bit weird to write an article on the benefits of traveling and why travel is important.

But, travel will make a comeback. When it does, health and safety risks will remain. Many fair-weather travelers may be hesitant to return to the skies, roads, rails, and seas. 

However, traveling is important and its benefits far outweigh the risks involved.

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Here are some of the most important benefits of traveling:

1. Travel Makes You Happier

Sure, a travel experience easily makes you happier by getting you away from your daily grind. And, if you can get away from your parents, kids, freelance work , pets, homework, piano lessons, part-time job , studying for exams or any other things possibly weighing you down, that will definitely put a smile on your face, to say the least.

However, travel makes you happier in another way, as well. According to a study by Amit Kumar, Matthew A. Killingsworth, and Thomas Gilovich from Cornell University, that money spent on doing something (called “experiential purchases”) will leave you with a longer-lasting sense of happiness than money spent on having something (called “material purchases”). 

The study says that “waiting for experiences tends to be more positive than waiting for possessions.” And, it goes on to say that “people derive more happiness from the anticipation of experiential purchases and that waiting for an experience tends to be more pleasurable and exciting than waiting to receive a material good.”

Related Read : The Best Work-Life Balance Quotes to Know

2. Travel Lets You Disconnect & Recharge

One of the best things you can do for your mental health every now and again, especially as a busy college student with an evening job or a young professional working 12-hour shifts, is to disconnect in order to recharge.

Working or studying for days, weeks, and months on end may help get you where you’re looking to go. However, you deserve a break every once in a while from the chronic stress. If not, you may suffer from burnout, depression, anxiety, and a whole host of other problems and ailments.

If traveling to a foreign country or experiencing a different culture doesn’t sound like a true break from everyday life and its stressful situations, stay local or do a solo trip to someplace remote and serene. The important thing for your is to unwind. That’s a health benefit and travel tip all rolled into one!

3. Traveling Relieves Stress and Anxiety

In a randomized controlled trial conducted by Austrian researchers and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , one of the many great travel benefits is that it can reduce stress levels and anxiety.

The researchers found that even just one short-term vacation (~3 days in length) “independent of the mode, has large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being.” Furthermore, the beneficial effects last quite a while after you return home. “The effects can still be detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation.”

Just make sure the way you travel doesn’t cause you stress, either! If you have a fear of air travel or a disdain for family travel, go by rail or take a solo travel experience. The important thing is to break away from the chronic stress of everyday life in order to calm down and reset your mind.

Related Read : How to Set Goals You Will Actually Achieve

4. Travel Exposes You to New Things

When you travel, you are stepping outside your comfort zone, for one thing. Even if your destination is relatively nearby (across the country rather than internationally), you are still experiencing new things.

Mark Twain said it best in one of my favorite travel quotes:

“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.”

5. Travel Exposes Others to New Things

When you meet someone new, whether it’s in another town nearby or in a city halfway around the world, they also are meeting you. And, just as you’re being exposed to new foods, culture, languages, traditions, and so forth, they’re also getting a taste of yours. Just remember to be a good ambassador for your hometown, values, and beliefs!

When you visit a new place, meet new people, and learn about a new culture, whether through group travel or when traveling solo, the benefit to your life is immense, but it also benefits your friends, family, and other loved ones. Not only will you get to experience new things, but you’ll also bring what you learn back to your school, workplace, and hometown.

Related Read : 15+ Best Educational Podcasts to Listen to for Everyday Learning

6. Travel Makes You Physically Healthier

If you’re an active individual and asking why is travel important, there are some great benefits of traveling in store for you! From running through airports and train stations to make that tight connection to hiking through uneven terrain on your mountain climbing adventures to getting some vitamin D as you catch some rays on the beach, there are many reasons why travel is beneficial to your health.

According to a study by the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, travel decreases the risks of heart attacks and makes your brain healthier. The study determined that men who take an annual vacation are 30% less likely to die from heart disease, among other findings.

7. Traveling Can Boost Your Creativity

Are you a student, artist, writer, photographer, chef, advertising manager, or video game designer struggling with coming up with your next great idea? Traveling can help! If you’re looking to reignite your creativity, head on to Kayak and start booking some international flight tickets.

“Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School, tells The Atlantic . Cognitive flexibility plays a major role in overall creativity, defined as the ability for a person to be able to entertain various ideas and viewpoints one after the other.

So, when it’s safe to do so, get back out there and travel.

You’ll improve your happiness and mood, get exposed to new things, strengthen your mind and body, remove stress and anxiety, and so much more!

Got any questions, feedback, or other great reasons why travel is important? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

Related Read : 21+ Growth Mindset Quotes to Know for Success, Happiness & Fulfillment

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1. Traveling broadens your perspective.

2. It allows you to see the world from a different angle.

3. It helps you to learn new things.

4. It makes you more tolerant and understanding

It’s fascinating that you point out that traveling offers a great way to relieve anxiety. I’ve been having a lot of anxiety for the past three months because of my divorce, so I’m considering booking a tour of Europe this summer. I’m going to look for a good business that offers tours of Europe.

Love this Christian, it keeps me do travel multiple times a year. Thank you so much.

I am Ain from Malaysia. I’m looking for contents to be used on my school assignment about travelling and I found your website would be so helpful for me and my group members. In this assignment , we are required to choose our international destination. In this assignment , we are going to make a report paper and two products (brochure and presentation). This work won’t be published online. We would like to include flight ticket to our destination , foods , place to stay , transportation and more. So , here I would like to ask for your permission to use contents from your website. This is the link to the content that me and my group members would like / might to use:

https://www.goodwall.io/blog/benefits-of-traveling/

I hope you can approve my permission. That would be great for us!

Thank you very much & stay safe!

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Why i travel: the joys & benefits of traveling the world.

Traveling has been one of my top priorities for a very long time. I make a concerted effort to travel as much as I can throughout the year even while maintaining my online publishing business. I do it because I love it, first and foremost, but also because traveling has a lot of auxiliary benefits that you might not know about.

When I graduated from high school, long ago, I had the opportunity to travel to seven countries in Europe . That trip changed the way I see the world and helped me define who I wanted to be as an adult. I’m so thankful for that opportunity, because without it, I’m not sure that I would have realized all of the benefits of traveling the world.

I wrote this post on the benefits of travelling the world because I want to share my perspective on why travel is important and what I think are the main benefits of traveling, because there are many, and those benefits can often be overlooked.

You may not just take my word for it and run out to book those tickets to France , but I hope that I can encourage you to broaden your horizons a bit and consider how travel might fit into your own life.

The Benefits of Traveling the World

Traveling expands your appreciation for other people and cultures..

In 2005, I traveled to Israel on a group tour to see some of the top biblical sights – Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Golgotha, the Sea of Galilee. It was an incredible trip. Israel is a beautiful country, full of incredible culture and customs, great food and friendly people.

It was my first trip to the Middle East, followed shortly by a trip to Egypt in 2007, and it really expanded my appreciation for a region of the world that I only knew from reports on the news and snippets of other people’s perspective on the area.

I finally had a chance to see it myself and to build my own perspective, rather than relying on what are likely someone else’s distorted views. There is so much to learn from actually visiting a place and seeing for yourself what their culture is like.

See how travel has touched the lives of these fellow travelers: 5 Simple Travel Experiences That Touched Our Hearts

It allows you to see past your own concerns and troubles and become more compassionate.

When I leave behind my world and join in someone else’s — even for a short period of time, like a 1-week vacation — I am always able to see my own concerns and troubles in a better perspective. What I thought was such a major catastrophe at home suddenly seems trivial, or the grudge I was holding onto no longer seems important.

I know it’s just the distance and space I’ve had to step back and look at the issue more clearly, but to me that’s a huge benefit to regular travel. It’s sort of like an instant reset button. As you start to see that you aren’t the center of the universe and that people around you have much bigger issues and problems than you do, you start to feel more compassion and understanding for people.

It gives you a greater desire to help people who are less fortunate than you.

When I was in high school, my youth group traveled to a poor border town in Mexico each year to build houses and lead bible study for the villagers and children who lived there. The families we built the houses for were living in what amounted to forts built out of discarded materials, like plywood boards, plastic sheeting and old tires.

The children were ecstatic to play with empty cardboard boxes that we brought our materials in. That was my first real experience with such incredibly poverty and it helped me see that my own worries and concerns were so trivial in comparison.

It also opened my eyes to how wasteful and ungrateful we are for the things we have. While this is obviously an extreme example, there are many times during our travels around the world that I am moved by compassion for someone or convicted by my own materialism.

It expands your borders, literally.

In just over 20 years of traveling, I’ve been to 50+ countries, and to every continent, except Antarctica. I’ve been to Egypt and Israel, to Switzerland and the small country of Liechtenstein, to South Africa and Morocco , to Peru and Argentina , Australia and New Zealand.

I’ve walked on the Great Wall of China and crawled into a Pyramid in Giza. I’ve tasted Malbec in Mendoza and Port in Portugal . I’ve stayed in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora and visited the floating markets of Bangkok . My borders have truly been expanded.

I might not be as adventurous as my friend who goes to places like Iraq and North Korea on his trips, but I know that the world is open to me and I can go anywhere my heart desires.

It breaks you out of your comfort zone and chips away at your fears.

For a long time I was really afraid to deal with the language barrier in a new place. It was an irrational fear, seeing how thousands of tourists go to these places every year and get by with pointing and gesturing. I’m no different than any of those people and anyone I come in contact with on a vacation will have dealt with a hundred of me already that week.

The language barrier doesn’t have to be frightening. It took a number of trips for me to realize that and to embrace the fun of learning a few important words in each country I visit. In South Korea, for example, I spent an hour driving around on a bus with a driver who couldn’t understand where I wanted to go.

He finally dropped me off at an American hotel.  Another great example of stretching my comfort zone and overcoming fears on the road was a on a trip I took by myself to Montenegro and Croatia . Talk about fear.

It helps you discover more about yourself and your traveling companions.

Nothing I’ve done in my life has taught me more about my own self more than traveling has. There are many times I can recall where I didn’t know how I would react in a particular situation until it happened. I’ve been able to identify many of my own strengths and weaknesses through trials and excitements I’ve had while traveling.

I also think traveling with someone is a fantastic way to really get to know them on a deeper level. My husband, Nick, and I have been traveling together now for 10 years and we’ve grown together immensely through our travels.

We’ve adopted a travel style that’s all our own and that works really well for us, and we know each other’s buttons and breaking points. Prior to traveling with Nick, I traveled a lot with my friend Sarah and we always had such fun. I will always have incredibly fond memories of our trips together. We built a bond of friendship that will never fade.

The memories you make and will cherish forever are worth more than anything you could buy.

Since traveling is my priority , I don’t spend money on other things like clothes and expensive hair treatments. I don’t buy shoes or jewellery and I don’t really care for massages or facials or anything like that. I prefer to spend my money on experiences and things that will result in memories that I know I will cherish forever.

The memories are priceless to me. I might buy a $100 shirt and wear it a hundred times, but I doubt that I’ll build fond memories of the shirt. I could spend that same $100 on a cooking class in Thailand and I will have those memories for a lifetime. Every time I look at the photos or try to cook one of those dishes myself, I instantly get taken back to that experience in Thailand .

It gives you major bragging rights when you can say “I’ve been there,” while watching Travel TV.

Nick & I occasionally watch travel and cooking shows and every time a destination comes on that we’ve been to, we get all excited to see it again. It’s inevitable that one or both of us proclaims, “We’ve been there!”.

There’s something really cool about seeing a place on TV that you’ve already been to (like Girona , where scenes from Game of Thrones was filmed). And whenever I’m talking to people about a cool destination, I feel really giddy to say that I’ve been there. Maybe that’s just silly, but if it makes you happy, then it’s a benefit!

You will meet some of the friendliest, like-minded people who might turn out to be your friends for life.

On a group trip to China that Sarah and I went on in 2010, we met and quickly became friends with the nicest, coolest people we’ve ever come across on our trips. Their names were Steve and Carole and they were from California .

We became acquainted on the first couple days, but by the 4th day of the trip we were fast friends and we did everything together for the rest of the trip. Since then, I’ve visited them in California and they’ve visited Sarah in Washington, DC .

Of course, we had a lot in common with them, being that we’re all avid travelers and have been to many of the same places, but they’re just great people. Whenever we travel, we meet some of the nicest people.

You can live (actually LIVE) through your own travels. No need to do it vicariously through others.

I’ve had many people tell me over the years that they live vicariously through my travel photos that I post on Facebook ( Like us on Facebook! ). While that’s fine for people who have not chosen a life of travel and who don’t really want to leave the comfort of their own homes, it’s not fine for me.

I want to live every day to the fullest and even though I can’t travel full time because of work, I want to use every second of my leave time going somewhere, seeing something and truly living.

You will find yourself in hilarious, terrifying, awkward and just downright laughable situations that you will later realize where the times you felt the most alive in your entire life.

When Nick & I were driving through Kruger National Park a few years ago in South Africa , we were in a rush to get out of the park before closing but got waylaid by a pack of elephants that were hanging out on the road, blocking our path. We ended up being 30 minutes past closing time and had to explain to the park rangers that the elephants made us do it.

In Thailand, we were walking around Chiang Mai one afternoon in the sweltering heat and stopped to ask for directions from a local. While he was talking, Nick’s $5 cheapo sunglasses we bought to replace the nice ones he left at home started to literally melt off his face and fall in pieces to the ground.

He somehow maintained a straight face as he intently listened to the directions, but I couldn’t keep from laughing.

These are just a few of the benefits of traveling the world that I’ve realized over the years. I know there are a million more intangible benefits that are impossible to convey. I hope, if anything, you’re inspired to travel more yourself and spread the joy that you received from your travels.

What do you think are the most beneficial parts of traveling? What motivates you to travel?

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

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Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

8 thoughts on “ Why I Travel: The Joys & Benefits of Traveling the World ”

Traveling it is an Inspiration investment. With traveling I often get fresh ideas that later became a plus in my daily life. On returning home, this unique experience will certainly be an unforgettable memory and make you smile while remembering it.

travel around the world let you know different cultures and know the traditions of every country , and make friends from all over the world

That’s very true, Sara.

Travelling is one of the best forms of education. It increases confidence. We learn about different cultures across the world. Therefore we must travel to different places.

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Thank you for your article. Theres we have a great experience, fellowship, nice food, and met another people who we don’t know before. Those event are really great things for studies how to make a team building. Good job. zuiddrenthe.nl

I find the part Of “Malbec from Mendoza” funny. I just came from there, and I find your article very informative from my own experience.

It’s nice that you pointed out how traveling could break you out of your comfort zone and chip away at your fears. I haven’t tried going overseas before, so I think I should take this opportunity to travel. An Asia travel sounds like a great time, so I’ll start planning it soon.

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15 Benefits of Travelling and Why Travel Is Good for You

What comes to your mind when someone asks you about “travel”? Does travel mean a vacation on the beach while sipping some margaritas, an adventure to the unknown, or an Instagrammable sunset destination? The idea of travelling varies from person to person, but the advantages of travelling are unbounded. 

When you travel, not the trip or the vacation itself, but the whole process of planning, exploring, and returning from a trip is important. When you realise how the benefits of travelling can do wonders for you, you definitely will have the motivation to pack your bag and start travelling more. What is it about travelling that always makes you feel good after coming back from a trip? There are so many advantages behind travel, but here are the top 15 benefits.

The Health Benefits of Travelling: Travelling Improves Your Health and Mind

Improving your well-being is one of the fundamental benefits of travelling. Travelling helps to decrease the risks of heart attack and anxiety, while developing our brain health. There have been studies proving that travel can place a positive impact on our heart health. One study from Framingham Heart Studies Organization published in the American Journal of Epidemiology shows that women who would travel at least twice a year had a significantly lower risk of developing coronary heart disease or heart attack compared with those who would only be able to travel once in every six years.

One of the health benefits of travelling is that when you travel to new surroundings, you press a restart button to your body and mind, which brings in fresh energy when you get back to your regular activities. It keeps you physically fit by being active on the journey, exploring nature, hiking, or strolling the local markets. A healthy body means a healthy mind, and the stimulation you get from travelling can boost your productivity and effectiveness in your daily work. 

Exploring a new place, trying new things, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can increase the level of dopamine in your brain. This will contribute to how we strive, focus on things and find things interesting. Remember, “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind,” said the Roman philosopher Seneca. 

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The Advantages of Travelling: Travelling Improves Your Communication and Language Skills in Many Ways

Some people enjoy the idea of travelling because it allows them to meet new people from all walks of life. Speaking to new people and getting new perspectives will change how one perceives the world and easily get engaged in various topics of conversation. Travel really helps in consolidating both effective communication and social skills as you are exposed to different cultures and outlooks. This benefit you get from travelling can be applied not only to your personal life but your work life also .

Setting foot in a new part of your country or a new part of the world means you are out of your ordinary comfort zone. Everything is new and captivating to your curiosity. The benefit of this is you are eager to learn new things and open to new ideas and concepts. This will naturally lead to the urge to open your mind and practice your people skills, whether you travel alone or with someone else. 

Travelling is when creativity comes into play in your daily communication. When you travel to a new country, there are situations where you would have to use not only verbal communication but also gestures and other non-verbal ways to express yourself. Whether you ask for directions, buy ingredients at a local market or have a conversation with a local, be prepared to utilize your body language skills! 

The Benefits of Travelling: Hedonistic Travel Ensures Peace, Calms Your Mind and Encourages Positive Feelings

When going on a holiday, we often tend to be stimulated, present and be in the moment, which brings us a step closer to achieving mindfulness. Travelling alone brings in the feeling of solitude that we don’t often get enough of. Travelling allows us to be disconnected from people, and even technology, for a while, and be more connected to our own mind and self, which leads us to our inner peace.

Whether it is domestic or international travel, travelers step out of their habitat and get exposed to other conditions of life. We find ourselves more thankful for our life and realise what we have might be what others desire. Appreciation to every little thing in life is one way or another a course for happiness. 

Travelling also changes our attitude towards life and people in a more positive way. We observe things and think from a broader perspective when our mind is open to the outside world. The benefit of travelling helps us embrace cultural and social differences more when immersing ourselves in a different environment with new people and perspectives. Moreover, coming back from a journey means ticking off one goal and proving our ability to overcome challenges. This forms the positive attitude that helps us tackle the hurdles. 

Why Travelling is Good? International Travelling Boosts Creativity through Experiences

“Why would travel have anything to do with creativity?” you may ask. First of all, it is associated with the sense of being innovative. When we travel, we try the local cuisines which we might have never tried before, get exposed to new customs and culture, and get introduced to unfamiliar ideas and beliefs. This stimulates creativity within our thinking, our methods and how we deal with certain situations. It is easier for us to come across new ideas when we get out of our usual surroundings. If we are put in boxes, how can we think “outside the box”?

Travelling teaches you to be creative and that everything has an alternative. What if you bump into a toilet that only has a hole on the ground, or a bathroom without a shower but only a bucket of water? That is travelling forces you to use your creativity to roll along with it. 

What you might have experienced but not have realised when you travel is that travelling touches your every sense. Ask yourself this question, do you feel a strong sensation by a mellow sound you have never heard, an exquisite taste from local cuisines, an evoking smell from a street food vendor, or a remarkable sight of a magnificent mountain range? If the answer is yes, then this effect of exploring a new place can be an attribute to revitalize your mind and make you more creative when you travel. 

Not only does travelling help with our creativity, but it also enhances our cognitive ability, sometimes referred to as general intelligence. This ability includes the capacity to “reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience” (Plomin, 1999). These attributes are all connected to travel. The more you travel, the wiser you become. Adam Galinsky , a professor at Columbia Business School has stated “Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms.”

The Benefits of Travelling Abroad: Travelling Enhances Your Tolerance towards Different People and New Cultures

Travelling is more than just about exploring new places. It also allows you to become more tolerant and open towards new cultures and people. It is a great opportunity to connect with locals and other like-minded people from around the globe. When you are willing to strike up a conversation with someone from a different background, the more you understand them and accept diversity, the better your tolerance level gets. Travelling teaches us to appreciate and value cultural diversity, traditions and appearances. 

Not only does travelling help us embrace cultural, social and racial differences, travelling also increases our tolerance towards tough conditions and uncertainties. When we throw ourselves into an unfamiliar or less developed locality, we begin to become more accepting. It is not always a bed of roses everywhere we travel to, and things do not always go as planned, however, when we are aware of this, we get less bothered and enjoy the journey as much as we want. 

Cabinzero’s CEO Neil Varden shared with us some stories about a time when he traveled to India - a country of hues and colors, and on top of all, a country of kindness. He was deeply touched by how friendly and greathearted local people were when he found out a notion followed in their mind, which is “Guest is God”. As he was travelling to Diu - a very small and unfamiliar town in India - on a bus, he happened to have a conversation with an Indian doctor. And since there was no direct bus to the town and it was very late at night, the doctor then invited him for a stay with his family for the night and offered him the surprisingly good generosity that he had ever received. 

Another time when he was on a bus, and there was this Indian woman who offered him some biscuits when he was hungry, while she might not have enough to eat for herself and her children. Those are just among many warmhearted stories that he stumbled upon during his travel that made him realise one thing: you can really meet people who have almost nothing but still are generous with what they have.  

The Benefits of Travelling: Travelling Is a Great Way to Boost Your Confidence

Neil also shared an example of how travelling can be a motivation for us to gain more confidence in ourselves and our passion. “Unbeknown to me, travelling when I was 22-26 changed my life long term, even today. The confidence gained by travelling to an unfamiliar country/culture gave me huge benefits when I started my business. I never had much fear knocking on doors of factories or visiting trade shows in countries I had never been to before. AND, for sure, my business and the brand would not exist if I hadn’t travelled. Since I travelled I spent all my time after trying to figure out how I could make travel a permanent fixture in my life and the business was built around this need, it is truly a lifestyle business.” - Neil Varden, CEO of Cabinzero .

Regarding this advantage of travelling, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, an associate professor of education and psychology at the University of Southern California, says “What a lot of psychological research has shown now is that the ability to engage with people from different backgrounds than yourself, and the ability to get out of your own social comfort zone, is helping you to build a strong and acculturated sense of your own self.”

Stepping out of your bubble to travel, especially alone, is one way to prove that life has no limits. Travelling makes us realise that difficulties and obstacles can be handled well without the help of friends or family. When you see the powerful force within you, you start to build more trust in yourself and fear less. You believe in the certainty that things can be tackled one way or another, and it comes with the creative mind you get from travelling - nothing can stop you from achieving your passion and goals in life!

The Importance of Travelling: You Get Real-life Education from Travelling to a New Place

Real-life education comes naturally when you travel. Think about when you plan for a trip, when you solve a problem, or when you come across a situation that you have to use your body language to communicate. Those circumstances train you to be skillful as you travel. This benefit of travelling helps in your planning skills, problem-solving skills, improvising ability, and such. As you learn from your own experiences, these lessons are what you can equip yourself with and make use of in the long run.

What you learn in books is great, but travelling offers you the opportunity to learn more about something new every day. The moment you step out of those hotel doors and go out on the street, you learn at least one new lesson. Simple things like how people greet and talk to each other, how they behave tell you a bit about their culture. What’s more, travelling teaches you failures can turn into great hands-on lessons. It is true that travelling is not always glorious and can be hard at times. Let’s say the language barriers, for instance, it is surely possible to make mistakes with words here and there. Imagine going to the market and getting mixed up with the words for tomatoes and fish, this could be a bit embarrassing, but that’s where you get to learn. 

The Benefits of Travelling: Travelling Make Memories from New Experiences

Do you usually take photos during your travel, or collect items like currencies or souvenirs after the trip? If not then we strongly suggest you to, as this is one of the benefits of travelling that could be valuable to you. Photos, or videos, that are taken from a trip, whether you keep them on your phone or post on social media, can remind you of the good time you have spent. Even an object you take home from the trip can really awaken your memories and feelings. 

Memories from travelling are often connected with positive emotions, when you try something new, or the excitement you get from going to a new place that makes you feel at one with yourself and others around you. There are definitely times when you face unexpected obstacles on the journey, however, after you figure how to settle them, those memories are the life lessons that you have got a chance to learn. 

If you travel in a big group, special memories from the trip can be turned into engaging stories that can last for a lifetime. When we travel, we are relaxed and open to show our true colors, which even adds more spices to the fun. This is the reason why travelling can be such a great bonding activity for families or groups of friends. 

Why Travel is Good for You - How Travelling Helps You Understand Yourself More is Very Important

Travelling alone facilitates a process of introspection, allowing you to reflect on your own emotional and mental well-being. This is a wonderful benefit of travelling that you might not have thought of. When you are away from the stress of your daily life, be present and live in the moment, you are more likely to be conscientious about how you think and feel. 

When you travel internationally, you get to observe how you feel being far away from your own culture. You observe the differences in people’s manners and behaviors, how people think and react to specific situations. From there, it is human instinct to compare the differences. You then start to explore and compare how it is different from your own culture and mindset, how other people are different from you, and why. Eventually, travelling will help in the process of understanding yourself more and give you a reflection on how you feel and think.

On the other side of this self-discovery process, travelling even changes you. You are not the same person after returning home from a journey. You have tons of intriguing stories to tell, you are more open and accepted. Moreover, travelling helps you reinvent yourself and re-evaluate your values in life after the lessons you learn on the road. Travelling teaches you to be more patient and curious about the world around you. This benefit undoubtedly helps in understanding and developing yourself.

The Benefits of Travelling: Travelling Helps Reduce Stress and Eases Anxiety

When you choose to leave your daily work to travel, you give yourself an opportunity to be more connected with nature. Fresh air and sunshine are a benefit to your health, fresh air boosts oxygen in your body and sunshine provides you with vitamin D. Being connected to these elements of nature makes you feel calmer, which definitely helps with stress and anxiety. 

Whether you are a fan of hiking, cycling, climbing or diving, they are all a cure for depression while you travel. Fun and adventurous activities help you to relieve stress as you get to live and enjoy the moment. Leave your daily hassles away, pack your bag, go on a trip and get some air! 

Why People Are Travelling - Travelling Gets You out of a Rut of Daily Life

Travelling is one of the great ways to get out of the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. It frees you from your daily schedule and allows you to have time for yourself to relax and explore. To some people, 9-5 jobs are occasionally mundane and repetitive, which makes a break from work totally a must. It is easy to get stuck in the workload and forget about our purposes and direction in life. Therefore, travelling gives us a pause from ordinary life and helps us get more focused on ourselves. 

The Benefits of Travelling: World Travel Teaches Us to Appreciate the Beauty and Fragility of Nature and the Earth

If you ever wander off the rice terraces in the Philippines and Vietnam, dip in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, or fall in love with the cherry blossoms season in Japan, you definitely feel a great sense of appreciation and gratitude for what Mother Nature has offered. Travelling opens your eyes to the absolutely breathtaking wonders of the Earth, especially if you gaze upon them with your own eyes. 

World travellers are people who have witnessed the diversity of nature and wildlife, and how fragile this Earth can be. Travelling is eye-opening and enriching our responsibility of protecting the planet that we are living on. It makes us realise that nature and animals are suffering from human activities and raises more awareness about our crucial role in developing a more sustainable future. 

Why Is Travelling Important? Travelling Helps You Find a New Purpose and Forces You to Take Action

For some people, travelling can be a life-changing experience. If you are at an important transition in your life and thinking of making a decision, travelling is a breath of fresh air to slow things down and it gives you time to think it through. If you are looking for a purpose and direction in life, try planning a trip to unfamiliar surroundings and experiencing it as much as you can. What if you see a meaning out of it and figure out what you are looking for? 

Believe it or not, travelling can turn you into a better decision-maker. Travelling is about decision-making in the whole process, from planning a trip, to deciding a place to eat, or where to go, you need to be determined and actively leading the way. If you are confident in making those little decisions, it will build up your determination in bigger decisions in life. 

Travel Makes You Embrace Your Home and Ordinary Life More - One of The Advantages of Travelling 

We often tend to dream of travelling and those days off hitting the road while we’re working 9 to 5. However, when we travel, there are certain situations that you may find yourself miss the feeling of home and how convenient it is to be in your own comfort zone. You will begin to appreciate the essentials you have at home when you travel. The feeling of a comfy bed and pillows at home may pop in your mind when you spend days and weeks sleeping in hostels or camping tents. You may miss your own bathroom when you share it with other travellers in dorms and hostels. Those are the little things that you will appreciate when you are back home from a long journey.

What’s more, the language barrier is another aspect that can make you miss home when you travel. Of course, during the trip, you might be able to use some basic communication with the locals and can pick up several phrases here and there. However, you will definitely miss the feeling of being able to join in a more in-depth conversation, discussing politics, or expressing your opinions at some point. 

The Benefits of Travelling: You May Find the Love of Your Life When You Travel and Meet New People

“Could you find love on the road?” Yes, it is possible. You meet plenty of like-minded people when you spend days hitting the road. Someone who shares the same values and mindset as you might come along unexpectedly and suddenly you feel connected to them. Especially when you travel, you open your mind and heart to new experiences, therefore, falling in love with someone is very likely to happen. 

Travelling can indeed bring people closer, which is why couples choose to spend time together on a vacation to spice up their relationship. But what about meeting a total stranger and falling head over heels unexpectedly, while strolling on the riverside or a random beach? That sounds more intriguing. That random stranger might just be a fling or can turn into the love of your life, who knows?

It caught my attention when you said that you can get helping reducing stress when you engage in fun and adventurous activities while you travel. As you said, traveling gives you an opportunity to be more connected with nature. With this in mind, I will consider finding great travel ideas so I can plan my vacation. Since December last year, I have been feeling so stressed due to the divorce process that I had to go through, so it is important for me to find places where I can feel recharged and relaxed. Thanks for sharing this. https://www.homegrowngreat.com/discover/attractions/

It’s great that you mentioned that one of the health benefits of travelling is that when we travel to new surroundings, we press a restart button to our body and mind, which brings in fresh energy when we get back to our regular activities. My husband and I will go on vacation to a family resort this weekend with our family. I’ll share this with him since we really need to travel more often and destress from work. Thanks! https://edgeofthewilderness.com/resort-lodging-minnesota-northern.html

Interesting article. So many reasons to travel!

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21 Benefits of Travelling the World and How They Make You a Better Person

Hostelworld Blog | Posted on December 4, 2014 |

Travel is better than any self-development course, and will often teach you more about the world than school ever could. Better than therapists, doctors and candlestick makers, anyone that believes travel is nothing but a long holiday or a way to put off the big decisions in life, might not be seeing things from the right perspective. To help get everyone on the same page, here are 21 benefits of travelling the world, and how they make you a better person.

1. Now you understand the world a little better

2. When you travel the world you realise people are just like you underneath it all…

…with the similar thoughts, fears, needs and desires…

3. And the differences in cultures, they are something to be embraced and enjoyed, not feared from afar.

4. And some of the trash the newspapers come out with at home, now you can dispel all those myths.

…come on, I know the economy is bad, but let’s not just blame it on ‘all the other people’. That is just wrong. Besides, what on earth does ‘other’ mean anyway?

5. The world’s problems aren’t so remote when you see them up close…

…there are no third world problems, just world problems…

6. And you understand that the world’s problems are more complex than just something to throw money at…

…and that people, everywhere, are all capable, if given the chance…

7. And because we all travel, the world gets along a little better…

…because you made a friend from Russia while dancing on the beach in Thailand, you don’t care what the governments say, they can go jump! (Have you noticed we’ve had no major world conflicts recently…)

8. Actually, you’re much better at that whole social thing now…

…All those friends from all those hostels are now friends for life, and you can’t remember why butting into conversation with a bunch of randomers was ever scary. Besides, who needs the social norm? That’s what you left behind…

9. And you’re pretty confident in yourself now…

…If you can be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in the Czech countryside where no one speaks your language and still make it to Český Krumlov, then you can do pretty much anything… Job interviews, eat your heart out!

10. Now you appreciate the journey just as much as the destination…

…Just like those rolling hills and mountain ranges from the train window, you’ve started to appreciate the process of putting things together, bit by bit. Not just the sense of elation you get from the finished product, artwork or article you’ve worked on…

11. You’re a much better problem solver…

…You didn’t panic when your luggage didn’t show up at the airport AND you managed to relocate it, so there’s no way you’re going to panic now!

12. And much better at making decisions…

…OK, there’s only so many hours in the day and a load of Roman ruins to get through. I’ve decided. We’re going here.

13. And if people don’t agree, you’re pretty independent now, so it doesn’t matter…

…Sweet, no worries, I’ll see you in the bar later. No dramas.

14. Actually, all that independence has helped you get to know yourself a hell of a lot better…

…You can do a ton more than you ever imagined, all on your own. Navigate those buses in Malaysia, jump out of a plane, help that stupidly drunk dude find their hostel so they aren’t sleeping on the street, passport in hand. And hey, maybe not everything’s perfect in there, but you know that you have a hell of a lot more good in you than bad, just like with most people…

15. Your culinary knowledge is now par excellence…

…everyone is coming to yours to eat, and now dates are way cheaper, yet way more successful…

16. Oh, and booze, you know all about the good booze…

…yeah, maybe not the buckets you sunk in Thailand, but you did try some good booze…

17. With all that time, you probably got through a gazillion books…

…so now you’re a gentleperson and a scholar…

18. And now you have a few best-seller stories of your own…

…maybe the folks back home will grow tired of them after a while, but that’s OK, because you are a friend making machine, so have a inexhaustible supply…

19. Those petty problems don’t seem so big now…

…It’s not ALL about career, houses, mortgages, families, lawnmowers, pinewood floors, waxing your car, in-laws for dinner, rat race, bleurgh. Spread this wisdom.

20. Oh, and you know there are better sports out there than the ones they play at home.

…Dude in a full suit of armour bashed another dude in a full suit of armour for 20 minutes, totally unironically, and you bloody loved it…

21. And best of all, when you’ve done it once, you can easily do it again…

…no, scratch that. You desperately want to do it again. And all those things that make you a better person and the world a better place? Well, they’re just replicated again and again and again…

Keep it up.

Ready for your next trip? Grab yourself a  hostel  and go meet some good people…

What have you learned or picked up from travelling? Think it made you better? Reckon you’re having an impact on the world? Share your opinions in the comments…

Related posts:.

• 13 Reasons Travelling Ruins You for Life

Thanks to martinak15 , DVIDSHUB , Koshy Koshy , martinak15 , DVIDSHUB , Koshy Koshy , Jonny Hughes , Gramody , US Army Africa , Pink Sherbet Photography , SAM Nasim , nevil zaveri , williamson , Joe Hunt , Tom Page , Jason Priem , Morgan Sherwood , stu_spivack , Brian Suda , Anne Adrian , Ian Armstrong and David Kobuszewski

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13 Reasons Why Traveling is Important

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Written by Divya Premkumar

Traveling is more than visiting places and taking pictures. It brings out new ideas and perspectives, and travel is important for showcasing an actual investment in yourself.

Here are the top reasons why traveling is important. In today’s data-driven world, the world is (literally) at the tips of our fingers. But while technology allows us to stay connected, it is also more isolating than ever.

With a 24/7 news cycle that often paints a dreary scene, it can be hard to challenge the status quo and understand the world for what it truly is.

One of the best ways to overcome this barrier is to travel as much as possible. Traveling, as they say, is food for the soul. While you unwind and explore the destination, traveling offers much more.

You get to immerse yourself in the culture, cuisine, and nature of every place you visit . This provides new ideas and perspectives on different subjects as you learn more about the place (and maybe even yourself).

Reasons Why Traveling Is Important

While travel is definitely an indulgence, the returns (although not monetary) are definitely worth the cost. Let’s jump into the reasons why travel is a worthy pursuit .

1. Get out of your comfort zone

While social media gives you virtual access to the world, you also become increasingly comfortable with your surroundings and miss out on forming connections in the real world.

Traveling to new places allows you to break out of your comfort zone and experience new things and challenges as you learn more about the world.

They say we learn the most when we are uncomfortable. This could not be more true when traveling. You empathize with the people around you as you understand different cultures and societal norms. This makes you more confident and independent with time to experience life the way you want to live it.

2. New cultural experiences

One of the most important reasons to travel is to immerse yourself in the local culture. Very often, it becomes easy to form judgments and opinions on different races and cultures based on what we read online. 

But our world is vast and diverse, and we are just a small part of it. Each place has its unique culture, and experiencing it helps us grow psychologically as human beings in a way that no classroom or book ever could. Learning about the culture is more than just seeing the sights and eating the food.

It also involves talking to the locals and understanding their perspective on our world. This helps you challenge your preconceptions and change them for the better.

3. You get to relax and unwind

Today’s world, we often try to climb the corporate ladder and get ahead in the rat race. While having a successful career is important, you must also take a break from the grind to relax and rejuvenate. As they say, one step back, two steps forward.

This is an important reason why travel is important. Whether lying on the beach in Costa Rica or going on an adventure hike, traveling gives you a break from your 9-5, which can do wonders for your mental and physical health.

If you ever feel like a bag of nerves, pack your bags and hop on a flight to a new destination to recharge those batteries. Your future self will thank you!

See Related : How to Plan a Month-Long Vacation

4. Create unforgettable memories

Some of my best memories are from my travels. Whether hiking up Angels Landing at Zion National Park or taking a boat ride in the Venice canals, traveling has helped me create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.

Visiting the sights is great, but as they say, it’s about the journey, not the destination. The people you meet along the way and your experiences with your friends stick with you long after your travels. When visiting a new place, stay curious.

Live as the locals do and forge those connections with the people around you. Your travels will take you on an adventure and help you create those timeless memories, whether traveling to a foreign country or exploring a new local area.

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5. You learn to live in the present

The word ‘busyness’ has become a buzzword and a mantra for our lives. With overpacked schedules and a never-ending to-do list, we become so addicted to ‘what’s next’ that we forget to live in the present.

Traveling is a great way to break away from this hamster wheel of life and embrace the beauty of our world . While travel involves a constant state of motion, it helps you focus on the adventure ahead.

Looking at the serene Parisian landscape atop the Eiffel Tower teaches you to appreciate the moment and stop obsessing about the future. As they say, there’s no time like the present.

6. You meet new people

Traveling to a bucket-list destination is not just about seeing the sights and eating the local delicacies but also a great way to meet new people.

Whether it’s the locals or a group of like-minded travelers, the memories you make through your interactions with others could be fleeting or life-changing.

Meeting new people can introduce you to a new way of life and thinking. This helps you challenge your perceptions or misconceptions while creating a sense of community.

Although we may differ in our culture and appearance, we all strive for the same goals and aspirations. There are many ways to meet new people in a city.

You could stay in hostels, visit the local bar or restaurant, and even take a tour of the city to immerse yourself in the culture while you meet new people. GetYourGuide offers a variety of guided tours in cities all over the world.

See Related: Ways to Sustainable Travel

7. You’ll have exciting stories to tell

Everyone loves a good storyteller, and your experiences from your travels around the world are guaranteed to make your tales more interesting. As you experience new cultures and meet new people, your perspective evolves.

Your learnings can shed new light on social situations and bring new ideas to those with preconceived notions of a place or country. You can even put your stories on paper and start a blog to share your experiences with a larger audience.

A funny anecdote or a life-changing experience will make you quite the conversationalist.

See Related: Inspiring Travel Quotes

8. Eat local delicacies

Food can satisfy your taste and provide insight into the place’s culture. In Italy , gorging on bowls of pasta cooked in rich Bologna sauce taught me the importance of local food in the Italian culture and the amount of soul and effort that goes into each meal.

Although the country is known primarily for its pasta around the world, it actually has a unique cuisine that is authentic to each region. Each local dish reflects the place (for instance, Napoli-style pizza from Naples, Italy ) and carries its history.

In this sense, food isn’t just a means for sustenance but a way to immerse yourself in the local culture. Next time you visit a place, ask the locals about the history of a certain delicacy, and you’ll be surprised by what you learn.

See Related : Best Midwest Road Trips

9. Helps you stay healthy

In addition to the excitement and adventure that travel brings, another reason why travel is important is its ability to lower stress levels while improving your physical and mental health.

Traveling doesn’t just mean visiting exotic destinations. Even road trips to your country can do wonders for your well-being.

Regarding physical health, traveling to a new place means you’re always on the move. With new places to see, this is a great way to burn those calories while doing something fun.

But the mental health benefits of traveling are just as great. Your mind is constantly challenged when you learn new things. As you expand your horizons, it keeps your brain active. This has proven to have long-term health benefits.

See Related : Gifts for Couples Who Travel

10. You know what’s important

When things get hard, you often feel like the burden of the world is on your shoulders. But we must remember that the world is large, and we are just one small part of it.

Traveling can help you realize the true value of living life to the fullest. When you look back on your life, it’s not the material possessions you will remember but rather the experiences you’ve had, the people you met, and the incredible places you saw during your travels.

Although wealth and success can seem like the end goal, the experiences and memories you make are just as important.

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11. You’ll see incredible places

Our world is filled with breathtaking destinations , both natural and manmade, and one can wonder if a single lifetime would be enough to see everything. St. Augustine once said that “the world is a book, those who do not travel, only read one page.”

The power of wanderlust is real, and almost every place offers something unique. Whether it’s climbing the highest mountain range or enjoying a drink on the beach, you will be inspired by the beauty of each destination.

The experience of seeing a stunning place is something material possessions can’t replace- and you’ll even get a great Instagram picture out of it.

See Related: How Much is a Trip to Italy

12. You learn new languages

Language is an important tool that can shape your view of the world. Even if you’re not fluent in the language of the places you visit, learning a few local phrases can impact your experience. This can easily be achieved using an app like Babbel or Rosetta Stone when visiting your next international travel destination.

Certain words in languages like German and Japanese don’t even have an English translation. Knowing how to say a few phrases in the local language is handy and can give you insight into other cultures. You can even make friends with the locals and show off your language skills.

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13. You appreciate your home

They say that home is where the heart is, but this might not be the case if you never actually leave home. Your house is a home because you have somewhere to go after your time on the road.

While your return to normalcy can seem underwhelming, this is actually far from the truth. When you come home from your travels, you’re filled with new thoughts and ideas- maybe even a new take on life.

This helps you see things differently in your day-to-day life and maybe just the change you need. People who don’t have a change of scenery can often take what they have for granted. While traveling is great for exploring your wanderlust, it also helps you appreciate home.

See Related : Best Gift Ideas for the Avid Traveler

A few final words about travel

There are a number of reasons why travel is important for education, lifestyle, and personal growth. While it allows you to unwind and see the sights, traveling lets you immerse yourself in the local culture and learn more about the world than you could from any book.

Using the information around you to break barriers and common misconceptions is powerful. Media and books can give you all the information you need about a place, but visiting a destination and speaking with the locals is the most effective way to learn and comprehend societal issues.

Traveling allows you to form decisions and opinions based on your views and is a true investment in yourself. Now, take this as inspiration to visit your bucket-list destination this year!

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14 BENEFITS OF TRAVELLING (& Easy Ways To Enhance Your Travel Experience)

July 7, 2024

Many of us understand and enjoy the health benefits of travelling , we feel calmer, happier and more relaxed. But in what other ways does travel impact on our lives?

The benefits of travelling are instant. As soon as you start planning and booking a trip, you feel excited.

Travel means different things to each of us, however the benefits gained through travel are far-reaching and last long after we return from a trip. Here, I outline why travel can have such a positive effect on your life and discuss some of the main benefits to a traveller.

14 INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF TRAVELLING

1. brings a sense of calm to an overloaded mind.

Let’s face it, life can be hectic, hurried and packed with mundane and stressful times. We can be left feeling as though we are riding a rollercoaster of emotions, with no way of stopping and getting off.

While some stress can be good for us, allowing our minds to find peace is also important. Travel can have an enormous positive effect on our mental health and wellbeing. Without any commitments, we can change our outlook and reduce our stress levels.

Away from the normal daily life worries, concerns and thoughts, we are able to switch off and find a sense of calmness.

2. ALLOWS YOU TO DISCOVER NEW THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF

Travel takes us out of our normal routine and sometimes our comfort zone. When faced with new situations that we don’t normally face, it is surprising how easy we find it, to make immediate decisions. You discover that you can indeed deal with different scenarios.

We can discover different aspects to our character when travelling, that we hadn’t appreciated before. It can be something as simple as chatting to a local when you never considered yourself as a sociable person. This new found knowledge can give you confidence for similar situations back home.

3. TURNS YOU INTO A STORYTELLER

Travel provides us with a wealth of stories to share with people, whether friends and family, or new people we meet. You can become a conservationist, sharing tales of where you have been and what you have seen.

I personally love hearing about people’s travels. It is inspiring, travelling a journey alongside the storyteller.

4. YOU LEARN HOW TO BETTER COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE

The more people we meet from every walk of life, the more we learn how to communicate better with each other. Travel isn’t always an uneventful experience and at times we have to show great tolerance towards each other! We tend to go out of our way more when we travel, to communicate with people.

We once spent a couple of hours on a train, seated with an elderly French couple. They spoke only a few words of English, and we were trading on our French learnt at school!! Did we spend the entire meal just talking to our partners?

No, we found a way to communicate with hand gestures and one word sentences, and when we parted, the lovely couple left us their business card!

5. GETS YOUR CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

When we travel, everything that is familiar is cast aside and we see new things for the first time. We make different decisions, meet new people, try new experiences and it can be a refreshing change for our brains.

We are no longer running on auto pilot or in a rut, and this brings new creativity to the fore. Suddenly after months of trying to come up with new ideas, fresh takes on situations, our minds are brimming with possibilities . Our thoughts are sharper and clearer and it feels like a breath of fresh air!

6. EDUCATES YOU IN LIFE OUTSIDE OF BOOKS

I love reading about a new destination and hearing about other traveller’s stories. Reading about a country gives you a broad spectrum of understanding.

However, with all things in life, it is only when you experience them, that you gain true insight. You have to be there, to really take in the beauty of an architectural building. You have to be there, to witness things through your own eyes.

7. MANY TRAVEL MYTHS ARE DISPELLED

There are many reasons why people don’t travel, and these are often down to myths and misconceptions. It is only when we do travel, these these myths are shown up for the scare mongering that they are.

Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Travel isn’t dangerous. You won’t be surrounded by strangers that you cannot communicate with.

8. YOU ENCOUNTER AND LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT CULTURES

Just one aspect of travelling, is discovering how other people live, work, eat, pray and play. It is exciting, walking around temples, hearing how locals beliefs, impact on their lives. What their faith and culture means to them.

This knowledge can add a different dimension to your own life. It broadens your perspective and understanding.

9. YOU COME TO THE REALISATION THAT WE ARE ALL BASICALLY THE SAME

Travelling helps you realise that we all essentially have the same needs. We all eat, drink, work, play and move around. We may do these things differently, but ultimately have the same basic needs as each other.

Travel shows us that it is narrow-minded to make assumptions about people, just because they may eat different food and live in a different culture. But that for me, is part of the excitement of travel.

10. A SHIFT TAKES PLACE WITHIN US

Travel exposes us to so many new and different things and experiences. Your awareness alters and you begin to question what is important to you as an individual. Visiting poorer countries, those who have suffered tragedies, oppression or genocide cannot fail to have an impact on you psychologically.

You begin to question your own values, your feelings and even the purpose of your life. With this new sense, you may decide you want to live differently or for your life to take a new direction.

11. WE GAIN A DEEPER APPRECIATION OF WHAT WE HAVE

With a shift in our values and understanding, hopefully comes a deepened sense of appreciation. For what we already have in our lives, for our families and loved ones and for our own country and our freedom.

It is so easy for all of us to just focus on the negative things we perceive to have in our lives back home. Suddenly, we are handed a stark reminder of how good our lives actually are, in comparison to other peoples.

12. IT BRINGS OUT THE ADVENTURER WITHIN YOU

Life can become mundane and steady when we work full-time. There doesn’t seem time or opportunity to experience new activities when you feel in a rut.

Come holiday time though, and the adventurer within us seems to be unleashed. We are not tied down to keeping up appearances, and the sense of freedom means we are happy to try new things and conjure up our own mini adventures.

13. A WEALTH OF MEMORIES ARE CREATED

Material possessions don’t make memories, travelling does. It doesn’t matter whether it was a weekend, a week or a month. Travelling opens a door within your mind, that makes you want more of it.

Your life will be the richer for all the wonderful moments that you experience and the unforgettable memories that stay with you forever.

14. RETURNS YOU HOME CALMER AND HAPPIER

When we travel, we press the pause button on everyday life. We have the chance to give our minds and body a well earned rest. This results in us feeling less stressed, relaxed and happier. We have more energy and feel more able to cope with what life may bring.

The only downside, is that we crave more of the same and can’t wait for our next trip!

HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

For many of us, we have spent months planning and dreaming about our upcoming trip and are filled with excitement and enthusiasm in equal measure. We look forward to having a break from our jobs, home and the grind of day-to-day routines.

We want our trip to be everything we imagined and more. But how can you fully enjoy the benefits of travelling, and enhance your holiday experience so your time away is spent in the best way possible?

What if I told you that this is unbelievably easy to achieve? The best part? It doesn’t involve you spending lots of extra money and it’s how we have enhanced our trips over the years.

18 EASY WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

1. start the day early.

Getting up early when you are on holiday, is not the same as getting up at home to go to work. Your overall mindset is completely different, more carefree and devoid of the normal stresses that you encounter. You can fit so much into your day when you start early, and being able to witness a stunning sunrise, is worth its weight in gold.

Not only that, you will also avoid crowds, bus tour groups, queues at popular sites and often have places all to yourself.

2. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

What better way to experience life like a local, than to ride with them on public transport. In many ways, countries have similar infra-structures, but it is fun to ride local trams, tuk-tuks, ferries and underground metros.

Discovering the way tickets are purchased, how you queue for the arrival of trams/trains and the etiquette of your journey is eye-opening, interesting and a learning curve.

When we were in Darwin Australia, we used local buses, and the driver would interact with every passenger as they boarded and shout goodbye when each of us departed, often offering tips for a particular tourist sight. It made us feel like locals.

3. DON’T AVOID TOURIST SIGHTS

Tourist sites can often be crowded and noisy, but there is a reason for their popularity. They are worth seeing and impressive in their own right. Sights such as Niagara Falls, Empire State Building, Uluru and the Louvre are termed ‘unmissable’ because they are incredibly view worthy.

So don’t cross them off your list as being busy or predictable, rather visit them early morning and enjoy them before the hordes of tourists arrive.

4. KEEP A JOURNAL

It can be difficult during a trip where each day is crammed full of sightseeing, to remember the finer details. You will forget the quirky cafe that served amazing breakfasts, the hotel that had sunken baths in their rooms, the name of the lovely interesting old man you chatted to for an hour or the route that took you along amazing scenery. These are all details that you will come to treasure and still recall years later.

Take a journal or simple notepad and write down details about your day, before you go to bed. I personally like to record cafes/restaurants we have eaten in, sites we have seen, walks we have taken, places we have stayed and people we have met. Trust me, you will be thankful for this journal when you want to recall details and memories.

5. ATTEND A LOCAL EVENT

Whether you are attending a special yearly festival or simply joining in with a pub quiz, you can embrace local life and gain an insight to what it feels like to live in a certain place.

Local events have a real community feel about them and often involve experiences you would never consider participating in at home. If you have the opportunity, attend that local quiz, fair or concert and you will be glad that you did.

We have enjoyed local events such as open air cinema nights , beach markets and craft fairs where we struck up conversations with local people, enjoyed local fare and purchased handcrafted souvenirs. These events have definitely enhanced our holiday experience.

6. EMBRACE THE UNEXPECTED

Even with the best laid plans, things can sometimes go awry. If you can, it is easier and more comfortable to try to attempt to embrace these unexpected events rather than fight them and get stressed.

Years ago when I was a frightened flyer, we were flying from Melbourne to Cairns, via Sydney. I suffered a major panic attack on the first flight so we decided to get off the plane in Sydney and hired a car to drive all the way to Cairns. The rental dealer thought we were mad!

Yes, at the time it was stressful, incurred additional expense and resulted in 2 lost days in Cairns. But, we embraced this unexpected change and followed the coast road where we witnessed incredible scenery and beautiful beaches, ate in local cafes and when we finally arrived in Kewarra Beach, discovered that our room had been given away and we had been upgraded.

Twenty years later and we still talk about the amazing drive and the fond memories it gave us.

7. LISTEN TO LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

If you are on a road trip, tune into the local radio station and you will be kept up to date with any traffic holdups, road closures and local weather. It is also fun to listen to the music the station plays and you might even spot a new favourite artist to listen to back home. It is interesting to hear the local lingo and be entertained on your journey.

8. SMILE OFTEN

I am a great believer in the power of a smile, especially when you are in a foreign country. It costs nothing, helps form a bond that surpasses language barriers and makes you feel more cheerful.

A smile conveys so much between people,that words cannot always express. You never know what a stranger is going through, but a smile lifts spirits and makes a huge difference. So, smile at fellow walkers, at passengers you sit next to and people who catch your eye because it will improve your day.

9. CHAT TO LOCALS

By chatting to locals, you will learn and discover so much more and make better connections. As locals living in that particular town, they are a valuable resource to the best sights, best places to eat, hidden gems off the normal tourist track and their recommendations can really add value to your whole experience. Many locals will really appreciate you making the effort to stop and talk to them.

10. SAVOUR VIEWS FIRST HAND

It is great to take photos when you are away on a trip but with Facebook and Instagram being a part of many people’s lives, it can be the number one distraction. How many times have you reached a phenomenal sight, only to be surrounded by selfie takers, flicking their hair this way and that, posing with their backs to the camera or worse, atop the very attraction you have arrived to see.

By all means take as many photos as you want, but make the first viewing with your eyes only and not through a small screen or viewfinder. I bet you will remember how special that view is and instantly recall how it made you feel.

11. BE SPONTANEOUS

Say yes to last-minute spontaneous invitations and new experiences, this way you will meet new people, have fun and discover new things. It pays to plan your trip to a certain extent, but always leave room for accepting any offer that comes your way.

We were staying in a bed and breakfast in Kalbarri, Australia and our hosts invited us to their home for a bbq on the second night. We were so tempted to politely decline as we are reasonably reserved until we know people better, but spontaneously accepted and had a great laughter filled night.

On another occasion in Namibia, we had just arrived at our lodge and were immediately invited on a game drive leaving that minute. We so nearly said we would go on the drive the following morning but thankfully left our luggage at reception and joined 2 other couples.

We had an amazing and truly memorable time, seeing a cheetah, 3 wild dogs and a leopard. So always be spontaneous – it will certainly enhance your holiday experience.

12. WANDER OFF THE BEATEN PATH

As long as you have the address of your accommodation with you, do not be afraid to wander down side streets, cobbled paths and alleyways. You will be rewarded with meeting and conversing with locals, finding small churches, quaint houses, local parks and you will get a different perspective of the area and often find hidden gems that the hordes of tourists miss.

13. STOP AND BE MINDFUL OF THE MOMENT

It can be tempting when you are going from place to place seeing local sights, to not really enjoy the here and now.

Try and practice ‘mindful travel’ to deepen your awareness and enjoy being in the present moment. Stop every now and then, put your camera down and become really aware of your surroundings, the beautiful landscape and vistas.

Look closely at birds and flowers noticing everything about their appearance. Smell the enticing aromas around you, feel the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face. Be aware of everything around you. Use your senses to really be present in this moment right now.

Not only will you be feeling calmer but you will be fully present and notice so much more around you – a great way to enhance your holiday experience.

14. SAMPLE LOCAL FOOD

Travelling abroad provides us with the chance to try cuisine from different regions and foods that you may never have tried before. Trying traditional food is part of learning about a country’s culture and opens up a whole new world of unique cuisine. So don’t be afraid of trying local delicacies such as laksa in Singapore, dumplings in Hong Kong, arancini in Italy and sushi in Japan.

15. TRY SOMETHING NEW

Travel is the perfect opportunity to try something new, to push yourself and take you out of your comfort zone.

There are normally a wealth of different and exciting experiences to be had that will leave you with great memories. We took a cooking class in Thailand which involved buying fresh ingredients from a local market, went on a cormorant fishing trip in China and completed a famous day hike in New Zealand.

These are all things we would not have done at home and were great fun.

16. BE FLEXIBLE AND REALISTIC

Whilst it pays to be organised and have a trip planned out to make best use of your time, it is also a good idea to be flexible, as you don’t know when an opportunity may present itself that you want to take advantage of.

Sometimes a local gives you a recommendation of a place to visit or you discover a local event that you would like to attend.

It is also important to be realistic and accept that sometimes things do not pan out according to how we would like them to or indeed expect them to and it helps to be mindful of this.

Sometimes the weather throws us a curve ball and rains, flights are delayed or cancelled, places take longer to reach and we can’t see every sight we want. Life at home isn’t always plain sailing so don’t expect it to be any different on holiday.

17. RESPECT OTHER CULTURES

Part of travelling is learning about other cultures and seeing how people live in different societies. This also means that we may come across beliefs, religions and traditions that don’t sit comfortably with our own way of living.

Remain open-minded and find out more about a custom that may seem offensive or uncomfortable to you. Above all be respectful of another person’s point of view and way of living as you would expect them to be of yours.

18. END THE DAY ON A THANKFUL NOTE

I always take the time at the end of the day before going to bed, to reflect on the day and write down three things that I am thankful for. This makes me more appreciative, more positive and happier.

Even if things haven’t worked out as you had planned, maybe a flight was delayed, the hotel wasn’t as nice as expected or it constantly poured with rain, there will still be a lot of things tangible or intangible, that have been good about the day.

This practice helps with stress, makes you feel more positive and calmer and is proven to be good for your mental health and well-being.

Hopefully this post showed you the benefits of travelling and how to enhance your holiday experience. Start to immplement these easy strategies and get as much enjoyment from your trip as possible.

Which ways do you use to improve your holiday experience?

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The Educational Benefits of Travel

• Posted March 19, 2021
• By Gianna Cacciatore
• Entrepreneurship
• Global Education
• Informal and Out-of-School Learning

Master’s student Yasmine El Baggari has been to all 50 states. And she hasn’t just “been” to them in a casual, check-off-the-box way. She has been to them, for extended trips, staying in the homes of more than 250 families, riding countless Greyhound buses, and fostering thousands of genuine connections across cultures.

Originally from Morocco, El Baggari decided that she wanted to travel the United States by bus when she was 17, starting from Kansas where she was living while taking part in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange — a state-department exchange program that seeks to dismantle stereotypes about Morocco, Africa, and the Middle East in the United States. “I told myself, if I can break down stereotypes in Kansas, I can do it in all 50 states,’’ says El Baggari. She continued her travels across the U.S. through college and beyond, visiting her final state — Alaska — in 2019.

Her commitment to the interpersonal and cross-cultural benefits of travel only grew from there, with additional visits to 50 countries. Six years ago, El Baggari founded Voyaj , an international exchange company that seeks to break down cultural stereotypes and foster a sense of global interconnectedness through travel experiences. Voyaj connects people of all ages with others in their destination country who share their interests and values, “in order to have a deeper cultural experience through their lens,” El Baggari explains.

The program, currently being piloted with select communities, has facilitated journeys for its clients to more than 40 countries, including France, Morocco, and the United States. Hosts open their homes to travelers, who then open their hearts and minds to embrace new cultures. The Voyaj process is planned to work through the Voyaj website, where travelers will be able to sign-up, arrange homestays, and share stories about their journeys.

El Baggari’s work at Voyaj, which is currently a venture at the Harvard iLab, is grounded in the belief that when humans from different backgrounds form authentic connections, our increased global understanding can help lead to a more peaceful world. Learning more about how the human mind works while at the Ed School has given her insight into the factors at play when two strangers sit down and form a deep bond, despite their different social contexts — factors she learned anecdotally from her travel experiences. This developmental knowledge, El Baggari believes, will help her understand cross-cultural connections, even when stereotypes, walls, and borders stand in the way.

“It is so important to realize that we aren’t really that different, and that we can embrace any perceived or real differences and identify our commonalities,” she explains.  

When COVID-19 restricted travel, Voyaj created remote opportunities for connection, facilitating online experiences for people around the globe. While these gatherings lack the allure of an international, in-person experience, they have addressed some of the social ills exacerbated by the pandemic like loneliness and isolation. “That’s one of the positive sides of COVID: More communities are looking to connect and to do so more deeply,” says El Baggari. “Because of the isolation, people are eager to meet. These virtual experiences have proven meaningful.”

El Baggari expects the evolution of Voyaj to continue — even as she concurrently focuses on her ultimate travel goal: becoming an astronaut through Space For Humanity’s sponsored citizen astronaut mission. With the support of her global team, she is running pilots for the upcoming Voyaj app, as well working to form partnerships with other exchange and travel organizations in the United States, New Zealand, Morocco, and elsewhere.

El Baggari believes that travel is about more than place. It is about people: the people you see, the people you meet, and the people who change you along the way. “I believe we have the opportunity to learn at every moment from every encounter,” says El Baggari. “We’re here, and alive! We’ve got to connect, to open and share our cultures, and realize who we truly are.”

The latest research, perspectives, and highlights from the Harvard Graduate School of Education

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Discover 10 Surprising Benefits of Travel for Your Mind, Body, and Soul

Travel is a powerful way to explore new cultures, meet new people, and gain a fresh perspective on the world. In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of travel and how it can positively impact our lives. Whether it’s improving our mental health, broadening our cultural horizons, or providing valuable educational experiences, travel offers something for everyone.

The Benefits of Travel

Traveling can be a life-changing experience that provides numerous benefits for the mind, body, and soul. Indeed, it can enhance one’s life in many ways.

1. Enhanced Creativity

Traveling to new and unfamiliar places can spark creativity and inspire new ideas. Exploring different cultures, art, and history can ignite the imagination and lead to new perspectives. Especially, visiting art museums around the world will significantly boost your creation to another level.

Furthermore, travel provides a stimulating and novel environment that can help stimulate creativity. Whether it’s new sounds, smells, or sights, exploring different cultures can offer inspiration for creative thinking. Exposure to new languages, arts, music, and food can spark the imagination, leading to new innovations.

2. Better Mental Health

In fact, travel has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health. Traveling can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and provide a sense of happiness and fulfillment. Indeed, breaking free from routine, exploring new places, and engaging in new experiences can help reduce stress and improve mood. Also, new experiences and environments can refresh the mind and improve mental well-being. In fact, Norris on Medical News Today points out that tourism has the potential to positively affect well-being and quality of life through various factors.

Plus, travel can provide an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth, leading to increased self-esteem and confidence.

3. Increased Appreciation

Appreciation is one of the top benefits of travel. Traveling can create memories and experiences that enhance one’s recognization and enjoyment of life and foster a deeper sense of gratitude. Truly, seeing new places and meeting new people can create lasting memories and a greater appreciation for the world.

4. Stronger Relationships

Traveling with loved ones or meeting new people while traveling can create stronger bonds and foster deeper connections. Shared experiences and memories can create lifelong friendships and strengthen existing relationships. Who knows if a special relationship can be formed after a trip?

5. Improved Problem-Solving Skills

Traveling can present unexpected challenges and opportunities to problem-solve. As a result, it can improve one’s critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Then, these skills can be transferred to other areas of life and lead to personal growth.

6. Fosters Interpersonal Skills

In fact, traveling requires stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. You have many chances to interact with new people from different backgrounds which helps develop interpersonal skills. Moreover, being exposed to different cultures, languages, and social norms can help foster a greater understanding of others and can promote empathy, communication, and collaboration.

7. Increased Adaptability

Traveling to new places requires one to be adaptable and flexible. As a result, it can improve one’s ability to handle change and new situations. To elaborate, you may wake up. This skill can be beneficial in all areas of life and improve one’s overall well-being.

8. Provides Learning Opportunities

Traveling can offer a wealth of learning opportunities, from history and art to science and technology. Exploring museums, landmarks, and cultural sites can provide an opportunity to learn about different aspects of the world. In addition, travel can offer hands-on experiences that can help solidify learning. For instance, learning a new language, trying new foods, or participating in local activities in new places.

9. Open More Chances of Earning

Traveling gives you the opportunity to meet professionals, learn new skills, and see new businesses along the way. Besides that, you can join conferences, and trading fairs in cities which give you more knowledge, and info, and expand your network. All of those things give you chances to have more income for your journey exploring the world.

Vietnamese people get benefits from traveling. For example, restaurant owners usually travel to other places and find good dishes that they can do in their restaurants. Good new foods always attract many customers. Additionally, construction engineers can learn from other architecture to improve their skills.

10. Promotes Personal Growth

Travel has the power to transform individuals, promoting personal growth and development. By exploring new cultures and perspectives, individuals can gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. Travel can also provide an opportunity to step outside of one’s comfort zone, overcome challenges, and develop new skills. In other words, traveling makes you smarter .

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is travel important to life.

Travel is important to life for many reasons. Firstly, it can help individuals broaden their perspectives, gain new experiences, and develop new skills. Secondly, it can promote personal growth and development and can help alleviate stress and anxiety, leading to improved mental health. Plus, travel can provide an opportunity for self-discovery, learning, and creativity. Finally, by experiencing different cultures, individuals can develop empathy, understanding, and appreciation for others. Travelers can also foster greater harmony and cooperation across borders and cultures.

What do You Gain from Traveling?

Traveling provides us with unique opportunities to learn, grow, and explore. Indeed, we can gain new insights into different cultures and traditions, challenge our assumptions, and make new connections.

What is the Value of Traveling?

The value of traveling is immeasurable. It can help us improve our physical and mental health, broaden our cultural understanding, and expand our knowledge and skillsets. Additionally, it can promote social connections and relationships.

There are so Many Benefits of Travel

Travel offers a wide range of benefits that can have a positive impact on individuals, communities, and the world. From physical and mental health benefits to cultural and educational experiences, travel can broaden perspectives, improve personal growth, and promote social connections. Travel can also stimulate economic development and promote environmental sustainability. As such, it is important for individuals to prioritize travel and make it a regular part of their lives. By doing so, they can reap the many benefits that travel has to offer.

The Broad Life introduces to you great, inspirational books for your wanderlust. They aren’t just simple travel, each book recounts the author’s journey to discover and learn many awesome things from new civilizations and places. > READ MORE: THE BEST TRAVEL BOOKS OF ALL TIME

IF YOU LIKE THE POST ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF TRAVEL, ‘PIN IT’ NOW !

Khoi Nguyen

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

26 Comments

Wow, what an amazing post about the benefits of travel! I couldn’t agree more that traveling is not just a way to explore new destinations, but it also has a significant impact on our mind, body, and soul. Your post perfectly highlights the positive effects that traveling can have on our mental health, such as reducing stress, increasing creativity, and boosting happiness. Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us.

Thank you a lot for your comment! I’m glad that this post brings value info to you.

Stephanie Grillo

Travel is such a wonderful way to open our minds to new things. The list of benefits of traveling in this article make me want to hop on a plan and experience all of these.

I’m sure there are so many things for you to enjoy from traveling.

thewelltraveledchild

Travel is my soul! We travel the world as a family and the connections and relationships we have formed from it are so significant. Best form of school for my kiddos!

Absolutely! I take my family to many places and we discover the world together.

Nicole bertrand

As someone who loves to travel, I can say that all of these benefits ring true. Great post!

Thanks for your comment!

Gervin Khan

I’ve agree with this, by traveling we recover and recharge our well-being! That’s why we don’t build material things rather than experience! An awesome article to read! Loved it!

Thanks a lot for your comment! Traveling truly brings us more than we can expect.

I love travel so much too! Much harder these days with kids as it requires more planning. Lol!

Haha, you can think of a local resort where you can spend time with your kids easier while you are able to discover the area’s attractions.

Moments Inspire

All of this is so true. I love travel alot and always feel these effects but never took the time to connect the two.

It’s always needed for the first experience then you will have the next ones continuously.

Share to Inspire blog (@pacioalita)

I couldnt agree more with these reasons why someone should travel. Its good for our mind body and soul. I wish I can travel more often.

I hope you can travel more often.

I agree with all of this!!! My life (and me as a person) would be drastically different if I didn’t have all my travel experiences.

So good to hear you sharing! Traveling truly brings us so many special experiences and changes.

Ntensibe Edgar

Ah yes! Increased appreciation of what you have and more learning opportunities are my biggest wins from travel. Reminds me of my first time travelling to Tanzania; I was blown away by what I found there.

That’s the best part of traveling!

Fransic verso

It’s definitely good for mental health and help to learn more. These are spot on things that can help you to improve.

Life With Sonia | Women Empowerment Blogger (@lifewithsonia)

I agree to all. Travelling gives me a sense of freedom. Yes, you are right, it does help with problem solving skills too because you get to meet different people in different culture. I really enjoy traveling..i can’t wait to travel again.

Enjoy traveling!

Neely Moldovan

I love this! Travel is so good for your soul! Just even to refresh you!

Definitely!

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My Travel Secret For Not Overpacking? The 10-$10 Rule

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When traveling, packing less makes it easier to experience more. When you’re not weighed down by bulky bags, you have more freedom to jump on public transit or walk long distances without tiring. You’ll have fewer worries about repacking or losing items. With carry-ons only, you’ll avoid checked bag fees , waiting at the luggage carousel and the risk of lost luggage .

If you travel backpack-only, you'll be forced me to leave even more at home than you otherwise would with a full suitcase. It means sacrificing just-in-case items.

And that’s where my 10-$10 rule comes in.

What is the 10-$10 rule?

The 10-$10 rule is a packing strategy that helps you decide what to bring and what to leave behind. The premise is straightforward: If you can acquire a just-in-case item upon arrival for less than $10 and within 10 minutes, don’t pack it.

For cheap, small items that you’ll absolutely use — say a toothbrush, deodorant or underwear — pack them regardless. But for large or just-in-case items, buy them upon arrival, granted they cost less than about $10 and are easily purchasable within 10 minutes.

Under the 10-$10 rule, items you generally shouldn’t pack include:

Books (perhaps pack one, but will you really read that second one?).

First-aid kits.

Over-the-counter medications that you only sometimes use (e.g. antacid tablets or ibuprofen).

Weather-contingent items like ponchos and umbrellas (particularly if it’s not even rainy season).

Of course, the 10 minutes is key. There probably aren't drugstores in the wilderness, in which case packing something like a first-aid kit for a camping trip can make sense.

I’ve come up with this rule over the years of traveling carry-on only , and then progressing to backpack-only. When all your possessions are on your back, overpacking is not just unnecessary weight, but it makes it especially tough to sift through the items you really need.

Make the 10-$10 rule your own

The 10-$10 is more of a guideline than a rigid, one-size-fits-all rule. Embrace its spirit, and adjust the timing and dollar figure to your liking. Factors you consider might include:

A single, able-bodied adult might easily pop into a store and make a quick purchase. Others who are less mobile, or families with kids, might find that a single convenience store run exceeds 10 minutes, in which case packing more from home makes sense.

I sometimes make exceptions for an item’s size depending on the likelihood of using it.

Antihistamine cream is small and easy to pack, but I’ll never know whether I need it for a bug bite until it happens. Though such an item might never get used, I’ll more likely use it on a lakefront vacation in Florida than a trip in downtown Denver, where high elevations make it relatively bug-free.

Meanwhile, bulky items like beach towels never make the cut.

For budget-conscious travelers who can’t afford inflated hotel gift shop prices, the $10 threshold might be too high. Adjust it according to the flexibility of your budget.

As my own savings account has grown, I’m more willing to push the $10 rule higher. But in my younger years, my $10 rule was more like a $3 rule. Back then, I was more likely to pack a just-in-case umbrella, because the thought of forking over cash amidst a downpour felt wasteful. These days, I’m usually willing to gamble that it won’t rain.

Your own flexibility

If you’re picky, realize that it might take more than 10 minutes to find the item you want, in which case the 10-$10 rule doesn’t apply. I’m generally okay using any sort of skincare products. But if you demand a specific brand, pack your own.

And in some situations, like traveling with babies, taking 10 minutes to track down something like diaper cream might not be worth it when you could have packed it from home. The 10-$10 rule isn’t for you.

Items that make the 10-$10 cut on one trip might not on another. In New York City, where there’s no shortage of retailers, I’m more willing to underpack. That’s less often the case on trips to small towns or national parks where storefronts are limited.

Don’t overpack, but don’t overshop either

It’s usually okay to spend a little more than you would to buy the same things at home. I don’t mind paying the markup for sunscreen sold on the beach versus dealing with checked luggage to pack sunscreen from home.

On the other hand, watch out for wasteful spending. Once you’ve found a cheap souvenir stall, it can be tempting to buy anything under $10 — like fanny packs, sunglasses and hats. Don’t overlook the minimalist spirit of the 10-$10 rule, which is not only packing what you absolutely need — but also only buying what you absolutely need.

Benefits of the 10-$10 rule

Packing light taught me that I often don’t even need stuff I thought I did.

Hotels often supply items you might’ve packed anyway

Many hotels these days are tightening up on the free toiletries left on your bathroom counter, presumably to mitigate waste. But often, hotels still offer those freebies — you just have to ask.

On a recent stay at the Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, Calif., the lobby attendant gave me complimentary toiletries like toothpaste and razors. I was delighted by the complimentary sunscreen at the Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani in Honolulu.

Even at Disneyland, I’ve picked up free bandages for my blistered feet at a first aid station in the park.

Most hotels and vacation rentals provide irons, hairdryers and towels, so definitely don’t pack those bulky items. Some also offer items like robes and umbrellas.

You net a great souvenir

On a trip to Thailand, I intentionally under-packed. Buying a sundress, shirts, sandals and floppy hat from vendors who lined the beach was all part of the experience. Plus, they’re functional souvenirs that I truly love.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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With the RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card, you can enhance your travel experience for just INR 3,000 annual membership fee. Every deal is meant to excite the traveller and adventurer in you. Avail benefits right from the start.

Get a MakeMyTrip voucher worth INR 3,000 as a welcome gift. Travel more freely with a 0% markup on all foreign currency transactions. Earn travel points on all of your spendings, which you can then redeem to book flights and hotels.

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Spend wherever you like with the World Safari Credit Card, which charges a 0% markup on any foreign currency transactions. This translates to a 4% savings on all currency exchange transactions. Sounds like a great offer!

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Benefits of Traveling: 21 Essential Skills and Life Lessons

Have you ever wondered about the benefits of traveling? Besides believing that travel is fun, are there essential skills and life lessons to be learned? How about life skills for teens? Life skills for adults?

My husband grew up traveling. His dad flew airplanes for a living and Chris loved to fly "jumpseat" across the country while his dad worked. Travel was a thing they did together and he learned many essential skills and life skills for teens that have translated to success in his adult life.

I flew for the first time in my 20s and was a travel "newbie" when Chris met me.

Learn more about how I transformed from a Travel Newbie to an Adventure Pro .

Traveling is Fun

Over the past 26 years of life and experiences of traveling together—as a couple and with our girls— the importance of traveling became clear as we explored the world.

We LOVE travel—from the Philippines to Thailand, Australia to Austria, London to Florence—our wanderlust continues to grow. One trip inspires another!

We have traveled with our young adult girls as well as when they were teens, young kids and babies. The day we didn't have to travel with car seats anymore? HEAVEN!

These adventures helped our girls develop life skills for teens that propelled them onto successful adulting moments as twentysomethings!

Chris and I know that we both love to travel together. That isn't going to change. We are now looking forward to the spontaneity of being empty nesters . Forbes weighs in on the best bucket list for empty nesters if you haven't already started your list.

Yet, through all of the adventures, mishaps, lost iPads, first experiences (such as paragliding of Mount Pilatus in Switzerland ), I have taken note of all the amazing lessons and essential skills learned from travel. And now it is time to pass them on to you!

21 Essential Skills You Learn from Fun Travel Moments

As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page may contain affiliate links. I would love your support through clicking on the links. Read the full  disclosure  here.

Beyond learning that traveling is fun, as you travel and experience the world, you learn essential skills for everyday living. Our daughters have learned important life skills for teens that help them in their twenties and essential skills that will stay with them forever.

1. Life IS Good

When you set out to explore the world, you quickly realize that the world is full of goodness. People are good. Places are good. Life is good.

For years as I have traveled, I have noticed the Life is Good® brand on t-shirts, hats, jewelry, blankets and so much more. I thought, "What a clever way to bring optimism to the world."

Life is good all over the world . If you want to focus on the positive benefits of traveling, focus on that!

2. A Smile Can Make All the Difference

I like to smile at people when I travel. It does not seem to be the norm in Europe for people to smile in public...especially at strangers. I usually get one of three responses:

• People walk past me without even batting an eyelash...or smiling
• People do a double-take, start a hint of a smile, then realize they don't know me, and go back to not smiling
• They actually smile back! (Rare, but it does happen occasionally)

This little girl in Paris would not smile for me!

In Malta , I was totally surprised and found many of the people to be friendly in returning my smiles. And a first for any European country—a lady actually said "hi" to me first!

Going back to #1 where I mention that people are good, I find that smiling often breaks down a barrier and invites communication .

While visiting Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, BC in 2017, I smiled at a gentleman as he walked by. He stopped and asked in broken English, “Where you go?” I mentioned that I was just waiting for my daughters. He tried again, “Where you from?” I smiled and responded, “Colorado.”   He replied while proudly pointing at himself, “Tokyo, Japan”. We both nodded and smiled and he continued on. It was a brief interaction, but made possible with a smile.

3. You Learn to Be a Planner

For Chris and I, planning a family vacation or even just a getaway for the two of us, always takes time and research. In order to enjoy a fun travel experience, a little planning goes a long way.

We have friends who like to “wing it” when it comes to finding hotels, activities, and transportation as they go.

Our friends have fantastic vacations and always seem to find places to sleep and things to do. If you are comfortable traveling “on the fly,” awesome.

If you would appreciate a glimpse into our planning methods, I highly recommend my eBook: SUPER EASY Travel Planning

This eBook is full of the lessons learned from travel where I teach you essential skills for planning:

• Decided where and when
• Schedule flights
• Book a place to stay
• Plan places to see

I also created the Ultimate Travel Planner as a planning journal/notebook.

It is available on Amazon .

Buy on Amazon

The Ultimate Travel Planner is perfect for recording ALL of the details of your trip.

It is just in our nature for Chris and I to be planners; we love travel and it gives us peace of mind to know where we will lay our heads each evening as we travel.

4. Be Spontaneous Sometimes

One of the lessons learned from travel (especially if you are a planner like me) is to sometimes forget about the plan .

What? I just finished telling you that making plans is a good thing!

Spontaneity is one of the awesome benefits of traveling.

Leave room in your day for a quick stop at an unplanned destination, for a chance to explore an amazing neighborhood, or especially for down time if you are traveling with kids! Some of our most memorable moments come from simply wandering around a new city.

One of the important benefits of traveling for ME is to be spontaneous and not plan every moment of every day. That comes easier to some than others.

Spontaneity is one of the essential life skills for teens where they can learn to balance their priorities!

5. Set Goals and Dream Big Dreams

You've probably heard people talk about creating a "bucket list" , whether it is for dream destinations they want to explore before they are 50, life aspirations, even books they want to read.

Make a list of your favorite destinations and then dig in to set destination-specific goals and consider your "bucket list " places to visit within a city: museums to see, foods to try, iconic landmarks to tour, and Instagrammable picture-taking spots.

I have a post-it® note next to my desk that simply states:

An unwritten goal is merely a wish. ~Unknown

If your lists are just living in your head, write them down. Start a "bucket list" journal specific to your biggest dreams and goals—travel and others. (I am a big believer in journaling your life! )

Having a specific bucket list for travel is the perfect place to start if you want to instill the important of traveling in your kids. Now, you need to look for ways to make it happen.

I mentioned creating a vacation fund. That is one of my top tips for creating fun travel moments.

Here are a few posts that can you give you more inspiration:

• How to Travel Like a Pro: 15 Essential Travel Tips from Frequent Flyers
• 10 SUPER EASY Money Saving Hacks for Travel
• 40 Travel Essentials For Women and Men: Genius Gear and Gadgets
• 20 Super Travel Resolutions You Can Make

6. Travel is an Investment in YOU

How many of you have ever thought, "I will travel..."

• When I have more time
• When I have more money
• When I retire
• When the kids are grown

Nothing is guaranteed: your health, your wealth, your obligations later in life. Don't wait for someday; discover the importance of traveling now while you are able to enjoy it.

If you love travel like we love travel, then you'll quickly learn that travel changes YOU. You come home with a different perspective on the world. You meet new people. You learn gratitude for your life. You reach beyond what you thought was possible.

Try new things—live outside of your comfort zone!

Don't let your doubts talk you out of the fun travel moments to be had.

7. Travel is the Best Education for Kids

Girls at the Eiffel Tower in Paris

Hand in hand with "Travel is an investment in you" is the idea that travel is the best education you can give to your children.

The memories they develop, the experiences they have, the ability for them to maneuver through an airport...these are all educational experiences and life skills for teens that are priceless.

If traveling with your kids seems like a huge hurdle, begin by researching how other people have accomplished it. Follow simplyjolayne travels and other travel blogs written specifically by families who travel with their children.

Chris and I took our girls to the Philippines on their first international trip. We even hiked into a dormant volcano ! The planning alone was monumental.

At that time, our oldest was 13 and our youngest was 7. We had been traveling with them since they were infants within the United States, so they were used to travel. All steps that prepared them for the long haul of flying to the Philippines and experiencing long airport layovers .

Your fun travel moments will inspire memories, courage, and life skills for teens that will last forever. I promise.

8. Photography Captures Breathtaking Moments

Photography has become a passion and hobby for me over the years. As I travel, I can often be found with my  Canon 6d Mark II  around my neck and my iPhone in my hand. I don’t want to miss a single picturesque moment.

Photography, and improving your skills , is one of the benefits of traveling that translates to other parts of your life. Look for the beauty around you, capture memories with your family, find beauty in the small and simple things (as well as the magnificent), and record milestones.

9. Appreciate Experiences Over Things

Are you of the mindset that you don't need more things to clutter up your life or your home? Me too.

Travel experiences build memories that will last a lifetime, surely more than electronics or clothes or  gadgets wrapped  under a Christmas tree.

When you go on travel adventures with your family you get to spend time together right? Time spent together is valuable and sometimes hard to achieve. As a parent, husband, wife, sibling, or child, you might have come to appreciate the concept of  PRESENCE versus PRESENTS .

How about surprising your family with travel adventures ?

In a world where you and I are constantly inundated with things, the challenge is to plan for experiences instead of more stuff. Explore the world, plan vacations, be adventurous...you don't even have to go far to discover the benefits of traveling.

10. Meet Great People All Over the World for a New Perspective

Do you ever chat with others as you travel and suddenly gain a whole new perspective?

While visiting Venice a number of years ago, I started chatting with a young man named Eduardo while taking the bus from our hotel to Venice.

Eduardo had come from Venice to the hardware store by our hotel to have wood cut for canvases. He was an artist. He currently lived with his parents, was studying to be a teacher (three more years), studied art in London for a year, and had a studio in Venice.

He asked about our "flat" in the United States and then innocently asked, “How did you hear about Venice?”

Chris and I looked at each other incredulously, both at a loss for words. I think I fumbled something like, "Well, it's Venice. It is pretty famous throughout the world," but that didn't really do his question justice. 

What I really wanted to say was, "Dude! You live in the most amazing city. It is ridiculously well known!" We reached our bus stop and said goodbye; however, I continued to ponder on his question. 

I'm not sure Eduardo recognized the significance of where he lived. To him, it was just home.

The importance of traveling emphasize the benefits of reaching out to others.

When you meet people from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds, you share in their unique experiences and gain a broader view of the world.

11. Appreciate Beauty

One of the things I appreciate about my husband is that when we travel, and he hears my quick intake of breath, he knows that I have spied something that I just need to stop and photograph.

Chris is happy to stop and let me take pictures. In fact, he sometimes plans destinations and day trips for me simply because he read somewhere that tourists love the beauty of an area.

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius

As you travel, you will surely encounter beauty, magnificence, symmetry, and old town charm that speaks to you. It is one of the benefits of traveling that reinforces why Instagram is so popular.

And what may be beautiful or unique or photo worthy to you, might just be something another person simply glances at and continues on.

12. Appreciate Coming Home

While I love the anticipation of travel, the journeying, and the exploration, I also love coming home. After days of fun travel moments and memories, what are some of the best things about coming home?

• Being home means sleeping in your own bed. That in itself is a luxury.
• No more living out of a suitcase!
• Clean clothes and variety in what you can choose to wear
• Knowing that a hot shower is available
• Food in the pantry (though you might feel some withdrawal in having to make your own meals again and feed you people everyday if you have a family)
• Seeing your family and friends
• Personal space
• Knowing your way around
• Sleeping in
• Not having to pay to pee
• A clean bathroom with nice toilet paper
• Drinking water from the tap
• Enjoying the memories of travel and reminiscing over pictures
• Anticipating your next trip

Coming back home recharges your travel batteries. If you have been bitten by the travel bug, you may not be home for long.

13. You Learn to NOT Be an Obnoxious Tourist

You may not realize when you travel that you are often the one interaction a person from another country uses to form an opinion of your entire country.

Locals respond positively when you try to speak their language. Many Europeans, for example, speak English and are willing to converse with you, but be willing to learn a few basic words and phrases in their language as well: hello, please, thank you, goodbye, and where is the bathroom?

Before you even set out for your next adventure, it is wise to learn about the new culture of your chosen destination.

While you’re at it, take time to research a few of the local customs. Consider the etiquette on tipping, hand gestures to avoid, driving rules, and clothing to help you fit in and wear as a sign of respect. (For example, many churches will refuse you entrance if you are wearing shorts and tank tops. Have a cover up or skirt to pull on.)

These are essential skills–life skills for teens and adults alike.

It is okay to look like a tourist; don't be an obnoxious one.

14. Try New Foods

I'll be honest. I am not very good at this.

My husband, who travels for work, is much more adventurous at trying new things. Foods such as larvae, crickets and guacamole, ant eggs, and cow tongue tacos. That is not my thing.

There are some foods that I am totally open to trying though: beignets, crepes, white asparagus soup, gnocchi, tarte flambee...mmmm.

15. Learn Essential Skills on HOW to Travel

There is definitely a skill in knowing how to travel and building on the lessons learned from travel each time you arrive home from a trip. In order to become a confident traveler , there are a few skills to learn:

• Enroll in travel reward programs
• Minimize your travel time spent at the airport
• Keep a stocked Dopp kit or toiletry bag ready to go for the next trip
• Invest in quality, lightweight luggage
• Pack like a pro (don't overpack)
• Consider whether or not you will need to do laundry
• Use the airport lounge when available
• Be sure to carry the necessary adapters, cables and chargers
• Practice self care
• Invest in a good backpack or travel bag
• Always have a current passport
• Travel with a portable charger
• Invest in a quality cell phone
• Pack snacks and a water bottle

There are more tips to learning HOW to travel, but learning these tips will point you in the right direction.

16. Prioritize Your Health

I am a huge proponent of being healthy. Healthy to handle the challenge of everyday life at home and healthy to enjoy the blessings and benefits of traveling for many years to come.

There is so much of travel that involves movement: walking, hiking, climbing stairs, lifting, and endurance (and the occasional running to catch a train).

The lessons learned from travel for me emphasize taking care of my health while traveling, but more importantly, in my everyday life.

You know your body best. If you need to get in shape for travel, do it!

5 Top Tips for Staying Healthy

• Get enough sleep
• Drink lots of water
• Eat healthy foods
• Use hand sanitizer

>> Related : Top 10 Tips to Stay Healthy as You Travel

17. Show Gratitude

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." ~ Meister Eckhart

Master the art of being thankful and showing gratitude.

I say, master it, because you often have to create the habit of looking on the bright side . For some, it is human nature to focus on the doom and gloom of current circumstances.

You may benefit from keeping a gratitude journal. That is one way for you to create your habit. Begin by writing down one thing every day that you are grateful for.

Be grateful for travel: for new experiences, for meeting new people, for taking more pictures, for sharing adventures with your family , for your circumstances, for coming home.

And learn to write thank you notes!!! This is one of my essential life skills for teens!

18. Learn to Roll With the Punches

There are times when you travel that things just don't go your way. You may experience some not so fun travel moments with lost electronic devices, missed connections, or bad weather. One of the big lessons learned from travel is to roll with punches.

In 2019, we were traveling with our girls in Switzerland and had a flight scheduled from the Geneva International airport to Vienna, Austria .

When we arrived at the airport, we were dismayed to find that our reservations had been canceled. Chris set about rebooking our flight and fortunately there were available seats for the five of us, but being flexible while on vacation is key.

19. Pay Attention to Intuition and Use Common Sense

This is wise advice whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with a group. 

If it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it or simply leave !

Use common sense as you travel. Here are a few tips and lessons learned from travel that can benefit YOU:

• When it is dark outside, be extra cautious - If you aren’t comfortable being out alone in the evening, book a room with a balcony so you can still enjoy the nightlife.
• Try to blend in and dress modestly
• If traveling solo, don’t announce that you’re alone
• Leave your valuables at home - Don’t flash expensive jewelry, electronics, purses, or clothing. Again, try to blend in.
• Be confident
• Create travel habits - When Chris travels for business and veers from his travel habits, maybe due to exhaustion or a busy schedule, then he makes mistakes. Like forgetting his iPad in the seat back pocket of the airplane. Create and follow habits so you remember to gather all of your belongings.
• Do your research - When you fly to a destination, know how much it should cost to take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. Determine the best place to rent a car, the safest plazas, and the most reputable tour companies. Plan ahead to know which train or subway to take, which stops to get off, or how far it is to walk to get to your hotel.
• Keep in touch with family and friends and let them know your itinerary
• Register with STEP - It is important to register with the State Department (for US Citizens) when traveling overseas to receive important information about safety conditions. It will be helpful if they ever need to contact you in an emergency.
• Carry ID in more than one place - Keep a copy of your passport in your luggage, even travel with extra passport photos in case you ever have to replace yours. Make sure you have secure electronic copies of all of your documents .

20. Invest in Good Walking Shoes

If you plan to purchase new shoes for your vacation, be sure to spend some time breaking them in before you leave home .

Even with the most comfortable shoes that you own, you might also want to bring along band-aids or moleskin. Our family often walks over 10 miles a day when sightseeing. That's a lot of wear and tear on shoes and feet.

Take care of your feet.

21. Technology

Technology will often be your lifeline as you travel.

Be sure to charge all of your devices and portable chargers the night before you leave for your trip. And every night while traveling.

I highly recommend that you also password protect all of your devices.

If you are using your phone throughout the day for taking photos, getting directions, checking maps, figuring out transportation, or using the internet, don’t forget to pack a portable charger (or two) so you can recharge your phone when needed. Charge them each night.

If you are using your phone for all of those activities, you may use up your battery before the end of the day. Your phone is your lifeline. If you are still in the camp that doesn’t own a smart phone, now is the time to invest in one and learn how to use it. As already noted, they are invaluable when you travel. 

But First, Just How DO You Make Travel Affordable?

When our youngest was three, Chris changed to a sales position at work and became a " road warrior " . He traveled every week whether it was close to home, across the country, or around the world.

What are the lessons learned and benefits of traveling as the wife of a frequent business traveler?

Sign up for all of the travel reward options and be faithful in sticking with them to accrue the most points!

Due to Chris' Hilton Honors points, Marriott Bonvoy points, United MileagePlus , and rental car rewards, we often travel the world without adding in the expense of airline tickets, hotel charges, or rental cars.

The benefits of traveling and having reward points have been HUGE.

You can also sign up for travel reward credit cards. The Points Guy does a really great job of breaking down all of the options for you.

Additionally, there are lessons learned from travel for saving money : start saving long before you board an airplane. It is one of the essential skills you'll thank me for later.

My #1 tip for saving money? Start a vacation fund NOW.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it traveling or travelling.

Both versions are correct based upon where you live. If you live in the UK, you will likely spell “travelling” with two l's. In US English, “traveling” (with one “l”) is correct.

Is traveling a hobby?

100%! The dictionary defines a hobby as "an activity someone does for pleasure when they are not working". So if fun travel adventures are important to you, you can absolutely consider your travel as a hobby.

I want to travel the world. Where do I start?

• Invest in good equipment
• Consider travel insurance
• Sign up for travel reward programs
• Set up a travel savings fund
• Travel with someone who has more experience

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Finals thoughts on the benefits of traveling.

Travel is one of life's greatest teachers. If you are interested in improving life skills for teens in your life, take them on adventures. If your life skills for adults are lacking, go on adventures.

The world is waiting for you to explore new cultures, people, treasures, foods, and experiences. As you set out on new adventures, you will begin to see the importance of traveling: you will step out of your comfort zones and learn about this great big world.

Just because you may have graduated from school that doesn't mean that your educational experiences end there. The benefits of traveling help you to keep on discovering, build a sense of wonder, appreciate new cultures... you never stop learning.

Obviously, these aren't ALL the lessons you could learn.

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• Find a Location

Best Rear Bath Travel Trailer RVs of 2025

• Length: 21’5”
• Dry Weight: 3,013 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,387 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 4

The small and mighty Keystone Coleman 17R has everything you need for an adventurous getaway. Keystone has taken over production of the Coleman RV Brand for the 2025 model year and redesigned these popular lightweight campers by adding a propane furnace, extending the ceiling height, and revising the cabinetry for more efficient storage. 

This small camper with a bathroom has an open floor plan, including a queen-sized bed and a dinette, which is well-suited for a small family or a couple’s first camper. The rear bathroom offers two large cabinets to store toiletries, towels, and more!

Forest River Campsite Reserve 25MW

• Length: 29’8”
• Dry Weight: 7,765 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,757 pounds

The Campsite Reserve 25MW is fully loaded with features that will make you the envy of the campground, including a king-sized bed, an outdoor kitchen, an entertainment center with hidden shelves, and the largest windows in its class.

The rear bathroom has a sink and ample cabinet space. A skylight over the shower and a mirrored medicine cabinet makes it feel even brighter and more spacious. Plus, this rear bath travel trailer is equipped with a 100-watt solar panel and a 30-amp charge controller—one reason the Campsite Reserve brand made our list of the best travel trailers with solar panels.

Keystone Bullet Crossfire 1890RB

• Length: 22’11”
• Dry Weight: 4,860 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,640 pounds

With a dinette slide-out and a Murphy bed system, the Bullet Crossfire 1890RB utilizes every inch of this small travel trailer with a bathroom. The rear bath features a large countertop and ample lighting with a window, roof vent, and skylight above the shower, making freshening up after a day on the trails much more enjoyable and easier!

This Keystone RV is packed with features for a lightweight camper under 23 feet. It includes an outdoor kitchen with a Capital griddle, a flip-up countertop for easier meal prep, a convertible dinette for added sleeping space, and much more.

East to West Silver Lake 1600RBLE

• Length: 21’3”
• Dry Weight: 3,818 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,062 pounds

The Silver Lake 1600RBLE has an outdoor shower and a spacious interior shower. With its open floor plan and ample cabinets and storage, this RV is ideal for a couple or small family. The full-width rear bath has a sizeable shower, a plastic RV toilet, and a mirrored vanity with storage for your toiletries.

Clothing storage can be a challenge in other small RVs with bathrooms, but not in this Silver Lake camper, as it includes a large linen closet with hanging storage in the bathroom and a wardrobe on the campside of the Murphy bed.

Jayco Jay Feather 25RB

• Length: 30’1”
• Dry Weight: 6,150 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,350 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 6

Who says you can’t clean up well in the great outdoors? The rear bathroom of the Jay Feather 25RB will make you feel right at home with ample cabinet storage for toiletries and towels and multiple electrical outlets, ideal for charging electric toothbrushes, blowdrying your hair, and trimming up the beard. 

This lightweight travel trailer is full of amenities and has a bright and welcoming feel with its light colors and open floor plan! Jayco also offers RVers some enticing options for upgrading this rear bath camper, such as a Mega Lounge in place of the sofa and dinette, theater seating instead of the sofa, or a king-sized bed instead of the standard queen.

Heartland Mallard M260

Specs 

• Length: 30’8.5″
• Dry Weight: 6,090 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,680 pounds

Beautifully and thoughtfully designed from the inside out, the Mallard M260 is as dreamy as a small RV trailer with a bathroom can get. The interior will make you feel like you stepped into a farmhouse on wheels, while the exterior has all the cool features you expect from Heartland, such as LED lighting and glow-in-the-dark graphics.

Other noteworthy interior and exterior features include one of the largest-in-class underneath storage compartments, a full-height pantry/coat closet, reversible booth cushions to suit your decor preference, and more. You’re sure to be the envy of the campground in this RV!

Rockwood Geo-Pro 19FBS

• Length: 20’2”
• Dry Weight: 3,543 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 894 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 3

The Rockwood Geo-Pro 19FBS is a small travel trailer with a large rear bathroom thanks to its spacious floor plan and slide-out feature. This lightweight and light-colored RV is perfect for a couple, and the pull-out sofa transforms a couch into a guest bed or an extra sleeping space for a kid. 

It’s one of the most compact and lightweight travel trailers. Its rear bath floor plan makes it easily towable with smaller trucks and SUVs. Although it’s smaller than some of the others on this list, it has a queen-sized, very functional kitchen and a cozy lounge/dining area.

East to West Silver Lake 2600RB

• Length: 30’6”
• Dry Weight: 6,158 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,562 pounds

The spacious Silver Lake 2600RB has room for the whole family. This RV with a large bathroom offers plenty of seating and sleeping options to host guests, with a king-size bed and a super slide-out that holds the jackknife sofa and the booth dinette. 

The large rear bathroom of this floorplan provides ample cabinet storage while still giving you plenty of room to freshen up after a day on the trails or relaxing around the campfire. Don’t miss the full-height pantry that could double as a coat closet behind the fireplace and entertainment center!

Forest River Salem FSX 164RBLE

• Length: 20’
• Dry Weight: 2,819 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 1,061 pounds
• Sleeping Capacity: Up to 2

This lightweight travel trailer has everything a couple needs for a comfortable weekend getaway. The Salem FSX 164BLE offers an open floor plan with a couch, queen bed, and plenty of cabinet space, making it a great option for a first camper.

The biggest downside is not having a true dining area, but the lightweight and compact size are the positive trade-offs. You can always use TV dinner trays or dine outdoors at your campsite picnic table!

Keystone Cougar 26RBS

• Length: 29’11”
• Dry Weight: 6,796 pounds
• Cargo Capacity: 2,004 pounds

At what point does it become glamping? Is it the king-sized bed, the fireplace, or the large radius shower? You won’t have to guess the answer to that question because the Cougar 26RBS has it all.

The rear bath features a glass-door shower, a porcelain toilet, and a skylight over the shower, making this floorplan feel truly like a home away from home. Whether you go with the standard sleeper sofa or opt for theater seating, you’ll have comfortable seating across from the fireplace and entertainment center, with a hidden storage area behind it!

Check Out These Honorable Mentions!

• Keystone Passport 189RB
• Heartland Eddie Bauer
• Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S
• East to West Longitude 185RB
• Jayco Jay Flight SLX 160LK

What Are Some Benefits of a Rear Bath Travel Trailer?

The primary benefit of rear bath travel trailer floorplans is the spacious bathroom, which often includes a larger shower, more storage, and increased privacy compared to other travel trailer layouts. 

This design is ideal for those who value comfort and convenience, such as couples seeking a cozy yet functional retreat or small families who need extra space to accommodate their needs while still enjoying the great outdoors together.

A rear bath travel trailer offers several other benefits:

• Maximized Privacy : The rear bath layout places the bathroom at the farthest point from the living and sleeping areas, providing more privacy and reducing noise disturbance when nature calls!
• Spacious Bathroom : No matter the size of the travel trailer, these rear bath trailers often feature larger bathrooms with more space for amenities like a bigger shower and additional storage cabinets compared to other travel trailer floor plans .
• Efficient Use of Space : By situating the bathroom at the rear, the central and front areas of the trailer can be utilized more effectively for living, dining, and sleeping, leading to a more open and versatile floor plan.
• More Spacious Feel : The separation of the bathroom from other living areas creates an overall open feel and improves the flow of movement within the trailer, making it easier to move around without dancing around each other.
• Storage Options : Rear bath travel trailers often include additional storage inside the bathroom and in the rear of the trailer, which can make all the difference when living full-time or taking an extended trip.

Is It Worth Having a Bathroom in a Camper?

Having a bathroom in a camper can be well worth it, depending on your travel style, needs, and preferences.

Most campgrounds have shared bathhouses that should be kept clean by the staff on-site. The keywords there are shared and should. If you have a small camper with a bathroom, you don’t have to share, and you can maintain it to your standard of cleanliness. 

But the benefits of small campers with bathrooms begin before you reach the campground. Travel days are much more comfortable when you don’t have to worry about the health and safety concerns of using a bathroom at a gas station along your route.

Not a fan of established campgrounds? A bathroom allows you to be more self-sufficient, enabling you to camp in remote locations without nearby facilities. While a bathroom takes up space and requires maintenance, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. 

Can You Shower in an RV Without Hookups?

Yes, you can! All the rear bath travel trailers listed have a fresh water tank, a water heater, a water pump, and a gray water tank, allowing you to enjoy a refreshing shower between adventures.

To conserve water best without having hookups, campers can shower using a Navy shower technique: turning off the water while soaping up and only turning it on to rinse. Learn these additional unspoken rules of showering in an RV .

With many rear bath travel trailers, you enjoy a spacious and private bathroom, an open floor plan, and thoughtful touches that make life on the road more enjoyable. Whether you’re embarking on weekend getaways or living on the road full-time, these rear bath travel trailer floor plans offer the perfect balance of comfort and convenience.

Travel trailers have evolved with the market over recent years, and there are more floor plan options than ever. Check out these options to help find the best RV for you and your family:

• Rear Kitchen Travel Trailers
• Popular Travel Trailer Floorplans
• Rear Living Travel Trailers

Which rear bath travel trailer model is your favorite? Tell us in the comments below!

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Jill Biden and Lloyd Austin visit an Alabama base to tout expanded military benefits

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled Friday to Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama to highlight programs that the Pentagon and White House are rolling out to improve service members’ quality of life as well as early childhood education in the military.

Biden and Austin visited a pre-kindergarten program the first lady has championed that funds universal preschool for children aged 3 and 4. The administration plans to expand it beyond military facilities and into education systems nationwide.

She said the program at Maxwell Elementary School — which provides full-day pre-kindergarten care for military children —“is part of the blueprint for making high-quality preschool available to every 3- and 4-year-old in America.”

In the on-base classroom, children identified letters, and once they did, got to feed a green paper dinosaur that Austin and Biden took turns holding. The kids also sang a song about frogs.

Austin said the Pentagon is looking at new ways to give service members more support to address higher prices for goods and housing. He has made improving troop quality of life a goal during his time as defense secretary.

To that end, the Pentagon is increasing the number of days that military families can stay in paid temporary housing when they move from base to base in response to concerns that it’s been difficult to find off-base housing in competitive real estate markets. Austin also is looking at increasing the amount of money troops receive to cover uniform costs.

“We heard loud and clear that the families juggling work and raising kids need affordable child care and quality early childhood education,” Austin said.

His aim is to retain service members and show prospective recruits that the programs the Pentagon offers to support a military career, including more housing help, career assistance for spouses and pay raises.

Earlier this year, the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force reported they expect to meet recruitment goals for this budget year, but the Navy said it may fall short.

It has become more difficult for the military to recruit young people to serve. Fewer families have a direct connection to the military and more young people fall short of the fitness requirements to qualify.

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