The days of carefree vacations and spontaneous arrangements are long gone. With quarantines and canceled plans, lockdowns and isolation, dread and uncertainty, and, most importantly, worry and stress, the coronavirus has effectively flipped our lives upside down. However, with a successful vaccination campaign taking place throughout the world, we may all expect to leave our houses and explore once more. The epidemic has shown us that travel is a vital human activity, and now that we have the opportunity to traverse the globe, how about becoming responsible travelers? To be honest, it’s critical that we travel significantly, not just to obtain fresh experiences, but also to broaden our horizons and see life in new ways.
So, what does ‘Worthwhile Traveling’ involve?
It’s a widespread misconception that meaningful travel entails taking a volunteer holiday, but you’d be surprised to learn that there are several ways to make your trip meaningful. To put it another way, a meaningful journey is when you engage in deeper forms of travel and engage in some form of learning experience, explore the world more purposefully by contributing to a local business/community, reduce your carbon footprints, or choose to spend a significant amount of time in one location in order to learn more about the culture, heritage, and people.
Here are some simple methods to give your vacation more significance while traveling meaningfully and collecting unique experiences.
Do some research about the location you intend to visit.
It’s not only about planning an itinerary, reserving a hotel, or compiling a list of locations to see — it’s about so much more! The first step toward meaningful travel is to learn as much as you can about the destination you’re going to, since this will help you form a stronger bond with the land and its people before you arrive. You may read travelogues, skim through blogs written by travelers who have previously been there, or watch movies, documentaries, and vlogs.
Take a longer vacation and travel slowly.
When you think of a vacation, you probably think of a brief getaway – but a meaningful trip is when you take your time, soak in the atmosphere of wherever you are, and enjoy a longer vacation. I realize that you’re tempted to cram a few countries or cities into your weeklong vacation, but I recommend taking things a little slower to truly get a sense for the place. Take your time and don’t rush through a place to fully appreciate its people and culture.
To support local businesses, stay, dine, and purchase locally.
Another fantastic approach to make your trip more meaningful is to contribute to the local economy – and what could be better than living in a local homestay or Airbnb, dining at local restaurants, and purchasing souvenirs? While using credit points at 5-star hotels across the world is a fantastic way to save money and redeem rewards on vacation, living with a local family will allow you to get a glimpse into their culture and traditions, as well as how they live and eat.
Make an attempt to learn the language of the area.
While English is widely spoken in virtually every country’s major cities, there are a number of small towns and charming villages where the native language is still spoken. Obviously, learning a new language in a short period of time is difficult, but understanding the essentials can help you connect with the locals. It’s extremely amazing to witness people’s eyes light up — and grins broaden — when you try to utter even a few words in their language, believe us when we say that.
Go on a hike and get in touch with nature.
If you decide to embark on a journey once the Corona commotion has passed, it will be the simplest method to maintain social distance while traveling! For millennial travelers like us, going on a meaningful travel adventure entails venturing outside of our comfort zones and trying something new, with trekking being one of the most popular options. Whether you want to jump from one beach to the next or go through the mountains’ secret trails, there is no greater way to connect with nature than this! Not only that, but going for a hike will allow you to disconnect from the digital world and absorb in the stillness, which will help you clear your mind.
Nature’s marvels will constantly remind you of how lovely our planet is, whether it’s the magnificent sunsets on the beaches or the flowing waterfalls, the lush greenery of the forests or the azure sky adorned with white clouds.
7) You Should Attend A Music Festival Abroad
Nothing beats getting away from home, letting loose, and partying with great music and incredible people. You have the opportunity to go across the world and party in a unique style. You get to see what else is out there and fully party with the locals, which is very exciting when visiting a new country! And you get to do it with the world’s top partygoers! Is there anything more you’d like us to say? You make new friends from all around the world who share your passions. These are one-of-a-kind and wonderful friendships! Especially because they are musically inclined. It’s remarkable how much distance separates us on a daily basis, yet music brings us together instantly.
We should, however, exercise caution during festivals, as MDMA is the most prevalent cause of drug-related harm. MDMA overdoses, both deadly and non-fatal, are most commonly caused by high-purity MDMA, hazardous drugs, or environmental factors like overheating or drinking too much or too little water. As a result, we must address all of these concerns in order to reduce harm.
A number of deaths at the recent event have been linked to high-dose MDMA use. MDMA testing kits are recommended because of this.
Make a donation to a good cause.
Having said that, working for a worthwhile cause and making a difference in the lives of others is perhaps one of the most rewarding things you can do while traveling.
Volunteering as a mode of transportation would allow you to spend a few weeks to a few months in a foreign country, where you would have the opportunity to help small communities, engage with locals, acquire invaluable experience, and meet like-minded individuals from all over the world. You may also volunteer in your own nation — join tree-planting initiatives, clean up parks, arrange music festivals, work at a food bank, and so on. Whatever you pick, keep in mind that doing something nice for someone else will instantly make you happier, and volunteering will gradually transform the way you look at life.
Meaningful travel not only satisfies your wanderlust, but it also gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your own tiny manner while learning more about the world around you. It’s maybe the only way to enjoy new and fascinating experiences while on the move while still remaining conscious of oneself while you travel the globe.