This article describes some of the benefits of travel.
Travel is a great way reset, recharge, or a break from work. It’s allows you to connect with people or have an adventure that is different from every day life, to see a part of the world that they have never seen, or see a piece of history. Since you most likely have a limited time to travel many people create a list of places they want to visit in a bucket list. Here are some examples of types of travel, the modes of transportation that is used to get there, and considerations when creating a bucket list.
Here are some examples of wonderful getaways and considerations for your travel bucket list:
Friends, Family and Events
- Reunions – High School, College, Family – usually home town based
- Getaways – Girls/Guys Weekends – Vegas, Nashville, New Orleans
- Outdoor Concerts – Red Rocks in Colorado, Dalhalla in Sweden, Antique D’Orange in Provence France
- Sports – Baseball, Hockey, Football Games
- Theme Parks – Disney, Six Flags, Busch Gardens
Adventure Travel
- Hiking – US National Parks: Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone
- Biking – Cayman Islands, Amsterdam, Portland, Oregon
- Kayaking – Naples FL, Austin TX, Lake Mead AZ
- Skiing – Lake Tahoe area CA, Salt Lake City area UT, Denver CO area
- Golf – Hilton Head SC, Florida, Arizona
- Boating and Fishing – Mexico, Caribbean, Outer Banks NC
Culture and Cuisine Travel
Visit the 7 Wonders of the World:
- Taj Mahal – Agra, India
- The Colosseum – Rome, Italy
- Machu Picchu – Peru, South America
- Christ the Redeemer – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Ruins of Chichen Itza – Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico
- Ancient City of Petra – Jordan
- Great Wall of China
In addition to those, you should also consider:
- Historical Sites – Ephesus, Turkey or the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
- Museums – Lourve, Paris or the Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC
- Culinary Vacations – cooking classes or wine tasting throughout France and Italy
Relaxation and Wellness Travel
- Spa Retreats – Miraval, Canyon Ranch, various hotels
- Beach Vacations – Beaches, Sandals, Club Med
- Yoga Retreats – Portugal, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Thailand
Modes of Transportation
Here are the most typical modes of transportation and many trips can include a combination of these:
- Ocean Cruises
- River Cruises
- Airplane
- Train
- Bus
- RV, Van, Car
- Boat
Travel today is not perfect. Sometimes plans change, trips get cancelled, and you need to have a backup plan ready in cases of last minute changes. Do not schedule your travel legs too close together because delays are possible. You want to leave a buffer space to accommodate those delays. Also, when traveling, you should take advantage of the hotel or ship’s safe to store valuables while touring or going to the beach. There are pick pockets in many areas that can spot tourists. Keep valuables in a sport sack, front pocket, or use a waterproof container if going to the beach.
Making a Bucket List
Where you will go and what will you do when you get there is one of the top decisions. For example, if you are going to Hawaii, many people will go to enjoy the tropical weather, go to the beach, go on a snorkel boat trip, play golf, or enjoy the culture of the islands such as the luau.
Will you travel with a companion or in a group? There are groups that cater to specific demographics such as seniors or students that can incorporate many different types of activities into one trip. For example, if you want to go to the Galápagos Islands, there are trips that will stop at the Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu, and then the islands for a boat tour.
Budget and the amount of time you have to travel is also important. If your time is flexible, you can save by going off season or travel in off peak times of the week. Group travel can also save you money as everyone shares in the expenses and hotel reservations can be made in bulk, saving you money.
Conclusion
The most important part of the bucket list is going places that you’ve always wanted to visit. Whether you have read about them in a history book or have heard stories of other people’s travel there, the reason to travel is to have the experience of being there, doing something different, or immersing yourself in an activity that you enjoy. Vacation and time away is very important for overall happiness and enjoyment of life. No matter what your budget is, you can enjoy time away and when you return, you can reflect on what a great time you had and share stories and pictures with friends and family.