Who says that travel always has to involve booking a flight, hotel, and checking out the attractions in the destination that you’re visiting? While there’s nothing wrong with taking this route, it’s always worth remembering that it’s a big old world out there, and a million and one ways to explore it all.
There are plenty of options when it comes to seeing the world! If you love to travel, then it’s well worthwhile checking them out; they’ll put some excitement back into your adventuring. Take a look at some options you might want to consider for your next getaway trips in 2019.
Getting From A to B
There’s no way to argue against the fact that traveling by train is the most convenient way to get around; it most definitely is. But who says we always need to have what the most convenient option is when we’re trying to get from A to B? Sometimes the most exciting or interesting option is the one that takes a little bit longer.
So the next time you’re visiting somewhere, look beyond the flight options that available, and take a look at getting there by train, boat, or car. It might take longer, but at least you’ll be able to see the terrain you’re covering.
On the Road
Traveling by car is one option when you don’t want to fly to your destination, but what if, instead of just using your vehicle to get from A to B, the journey itself was the trip? There are few things in life more fun than a road trip!
The United States is blessed with many iconic routes, during which you’ll pass through some of the country’s most spectacular outdoor spaces. I remember as a young girl traveling from our home in West Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah. We would take different routes, going through New Mexico, across to Arizona or up through Colorado.
All you need to do is service your car, pack some camping supplies, pick a vague route, and then hit the road. Everything will fall into place once you get moving. It’s pure freedom, and encapsulates all that is good about traveling.
Exploring the Local Area
Here’s the thing about travel: we always think we have to visit a place that’s far away from our home in order for it to be legitimate, but this isn’t the case. You can explore your local area! Some people have a better understanding of a land that’s far away than they do of their own state.
The next time you have an open weekend, local at exploring nearby to your home. If you like the “away from home” aspect, then book a hotel for the night. There are interesting sights everywhere, and you might just be surprised by what’s on your doorstep.
Since my husband and I didn’t go anywhere this year for Thanksgiving like we usually do, we decided to have a mini-staycation in downtown Knoxville the weekend of my birthday. We plan to do a little exploring along Market Street, take in some of the downtown sites and restaurants, before ending our weekend seeing Les Miserables at the Tennessee Theatre.
Different Destinations
We all have our favorite types of destinations, but sometimes, it’s possible to fall into the trap of doing the same thing over and over again. While there’s nothing wrong with working your way through the best cities in the world, for example, it’s worth remembering that there’s more to this planet than just the big cities!
Consider taking a trip into nature, or a beach trip, or anything that helps break into the routine. You might just find another type of getaway that you enjoy just as much; but if not, it’s not like those cities will have gone anywhere.
My husband and I were so used to flying to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving, that one year we decided to head south to Daytona, Florida. It was just a memorable, especially since we purchased my Vespa on that trip!
Slow Travel
The trend in recent years, when it comes to traveling, is to visit as many different places as possible. We take photos everywhere we go, visit the most popular attractions, and then move onto the next place, before we’ve really had time to soak up the energy and atmosphere of the place.
That’s all begun to change in recent years, however, with the arrival of the slow travel movement. This advocates for a more considered approach to travel, during which you put the emphasis on fully enjoying the food, scents, and culture of a place.
To do this, you need to spend more time in a destination. So instead of hopping from one place to the next, look at getting an apartment rental, and staying in one place for a longer period. {I really like the offerings of Airbnb.} By the end of your trip, you’ll have a much better understanding of the place you’ve visited than if you’d seen it briefly before moving on.
Backpacking Options
Most of us like to pack a suitcase, check into a hotel, and live in comfort when we are traveling. But there is another option available: backpacking! This is popular with younger people, but there’s no age barrier to traveling this way.
Anyone with a backpack and a sense of adventure can do it. It’s generally better to do it in Europe or Southeast Asia, where there’s a stronger backpacking culture than the US. You’ll be staying in hostels, meeting people, and having an all-around exciting time.
Give it a go for a couple of weeks, and see if you like it – if you’re one of those people who loves to have an adventure, then we’re sure that you will. One backpacking trip on my bucket list is the Camino de Santiago in Spain.
Volunteering Options
We usually ask what the world can give us when it comes to traveling, but what if, for once, we asked what we can give the world? If you want to travel, meet people, and make a positive contribution to the world, then check out the volunteering options that are available.
There’s plenty out there, and you’ll have no difficulty finding one that’s in line with your interests. It could be working with children, or helping to protect endangered animals, or you could make the most of websites like Workaway and HelpX. These sites connect people who need help doing something (such as, say, working the land) with people who want to help out – and you get free accommodation and food, too.
With a Theme
Wherever we go, we tend to take a look at the top attractions that are located in that destination, and slowly work our way through the list. But the thing with that is that, while we may have some interest in the things the city offers, it’s more likely that the interest isn’t deep-rooted.
So for your next trip, why not take a look at taking a trip that’s based on something that you have a passion for? For example, if you’re a Hemingway fan, then you could follow in his footsteps through France and Spain (other countries also available). If you’re a massive food lover, then a culinary trip to Italy would be right for you. Have a think about what you’re interested in, and then travel with that specific interest in mind.
By Yourself
Most of us travel with a clan. We find it safer, or easier, or more fun. Yet while traveling with others can be all of those things, that’s not to say then exploring by yourself is a terrible alternative. It’s absolutely not! Indeed, it’s something that everyone should do at least once during their lifetime. It’ll push you out of your comfort zone, give you space to enjoy your chosen destination as it is, and teach you much about yourself. Give it a go – if you don’t like it, then at least you can say that you’ve tried it.
Old School
Finally, how about going old school for a trip? That means no guidebooks, and not technology to help you get around. This is how people traveled for all of human history (up until very recently), so it can be done. You might just find that it’s a bit more of an adventure when you don’t have a smartphone telling you where to go all the time.
I’m planning to do a little more exploring in my area {Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Asheville}. Do you have any must-visit recommendations for any of these cities? If so, leave me a comment below so I can check them out.
Do you plan on doing any traveling in 2019? What locations are on your must-visit bucket list this year?
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
