I love reading the travel quotes that circulate as normally there will be one or two that absolutely resonate! But why travel? We all travel for different reasons so here are some of my reasons…
Something has to pay for the travel and that something is of course work! But thinking about it – I probably spend more time travelling with work than I do in my free time, be it commuting or flying here and there in Europe! It isn’t all bad though – poor 3G connectivity on the train line means I get a lot of work done and frequent flier miles and tier points are always useful!
The main thing we seek when we travel anywhere is to find something we’ve only ever been able to imagine or see on an exotic programme – Simon Reeve and his wonderful BBC documentaries have a lot of blame to take here! This year we spent 4 nights out in the Empty Quarter Desert in UAE – I was dubious about a 3 hour drive into the middle of nowhere, but without such remoteness how would we ever see a sunset like this?
We work incredibly hard and spend so much time working that when we’re off duty it is nice to have a rare treat and splurge on something, marking a promotion or a bonus perhaps. We’ve only eaten at a few amazing restaurants but all have been memorable and must have a view and welcome champagne. Whilst I would be winded at the price of staying at places such as these, supper is achievable for a special occasion! And we remember these places like you wouldn’t believe, so they pay for themselves in memories!
We are on the go all the time and always contactable. Getting away is about turning it off – and whilst some might be disappointed if there is no 3G or Wifi with which to stay in touch and update the world on their happenings, as soon as we’ve left the airport lounge on our outbound trip, then we are out of contact with the world and it is blissful! In the UK, if we find a cottage with no 3G coverage then we are delighted!
There is nothing better than making the most of a weekend, getting away (and in touch with nature by camping) and spending time with friends! Just look how happy we look first thing in the morning after a night in our tents! On this occasion I think we were mainly just relishing the fact the sun was out – the day before we’d had to brave Tesco for breakfast because of torrential rain! And they didn’t even have baked beans in the cafe, and wouldn’t heat up ones from the store! It’s funny the things that get remembered!
When we are always on the go, it is sometimes hard to get ‘Parker-time’ so much of the reasoning for why we travel so often, but for shorter lengths of time, is to get that time to relax together and catch up! I know I am lucky to have been to the places I have and if for a second I took that for granted then I don’t think the trips would mean the same.
I potentially mean – to find our limits and be grateful of friends who carry safety ropes and harnesses to get us out of challenging situations! Mr P has taken me on many active girlfriend and wife tests over the years – be it sailing, climbing mountains or bumping into a killer snake on the veranda of our luxury safari retreat! Scary as they were at the time, I’m definitely tougher for the experiences!
I have a tendency to sleep A LOT when we go away, clearly it is just too exhausting being pampered and doing little more than reading a book in the sunshine! We like to see lots when we go away, but normally for the first couple of days it is all about recharging the batteries and catching up on our zzzz’s.
To explore and discover more about other cultures – everywhere has a story and is fascinating if you are prepared to embrace another culture and learn more about it
In two ways – firstly to behave like a kid by playing in the waves fully clothed (oh I remember the tears when I did that as a little thing and the water went inside my wellingtons) or to visit places we went to as a child and had forgotten. It’s lovely to go back as a grown up and share it with my husband. What is always amusing is when I tell my parents about a new place we went to in Cornwall, which of course they had taken me to many times before when I was little!
Probably all of this is about, as Berocca might say, being us on a good day! Actually – when we travel we do a lot of what we like doing at home – long lunches, picnics, wine tasting, walking, cycling, sailing! But somehow it is different away from home, it feels like more of a treat! It’s a bit like camping – isn’t breakfast and a cup of tea always better sat outside your tent that it would be at home at the dining table on a dreary day?!
The final one would be to collect memories and as you can probably see from above, we go about that by seeing new things and taking lots of photos (1000s on any one trip). Whoever said ‘travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer’ was right! There are probably more reasons why we travel, but Mark Twain got it in three words ‘explore, dream, discover’
Why do you travel?
Oh my goodness, did you stay at Chateau Eza as am thinking of booking (off season of course) so I don’t have to sell a kidney! Love all the quotes xx
Author
Book it book it! No we didn’t – couldn’t justify it! We had their menu degustation which cost a smaller fortune and was insanely good!! Mr P almost ordered a £1k wine pointing at wrong row – lucky he married an accountant!! We stayers at the Eze hermitage up the road – cute! Don’t go to the gold cow place or whatever it’s called, looks very nouveau riche in comparison!!
I was having a look on the website on the weekend as am dying to get to Eze as it looks stunning and I saw the Chateau Eza and thought I need to stay. Have 2 free nights to use at The Intercontinental Marseille plus another 2 nights to use at an IHG property so was thinking of the Carlton at Cannes. You can go wild once you start researching holidays xx
Author
Take flat shoes with you, it’s all stunning. You must visit peillon and Peille too http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2013/06/20/the-south-of-france-on-more-of-a-shoestring-than-the-ecclestones/
I can completely relate to you and your passion for travel and the exchange of cultural ideas. How can any of that be a bad thing…more people should do it. Sitting on the beach for 10 days is one thing but travelling is the fire that us alive with a perspective of understanding and compassion. All good things.
Btw, I also love Eze and ate at a restaurant just like that one.
Author
It’s a hidden gem on the Côte d’Azur that’s for sure – most thankfully drive past!!
Author
Good to hear, thank you! Nothing wrong with beach as one aspect but definitely have to see he place you travel too!!
Brave, brave women eating at a restaurant in Eze! I was there in April and panicked when I saw the menu prices. Although it was a pretty amazing view you got there, certainly better than the wall I looked at down below eating my 3 euro crepe 😉
Author
My husband wanted to stay so I think we got off lightly!! Also one of had to drive which saved money too!! We had picnics for the rest of the trip!!
I don’t blame him for wanting to stay- its gorgeous!
Yes, yes yes yes!
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Yes, yes yes yes!
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Yes i like that, time to recharge and play like a kid again….we always need to to those regularly
Author
once a month would be perfect really, shame work gets in the way!
Yes i like that, time to recharge and play like a kid again….we always need to to those regularly
Yes! Getting out of range is the best. I love switching my phone off and knowing I am not connected to Facebook!
Yes! Getting out of range is the best. I love switching my phone off and knowing I am not connected to Facebook!
I love to see new cultures and learn about historical destinations. Finding little places that less unknown are also a travel passion as well. I wish I could use it to re-charge but I am one of those people who wants to do and see as much as possible so I rarely get to swim in the pool.
Author
I know what you mean, wanting to see so much in a short time – but even that is recharging compared to a weekend at home!!
I love to see new cultures and learn about historical destinations. Finding little places that less unknown are also a travel passion as well. I wish I could use it to re-charge but I am one of those people who wants to do and see as much as possible so I rarely get to swim in the pool.
Author
I know what you mean, wanting to see so much in a short time – but even that is recharging compared to a weekend at home!!
This is such a good list! The only thing I would add is that it has made me a more independent, self-reliant person. Great post!
Author
Very true – a lot of confidence comes from exploring!
This is such a good list! The only thing I would add is that it has made me a more independent, self-reliant person. Great post!
I love this and I agree with every one of your reasons. My main reason for traveling is that it heals and invigorates the mind. 🙂
Author
Thankyou – absolutely right, the mind needs a holiday more than the body oftentimes!
I love this and I agree with every one of your reasons. My main reason for traveling is that it heals and invigorates the mind. 🙂
Author
Thankyou – absolutely right, the mind needs a holiday more than the body oftentimes!
What a great list and one I could have written myself except for the traveling for work part. Lucky you for having that opportunity. We mainly travel to expose our kids to the world’s culture (which is one of the main reasons for my blog’s name) and of course, to spend time together as a family. I have always loved that Mark Twain quote.
What a great list and one I could have written myself except for the traveling for work part. Lucky you for having that opportunity. We mainly travel to expose our kids to the world’s culture (which is one of the main reasons for my blog’s name) and of course, to spend time together as a family. I have always loved that Mark Twain quote.
WOW! You took the words right out of my mouth! GREAT BLOG!!
Author
Thankyou! If ever you needed to justify travel to anyone…!!
WOW! You took the words right out of my mouth! GREAT BLOG!!
This is all so true! Well said, friend. I love long, luxurious vacations and short weekend getaways with friends and family. Any kind of travel/adventure/wandering is delightful!
Author
Any wandering or change from the day to day is good for the soul! Thankyou!
For me the most important thing is to gain new experiences and experience a different culture. When you submerse yourself in another culture you are able to gain a whole other point of view on things!
Author
Very true – all too easy to sit and enjoy the surroundings of a westernised hotel and not embrace the culture and learn about the country