Are you a luxury traveler, backpacker or flashpacker, solo traveler, mini-retirement traveler, adventure traveler, experiential traveler, experimental traveler or some other kind of traveler? In recent years there has been an explosion in such travel nomenclature to define and segment particular groups of travelers. No one fits the mold precisely, let alone all the time. But it doesn’t matter because, ostensibly, there are two basic ways to get up and go – traveling to seek new experiences and traveling to seek escape.
Escape is a short term break from a long term problem. After returning from a week of relaxation, the daily grind begins anew. Barring life-altering poolside insights, the rats will still be racing and stress will resume its steady upward climb. A weekend getaway or a pampering cruise might be just what is needed to relax and unwind. But, in the end, the tension and stress that so pleasantly unwind will inevitably wind up until another travel escape brings another transitory respite.
Traveling to seek new experiences is an entirely different form of travel that addresses much different needs. Rather than being an escape from life, it is life. Being in a different place does not change who you are or how you act. It is the most fulfilling form of travel because it authentically represents your lifestyle and your values. It is about maintaining the same pace of life, albeit in a different place with different people.
When I get an urge to travel I like to think about these two types of travel. If I feel a burning desire to escape to a tropical sanctuary free of worries, I know my life is slightly out of balance. I may be working too hard or putting too much pressure on myself. A weekend getaway might be exactly what I need to unwind. But it will never fulfill me because my hectic life has led me astray from my core values. The travel that is most exciting is when there is an urge to see something new, to interact with people with different lifestyles and different traditions. This type of travel is invigorating, memorable and exciting.
The next time you feel an urge to travel, remember that if you are seeking to escape burnout, you will get a sunburn, I guarantee it!
