What makes travel personal is the experiences we have. We can’t help sharing our experiences, and more often than not hoping our experience was better than everyone else’s. If we went to lie on a beach it was the most relaxing holiday ever, if we went to explore the hills it was the best discovery holiday ever, if we went to travel around we travelled better than anyone. But as we know there are always differences and compromises and we all have different interests… Don’t we?
Price – the cheaper the price the more valuable the experience?
So I chose a budget holiday. I shopped around and I got a good deal, the best deal, none could have got a better deal than me. The experience was more than worth what I paid. I am the best travel shopper than anyone I know. We cut corners but we got away, we never would have had the chance otherwise.
– yup it’s true a good cheap price allows you to travel, but it doesn’t necessarily give you the best experience if you’re in a hotel on the outskirts of town or sharing a bunk in a noisy dirty hostel or missing shows and local delicacies because of a tight budget, is it best not to go?
Luxury – the more luxurious the trip the more enjoyable the experience?
I wanted it to be the best trip ever, money was no object so I found a luxury holiday company for the best hotels and tours for the most amazing package. We saw everything and we were taken everywhere, we were never lost, we never lost time, and made the most of our time. We didn’t have to plan anything which meant we could totally relax and immerse ourselves.
– yup. Holidays should allow you to relax and enjoy what is around you and if you have the money then absolutely why not. But don’t you miss out on the people experience, and learning how other places and people work? Surely that’s why we travel?
Backpack – the more basic the journey the more relevant the experience?
I booked it all myself, packed my backpack and researched along the way. I made each and everything up as I went along following the road, the people and the experiences that presented themselves. I ticked the boxes and more. I met all sorts of people. It was a bit dirty though and hard work but I had an amazing experience.
– sure we’ve heard a few students say that. Backpacking gives you little chance to relax, everything is on impulse and spontaneity, but it is a break from the real world where everything is planned and routine. Backpackers say they never miss anything, is that really true? I doubt it. If you backpack as a professional adult, it’s a break from the norm, right?
People – the more culturally engaged the more rewarding the experience?
When I go on holiday I travel to meet people and learn cultures, discover myself in the wider world to appreciate what I have and to understand more from others, I meet new people and make new friends who provide me with new memories. I have people and experiences I can share with my friends and others.
– this really is great if you’re a socialite at home and away. It’s also great if you study sociology and really want to understand culture. But does it really reward you with ‘me’ time? Does it allow you to spend private time with yourself and the family and friends you travel with or does it make it an individual lonely experience?
Companions – the more you love your travel companions the better the experience?
I prefer to go away with my family and friends, a big group of us. It’s always a fantastic laugh and there are so many things we do. Sometimes it’s a bit noisy and you have little private time, but I like to go away with the people I know most to spend time with them. It makes me happy, even if occasionally stressful and arguments break out.
– no holiday is perfect, and if you can experience travel and holidays with people you know your experiences go beyond yourself and it’s something you remember forever and want to replicate with those people again in the future. The most tricky part is agreeing when and where to go, and organising it…so good luck.
I’ve not been on holiday for years, infact I don’t go away often, maybe I have a holiday once every few years. Otherwise I stay home. Wow – the last time I went away it was just amazing. I want to do it again.
– I call this denial. There’s no reason to not go away, it’s either being lazy or lonely, you probably need a friend to push you to do something instead of being a hermit. These people tend to have little to say about their trips.
Memories – the more you do on your travels the more you remember the experience?
It’s ram-packed, our itinerary is always full. I try to organise it all to within an hour. We had a bucket list and we aim to tick them all off every time. We did it. You should see the photos, OMG it was all amazing, though I did prefer the bungee jump to the white water rafting. It was hard work to organise in advance and expensive but worth it all.
– was this a holiday? Do you need another holiday now? It’s exhausting just listening to it. There’s too much to take in. It’s admirable but is it really possible every time? These people give their life’s to holidays and travel and spend little on anything else. Life though…is for living…right?
History – the more you read the more you learn from the experience?
There’s so much that came before us and the stories and what is left behind is phenomenal. We as the human race did not learn from our mistakes and our experiences and we never will. There’s places that should not be forgotten, and when you come face to face with the reality it’s incredible to learn what happened thousands of years ago. We get transported back in time, to another place entirely. Some people might think we’re boring but that’s what travel is about.
– you have to admire history buffs, it takes a dedication. Though sometimes I feel they recount the guide book history section than their own experiences. They seem to love their life in the past rather than the present. Yet aren’t they right? By visiting history it makes today more significant of the centuries of travellers in the tomorrow?
What sort of traveller are you?
Me? I am: backpack, people, and memories, but more backpack. Though the companion holidays I have been on we’re great