Having been in travel now for nearly 40 years (I have the ‘arctic blonde’ hair to prove it!) I wanted to share an article by Claire Trickett – author, curator and blogger for &Beyond’s Bateleur magazine. Many of her ideas and values gravitate to my own thoughts.
But first, before I go in to why we love travel, I am sure you would agree, that we live in a world of social media obsession. Whilst these platforms are a perfect way to showcase the world’s beauty to our friends, relatives and whoever wants to take an interest, travel is so much more than just getting that perfect Instagram shot. Travel should inspire you and excite you. Travel should rejuvenate and ground you. Travel should educate and challenge you, but most of all travel should be meaningful and humble you. Travel teaches us about ourselves and each other, it broadens our horizons. Travel forces us to refocus on what really matters and gives us our most cherished memories.
10 Reasons to Love Travel, by Claire Trickett
Travel to leave our world a better place
I have been fortunate to work and travel with &BEYOND for more than 13 years now and what inspires me most is our company ethos and unwavering commitment to care for the land, wildlife and people. Travelling with &BEYOND has given me the rare privilege to actively take part in so many unforgettable and truly meaningful experiences, such as: witnessing endangered rhino being safely translocated; observing an elephant cow being collared for research and monitoring purposes; helping to relocate a vulnerable nest laid by an enormous and highly endangered sea turtle; spending a night in a traditional Maasai manyatta (homestead); and so much more. &BEYOND’s authentic, experiential travel not only enables travellers to participate, engage and learn, but it also allows them to travel with purpose and to help leave our world a better place.
Travel to meet different cultures
Travel exposes us to different cultures and ancient traditions and through these authentic encounters, we learn to embrace and celebrate both our similarities and our differences. Travel teaches us about humanity and gives us an appreciation, understanding and respect for different points of view and ways of life.
Travel to learn
Not all classrooms have four walls and travel is the best way to immerse yourself in geography, history, culture, gastronomy, languages, biology … you name it. Travel enriches the mind and educates us far beyond any textbook or travel guide. Not only do curious travellers learn about different landscapes, languages and lifestyles; glean fascinating facts while observing wild animals in their natural habitat; delve into a region’s history and taste the local flavours; but they also learn about themselves (and each other) along the way.
Travel to escape reality
We all need to fall off the radar and escape reality every once in a while. Travel allows us to enjoy complete anonymity in new and unexplored territories. It gives us absolute freedom to live in the moment and it allows us to be anyone, to go anywhere and to do anything. The best part of my six-month trip around the world, way back when, was the freedom of being able to just wake up and pick a spot anywhere on the map and find a way to get there. Travel enables us to be spontaneous and seek new experiences.
Travel to relax
Our lives are time-starved and technology-driven and, let’s be honest, it’s not often that we actually take the necessary time to de-stress and truly switch off. Travel allows us to escape life’s daily demands, dramas and deadlines and enables us to clear our minds. It encourages us to recharge our batteries and to truly disconnect (from our phones, Wi-Fi, emails, laptops, social media, etc.) in order to reconnect (with ourselves, each other and the natural environment).
Travel to explore
Travel takes us out of our comfort zones and inspires us to see, taste and try new things. It constantly challenges us, not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings, but also to engage with different people, to embrace adventures as they come and to share new and meaningful experiences with friends and loved ones. Whether you seek adrenaline and non-stop activity, or unapologetic siestas and ultimate relaxation, travel gives us the opportunity to explore with an open heart and an open mind.
Travel for humility
Without a doubt, travel is a crash course in humility. As we cross borders, and oceans, we gain true perspective. We learn to recognise and be grateful for all of the things we take for granted in our own lives, and we also gain an appreciation and respect for how others live. Travel teaches us to be tolerant, flexible and open-minded, and most of all it makes us humble.
Travel to eat
One thing you’ll never find on a suggested packing list is a diet. Leave it at home! Just make sure you bring a healthy appetite and a willingness to taste new flavours and sample all of the local delicacies. Remember, mimosas are totally acceptable at breakfast and dessert is always a good idea. Indulge, go back for seconds and exercise when you get home.
Travel to be transformed
Don’t just travel for travel’s sake. Travel to seek adventure and feel alive. Take part in authentic experiences that will not only change the way you see the world, but that will also encourage self-reflection, environmental awareness and global action to help protect and conserve our planet.
Travel to live out your bucket list dreams
Every traveller’s bucket list is different. Whether you long to watch the sun set over the Taj Majal, snowshoe on the side of an active volcano, witness Africa’s Big Five and the Great Migration, or find your Zen on a yoga retreat in the Himalayas, if you can dream it, you can do it. Travel is the best medicine and long may it continue to take our breath away and turn us all into storytellers (and committed custodians of our precious planet).
About Claire Trickett
Claire is &Beyond’s Bateleur Magazine Editor. She lives most of her days out of a suitcase so that she can chase and write the stories that inspire us most.
With a travel writing career that spans 18 years, Claire is the author, curator and content creator for the Bateleur magazine and blog on behalf of & Beyond
A self-confessed travel addict with a degree in French literature and a passion for blogging and photography, Claire happily lives out of a suitcase and writes about it.
Born in South Africa and raised in climates far colder than she can handle (Canada), Claire’s heart always remained in Africa. So, in 2005, she packed her life into a suitcase, returned to her South African roots and officially embarked on what has become her dream career at &Beyond. From kissing giraffes, photographing pangolins and collecting DNA from a rhino, to watching sea turtles lay their eggs, soaring over sand dunes in a hot air balloon and backpacking solo through Europe, Africa and Australia, Claire has had some enviable adventures. Having ticked 34 countries off her bucket list, there are so many more she’d like to explore … and write about.
