10 Reasons to be Grateful for Travel

At this time of year, many of us remember to count our blessings and give thanks. Even though we may not be traveling much these days, it is not hard for me to find reasons to be grateful for travel.

Giving thanks helps me appreciate all the ways I have already been blessed when it comes to travel. And it gives me hope that one day soon we will all travel again.

So let’s get to it!

Here are my 10 reasons to be grateful for Travel!

Creating Memories with Those You Love

Traveling gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and experience wonderous sights together. Not only do you gather souvenirs and photos to commemorate these special times, but you also store up precious memories that will live in your heart forever.

I’ll always cherish taking my mom to Paris for her 70th birthday and helping to make that life-long wish come true for her. Family vacations to northern Wisconsin that span the decades also hold a special place in my heart. And I’ll always remember fondly the trips to the beach and the mountains with several other families that created special memories for both the adults and the kids alike.

Exploring Different Cultures

Whether you travel overseas or just to a different side of town, there is so much to learn when you interact with people of diverse backgrounds. You gain a new perspective as you embrace a new language or dialect, study a country’s history, and partake in customs that differ from your own.

While I have no plans to move from the United States, I’ve learned that the Italian way of life suits me! Those that call the beach their backyard also have me smitten. As I roam the earth and meet new people and ways of living, these travel experiences also inspire me to take stock of my own ways of thinking and living.

Getting Away from the Day-to-Day

Life can be hard, and travel can help shake up the daily grind. Far too many Americans do not use all their vacation time, and I think that is a crime! Do you live to work…or work to live? Me, I work to travel!

Whether I choose to spend a week galavanting across Europe or simply planting my rear on a sandy beach, it does me good every time I get a break from work and household responsibilities for a bit. Dare I say I’m an even better employee, volunteer, mom, and friend after a well-deserved getaway!

Seeing Nature’s Beauty

During vacations, we are even more likely to appreciate a beautiful sunset or marvel at majestic mountains. Whether driving cross country or hiking through the wilderness, it does a body good to see nature up close.

It restores my soul to feel the salty air in my hair as I watch the tide roll in. Hearing the roar of a waterfall reminds me of God’s power. Yet I can also find peace high in the Swiss Alps or lounging on the deck of a cabin looking out at the Smoky Mountains. Whether it’s a day trip or a cross country excursion, a visit to a state or national park is always a good idea!

Trying New Cuisine

Food is often the highlight of a vacation for many! It’s the perfect time to try the local cuisine and get out of your typical dinner rut. If someone else is doing the cooking and cleaning, that is even better!

I’ve been fortunate to taste crepes and croissants in Paris. I have indulged in fondue in Switzerland. Pizza and gelato were a daily staple for me during my time in Italy. And it was all worth every calorie!

Marveling at Various Forms of Transportation

With travel, the journey can be as fun as the destination. While most of us hop in our car to get around and accomplish daily tasks, vacations often involve numerous forms of unique transportation. Riding the subway, taking a train, flying in an airplane, or sailing away on a cruise ship all make for exciting ways to see the world.

I’ve had the privilege of floating through the canals of Venice in a Gondola, touring London on a double-decker bus, and riding bikes in Central Park. But the most exhilarating and laughter producing transportation had to be the banana boat ride in Myrtle Beach!

Seeing Iconic Art and Architecture

Whether museums are your go-to on vacations or you simply enjoy gazing at intricate feats of architecture, there are so many works of art to appreciate all around the globe. You become connected to artisans who have long passed on as you appreciate their handiwork and admire their craft.

I was brought to tears when I first set eyes on Michelangelo’s David in Florence. The skyline in Chicago still enthralls me. And peering up at the Eiffel Tour is an experience I will never forget.

Gaining New Skills

Vacations can also provide opportunities for hands-on experiences. Take an art or cooking class. Try ziplining or snow skiing. Learn how bourbon is made in Louisville, lace is created in Burano, and cows are milked in Shipshewana…the skill-building options are endless!

It doesn’t get any better than making your own pizza and gelato in Italy, and this was an experience my daughters and I will never forget. I’ve also been known to brush up on my wine tasting skills in cities and towns I visit all over the world!

Pushing Outside Your Comfort Zone

As we get away from our typical routine, many of us find vacations a great opportunity to get outside of our usual comfort zone. Have you ever dreamed about skydiving, parasailing, or swimming with sharks? These are not the typical Tuesday night activities for most, but when you travel the options are as vast as your risk tolerance will take you!

While I’m not a super adventurous person by nature, while traveling I have enjoyed my time on jet skis and kayaks. Even camping trips take me a bit outside of my typical comfort zone!

Appreciating My Own Home and Community

I love traveling all around the world, but I also love coming home. Travel helps me appreciate my own home and all its comforts even more. Traveling also reminds me of just how blessed I am to live in a community with hospitable people and access to everything I need. And there is still so much to explore right in my own backyard!

When I travel, especially internationally, I don’t mind feeling like a fish-out-of-water for a bit. I embrace the difference customs, cusines, and way of life that make this world such a diverse and wonderous place.

But at the end of the day, there’s no place like home!

And for that, I am grateful too.

Why are you grateful for travel? Comment below to add to this list!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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