what is a travel addict called

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Can You Be Addicted to Travel?

Dromomania is a real thing. Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of dromomania?! Truth is, you’re not alone if this sounds like a made up term. It is actually an authentic term, but using it to describe so-called “travel addiction” is not quite accurate. In this post, I’ll help clear up the meaning of dromomania and explain whether or not you can be addicted to travel.

Dromomania refers to a historical psychiatric diagnosis with symptoms like an incessant urge for wandering. This set of symptoms has also been called “travel fugue”. Basically, it refers to what you might call travel addiction. First of all, please note that this is a historical diagnosis. That means that it is not a current diagnosis as recognized in the DSM-5. The DSM-5, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition by the American Psychiatric Association, is the primary source that mental health professionals use to make psychiatric diagnoses.

So, these days you would not receive a diagnosis of dromomania from a professional counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. So…it’s not an authentic term then? Not exactly. Read on.

Travel Problems

The notion that a person can be addicted to certain behaviors remains in the DSM-5 today. Substance use disorders are the first example that comes to mind, though other behavioral “addiction” issues are included such as Gambling Use Disorder. Others have proposed that video game addiction should be included as a diagnosable disorder as well.

If we were to remove the notion of whether or not travel addiction has a specific diagnosable label, and simply consider the impact of when people struggle with unrelenting need for travel that causes problems in their lives, then we can probably agree that it’s a real issue.

So although dromomania is not a diagnosable condition, the underlying theme of excessive travel can cause genuine problems. The key here, as with almost all current DSM-5 disorders, is that the issue must be problematic for the individual. Problems can include impairment in relationships or employment due to excessive desire for travel.

A “Dromomania” Example

For example, consider the made-up case of Bill.

Bill loves to travel. I mean, he really loves to travel. He has found that unless he is traveling, he feels emotionally miserable and only feels “okay again” when he gets back to traveling. Bill has lost several friends and his wife is considering divorce due to Bill’s hyper-focused drive for travel to the exclusion of spending time or addressing problems in those relationships. He just got fired from his job position because he has missed too much time at work while traveling.

He’s also been unable to focus on job tasks because he was spending company time on the computer researching his next travel opportunity. He’s now in debt from recent travels he couldn’t afford at the time, and now he no longer has a working income. Even his personal grooming has suffered as he would rather be out exploring than attending to self-care activities like showering and personal sanitation. Clearly, Bill has a problem with travel.

“When travel shifts from healthy activity to problematic interference in life, making a change may be necessary.” -Psychology of Travel

Can you relate to Bill’s situation? This was a somewhat extreme case, but are there pieces that sound familiar to you or someone you know? When travel shifts from healthy activity to problematic interference in life, making a change may be necessary.

Dealing with Travel Addiction

What can I do if I suffer from excessive and problematic travel-related behaviors? First of all, talk about it with a friend or loved one. Ask for their opinion on your travel behaviors and any particular areas that you think may be affecting your life negatively. We all have blind spots in our life that we may be missing, but those closest to us can usually tell if there’s a problem.

You can also consider meeting with a licensed counselor (see psychologytoday.com for psychologists in your area) to help you gain more insight into what’s driving your excessive passion for travel. Therapy can also help you develop changes in your behavior to help reduce the impairment caused by the problematic travel behaviors. See this post for a discussion of a related theme travel withdrawal .

Of course, not everyone who travels excessively needs to seek therapy. Particularly for less severe forms of unhealthy travel behaviors, take serious stock of your situation to see what you need to change. This may mean fewer overall trips, less expensive trips, prioritizing relationships/works/other facets of life above your next urge to travel. Do some problem solving to see if you can take out the unhealthy elements of your travel.

“Do some problem solving to see if you can take out the unhealthy elements of your travel.” -Psychology of Travel

Manage your mental health, as sometimes excessive travel stems from a desire to avoid having to deal with life stressors. Does this sound like you? Consider other activities like exercise, relaxation techniques, or considering how to more proactively address the things stressing you out.

Find alternative ways to scratch that travel itch by reading about travel . Have you ever considered writing about your travels? Whether crafted for eventual publication or travel blogging, or simply for your own self-expression, writing can be a healthy option. Consider other kinds of travel-themed activities like tracking your travels with a pinnable world map. For a gift idea for that special “dromomaniac” in your life, I like this cool world map with pushpins .

You may even find interest in writing about your struggles with excessive travel, as you are not alone in experiencing this phenomenon. Others can benefit from your insight. Every considered creating a travel blog? I would recommend you get a site host like Bluehost , the gold standard in professional web hosting with extremely affordable pricing in this Bluehost link .

Ultimately, recognition of the problems associated with excessive travel is the springboard for change. So, take a balanced look at how you travel, how often you travel, why you travel, along with the challenges and benefits to get a more comprehensive sense of how traveling impacts you.

Happy Travels (in healthy moderation of course!), -Dr. L Founder of PsychologyofTravel

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Travel Addiction Is Real

Ever since humans first created maps , we’ve had a compulsion to fill them in. Our desire to see what lies beyond that distant peak, that vast sea, or this planet is an essential part of who we are, and studies show that our inherent wanderlust can also make us smarter , happier , and more creative .

But is it possible to overdose on too much of a good thing? Can this natural instinct to see and better understand the world actually spill over into a legitimate addiction?

“The short answer is yes, it's possible,” says Dr. Michael Brein, a social psychologist who specializes in travel and intercultural communication. “But figuring out what causes it is incredibly complicated.”

It’s a question that’s been puzzling experts since 1886, when a French gas-fitter named Jean-Albert Dadas wandered into a hospital in Bordeaux. After deserting the French army five years earlier, the “pathological tourist” relentlessly crisscrossed Europe on foot for five years, reaching Berlin , Prague, Moscow, and Constantinople before succumbing to exhaustion. By the time Dadas arrived in Bordeaux, he had no memory of his travels.

After treating Dadas for several weeks, psychiatrists sought to explain his extreme version of the travel bug with a diagnosable condition: “dromomania."

Sometimes called “vagabond neurosis,” the term was officially added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as an “impulse-control disorder” and “psychiatric problem” in 2000. The definition states: “sufferers have an abnormal impulse to travel; they are prepared to spend beyond their means, sacrifice jobs, lovers, and security in their lust for new experiences.”

“Travel addiction is much more psychological [than biochemical],” Dr. Brein says. “Like anything, if you let it overwhelm you, it can have serious effects on other aspects of your life.”

If you make it your life’s mission to go to obscure towns and territories like Aargau, Zug, and everywhere in between, does that bring you closer to knowing the world or take you further from reality?

While no one (that we know of) has blacked out on a multi-year odyssey since Dadas’s epic trance, the term “dromomania” has recently reemerged as a common way to describe and diagnose a new breed of extreme wanderers: competitive travelers. Fueled by time, money, and compulsion, competitive travelers dedicate their lives to going—literally—everywhere. Sometimes called “country collectors” or “tickers,” they've carved the world into an endless jigsaw puzzle of cities , provinces, regions, territories, atolls, oblasts, and impossibly remote volcanic specks, and race around the globe accumulating places the way other people collect stamps. What drives them is somewhat paradoxical: They’re on a quest to “know” the world, and to keep score while doing it.

Today, between sites like Most Traveled People , The Best Travelled , and Shea’s ISO List that keep a running tally of each collector’s territory total, there are more than 30,000 humans actively competing to be crowned the world’s most traveled person. It’s a fascinating case study: If you make it your life’s mission to go to obscure towns and territories like Aargau, Zug, and everywhere in between, does that bring you closer to knowing the world or take you further from reality?

“I know a lot of these people, and you can just tell that they’re not right. They can’t stop and are willing to risk everything in life to travel,” says Lee Abbamonte, who, at 32, became the youngest American to visit every country . “Just go down the lists and you’ll see a lot of people who have lost their spouses, their fortunes, and even their houses.”

One such person was John Clouse, a trial lawyer from Indiana who held the title of “World’s Most Traveled Man” in the Guinness World Record book before the company decided the category was too subjective and discontinued it. When a rival closed in on Clouse’s record, he famously declared, “This title cost me six marriages, and I don’t intend to surrender my sword lightly!”

Dr. Brein says that he’s known people so desperate to continue traveling that they’ve ended up in foreign prisons after engaging in illegal activity to fund their journeys. Yet, only a tiny fraction of travelers he’s encountered actually have an impulse-control addiction reminiscent of dromomania.

So, what’s keeping the rest of these self-described “travel addicts” from pumping the brakes?

“Well, once you realize that the experience of travel is extremely rewarding and unlike anything else, the more you want to keep doing it,” Dr. Brein says. “It’s a kaleidoscope of new sights, sounds, and experiences at every turn, and successfully navigating these unfamiliar situations is the best way for a person to achieve the higher-level needs found in Maslow’s pyramid .”

Travel is an escape, but it shouldn't only be an escape.

In other words, the addiction some backpackers, digital nomads, and 3.5 million Instagram #traveladdicts claim is likely just a learned behavioral response to the emotional fulfillment travel offers.

As Dr. Brein explains, in reference to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, most people subconsciously organize their daily lives to be as predictable, easy, and stress-free as possible in order to achieve the basic human needs of safety and survival. The longer you maintain these routines though, the more you limit potential opportunities, rewards, and personal growth. Escaping this environment and challenging yourself not only feels exhilarating, but it also helps you experience the needs of accomplishment and self-actualization found at the top of the pyramid.

“Travel is an escape, but it shouldn’t only be an escape,” Dr. Brein cautions. “You can only do it so much.”

It makes perfect sense. So much of why travel is rewarding and special is because it’s a physical and psychological escape from your routine. But once travel becomes routine, the less exciting each trip feels and the more you may long to return home—as Abbamonte was doing when we spoke.

These days, when he’s not running his own business or planning an upcoming trip to climb the Vinson Massif in Antarctica , Abbamonte advises younger travelers about the risks and rewards of the road.

“Whenever someone asks me how feasible it is to quit your job, leave your home, and travel full-time, I tell them, ‘Don’t even think about it,’” Abbamonte says. “It’s a slippery slope to madness.”

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Travel addiction is a real thing and it’s called Dromomania

• Living In UAE
• The Kurator

Travel addiction is much more psychological than you think

Do you ever get the jitters if you’re in a place for too long? Are you always planning vacations and checking countries off your bucket list? We all love to travel, but some people have taken it way too far. They have what specialists call ‘an abnormal impulse to travel’ also known as Dromomania .

Studies have shown that people who spend their money on experiences, such as travel tend to be happier in their life. They are more open minded and more creative people. But then there are certain people who will literally spend all their extra cash on travel. They thrive on it and are in constant search for their next vacation.

You become this pathological tourist, who can never stop wandering and exploring.

The idea of someone being addicted to travel was discovered in the late 1800s, when a French man named Jean Albert Dadas left his whole life behind and started walking all through Europe hitting all the major cities, before he finally collapsed from exhaustion in Bordeaux, France.

The psychiatrists in the Bordeaux hospital began treating him and diagnosed his travel bug as “dromomania."

If you suffer from any of these serious symptoms, make sure you meet with a specialist. 

In the meantime, find out if you are inclined to ever suffer from Dromomania.

Take our Quiz

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41 Signs You Are a Travel Addict

The travel bug. Chances are if you’re on this website, you’ve got it (or will soon). If you’re always dreaming of far-flung adventures, pining for a change of scenery, or incessantly adding things to your Bucket List then I have some news for you: you are a travel addict.

And there is no cure.

Once you are infected with the travel bug, it never leaves your system. It only gets worse. You’re going to be hooked for life!

But that’s ok because you’re not alone! I have the bug – and everything I do revolves around travel. Travel is always on my mind, and I’m constantly planning my next trip. Sound familiar?

In case you’re worried you might be infected with the travel bug, here are some signs you might be a travel addict too:

You start all your stories with “When I was in…..”

You’re always asking friends to go on trips.

You’ve watched everything related to travel on Netflix.

Anthony Bourdain will always be your spirit animal. (RIP)

You’ve also seen every episode of No Reservations and Parts Unknown.

You read guidebooks for fun.

You plan trips you will never take.

Google Flights is your homepage.

You’ve signed up for every flight deal newsletter in the world.

You always ask people “Where are you from?” even when you can tell by their accent.

You wear flip-flops in the shower.

You take toilet paper everywhere you go out of habit.

Google Translate and XE Currency Converter are two of your most-used apps.

You have more than one currency in your wallet (just in case).

You keep a packed suitcase handy.

You have a travel playlist on your iPod.

You speak in airport codes, not city names.

You have more SIM cards than you can count.

You can tell where people have been by the cheesy logos and sayings on their shirts. (Same Same = Thailand, Yellow Star = Vietnam)

You have elite flyer status on multiple airlines.

You attend travel conferences multiple times a year.

You don’t have paintings on the wall — you have maps.

If you haven’t been anywhere in a few months, you get the shakes.

You can breeze through airport security with your eyes closed.

You spend two hours each day reading travel blogs and travel websites.

You subscribe to multiple travel magazines.

No matter how often you travel, your bucket list is always getting longer, not shorter.

When you think of prices, you value things in terms of how many days in your next destination it costs. “That TV is 10 days in Paris! Let’s get this one — it’s only 5 days!”

You don’t do cashback. You do points.

You have a collection of luggage tags that have been gifted by friends and family over the holiday.

You pretend you are a travel writer.

When people ask you about your hobbies, all your answers contain the word “travel.”

Some people cry when they leave home. You cry when you have to go back.

When people ask you your profession, you say vagabond.

You filled your first passport before the first year was over.

You have trips planned for next decade — just for fun.

You keep your used guidebooks in your bookcase as a badge of honor.

You have a map tattooed somewhere on your body.

You plan your next trip while on a current trip.

People you haven’t spoken to since kindergarten randomly message you on Facebook asking you for advice about their upcoming trip.

You write a travel addict post.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

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Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Travel Addiction Is A Real Medical Condition! Here's All You Need To Know About Dromomania

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Symptoms & complications.

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Depressed After a Trip? Travel Addiction is a Real Thing

(Photo: Thinkstock)

My name is Maggie Parker, and I am a travel addict.

Many people say they are addicted to travel, but the difference between being a travel fanatic and being a travel addict lies in what happens when you return home. When I get home from a trip, I come down so hard it’s as if I spent a week on cocaine or ecstasy (I imagine).

I enter into hibernation, where I don’t leave my house for a week, claiming I need to “recover” from the exhausting trip I just had, but in truth it’s a lot more than that. I feel like I’m in a black hole and I cry a lot. About what, I couldn’t tell you — it’s different after each trip. I miss the people I met, the culture I learned about, the things I did. I need to get back on a plane again soon, even though I wouldn’t be going back to the place I’m missing or to see the same people. I just need to feel that high again. When I am finally back on the road, I get that high automatically. No matter where I am and who I’m with, I’m in my element and it feels like I’m soaring high above that black hole that is waiting for me at home. There are times, however, when I feel that I’m just on a trip to satisfy my craving for travel and discovery, and that I’m not actually there for any other reason. I’m just going through the motions of travel and discovery so that I can get my fix.

The author traveling through Koh Samui, Thailand. (Photo: Maggie Parker)

Related: I Lost My Home and My Marriage So I Climbed Kilimanjaro Solo

But is travel addiction a real thing?

After a trip do you just want to be alone? (Photo: Thinkstock)

“It can be an addiction. Whether this is a medical condition depends primarily on how it affects your life,” explains Dr. Art Markman , a cognitive science specialist. “If the lows you experience after travel are so bad that you can’t really function in the rest of your life, then you want to get some help to deal with it. If you have to travel in ways that eat into the budget you need for life’s necessities, then that is a sign you should get some help.” On the other hand, he says, “if you don’t feel that your life is unmanageable, despite your real need to travel, then you are probably just at the extreme end of a continuum that includes lots of travelers.”

Sarah Bentley, a 28 year old former travel agent, explained that she feels the anxiety hit while she’s still traveling. “It almost impedes my trip because as my departure nears, my stomach forms knots and my mood completely shifts,” Bentley said. “I start to shut down before I get home, as a means to prepare myself I guess,” she adds, “which actually just makes the first week back even worse. By the time I’m leaving, the anxiety is so bad that I cry the entire flight back and am usually physically ill by the time I get home, with nothing to blame but my mental state. The next week involves a lot of anger and frustration.”

Many academic studies address compulsive travel as a “behavioral addiction.” There are three elements to a compulsive behavior that make it a behavioral addiction, according to a study on compulsive consumption: a drive or urge to engage in the particular behavior, denial of the harmful consequences of the behavior, and failure in attempts to modify the behavior.

Related: 67 and Dumped — a Woman on Her Own in Rome

Travel addicts are ready for anything, even if it might be harmful (Photo: Getty Images)

Travel addicts feel an intense urge to travel. There are definitely times when taking a trip can be harmful in more ways than one (think terrorism, environmental effects, monetary restraints), but we still hop on a plane, mostly because we are in denial of the negative effects travel might have on our lives. The terms “dromomania,” “hypermobility,” and “binge-flying” have all been coined by researchers and authors to unofficially to describe an addiction to travel.

Related: I Moved to Singapore and Changed My Life

(Photo: Getty Images)

Why do travel addicts feel so depressed when they get home? I am extremely happy with my home life; I love my job, my friends, and my lifestyle. Plus, I travel every other month. So if I have no reason to dread coming home, why are those first few days after a trip so miserable for me? “It seems that after you finish traveling, you find it hard to engage any other goals,” Markman says. “You have planned a trip, and you have had a set of wonderful experiences, and now it’s over. The combination of being drained from the trip and having focused your life and preparations on this particular trip make it difficult to really engage any other significant goals. So, for at least a week after, you feel aimless,” he nailed it. “That is actually quite normal,” Markman says. “It is hard to switch gears immediately from a great experience to return to the routine of life. It takes some time to readjust to life after the big event you have planned for.”

According to Markman, the reason travel addicts are never satisfied is because, “Whenever you achieve a goal, there is an initial sense of satisfaction, but quickly your brain looks for something else to do.” Travel is a real “process goal,” Markman says. “There is not a particular outcome you are seeking, but rather a process you love, which in this case is travel planning,” he explains. The problem is that “you expect that the trip itself will have some set of outcomes that will create a sense of completion for you.”

Can travel addicts be cured?

To balance the highs, Markman suggests acknowledging not only that we are addicted to travel, but also that we are addicted to travel planning . “One thing you can do to improve your overall reaction to travel is to recognize that you are excited by the process,” he said. “Accept the fact that there will be no perfect trip that will end your desire to travel, because you are deeply engaged with the process of being a traveler.”

To avoid the low, or just make it go by faster, Markman suggests having a plan for when you get home. “Ahead of time, assign yourself something to do for when you get home (anything that excites you) so that as soon as you have gotten some rest you have another goal to engage.” This will help with that aimless feeling.

In terms of long-term treatment, ask yourself why you are addicted to travel. If it is because you have an insatiable urge to see the world, “then it would be helpful to find ways to align the rest of your life with the thing that brings you joy,” Markman suggests. For example, find a job that allows you to travel. If you are traveling because you have an urge to escape your daily life, “you will need to do some work to understand what you are escaping. Until you address that issue, travel will not be as enjoyable,” Markman warns.

If our daily lives make it impossible to travel whenever we want, we need to find ways to make our daily lives as exciting as our travel lives. Pretend you are traveling in your hometown, try an activity that you would normally try only when traveling, take some day trips, learn to cook exotic foods. There are many ways to make your daily life mirror your travel life so that you can get a little bit of that high that travel gives you without actually traveling.

Related: I Quit My Job to Visit All 50 States in 365 Days

Are there recovered travel addicts out there? (Photo: Getty Images)

After speaking with Markman about how to cope with travel addiction, it occurred to me that if travel addiction were indeed just like any other addiction, there would be recovered addicts out there. I wanted to find one to see what the recovery process was like and if there is a light at the end of the tunnel for us addicts.

Bridget Crocker’s travel addiction began long before she got her first passport stamp. “I escaped an abusive childhood by creating a safe place for myself in my closet,” Crocker reveals. “I pasted the walls of my refuge with glossy pages ripped out of National Geographic , spending hours crouched on the floor plotting my getaway to the African savanna. For me, being far away meant being safe,” the 43-year old memoirist explained. “I landed a job guiding canoe safari trips in Zambia when I was twenty, and left to distance myself from my past.”

Related: Adventure Travel — Finding the Real Zambia

Crocker believed that if she could just find the right place, she would discover who she really was and finally feel comfortable and safe. She continued looking for this “right place” for 12 years. When she stayed put for too long, she would start to feel irritable, discontent, lonely, and disenchanted. “I felt cut-off from the world, like I was missing out on the life I was supposed to be living, an elusive life that was happening somewhere else. I’d fantasize about how my life would improve if I started fresh in a new spot,” Crocker said.

The thrill of boarding the plane was one that never gets old (Photo: Getty Images)

Once Crocker finally got her fix, she felt hopeful again. “I’d feel the thrill of possibility each time I’d board the plane with my new life ahead of me. I felt liberated — like the bars of a cage had fallen away and no one could touch me. With every river guide location change, I thought, ‘This time, I’d find my utopia.’” But she never did, and the glamour of travel started negatively affecting any stable life she did have. “While traveling gave me the space I needed to develop a self outside of my troubled family of origin, it failed to give me the deep sense of belonging that I was desperate to have,” Crocker confirms. “I began to feel increasingly lonely, like a perpetual outsider.”

Crocker began having difficulty making it through a guiding season. She would quit or be fired from jobs before the season was even over.

“I became angry and despondent. I realized that in order to find the peace and sense of well-being I craved, I would have to stop running,” she said. Crocker finally accepted that she had to fix what she was running from in order to find the happiness she was searching for. “I learned how to face uncomfortable emotions instead of distracting myself by running away, never giving myself the opportunity to really heal,” she reveals. Her recovery process required help from mentors, therapists, and 12-step programs. After working through her inner problems in a stable environment, she was able to start traveling again because she was no longer trapped in the cycle of using travel to escape pain.

Related: An Accidental Pilgrimage to Italy Put Life In Perspective

"I’ve developed other tools to move through uncomfortable emotions,” Crocker said.

Travel addiction doesn’t have to be dangerous. Travel addicts should recognize it and adjust their lives and their travel routines so that everything is manageable, and no aspect of their life is suffering, which might require professional help.

“There is nothing inherently dangerous about travel, and so the problems come when you are doing things that get in the way of the rest of your life,” Markman said. “If you can align your obsessions with the rest of your life, it can be quite healthy. Everyone has some need for sensation-seeking. For some people, just going out and seeing friends can satisfy that. Other people need more extreme and risky experiences. For other people, that sensation-seeking may require getting away from everyone and seeing new things, which is where travel comes in.”

Want more like this? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter so that we can inspire you every day.

Maggie Parker is a New York-based journalist specializing in travel and entertainment. Follow her on Twitter @maggie_wp

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Yes it is possible to become addicted to travel

Jan 17, 2019 • 2 min read

Sometimes we travel because we have to; perhaps we need to go to a wedding with relatives who live on the other side of the world or we have meetings in cities that aren't our own. But most travel isn't involuntary. Instead, we travel because we want to or because we want to explore someplace new . Because work is too much and we need an escape . Because we got a good deal on flights. Because we want to see April in Paris .

But is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Can this urge to fill in maps and charter new territory lead to an actual addiction? Is there such a thing as a compulsive urge to wander?

"In rare instances, yes, there is," says Dr Michael Brein, a social psychologist who specialises in travel and intercultural communication. "I know and have met many people, some of whom seemed to live to travel in such a manner that they could conceivably get themselves in trouble, for, say, running out of money."

Dr Brein believes that if travel becomes too much for people, too much a form of escapism that overwhelms a life and all other meaningful pursuits and goals are postponed or ignored until it becomes too late, then travel can be as disruptive as any other addiction.

"Most of us are focused on a variety of life goals like education, careers, companionship, marriage, family formation, and planning for and working for retirement," says Dr Brein. "When these are put on hold—when life itself is put on hold—there is the possibility of responsible living getting derailed, maybe even permanently."

He adds: "It is one thing to put life on hold by endless travelling, but there can be a heavy price to pay."

In 2000, the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) officially added ‘dromomania’ to its list as an "impulse-control disorder" and a "psychiatric problem." Generally speaking, it's classed as an uncontrollable psychological urge to wander. People who suffered from the disorder, it said, had "an abnormal impulse to travel" and were "prepared to spend beyond their means, sacrifice jobs, lovers and security in their lust for new experiences."

Yet, for Dr. Brein only a tiny percentage of travellers he’s met actually have an impulse-control addiction similar to dromomania. Travel is a basic human desire. We're a migratory species. Travel broadens the mind , makes people more open-minded, creative and can improve their lives in a myriad of ways. For Dr Brein, travel is a positive experience and the benefits outweigh any negatives.

"I am more left in awe of the matter, understanding what I do of the psychology of travel and realising just how awesome travel is and how it mostly and mainly benefits us rather than harms us."

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21 Signs That You're Addicted to Travel

Written by: Katie Tobias

An 'addiction' is defined as a state of being enslaved to a habit or practice, or to something that is psychologically or physically habit forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. For many of us this happens if we stop travelling, proving that we may in fact be addicted to travel.

Here at Base we love to travel. In fact, that's how we came up with the idea of the 'X' logo . The 'X' representing those destinations on the treasure map worth adventuring for. We all remember growing up... reading, seeing and hearing stories of pirates and explorers 'Sailing the Seven Seas' and 'Climbing the Highest Peaks' in search for treasure... urging us to leave the normality of life behind, jump on a plane and brace ourselves for the new and unknown. That 'Peterpan' mentality has never left us.

Are we born with a craving to travel?

Is it a craving that we are inherently born with? Or something we attain through learning as we grow old - international news, photos from afar, books, films and stories?

And is it a craving that can ultimately be fulfilled? Will the constant flow of questions from family and friends ever come to an end? Will we venture closer to peace and gratification as the passport stamps continue to accumulate? Or is a never-ending life on the road something we have to accept to deter 'cessation' and hence, trauma?

And the catch 22 of this predicament is, the fact that we will never uncover the real answer to this question unless we continue to cross borders. But how many borders need to be crossed. It's a road we are willing to explore, and if you share the 21 symptoms listed below... chances are you will too!

Meet Koala's with Bunyip Tours .

21 Signs You're Addicted to Travel

1. You hate the question "where are you from?" as you find it hard to define your existence to just one place.

2. Staying in the one town or city for more than 3 months makes you anxious.

3. You rarely say "No" to things.

4. Going 'home' is a vacation from travelling. 5. You prefer to spend your money on experiences than material things.

6. You don't take sick days at work because you would prefer to save them for trips away.

7. Thinking about the countries you have yet to visit makes you feel sick in the stomach.

8. You don't have a Bucket List because you prefer to travel spontaneously.

9. You work purely to fund your next adventure.

10. The idea of having friends join you for the ride excites you but you will never rely on a friend to plan your travels.

11. If you hear the word 'baby' or 'wedding' one more time you might just vomit.

12. Your friends and family tend to refer to you as 'impulsive'.

13. It's not uncommon for you to plan your next trip whilst on your current adventure.

14. You like to keep your life attachment free.

15. A 9 to 5 job causes havoc on your brain.

16. You like to keep in touch with current affairs, enjoy the travel channel and like to read travel blogs in your spare time.

17. You are perfectly fine living out of a backpack - in fact you prefer the material freedom.

18. Most people cry when they leave home - you cry when you have to return home.

19. You rarely get nervous meeting new people.

20. Your Facebook news feed and Instagram feed are constantly streaming with photos from across the globe and different languages.

21. Although your addiction, at times, causes you to feel a little down at times, or a sense of guilt "for not living enough" - you have an inner excitement that bubbles with the knowledge that an adventure, a new lesson, new friendships and awakenings are just a short plane ride away!

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Travel addiction is a real thing, and it could ruin your life

If travelling is said to have positive effects on one's body and mind, an overdose of it has just the opposite impact..

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People have always talked about how the experience of travel adds to one's personality, making one smarter, happier and more productive.

As much as the generation's craze for travel is growing each day, research has also shown that an overdose of the same might actually be harmful.

As opposed to the liberating effect that travel tends to have on one's mind, studies have revealed that for some travellers, it might actually turn into an addiction.

Psychiatrists have termed this ''abnormal'' impulse to travel as dromomania . The case study that spurred the diagnosis was an 1886 event, when a French gas-fitter, Jean-Albert Dadas wandered about Europe on foot, for five years, before succumbing to exhaustion. By the time he reached a hospital in Bordeaux, he retained no memory of his travels.

Dromomania was later officially added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, as a psychiatric problem in 2000. The definition of the term reads as, ''sufferers have an abnormal impulse to travel; they are prepared to spend beyond their means, sacrifice jobs, lovers, and security in their lust for new experiences.''

Humans have loved exploration throughout history. Travel has endless opportunities for commerce, trade, culinary delights, cultural education, or even just a fresh start.

The jet set lifestyle that is paraded on social media seems like pure bliss, from summering in Thailand one season and skiing in Switzerland the next. For many, this type of travel-fueled glamor appeals to the intrinsic human need for change, but for others, it could be a marker for mental health issues. Too much travel could exist.

Traveling to Escape Could be a Sign of Avoidance

Traveling at a frenetic pace and leaning into the frenzy of visiting country after country could be a form of escapism disguised as exploring exotic vacations.

Escapism is when a person relies on an activity or routine to distract them from everyday discomforts.

The desire to be nomadic and incessantly travel could signal that a person is hightailing it away from underlying problems they don’t want to address. Escapism comes in many forms like overeating, doom scrolling, dancing, partying, and some studies have even labeled continuously watching television as narrative transportation and mental escapism . Studies have also connected escapism to excessive gaming, gambling, and poor mental health.

Michael Brein, a social psychologist who specializes in travel and intercultural communication, believes escapists are more prone to the dromomaniac lifestyle, which is the need to wander and could be a form of overactivity.

“Travel can certainly appeal to people who don't want to come face to face and deal with difficult situations,” Brein says . “I think that since you’re very independent when you’re traveling, and you’re not having to deal with the interpersonal difficulties or troubled relationships that you might have back home, that’s a part of the draw.”

Read More: How to Get Over Jet Lag

Travel can be Addicting

As a reward system, addiction impacts the brain . When the pleasure circuits in the brain get overwhelmed, addiction naturally follows .

Dopamine – the “feel good” neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and memory – can flood the reward pathways in your brain 10 times more than usual when you use addictive substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, and cocaine. With overuse of drugs or overexposure to pleasure-producing stimuli, the reward circuitry in the brain adapts and becomes less sensitive to dopamine . Because of this increased tolerance, more of the addictive substance or behavior is needed to achieve similar, pleasurable results.

While travel isn’t a controlled substance, it can expose jetsetters to intense levels of beauty , which light up the brain’s dopamine-fueled reward network . The limbic reward system processes beauty and contains the brain’s pleasure-regulating reward circuit. The system holds the same potential to produce highs and lows in the eye of the beholder and reinforce the need for more.

“I’m not looking at traveling, in particular dromomania, as it’s described: as a particularly pathological thing that a lot of people do,” Brein says . “But it certainly can be addictive from the standpoint of constantly facing more and more novelty and getting the reward and satisfaction of being in a new situation.”

Read More: 5 Essential Neurotransmitters for Everyday Life

The Positive Side of Travel

Travel addiction could be a way for people to avoid their problems, but travel is also a way to explore, expand world views, and increase an appreciation for nature. Travel is liberatory and can expose adventurers in cultural diversity and create educational experiences .

“Being a successful traveler, it's very rewarding from a learning theory point of view,” Brein says. “And the quickest way to feel good about yourself is by traveling and meeting other people and sharing experiences […]. So that's very addictive. But overall, it's a very satisfying and positive kind of thing.”

Read More: Eco-minded Travel Tips From an Environmental Anthropologist

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16 Signs You’re Addicted to Travel

Independent Traveler

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Travel is a bit like a drug. Once you start, it can be difficult to stop, and the more you do it, the more you want to keep doing it. Go without it for long enough, and you may just find yourself in a pawn shop with your significant other’s fancy watch and a fistful of Great Aunt Gertrude’s silver in an effort to plan your next escape.

What are the symptoms of addiction? Besides hoarding travel shampoo, packing a suitcase to go grocery shopping and dealing with “the shakes” when you’re grounded for too long, we wanted to know what qualifies you as a travel addict. So we put out a call to our loyal readers to come up with common signs that someone may need to stage an intervention on your behalf. Here’s how they filled in the following blank:

“You know you’re addicted to travel when ___.”

1. “… you have more miles in the air than you have on all your vehicles combined!” — Janet K.

Helloooo, upgrades!

2. “… the projected period of your next big trip is slated to be longer than the amount of time you anticipate being retired.” — Mike

Holy cow! How long is his trip?

3. “… you sleep with your passport.” — @kasiainparis on Twitter

Does it have its own pillow?

4. “… you live out of your suitcase even when ‘home.'” — Judi E.

Closets are overrated … and who needs hangers, anyway?

5. “… you can and have given tourists directions in London, Paris, Tokyo — or any other places you don’t live in.” — Bruce

Bonus points if you can do it in the official language.

6. “… you’re planning one trip while on another!” — @missyfarrenPR on Twitter

Overachiever.

7. “… you already know the airport codes for airports you’ve not yet visited.” — Jo Ann Slate

It helps to make flashcards.

8. “… you can pick up your luggage and guess, within a few ounces, the weight.” — Barbara Calder

Great news! She just saved a lot of money on her baggage fees .

9. “… you start collecting small, clear plastic bags for check-in.” — @MonicaSarkar on Twitter

Next week, on “Hoarders”…

10. “… you sit down at your desk and reach for the seatbelt.” — Alan G.

Imagine his confusion if he actually found it.

11. “… waking up at home feels strange.” — Jeff

Only if you went to sleep elsewhere.

12. “… your cubicle at work is covered in postcards.” — @DanielleRauch on Twitter

Because a little coworker jealousy never hurt anyone.

13. “… you think about getting a small airplane tattoo for your ankle.” — Diane

But did she go through with it?

14. “… you always have at least two bags at home: one in ‘unpack’ mode and one in ‘packed and ready to go’ mode.” — Bruce

Let’s just hope he never accidentally grabs the wrong one.

15. “… you know which customs agents to avoid!” — @MayDayTravel on Twitter

One too many Cuban cigars, eh?

16. “… the only reason you work is so you can afford to upgrade your next trip.” — Marvin

And cash in your “sick” time so you can actually go on it.

We want to know which symptoms you’ve experienced and how you’re planning to get your next fix. Post your answer in the comments.

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50 Signs You Might Be Addicted to Travel

Disclosure: Advertising and affiliate services, including Amazon Associates, help the cost of running my blog. Clicking ads or making purchases through affiliate links may, at no additional cost to you, earn me a small commission. I appreciate your support .

Most people like to travel. They work hard and plan their vacations. But they’re happy with their few weeks of vacation. Then there are the travel addicts who spend each and every waking moment thinking about the next place they can visit. Some that may be so addicted to travel that they create their own travel blog so they can think of travel more often. I definitely don’t know anyone like that! But if you ever need to figure out if someone has a bit of a travel addiction, there are a few (not so) subtle ways.

You know you’re addicted to travel when…

1 – You have at least three trips planned each year – one vacation is not enough

2 – When telling people about your upcoming trip, their only response is “Weren’t you just away?”

3 – On the million-to-one chance you don’t have a trip booked, you’re already planning your next one. Or two.

4 – You wake up and think of traveling

5 – You go to sleep thinking about traveling

6 – When hanging out with friends your stories all start with “When I was in…”

7 – When people compliment an item of clothing or something and you always say “Thanks, I got it in…”

8 – You can’t look at certain food without thinking about a similar item in another country you’ve been to

9 – A collection of travel magnets has taken over your fridge

10 – You can’t walk into a 7-11 without thinking about your trip to Thailand

Remember to take a reusable water bottle with you on your travels, like this one from FastTech

11 – You correct people’s pronunciation of food items because you had it in the country it originated from so you’re now that person (I’m looking at you Pho )

12 – Your phone gallery is full because you have so many photos from traveling

13 – You can order a beer in at least 5 languages but can’t say anything else

14 – Your credit card has some kind of travel rewards with it

15 – You have a box full of items that you got while traveling that you’ll never use but can’t get rid of “because they have so many memories”

16 – You add more to your bucket list than you check off

17 – Airport codes are forever ingrained into your memory so LHR, PEK and YYZ mean something to you

18 – You know your passport number and expiry without looking at it

19 – Someone asks where your favorite travel destination is and you get all Good Will Hunting trying to figure it out as you argue yourself in circles

20 – You’re a member of at least one travel group on Facebook ( Girls Love Travel ladies where you at?!) because you gravitate to other like-minded addicted to travel people

21 – You have at least 3 good stories about getting lost abroad

22 – You’re more likely to take public transit to/from an airport because you travel so much you need to save all the money you can…for more travel

23 – There’s at least one foreign food no-one else has ever heard of that you love

24 – There’s at least one foreign food no-one else has ever heard of that you passionately hate

25 – People you haven’t seen for a while start every conversation with “And where have you been to recently?” knowing that a trip was never too long ago

26 – You have a favorite airport

27 – There’s at least one “dream destination” most people have that you can’t stand because it was “too touristy”

28 – You have a collection of miniature toiletries from hotels around the world from trips gone by (hopefully these will soon be a thing of the past)

29 – You have more than the entry level status for at least one travel rewards program

30 – You own a travel pillow, compression socks and packing cubes, and never leave home without any of them

31 – If you don’t have a trip currently booked you’re so anxious that you feel like you might be suffocating

32 – Your shoes and belt are off and your laptop is out of your bag as soon as you get in line for security at the airport

33 – Watching the inevitable person with liquid in their hand baggage causes you to mutter “how hard is this?”

34 – You’re the only one not hurrying to get on the plane as soon as it starts boarding

35 – You’re the only person who doesn’t stand as soon as the plane lands because as optimistic as you are, you know row 35 won’t be getting off anytime soon

36 – You’ve ever made a gift bag for flight attendants

37 – You have a favorite restaurant/bakery in another country – Gosselin bakery in Paris for me

38 – You know what time it is in any random country because you know at least one person in that time zone

39 – There are coins of at least 3 different currency in your purse right now

40 – You don’t change money back when you return because you’re sure you’ll be back there sometime soon

41 – The currency exchange place knows you by name

42 – You shake your head when people say they didn’t buy insurance because they “didn’t plan on having to cancel/getting sick/losing their bags”

43 – You randomly find boarding passes, museum tickets or used transit passes in your purse

44 – Your family are shocked when you show up for the holidays because they thought you were still away somewhere

45 – Each holiday season everyone gets gifts from your latest trip

46 – You know the names of at least three travel writers

47 – You can have a conversation with anyone and it always leads back to travel, and you’re never sure how it got there

48 – People always ask you advice for their own trips

49 – You’d rather save your money for travel instead of a car/house/designer clothes

50 – You love travel so much you created a travel blog so you can talk about traveling more (and give you more of a reason to go new places)

The cure for a travel addiction

If you came here hoping for a way to curb your wanderlust then you’re asking the wrong person. I’ll probably give you more places you want to visit than talk you out of a trip. Heck, I’ll probably end up joining you for fear of missing out myself. Unfortunately there is no real cure for being addicted to travel. It’s in your blood, and you’ll always be dreaming of your next trip. Might as well just give in and book a flight.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Do you think you might be addicted to travel? Which signs do you most relate to?

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24 thoughts on “50 Signs You Might Be Addicted to Travel”

LOL this was a fun read and I am definitely 3/4 of this list!! Can’t wait to travel again!

I plan trips in my free time – like that is my hobby! My husband loves the Playstation, my friends like reading or watching Netflix – I LOVE sitting with a spreadsheet out, Skyscanner open, a handful of blogs at the ready and PLAN!

This extra time at home as got me planning trips for three years ahead of time! So yeah.. I maybe a tiny bit addicted 🙂

I feel so SEEN! Hahahahaha. 37 of them. Wow.

#33 every time! We once got stuck behind a family who insisted on finishing drinking their sodas that THEY HAD JUST BOUGHT! Who does that!!!

I’m guilty as charged on all the points. But I love it. Really fun post. I don’t think I would want a cure for that even if there would be some

Hahahahha this is sadly too accurate. I can tell you without much work what time it currently is in NYC, CDMX, as well as Shanghai and Hong Kong (I am from Europe). Also waaay too many of my stories start with “When I was in….”. Thank god I work in hospitality so it is not too uncommon. Love this post. Thanks for sharing.

I can totally relate to all of these 😂 #10 got me though – still drool thinking about Thailand’s toasties from 7/11 😂

This is so true, I can relate to so many things here.

I’m surprised to say that I answered “yes” to less of these then I thought I would have. So maybe I’m not as travel addicted as I thought!

#33 killed me! Fab post – definitely relatable and for sure can say I am addicted now haha!

LOVE it! I think it is safe to say I am addicted to travelling! Can’t wait for the day planes start flying, borders are opened and it is safe to travel again. Thanks for sharing such a fun piece 🙂

Such a nice topic to write about! I am sharing this with my husband. I can totally relate to this 🙂

I counted 47/50 for me!! haha I’m def addicted

I feel so called out by #12 about the phone gallery haha! I *never* delete travel photos from my phone

43 out of 50, I’m definitely addicited!!

This is hilarious and brilliant! I checked off about 95% of of these – and OMG yes the fridge magnets! And the old currency! And OBVIOUSLY 48-50. And just about all of it really. I feel seen.

Ahah it was so funny to read this list! I can relate to many of them! As a travel blogger and travel content creator, I can tell I am 100% addicted to travel 😀

I guess I am officially addicted to travel! 🤗

Haha, I am most definitely addicted to travel. I love this list. Almost at every point, I was like “yap, that’s me”… 🙂

Haha this is awesome. I’m definitely guilty!!!

Haha, I can relate to many of these! I guess I’m an official addict!

I feel like you’ve just described me haha. Definitely most of these…

Guilty as charged. Too many of these line up! 🙂 Officially addicted to travel!

So I hit 38, and only cause a few aren’t relevant. I like the belt one, that is so me. Plus the damn things are so uncomfortable on a tight plane seat.

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10 Signs That Show You Are Addicted To Travel

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There’s no doubt that traveling is the coolest thing in the world! It’s like an addiction that no one can resist, but a positive one! Travel satisfies your mind, body, and soul with this exciting tingling and arouses this indescribable feeling inside you. This immense happiness comes with you anywhere you go.

Travelling offers unforgettable adventures and experiences. With each vacation, you grow a little, and every time you come back home you’ll most likely feel that you have to go out again. It’s because of this freedom and feeling that comes along with traveling and makes anything possible – so addictive! Each vacation makes your thirst for travel even stronger for your next vacation.

If you are wondering whether you’re addicted to travel or not, have a look at these 10 signs that show you are addicted to travel! Let’s find out if you are a travel addict or not!

1. You Have A Collection Of Travel Guides

When all you have are travel guides in the name of books and your bookshelf is bursting at seams with travel magazines, phrasebooks, books about travel, books on places you want to go and you’ve been, it’s a clear sign that you are a travel addict.

How it Helps. Help you plan your next travel!

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2. You Collect Foreign Currency

Another sign could be that you only collect foreign currency in your house and not your native money. Over your years of traveling experience, you never exchanged any leftover currency instead, you brought it all home, because hey, you never know when you feel like going back! Extra brownie points if the box you keep all your foreign currency in has maps on it.

How it Helps. Although it can be used, it is a kind of souvenir that tells you about your travel exploits!

Click Here to Book The Best Tour Package

3. Your Inbox Is Filled With Offers From Airlines And Hotels

Most people do not want their inbox filled with offers from every travel site, airline, and hotel under the sun. Yet, the travel addicts out there celebrate every morning when they get to check their inbox for exciting travel offers. Oh, the excitement of imagining where the next adventure will be! Exclusive discounts on flight tickets never ruined any travel addict's day.

How It Helps. It keeps you informed about deals and offers by airlines and hotels.

Click Here For Hotel Bookings

Also Read: Not A Fan Of Long Train Journeys? Reading These Books Will Make You Travel In Time

4. You Never Bother To Unpack

It may sound ridiculous, but travel junkies almost never bother to unpack! Suffering from a case of severe travel addiction, they always have a backpack ready to blast off where ever they want to and never want to unpack once they are back from their adventure. The reason is, you never know what the stuff in that bag might come in handy once again!

Travel addicts simply don’t like the idea of neglecting any travel opportunities. Oh and that lousy feeling of ‘it is over’ after returning from a fun vacation while unpacking…they can’t stand that too!

How it Helps. You save a lot of time that goes into packing!

5. Your Weather App Is Filled With Different Cities

As if collecting foreign currency wasn’t bad enough, watching the weather conditions of destinations with absolutely no plans to visit is possibly worse. However, travel addicts love living a spontaneous life, therefore, they have to be packed and ready at all times. Keeping an eye on the weather is simply being proactive just in case they end up there soon.

How it Helps. It keeps you aware of the weather conditions all over the world!

6. “Where Are You Travelling Next” Is The Question You Answer The Most

When your friends always ask you the same question “ Where are you traveling next?”. Know that you are addicted to travel. This is often the first question that all the travel addicts get from their friends whenever they meet them and it’s definitely a sign that travel is a big part of their lives.

How it Helps. You have clarity about your travel goals!

Also Read: Top 34 Family Holiday Places To Visit In India

7. The Only List You Care About Is A Bucket List

 The only lists travel lovers bother keeping are lists of places want to visit next or they already have been, and dream to eventually visit. Most of them keep their bucket lists going in a journal next to their beds constantly. Is this something that you also do? Be honest!

How in Helps. You have a positive mindset and always looking forward to gaining new experiences!

8. You Save Only To Travel Again

While a travel addict’s friends and colleagues are saving money for a new kitchen or a car, there’s only one reason they save the dough: to travel. They always know exactly how much they’ve managed to stash away, and more or less the exact number of trips their savings could finance if they decide to jack it all in and go traveling as soon as possible.

How it Helps. The only thing you splurge on is travel that brings you immense happiness!

9. Your Favorite Book Is Your Passport

Passport is one of the favorite books for travel addicts and remains at their side since they started traveling, that’s a lot of adventures and experiences. They love it because it fits in a pocket, opens up a world of adventures, reminds them of all the things they have done when while traveling as they flick through the pages, and when they have had enough for a while, it lets them go back home and tell their family and friends tales of adventures they have been on.

If you treasure your passport like a friend, and it is a part of you, then buddy knows that you are crazy about traveling and in a good way.

How it Helps. It helps you keep things safe that matter the most to you!

Also Read: Top 6 Travel Essentials For Men: Stay Simple But Significant!

10. You Feel Most Relaxed On The Road

For most travel addicts, the excitement of traveling to a distant place is as much about the journey as the Destination , and they are never more contented than when they are cruising the open road, looking back at the earth from 35,000 feet or watching the ocean from a windswept deck.

How it Helps. Help you stay connected with your inner self!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. What is a travel addict called?

A 1. A condition in a person with an abnormal urge to travel is also referred to as Dromomania. Such people who travel a lot and acquire new experiences tend to stay happier than others.

Q 2. Is it possible to be travel addicted?

A 2. Yes, it is possible to be travel addicted. When traveling to different corners of the world becomes involuntary, it is a sign of travel addiction.

Q 3. Why has travel become so addictive?

A 3. Travel becomes addictive because it brings immense happiness, gives an opportunity to acquire new experiences, every trip helps you grow more and become wiser. All these things lead to travel becoming addictive.

Q 4. What words best describes travel?

A 4. Words like peregrinate, journey, tour, pilgrimage, trip, trek, and voyage describe travel in their different forms. 

Oh...let us tell you a secret, after noting down all these signs that show you are addicted to travel, we got to know that we too are travel addicts! How exciting! Keep this excitement going on and plan your vacation with Adotrip! Book the cheapest flight tickets , hotels, and Tour Packages . With us, nothing is far!      

--- Published By  Arpita Mathur

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Words Associated With Travel And Tourism

There are many words associated with travel and tourism. These words can have different meanings depending on the context in which they are used.

Some of the most common words associated with travel and tourism are:

Adventure: An exciting or daring experience.

Adventure tourism: Tourism that involves seeking out adventure activities, such as mountain climbing, white water rafting, and safaris.

Airlines: The companies that operate passenger flights.

Air travel: Travelling by plane.

Attractions: Places or things that people visit for pleasure.

Backpacker: A traveller who carries all their belongings with them in a backpack.

Beach: A stretch of sand by the ocean or a lake, often popular for swimming, sunbathing, and playing in the water.

Budget: A plan for how money will be spent.

Budget travel: Travelling on a low budget.

Camping: Sleeping outdoors in a tent or under the stars.

Car rental: Renting a car to travel in.

Destination: The place a traveller is going to.

Holiday: A period of time away from work or school, typically spent travelling or relaxing.

Hotel: A place where people can stay overnight, typically with food and drink provided.

Luxury: Something that is expensive and high quality.

Package holiday: A holiday that is booked as a single unit, often including transport, accommodation, and sometimes also activities.

Sightseeing: Looking at the sights or attractions in a place.

Solo travel: Travelling alone.

Tourism: The activity of travelling for pleasure.

Tourist: A person who travels for pleasure.

• 1 What are 10 synonyms for travel?
• 2 What is the word for someone who loves to travel?
• 3 What are some travel words?
• 4 What is another word for tourist attractions?
• 5 What is a travel addict called?
• 6 What is the Latin word for Traveller?
• 7 What do you call tourism?

What are 10 synonyms for travel?

When most people think of the word “travel,” the first thing that comes to mind is usually a mental image of going on a vacation. However, there are many other ways to use the word “travel,” which is why it has so many synonyms.

The word “travel” can be used to describe the act of moving from one place to another. This can be done by walking, driving, flying, or taking any other form of transportation. 

“Travel” can also refer to the experience of going to new places and seeing new things. This can be done by visiting other countries, exploring different parts of your own country, or even just taking a day trip to a nearby town. 

“Travel” can also mean the process of learning about new cultures and customs. This can be done by studying other languages, reading about other cultures, or even traveling to those cultures and experiencing them firsthand. 

“Travel” can also be used as a verb, meaning to move or to go. For example, you can say “I’m traveling to Europe next month,” or “I’m traveling to the grocery store.” 

Finally, “travel” can be used as an adjective, meaning that it describes something that is related to travel. For example, you can say “I’m looking for a travel jacket” or “I need a travel mug for my coffee.”

So, what are 10 synonyms for travel? They are: move, journey, voyage, go, journey, migrate, trek, wander, ramble, and rove.

What is the word for someone who loves to travel?

There is no definitive word for someone who loves to travel. However, the word “traveler” is often used to describe someone who loves to explore new places and experience new cultures. Traveling can be a great way to learn about the world and the people who inhabit it. It can also be a fun and exciting way to see new sights and meet new people.

What are some travel words?

When traveling to a foreign country, it can be helpful to know some of the local words and phrases. This can make communication easier and help you enjoy your trip more. Here are some common travel words in several languages.

Hello: Assalamu alaikum

How are you?: Kaifa haluk?

Thank you: Shukran

Yes: Na’am

I don’t understand: Ma ana bashai

Do you speak English?: Hal tehfiz English?

Hello: Buenos días

How are you?: ¿Cómo estás?

Thank you: Gracias

I don’t understand: No entiendo

Do you speak English?: ¿Habla inglés?

Hello: Ni hao

How are you?: Neng kan le ma?

Thank you: Xie xie

I don’t understand: Wo bu dong

Do you speak English?: Hao yi si shuo yingyu ma?

What is another word for tourist attractions?

Tourist attractions are places or things that people visit for pleasure. These can include natural wonders, man-made landmarks, or historical sites. There are many different words that can be used to describe tourist attractions.

Some common synonyms for tourist attractions include tourist destinations, tourist spots, and tourist traps. These words all have slightly different meanings, but they all refer to places that people visit for pleasure.

Another word for tourist attractions is tourist attractions. This is simply the most straightforward way to describe these places. It is accurate and it does not have any negative connotations.

Some people might also use the term tourist attractions to refer to places that are not necessarily pleasurable to visit. For example, a prison might be called a tourist attraction because it is a historically significant site. However, most people would not consider a prison to be a desirable tourist destination.

What is a travel addict called?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the term “travel addict” can mean different things to different people. To some, it may simply refer to someone who loves to travel and enjoys exploring new places. To others, it may refer to someone who is unable to stay put for very long and constantly feels the need to travel, even if it means putting their career and/or personal relationships at risk.

There is no definitive answer to this question, but it is generally agreed upon that the term “travel addict” is used to describe someone who has an uncontrollable urge to travel and explore new places. This can be a positive thing for some people, as travel can be a great way to learn about new cultures and expand one’s horizons. However, for others, it can be a negative thing, as their addiction to travel can cause them to neglect their responsibilities and put their relationships and career at risk.

What is the Latin word for Traveller?

The Latin word for traveller is viator.

What do you call tourism?

There are many different terms used to describe tourism, and it can be difficult to know which one to use. Here are some of the most common terms:

Tourism – the activities of people who travel to and visit places for leisure or business purposes

Travel industry – the businesses and organizations that are involved in the movement of people and goods around the world

Tourism industry – the businesses and organizations that are involved in the provision of tourism products and services

Leisure travel – travel undertaken for pleasure, relaxation, or recreation

Business travel – travel undertaken for the purpose of conducting business or professional activities

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• April 14, 2023

A travel enthusiast is someone who truly loves to travel. Social travelers are those with outgoing, flexible, and amiable personalities.

Table of Contents

Who is a Travel Enthusiast?

If you love travelling frequently , get excited by the very thought of seeing and feeling the unknown, and love to discover new relationships and places, you are a travel enthusiast.

A travel enthusiast is much more than someone who enjoys watching videos or reading about other people’s experiences abroad.

As a frequent traveler, you are aware of how crucial trip preparation is. Additionally, planning is enjoyable in and of itself.

The first trip taken by a travel enthusiast is just as exciting as any other trip, and having a basic understanding of travel is always helpful.

The discussion below may assist you in creating an easy path for your travel itinerary if you are about to leave on your first trip.

• Your travel destination: It’s crucial to choose your travel destination in advance and to do the necessary research on it. To ensure your comfort level, you must be aware of the geography, climate, tourist attractions, laws, and religion of a location. Additionally, getting the necessary vaccinations is essential for maintaining your health.
• Gearing up for your trip: Lots of photos and lots of comfort await you on your journey. You can take decent photos and videos and help yourself remember those special moments by having a good camera, laptop, and necessary accessories. Consider the weather when selecting your attire. The first step in a proper comfortable journey is choosing a comfortable travel bag with enough room for your needs.
• Taking care of the important things : Some of the most crucial things to think about when traveling are your visa, your travel fund, and your travel insurance. Check to see if they have been updated with your location in mind. One of the most crucial choices to be made at this point is whether to pre-book your hotel and where it will be located. Ensure that key facilities like restaurants, hospitals, police stations, etc., are close by.
• Consider your travel stress: Whether it’s jet lag or just plain fatigue, it always takes some time to recover from the strain of the journey itself. Before you begin your touring activities, give yourself enough time to recover. You’ll be able to take in everything with a clear head if you have enough time to recover.
• Be sure of your goals: Allow yourself time to reconsider your decision if you are having second thoughts about your planned trip. There is never a shortage of places to go. Their opinions matter if you are traveling with family or friends. The overall experience of the trip may suffer because some people may not share your enthusiasm for it.

What Are the Types of Tourism?

Trying to divide tourism into two distinct categories in the modern era is a difficult task. However, it can be said that there are three different types of tourism based on their general characteristics.

Domestic Tourism

Tourism that takes place within a nation is referred to as domestic tourism. There are two types of international tourism: inbound and outbound. Here is a little description provided alongside the impacts of these three types of tourism: Travelers who engage in domestic tourism do so within their own nation. Visits to family members are typically the most frequent reason for this kind of travel. However, the excursion must take place away from the visitors’ usual residence, and they must stay there for at least one day. Going somewhere for business or pleasure is also referred to as domestic tourism. For many nations, domestic tourism can be a significant economic driver. This can be a path to reduce infrastructural problems, building a better community and earning a good amount of revenue by flourishing local businesses. An essential part of the tourism industry, domestic travel accounted for 73% of all travel and tourism spending globally in 2018, according to a recent study conducted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In 2017, there were 1.5 billion domestic day visits in England and 100.6 million domestic overnight trips in the United Kingdom.

Inbound Tourism

A temporary visit and stay in a nation by non-nationals is referred to as inbound tourism. It denotes that tourists from outside the nation travel to that nation and engage in a variety of activities while staying there for a minimum of six months and a maximum of twelve. This type of visit can have a variety of objectives. Economic, political, and social benefits stem from inbound travel. The country gains investment and job opportunities from inbound tourism. The exchange of information and experience between the visitor and the host is facilitated by their interaction. Locals have the opportunity to showcase their way of life and promote it abroad. A total of 24.5 billion pounds were spent by foreign visitors to the UK in 2017, with 21 billion of those dollars being spent in England.

Outbound Tourism

Activities, when citizens of a country travel abroad and stay there for a short period of time—less than 12 months—for a specific purpose, are included in this category of tourism. This type of tourism can serve a variety of goals, just like the earlier kinds.

International cooperation is strengthened by tourism abroad. This type of tourism greatly benefits from the exchange of cultural values. It is one of the main sources of income for some nations. According to data from the World Tourism Organization, the growth rate of outbound travel to the United States in 2018 was 7.9. USA, India, Canada, and other nations exhibit high rates of international travel.

These are the broad categories of tourism. Tourism can be divided into several different categories depending on why someone travels. When people travel for work or a convention, this is known as convention tourism. Travelers who take advantage of incentives to travel are said to engage in incentive tourism. It is known as the health section when people travel for healthcare or medical purposes. In order to understand a country’s history and culture, one engages in cultural tourism. When people travel for leisure and seek out relaxation, this is known as recreational tourism. Young people are most likely to enjoy adventure travel. People travel in search of the exhilaration of adventure while being in close proximity to nature.

Regardless of the type of tourism, there are social, economic, and cultural effects in addition to financial gain. Being on our best behavior for the benefit of tourism and the environment is our responsibility to both the tourist and the host. It is important to remember while traveling that everyone has the chance to create meaningful memories and new experiences, regardless of where they are from or where they are currently located.

What is a Wanderlust Person?

Wanderlust is a strong urge to travel. He could not stay still for an extended period of time due to his wanderlust. More synonyms for wanderlust: restlessness, itchy feet (informally), urge to travel, and unsettledness.

What is a Travel Addict Called?

A historical psychiatric diagnosis known as doromomania was characterized by an uncontrollable urge to walk or wander. The phrase “traveling fugue” has also been used to describe dromomania. Non-clinically, the term has come to be used to describe a desire for frequent travel or wanderlust.

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Try Next Vacation; you won’t regret it. No personal information is required by Next Vacay, which is trustworthy and safe.

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2025 Can-Am Canyon unveiled as off-roading three-wheeler

It features a driving mode called rally.

Can-Am's range includes four basic types of vehicles: motorcycles , side-by-sides , three-wheelers , and ATVs. If they all merged into one, the final product could look a lot like the new Canyon . It blends a three-wheeler layout with the off-road capability of side-by-sides and ATVs.

There are two ways to look at the Canyon. It's either the answer to the question no one asked, or one of those "Duh, why didn't someone think of this sooner?" moments. There might be a third way to look at it if you're a member of GMC's legal team , but that's besides the point.

Back to the road: The newest addition to the Can-Am portfolio is shaped like the brand's existing three-wheelers, but it's taller and fitted with more fairing. It puts a noticeably more rugged spin on the design cues that characterize other trikes, including the high-mounted headlights. Can-Am added anti-slip foot pegs, a handlebar riser that makes the Canyon easier to control while standing on the pegs, and a drive belt protector. The 10.25-inch, Apple CarPlay-compatible touchscreen doubles as the instrument cluster and the infotainment system display.

Power for the Canyon comes from a 1.3-liter water-cooled three-cylinder engine rated at 115 horsepower. It's linked to a six-speed semi-automatic transmission that has a reverse gear, so you won't need to push yourself backwards, and it lets the three-wheeler tow or haul up to 400 pounds, which should come in handy regardless of whether you're setting off for work or play. We'd bet that it stops pretty well, too, thanks in part to Brembo brakes and ABS. Riders have four modes, called Sport, All-Road, Rally and Normal, to choose from, while the semi-active suspension system features 10 inches of front-end suspension travel and about nine inches of rear-end travel. 

On sale now, the 2025 Can-Am Canyon is available in three trim levels called Standard, XT, and Redrock, respectively. Pricing starts at $25,299, $29,799, and $32,299, respectively, excluding transport and preparation. Buyers who want to customize their three-wheeler have 25 factory accessories to choose from including a rear-view camera, an Akrapovič exhaust system, LED fog lights, and a trailer hitch.

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to The Azores

The Azores is known as the 'Hawaii of Europe' — with whale watching and dramatic volcanic scenery.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

photoschmidt/Getty Images

The Azores, an autonomous Portuguese archipelago that’s in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is known for its breathtaking volcanic landscapes that feel almost prehistoric at times. Most first-time visitors head straight toSão Miguel, the largest and most-visited island and the site of the main international airport. And can you blame them? The “Hawaii of Europe” as it’s called brims with crater lakes, lush hillsides, fumaroles, and waterfalls. The terrain across the archipelago is both dramatic and remarkably varied. Other lesser-known locales such as São Jorge and Pico offer plenty for travelers to see, do, and admire, too. Santa Maria, the southernmost island in the chain, for example, boasts the only white-sand beaches in the region. Of course, in a place that’s steeped in such untamed natural beauty, eco-adventures — from hiking to kayaking — abound. 

Yearning to trek through surreal scenery, go whale watching, sample local cheese, and post up at a relaxing hotel? Scroll on for expert tips to help you plan the most epic Azores trip. 

Related: 20 Best Places to Visit in Portugal 

Courtesy of Octant Furnas

Best Hotels and Resorts in the Azores 

Octant furnas, são miguel.

“Set amidst lush greenery and volcanic scenery, Octant Furnas allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Azores,” says Pilar Melo Antunes, the business development director at AtlantiVacations , a tour company that specializes in tailor-made Azores experiences. The hotel is built for unwinding, with indoor and outdoor geothermal pools and a healing water circuit at the heavenly spa as highlights. "The geothermal pools are simply heavenly," said Susmita Baral , an editor at T+L. "Plus the on-site spa makes this hotel a great wellness destination on the island."

Santa Barbara Eco Resort, São Miguel

Set along the remote and rugged northern coast of São Miguel, Santa Barbara Eco Resort gives off a cool, surfer retreat energy with modern architecture, views of the azure waves, and an emphasis on wellness. Gardens overflow with endemic flora. The organic farm supports the robust culinary program. There’s also a huge saltwater pool accented by stone lounges and a hut for alfresco massages.

Sensi, São Miguel

“Earning a true five-star rating, Sensi is a standout option for Azorean luxury at its finest,” remarks Horácio Alves, a Lisbon-based guide with Black Tomato who regularly does tours in the Azores. “It’s a really special place with superb food, a spa dedicated to mind-body-spirit relaxation, top-notch service, and design that feels elegant yet authentic to the volcanic island of São Miguel.”

White Exclusive Suites & Villas, São Miguel

Planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway ? White Exclusive Suites & Villas is a luxurious, boutique respite perched on the southern coast of São Miguel. Designed with grown-up guests in mind, it’s elegant and intimate with just 11 contemporary suites and villas, gastronomic cuisine, and a sanctuary-like spa for signature rituals, hydrotherapy, and yoga. 

Pocinho Bay, Pico

While São Miguel may have the lion's share of hotels, in-the-know travelers decamp to Pocinho Bay , a hidden gem on the island of Pico with vineyards, sweeping views of Mount Pico and Faial Island, and access to a natural rock pool. “The property feels beachy, almost reminiscent of Mykonos with laid-back yet attentive service, woven hammocks, and exposed stone walls in the rooms, plus a range of excellent small-production wines,” says Alves. 

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Best Things to Do in the Azores 

Sete cidades, são miguel.

If you’ve ever Googled the Azores, chances are pretty good that images of Sete Cidades popped up. The journey to this emblematic nature area on the island of São Miguel is absolutely stunning with unimaginable sightlines of the famous twin crater lakes, Lagoa Azul ("blue lagoon") and Lagoa Verde ("green lagoon"), and the huge, 3-mile-wide caldera. Along the way, there are many scenic viewpoints and charming small villages. 

Ilhéu de Vila Franca

The uninhabited flooded crater islet of Ilhéu de Vila Franca is easily reachable right off the south-central coast of São Miguel. The protected lagoon teems with unique marine life and offers exceptional visibility, making it ideal for snorkeling. It’s also popular for swimming and cliff diving. 

Hot Springs in Furnas, São Miguel

A hub of geothermal activity on São Miguel, Furnas is blessed with many hot springs. Wellness and relaxation seekers will find plenty of spots to soak. Alves suggests Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha , a nature preserve with mineral pools, waterfalls, and lush foliage. “It's important to note that the water has a high sulfur content. The unique smell can take some time to get used to, but the healing benefits are plenty.”

Pico da Barrosa, Pico

Fans of high-altitude activities won’t want to miss Pico da Barrosa, the highest point in Portugal. The summit sits atop a dormant volcano at an elevation of 7,713 feet above sea level. The round-trip hike is quite pleasant as long as you have sure footing and a knowledgeable local guide to help navigate the volcanic rock terrain. 

Whale Watching 

The Azores is one of the best destinations for whale watching in the world. Many different types of cetaceans call the waters surrounding the archipelago home and guided tours give visitors a front-row seat to these majestic marine creatures. While peak season stretches from April through October, to up your odds of seeing larger migratory species such as blue whales, consider planning a trip between the end of April and the beginning of May. 

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Best Restaurants in the Azores 

Quinta dos sabores, são miguel.

Quinta dos Sabores is a working organic farm in northern São Miguel that includes farmhouse accommodations, a shop, and an intimate restaurant. “The five-course tasting menu changes daily depending on the availability of ingredients and also includes an appetizer, starter, soup, two mains, and a dessert,” explains Atunes. It’s a true field-to-fork gourmet experience.

Bar Caloura, São Miguel

It doesn’t get better than fresh seafood — specifically buttery grilled limpets with a generous squeeze of lemon and sizzling garlic prawns — washed down with a pitcher of housemade sangria and a side of sweeping ocean views. That’s the setup at Bar Caloura , a long-standing favorite of locals (Alves included) and visitors to the small town of Água de Pau. 

Tasquinha Vieira, São Miguel

One of Alves’s favorite cozy restaurants on the island of São Miguel, Tasquinha Vieira may be small in stature, but it boasts big flavors with a focus on using fresh, local ingredients. “The atmosphere is casual and unassuming, so it’s really perfect for sharing some plates and sipping on a cold beer.” Pro tip: Limited seating means it’s encouraged to make reservations in advance. 

Restaurante Associação Agrícola de São Miguel, São Miguel

Carnivores rejoice! Meat takes center stage at Restaurante Associação Agrícola de São Miguel , a hidden gem with a farm collective vibe that Alves deems “outstanding.” The signature Bife à Associação (fried steak) is a must-order dish. 

O Ancoradouro, Pico

O Ancoradouro has earned a reputation as something of a landmark on the island of Pico. That’s because it’s impossible to grow tired of fresh-caught fish, seafood stew, and limpets at a waterfront restaurant that’s always friendly and welcoming. 

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Best Wineries in the Azores

Azores wine company, pico.

If you only have the chance to visit one winery, consider the Azores Wine Company. Many credit the enterprising project with putting vinho from the Azores on the map in such a significant way. Besides tasting complex volcanic wines and touring modern facilities, visitors can savor acclaimed gastronomy and even spend the night in architecturally striking apartments (with advanced booking, of course). 

Pico Wines, Pico

The largest and oldest wine operation in the Azores, Pico Wines is a cooperative of producers aimed at keeping noble grape varieties and ancestral winemaking traditions alive. “It’s definitely worth a visit to this UNESCO-protected site to do private vineyard tours, soak in the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, and sample some of the best pours in the region,” says Alves. 

Quinta Da Jardinete, São Miguel

Pico has established itself as the wine island, but that certainly doesn’t mean you’ll have any trouble finding quality pours on São Miguel. Quinta Da Jardinete is a small, family-owned estate that produces terroir-driven vinho made from grapes such as merlot, aragonês, and lemberger (blaufränkisch) that are grown right on site. 

How to Get There

Ponta Delgada - João Paulo II Airport (PDL) is located on São Miguel. Travelers coming from the East Coast of the United States will be pleased to learn that Sata Azores Airlines operates direct flights from New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS) to Ponta Delgada, and United offers direct flights from Newark (EWR). From there, connecting flights are available to the other islands. There are also ferries that connect some of the Azores islands.

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WHO declares mpox, caused by monkeypox virus, a global emergency: What you need to know

The World Health Organization has declared mpox, an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a global health emergency following a surge of cases in Africa, officials announced Wednesday.

The declaration follows mpox outbreaks in 13 African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Central African Republic and other nations.

It's the second time in two years the WHO has issued an emergency for the mpox virus. New forms of the virus, known as clade I and clade Ib , appear to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact, Reuters reported.

More than 17,000 cases have been reported across Africa in 2024, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s a significant increase of the 14,957 cases in 2023 and 7,146 cases in 2022.

Africa CDC has reported 500 deaths and asked for international medical help.

Mpox surges in African nations

The alert, known as a public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, is the highest level of alarm under international health law, WHO says. 

The potential for further spread in Africa is worrying, said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general.

Total global mpox cases since 2022

What is mpox.

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The virus is similar to the one that causes smallpox , the CDC says. It is not related to chickenpox .

The disease is zoonotic, which means it can be spread from vertebrate animals to humans. However, more human-to-human transmissions have been reported since 2016 , according to Politico.

Is mpox in the US?

The global mpox outbreak in 2022 was caused by a different strain of mpox, clade II, which is still present in the U.S. and elsewhere, Reuters said.

No cases from clade I have been reported outside of central or eastern Africa, the CDC said in an  alert  last week. It said the spread in the U.S. was a “very low risk" at this time.

How mpox spreads so easily

Mpox is usually passed to humans from rodents and primates, through bites, aerosol transmission or contact with infected fluids.

Person-to-person transmission  is usually through close contact with respiratory secretions, inflected skin lesions or recently contaminated objects, according to the WHO.

Common symptoms of mpox

The mpox illness lasts two to four weeks. Within one to three days of infection, a patient will develop a facial rash that spreads to other parts of the body, the CDC said. The fluid-filled lesions go through a series of stages before drying out and falling off.

The  incubation period , the time between infection and symptoms, is usually 6 to 13 days but can be 5 to 21 days.

Symptoms of mpox  include:

Mpox symptoms, while similar to smallpox, are less severe, WHO says. Those infected with mpox often get rashes and other symptoms. Rashes go through several stages, including scabs, before healing, the CDC says.

About 10 million vaccine doses are needed for the outbreaks in Africa, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

Tedros said WHO had released $1.5 million in contingency funds and planned to release more in the coming days. WHO's response would require an initial $15 million, and the agency plans to appeal to donors for funding.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas

Source: USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; World Health Organization; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

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Breaking news, ‘ketamine queen’ jasveen sangha’s friends fire back at matthew perry death charges as her trial date is revealed: report.

Friends of the so-called “Ketamine Queen” accused of supplying the deadly batch of drugs that killed actor Matthew Perry have fired back at the charges, saying that “nobody’s forcing anybody to do drugs.”

Jasveen Sangha was one of five people accused of “profiting” off the “Friends” star and his spiraling drug addiction, which caused the overdose death of Perry on Oct. 28 at his Pacific Palisades, Calif., home.

Now, her friends have jumped to her defense, describing her to the Daily Mail as “spiritual,” “sweet” and “uplifting.”

One of Sangha’s close pals, interior designer Clancy Carter, said she gave “no inkling” that she was facing serious charges when they linked up at her birthday bash last week.

“She’s always in the nicest designer clothes,” said Carter, who has been friends with Sangha, 41, since 2008. “She has a family that takes care of her. She has never been the type of person who needed money.”

“She has property in the UK. She’s always traveling and doing fun things with her family,” the mom of three continued. “I would never guess she would do something like this at all. But if they have evidence connected directly to her, I’m completely shocked.”

Still, Carter sympathized with Perry, adding that “either way, someone innocent died, someone who needed proper attention and care. So it’s concerning for sure.”

However, Sangha’s pal Heather Pardieu, 42, was not as sympathetic.

“She’s a friend of mine,” Pardieu told the outlet. “I mean, at the end of the day, nobody’s forcing anybody to do drugs.”

She added that she had never witnessed Sangha being involved with drugs.

Prosecutors announced 18 charges against Sangha on Thursday, along with two doctors, Salvador Plasencia and Mark Chavez, who allegedly got Perry to shell out thousands of dollars for vials of ketamine that cost as little as $12.

Sangha allegedly provided Perry’s acquaintance Erik Fleming with 50 vials of the drug in two separate deals in October that he ultimately gave to the actor.

Sangha threw in complimentary “ketamine lollipops” with Perry’s order because of how large it was, the indictment says.

Fleming, Perry’s assistant Kenneth Iwamasa, who injected him with the tranquilizing drug the day he died, and Chavez accepted plea deals, according to TMZ .

Plasencia, who was also charged, had a license to prescribe and administer the powerful tranquilizer.

Plasencia allegedly texted Iwamasa, “I wonder how much this moron will pay” for ketamine before the actor’s death, according to an indictment.

Sixteen days before Perry was found in the hot tub, Plasencia allegedly administered a “large dose” of ketamine which made Perry “freeze up” and increased his blood pressure.

He is set to appear in court on Oct. 15.

Sangha pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles federal court, was jailed without bond and is set to stand trial on Oct. 8.

Carter said she had been to Golden Globes and Oscar ceremonies alongside Sangha, which seemingly opened the door to rubbing elbows with the Hollywood elite.

“She knows a lot of people in the industry,” Carter said. “Her and I have been to the Golden Globes and the Oscars. There’s a lot of celebrities she was mingling with.”

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“I care for her deeply. I’d hate to see something terrible happen to her regardless of the case.”

Perry, 54, who candidly wrote about his drug addiction in his memoir, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing,” was seeking treatment for his mental health struggles when his life took a dark turn, Anne Milgram, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said Thursday.

He was undergoing ketamine therapy for depression and had last been treated over a week before he died, according to the autopsy report.

At the time of his death, the actor had about 3.54 micrograms per milliliter of ketamine in his bloodstream — nearly three times the amount normally prescribed.

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The mpox strain spreading now is different from the one in 2022: Here's what to know

The World Health Organization’s decision to declare mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years may seem like déjà vu — but there are key differences between the strain that’s causing international concern now and the one that spread in 2022.

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection characterized by painful lesions. It’s spread by direct contact with an infected person, animal or contaminated items like clothing or bedding.

The virus is classified into two distinct groups: clade I and clade II. 

Clade II was responsible for the 2022 outbreak, which has led to around 100,000 cases worldwide . 

But now, a version of clade I has spread internationally. The outbreak started in January 2023 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and has since reached 12 other countries in the region.

On Thursday, Sweden confirmed the first known infection of clade I outside Africa , though Swedish health officials said the person was infected while spending time in Africa. Health authorities in Pakistan also confirmed a case of mpox on Friday but have not identified the strain yet. 

Clade I is more transmissible than clade II and capable of being more severe, so infectious disease experts are concerned about further international spread.

“We should have learned a lesson from 2022 that an infection anywhere is potentially an infection everywhere,” said Anne Rimoin, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health.

How does this version of mpox spread?

Mpox has historically spread in a few ways. The first is through close, personal contact with an infected person, such as skin-to-skin contact with rashes or with saliva or mucus. The second is via contact with contaminated materials. And the third is contact with infected animals: hunting, trapping or cooking them, touching sick rodents or getting bitten or scratched. 

In 2022, the version of clade II that spread globally, dubbed clade IIb, was passed primarily through sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo recently, clade Ib has also been spreading through sexual contact among female sex workers and men who have sex with men. Research that hasn’t yet been published or peer reviewed linked an outbreak in an eastern mining town in Congo to professional sex work in bars.

But that’s not the only way the virus is being transmitted. Dr. Stuart Isaacs, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, said much of the spread of clade I could be due to exposure to animals and transmission within households, but limited surveillance in the regions where the virus is make it difficult to know for sure. 

Isaacs said there’s early evidence that clade Ib has certain “properties that are allowing it to spread more readily person to person.”

How severe are the recent cases?

In the past, outbreaks of clade I have been deadlier than clade 2, killing up to 10% of people who got sick . But more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Out of an estimated 22,000 cases in this outbreak in Congo , more than 1,200 people have died — which puts the fatality rate at just above 5%. 

By comparison, clade II outbreaks in Africa have generally had a mortality rate of around 1%, and just 0.2% of cases linked to the 2022 global outbreak were fatal.

Rimoin said the disease’s severity “can have less to do with the actual clade and more to do with route of transmission, the immune system of the individual, the source of the infection.” 

The threat in the U.S. could be milder than in Africa, according to Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

“The underlying health conditions of the population in the DRC are probably contributing to the current case fatality rate,” he said, using the acronym for the Democratic Republic of Congo. “With less malnutrition and better access to health care resources, I would imagine that the case fatality rate will not be as high as we’re seeing in the DRC.”

Vaccines for mpox are also widely available in the U.S., following a major rollout effort in 2022. Two doses of the mpox vaccine or a previous clade II infection should protect against severe illness from clade I, the Department of Health and Human Service said Wednesday.

Do mpox symptoms differ between the clades?

Symptoms of the two mpox clades can be difficult to distinguish from each other.

The illness generally starts with a rash that progresses to small bumps on the skin, followed by blisters that fill with whitish fluid — a hallmark of the disease — and eventually scab over. People may also experience a fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

These symptoms often disappear on their own within a few weeks. But in severe cases, people may develop larger, more widespread lesions, secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, heart inflammation or swelling of the brain. Immunocompromised people may develop atypical symptoms and have a greater risk of hospitalization and death. 

Historically, mpox lesions have tended to appear on the face, chest, palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. But during the 2022 outbreak, people frequently developed lesions around the genital and anal region or inside the mouth and throat, presumably because of how the virus was spreading at the time . The lesions were also fewer in number and less pronounced overall.

Some cases of this nature have also been detected in the current outbreak in Congo. 

“There is talk that there are more people that have lesions around the genitals this time around than previous clade I outbreaks,” said Amira Albert Roess, a professor of global health and epidemiology at George Mason University. “It’s going to take us some time to really understand what may be going on here.”

Aria Bendix is the breaking health reporter for NBC News Digital.

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How Did Mpox Become a Global Emergency? What’s Next?

The virus is evolving, and the newest version spreads more often through heterosexual populations. Sweden reported the first case outside Africa.

• Share full article

By Apoorva Mandavilli

Apoorva Mandavilli covered the 2022 mpox outbreak and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Faced once again with a rapidly spreading epidemic of mpox, the World Health Organization on Wednesday declared a global health emergency. The last time the W.H.O. made that call was in 2022, when the disease was still called monkeypox.

Ultimately the outbreak affected nearly 100,000 people worldwide, primarily gay and bisexual men, including more than 32,000 in the United States.

The W.H.O.’s decision this time was prompted by an escalating crisis of mpox concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It recently spread to a dozen other African countries. If it is not contained, the virus again may rampage all over the world, experts warned.

On Thursday, Sweden reported the first case of a deadlier form of mpox outside Africa , in a person who had traveled to the continent. “Occasional imported cases like the current one may continue to occur,” the country’s public health agency warned.

“There’s a need for concerted effort by all stakeholders, not only in Africa, but everywhere else,” Dr. Dimie Ogoina, a Nigerian scientist and chair of the W.H.O.’s mpox emergency committee, said on Wednesday.

Congo alone has reported 15,600 mpox cases and 537 deaths, most of them among children under 15, indicating that the nature of the disease and its mode of spread may have changed.

Here’s what to know.

Is this the virus we saw in 2022?

This is a different version of the mpox virus.

Mpox is a close relative of the smallpox virus. There are two main types: Clade I, the version that is dominant in Congo, and Clade II, a form of which caused the 2022 global outbreak. (A clade is a genetically and clinically distinct group of viruses.)

Clade I mpox is generally thought to cause more severe illness and to have a much higher mortality rate, which is one reason the W.H.O. is sounding the alarm now. Officials hope to contain this outbreak before it spreads to other continents.

The infection may resemble an ordinary respiratory illness at first but later blooms into a raised rash in the mouth, hands, feet or genitals. The virus spreads mainly through close contact — directly with the skin or fluids of an infected person, or with contaminated bed linens and other items.

Scientists learned during the 2022 outbreak that mpox can spread even in the absence of symptoms. And the rash may be mistaken for other diseases such as measles or chickenpox, particularly in young children.

Who is getting infected this time?

In the 2022 outbreak, mpox spread globally mainly among gay and bisexual men. Behavioral changes in that community helped to contain the virus, and vaccination at the time, or now, will help protect them.

Until recently, most cases in Congo resulted from consumption of contaminated meat or close contact with infected animals and people. But last year, scientists discovered a new subtype of mpox, Clade Ib, which appears to spread from person to person primarily through heterosexual transmission .

Most cases have been observed in prostitutes, truckers and other transient workers.

“Sex is probably the primary driver, and then the secondary driver is close contact and households,” said Dr. Jay Varma, the chief medical officer at SIGA Technologies, which manufactures tecovirimat, a drug used to treat mpox infection.

As with many other infections, most people with healthy immune systems are unlikely to become severely ill with mpox. Those who have weakened immune systems, including those living with H.I.V., are at highest risk of severe illness and death .

Older adults, who are typically more susceptible to infections, may be at least somewhat protected by their childhood vaccinations for smallpox, which ended in the United States in 1972.

Most of the deaths in Congo have been in children under 15, perhaps because their health may already be compromised by poor medical care, malnutrition and the many other pathogens they face.

Has the outbreak spread to the United States or Europe?

Many countries worldwide, including the United States, have continued to see patients with Clade IIb mpox, the version that caused the 2022 outbreak.

So far this year, there have been about 1,657 cases of mpox in the United States, more than double the number at this time last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Just one case of the more severe Clade I infection has been reported in Europe — in Sweden, in a person who had traveled to Africa. Other so-called “imported” cases seem likely. But experts tend to worry more about community transmission.

“I don’t think the risk right now for Americans is high at all, but what this is telling us is that we have to be vigilant,” said Dr. Trish Perl, an infectious disease physician at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

But previous epidemics, including of mpox, illustrate that an uncontrolled outbreak anywhere in the world may eventually turn up everywhere, Dr. Varma said. Since December, the C.D.C. has twice warned clinicians and the general public to remain alert for signs of mpox.

“I really think it’s only a matter of time before North America, Europe, etc., start to see cases,” he said, referring to the deadlier viral subtype. “Unless we invest in disease control everywhere, we’re going to remain always at risk.”

Will the vaccine still protect against mpox?

Two doses of the mpox vaccine Jynneos should protect against all versions of the virus, experts said.

Jynneos, made by Bavarian Nordic, was used in 2022 in the United States and Europe. The vaccine, initially developed against smallpox, should protect against mpox and all other members of that virus family, said Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious diseases physician at Emory University in Atlanta.

Several studies have shown that antibodies prompted by the Jynneos vaccine wane and may be undetectable within a year. But other research has found that two doses effectively prevent severe illness , Dr. Titanji said.

In the United States, however, fewer than one in four people for whom vaccination was recommended got two doses.

“People were less interested in coming back and getting that second dose, or even starting the course of their vaccination,” Dr. Titanji said. “Maybe we will see an increase in uptick in vaccination, and this will serve as a reminder for people to come in and get vaccinated.”

In 2022, the federal government provided the shots at no cost. Jynneos is now commercially available, and some insurance companies may cover the cost.

For some patients, the shots may prove too expensive , Dr. Perl said. If mpox cases were to escalate, the U.S. government may again make the shots available free of charge, according to a federal official with knowledge of the situation.

Is the U.S. prepared for another bout with mpox?

Yes and no.

Scientists learned a lot about the virus in 2022 and have identified vaccines and treatments. But they do not fully understand how the deadlier virus is spreading in Africa, especially among children, or who is most at risk.

“This is very, very crucial when you think about designing a response strategy,” Dr. Titanji said.

There are few resources allocated to fighting sexually transmitted infections in the United States, said David Harvey, the executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors.

Officials have not solved the problems that hobbled the response in 2022, including poor uptake of the vaccine and “a shockingly underfunded S.T.I. public health system,” Mr. Harvey said.

“Today, we worry about an mpox outbreak,” he added. “We’re already dealing with syphilis, and tomorrow there will be another outbreak of an S.T.I.”

An earlier version of this article misstated the number of U.S. mpox cases so far in 2024. It is 1,657, not 740.

How we handle corrections

Apoorva Mandavilli is a reporter focused on science and global health. She was a part of the team that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the pandemic. More about Apoorva Mandavilli