Most people at some point in their life will have an urge to travel. This may be a two week holiday to somewhere warm to top up your suntan or this could be a life changing year, or longer, trip. Everyone has their own reasons that they decide to travel but most people are triggered by something. This is often a life-changing event or it could be a sudden change of feeling giving you the desire to fly the nest and set off on an adventure. After speaking to people I have met travelling, I have discovered, what I believe, are the main reasons why people travel.
Some family members move to another country. It can be on the other side of the world or just in another country next to yours. No matter where they are you will want to visit them at some point or another. The great thing about family visits is not only that you get to catch up with loved ones but you also get to see how they live and get up close and personal with their new culture. These new cultures could also encourage you to explore different parts of the world yourself.
A Gap Year or world trip can be described as the best time of your life. The memories you will make are enough to last you a life time, what better way to enjoy these memories than with friends. Planning a holiday with friends can be a great way to say goodbye before heading off to college / uni or just a great thing to do together as something you will always remember. I mean who wouldn’t want to travel from country to country relaxing of different beaches every day with your best friend? I know I would.
3. To Find Better Weather!
No matter where you live chances are you will, at some point, moan about the climate that you are in. “I’m too hot” or ‘It’s too cold”. Lots of people travel simply to escape the climate they experience on a daily basis. People who live in colder climates race to the sunshine to top up their tans and people from countries which are constantly hot may travel to places to try activities such as skiing which they could not do so easily in their home country.
4. To Discover New Cultures
Some people like adventures and to escape their normal monotonous life. They like not knowing what they can expect and want to deepen their knowledge in other lifestyles. How do other people live? What do they eat? What are their hobbies and values? And what better way to find these things out than by exploring the world.
5. To Find Themselves
This is a very common one, and this one in particular seems to be triggered by a life-changing event at home. It could be that you lost your job, a long term relationship broke up, you finished university and still have no idea what you want to do as a career or it could be the loss of a loved one. People who go travelling to find themselves tend to travel alone
6. To Find Love
Are you unlucky in love? Live in a small town and just can’t meet anyone? Then go travelling! The very least you’ll find is someone with the same desire to travel and experience different countries and cultures as you. Going travelling certainly doesn’t guarantee you’ll meet the love of your life, but travelling around certainly gives you loads of opportunities to meet new people.
7. Wanderlust
Wanderlust is a strange word but what does it mean? Descended from the German word ‘Wandern’ meaning to walk and ‘Lust’ which is described as ‘A very strong or irresistible impulse’. In short it means that you travel because you have the urge to. You may not have one particular factor that made you book a flight. All you know is that you want to travel and you want to travel NOW!
8. You Won the Lottery
Ok, so this is a very rare reason, but I reckon at least half of lottery winners go an at least an extended holiday! One day hopefully I will be so lucky that I win big on the lottery. Some people, who have won millions have no idea what to do with their money. They already bought a big house but that’s not enough. What better way to spend your money travelling from country to country taking in all the amazing sights and cultures.Whatever the reason you decide to travel I have no doubt you will have the most amazing time and will catch the ‘Travel Bug’ and never want to stop. (MATTY G.)
