Does travel still bring us the same joy it once did?
Redefining your traveling habits or how to restart our traveling spirit
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"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."
While we often relate this wisdom to our professional lives, it's surprisingly pertinent to our travel habits as well. Travel has transformed from a luxury to a commodity, yet the manner in which we travel has remained mostly static. We tend to stick to our routine paths, treating travel like something we already know how to do. However, small adjustments in our routines can open up a whole new world of exciting opportunities.
My recent journey to Copenhagen brought to mind the tale of a restaurant that had made a profound impression on me when I first heard about it.
That restaurant was Noma, one of the world's top-valued restaurants. Despite earning the title of the world's best restaurant for three consecutive years, the owner made a daring decision. He closed Noma temporarily to embark on a journey of self-improvement and enrichment. This break was employed to immerse themselves in novel gastronomic cultures and ideologies, re-ignite their creative flame, and conceive original, pioneering concepts. The result was the emergence of Noma 2.0, which continues to dominate the world's culinary stage.
So, what insights can we draw from Noma's journey, and how does it relate to our travel habits?
It takes courage to press the reset button, especially when you're comfortably settled in a routine that's served you well. But stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing novelty can bring you closer to your ultimate aspirations.
Opportunities abound today, yet we often tread the same paths our ancestors did a century ago.
Does travel still bring us the same joy it once did?
How can we reignite our passion for exploration?
The answers might lie in daring to disrupt the status quo, just like Noma did. But to initiate this transformation, I've put together some questions that may help you shift your perspective on what means redefining your travel habits nowadays.
EMBRACE THE PURPOSE
Why do you travel?
Begin with your “why.” I know it is not the first time I have written in this newsletter about purpose, but I think it is one of the keys to conscious traveling.
Before embarking on any journey, it's crucial to understand the reasons that motivate you. These days, we often decide on a trip based on ticket prices or the “Instagrammability” of a location. However, this often bypasses the deeper introspection necessary to understand why we're attracted to a particular destination, what we hope to gain from our journey, and how our chosen location will help us achieve our objectives.
Historically, travel was a privilege of the affluent, a means of learning and broadening horizons. They ventured to different places to draw inspiration and learn about various cities' architecture, art, and other cultural nuances. This is why larger cities were the main attractions during those times. Then came the era of religious tourism or pilgrimage, with faithful people journeying miles in search of spiritual fulfillment.
However, as the number of tourists grew, the essence of travel gradually started to lose its sheen. Despite the numerous types of tourism available in theory, in practice, most tourists end up defaulting to routine patterns. Many of us are guilty of snapping cheap tickets to random destinations, ticking off popular attractions, and returning home perhaps more exhausted than when we left without gaining much from the experience.
So, why do you travel?
Is it a modern-day pilgrimage or a quest for knowledge akin to the travelers of old?
What do you hope to gain from it?
If it's relaxation or peace of mind you're after, remember to be mindful during your journey. Take a step back and really consider the purpose of your travel, just as those before us did. You might find it more rewarding than you'd expect.
LESS IS MORE
What are you willing to let go?
Have you ever stopped to consider when you last took a moment to be present? In our fast-paced lives, we often find ourselves running around, always in a hurry. This relentless pursuit of numerous tasks, milestones, and objectives rarely serves us well. So, when was the last time you spent a day just being – simply strolling aimlessly or engaging in doing nothing?
This principle extends to our travel habits as well. When was the last time you ventured on a trip without a set plan or without a list of “must-see” attractions? You might argue that it defeats the purpose of travel.
After all, you could just as easily wander around aimlessly in your own city instead of investing in costly flights and accommodation. However, you might be surprised to find that such an approach could enhance your connection to the experience and the place you're visiting. Don't just take my word for it; give it a try and see how it feels for yourself.
IMMERSE YOURSELF
How do you travel?
Even if you're not extroverted and don't plan to strike up a conversation with a local, there are numerous ways to connect with a city. The key is to find an approach that aligns with your personality. Perhaps it's about stepping back and soaking up the local ambiance of a bustling street. Or, it might involve visiting a museum and delving into the history of the place. Even a casual chat with an Uber driver can provide valuable insights.
In my own travels, I've found it incredibly enlightening to explore supermarkets in every country I visit. In a way, supermarkets have become modern mirrors of a nation's habits and culture. You can learn a lot about the people of a country simply by observing what's in their shopping baskets.
Immersing yourself in this way can lead to surprising discoveries. You'll often find that the reality contrasts starkly with what is marketed in tourist brochures. Plus, it can help cultivate empathy towards the country you're visiting. For instance, last year, I traveled to Albania carrying numerous stereotypes and virtually no expectations. After spending a month there, embracing the differences, and trying to experience life as a local, I discovered how beautiful the country truly is.
Staying in a place for more than just a few days offers you ample time to experience the city in various stages. You'll observe how the dynamics and the people evolve from the early hours of 5 am to the bustling activity at midnight. You'll gain insights into local customs and behaviors, which can help you adjust your plans for your trip.
BEYOND THE MAINSTREAM
Where do you travel?
Often, smaller or less-known cities are like hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered. They may not have imposing skyscrapers or countless tourist hotspots, but they frequently harbor communities and spots that genuinely encapsulate a country's authentic spirit.
Venturing off the beaten path might require a bit more effort; it's usually easier to reach larger cities, and they generally offer more accommodation and transportation options. However, the rewards of exploring less-traveled areas can be truly surprising. There are countless stunning yet less-populated places worldwide that are worth a visit. Moreover, many popular destinations could use a breather from the relentless influx of tourists.
If you lack inspiration, check out this article on hidden gems.
While we feel entitled to travel, choose our destinations, and decide how we experience them, we must also consider our impact on these places. If we continue to travel at the current pace, we might jeopardize the right of future generations to enjoy these destinations.
So, as you plan your next trip, think about stepping out of your comfort zone. Keep your eyes open because beauty can be found anywhere, provided we're receptive to it.
If you're traveling for a month or longer, you'll likely gravitate towards smaller cities' charm. With more time at your disposal, you'll feel compelled to explore further, to venture to random spots you've discovered on Google Maps. Planning a short trip of 3 or 4 days or even ten days can be straightforward. However, when you're on the road for a month or more, you'll need to tap into your resourcefulness and dig deeper into your research.
Ultimately, it's up to you to evaluate the quality of your travel experiences. Consider what you gain from them and how much they contribute to your goals. Feel free to use these questions as a lighthouse whenever you feel lost or uncertain.
Regardless of how you choose to travel from now on, always remember to maintain your curiosity and dare to delve beneath the surface of every beautiful destination.
In Romanian, there is a saying, “The thrifty man buys a sled in summer and a cart in winter!“ meaning that you should prepare for future events ahead of time. Since we don’t want to offend any ancestors in this newsletter, I thought this is the best time to introduce some long-term listings available in October.
In this edition, I’ll feature listings from Italy 🇮🇹, France 🇫🇷 and Austria 🇦🇹. Those are perfect destinations for late autumn; in some, you might have the chance even to catch the last breath of summer.
In the next newsletter, I plan to add listings available in November-January, so I am curious about what countries you would be interested in.
✍️ Leave a comment on this post and tell me what countries you would visit in that period.
Nomad Listing's recommendations:
Don't forget; if you're interested in understanding the criteria I use to create these recommendations, you can check them out here.
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