Travel Styles Change – and that’s Okay!
Life is interesting.
One minute you’re sitting on an overcrowded, dilapidated school bus in Nepal, the next minute you’re perfectly content watching an episode of the Amazing Race while bouncing a newborn baby on your lap.
There was a time when we couldn’t bear the thought of living a normal 9-to-5 routine. We spent years going to school, followed by years of living the life of a cubicle dweller. We dreamed of escape. We dreamed of living a life less ordinary.
So we did the unthinkable.
We quit our jobs to travel around the world, forever changing our lives.
We thought we were special. We thought we were pioneers.
However, we quickly realized that an army of nomadic travelers had blazed the trail before us. We were not special and our adventures were not original.
Don’t get me wrong, they were fantastic personal achievements, but we were not the first people to scuba dive Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. We were not the first people to live out of a backpack for a year, nor will we be the last.
But we felt alive. We felt true freedom.
We later discovered social media and its powerful reach, uncovering a nation of like-minded travelers. We wrote blog posts, shared our adventures, tweeted, retweeted and liked.
Suddenly the world became much smaller.
However, our rare and unique travel experiences started to feel a little less rare and unique. There was a time, not so long ago, when our night spent under the desert stars in a Bedouin camp in Jordan’s Wadi Rum felt truly original – this was before dozens of travel bloggers successfully changed the way travel and tourism boards operate.
After reading hundreds of blog posts about Jordan, we now categorize it with other popular travel destinations like Mexico or Thailand. Is that wrong? Is that even accurate?
If you ask the average Canadian about travel to Jordan or Thailand, I guarantee you’ll get a wide variety of responses. Some will say it’s too dangerous. Some will rave about the wonderful people and hospitality. Some will simply remain disinterested.
My point is that regardless of your travel style, traveling is a very personal experience.
Without question, there is a big difference between traveling and vacationing. But is one travel style better than the other? It’s a tiring debate that has no winner, but there was a time when we thought the only way to really experience a country was to strap on a backpack and start exploring. To ride local transit, to sleep on the cheap, to eat where the locals eat.
But, like most things in life, our travel style has changed. It has evolved.
Traveling is an important part of lives, but equally important is having a family. Now that we have Baby B in our lives, our travel style must adapt to the changing times.
We get a lot of emails and comments from readers. Most are questions about travel destinations or advice on where to go next. We love the interaction for many reasons, but mostly because it reminds us how fortunate we are to have traveled to over 50 countries together.
Last week, we received a thought provoking question from a reader:
“Why do you write a travel blog if you’re not traveling around the world any more?”
It’s a fair question. It’s true, we’re not currently on an around the world trip. We did that for a year, it was fun, but we no longer want that kind of lifestyle – at least not right now. Being newbie parents is challenging enough, I can’t image what it would be like to backpack with an infant.
The answer is simple – we have no desire to travel indefinitely.
We like our jobs and our home. We like our comfy bed and flat screen television. We like having a car and a savings account. But these are things that long term travelers must sacrifice for a life of constant travel.
This is where we insert a cliche like “the grass is always greener on the other side” or “all good things must come to an end”.
We no longer resist the 9-to-5 routine because our travels have taught us that happiness is a state of mind. It’s not about geography, it’s about psychology. We don’t have to visit India or Japan to go on a personal pilgrimage (although it’s certainly more adventurous that way!).
Travel is important to us, but so is raising our baby boy and achieving greatness in our careers. Because we no longer want to travel perpetually, we’ve changed our travel style to find balance between our careers and family.
Our new goal is to visit 5 countries per year. This might include an all-inclusive vacation to Mexico, backpacking across China or trekking to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Ultimately, we would like to visit 100 countries before we’re 50 years old, but we don’t want to limit our travels to only “new” countries just because we’re targeting an arbitrary number.
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What is your travel style? Has it changed over the years?
Share your story in the comments section below, we’d love to hear about it!
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Wow, 5 countries a year..that’s a big goal with kids (at least for me :). I’m in a different boat though..stayed home with the kids while they were young and now that they are older (teens) are trying, slowly,to get into the travelling thing. We couldn’t afford vacations when they were younger….but, if all goes well, we might get in 3 or 4 countries with the kids this year (first time). My husband and I are only a few years (ok a couple of years) away from 50 and we’re looking forward to the next phase – the one when the kids are out of the house. Then we really want to travel. We’ve already downsized once and might do it again in several years so they can’t move back in with us LOL!
Then again, you know what they say about the best-laid plans 🙂
Hi Joanna – thanks for sharing your story!
Yes, 5 countries a year might be a challenging goal, especially with kids. But we think it’s doable, as long as travel remains a priority in our lives.
We typically visit multiple countries on each trip we take, so it really depends where we go. We plan to visit Europe this summer and will likely visit 5 countries on that trip alone.
Sounds like you’ve got some fun travel plans in the future. Where do you think you will travel to next?
Hoping to drive slowly to Vancouver (from Hamilton), sell our car then fly onto Hawaii, then maybe Thailand or Vietnam before we need to be in China later this year. We’ll see how much money we can save; the problem with older teens is we’re actually paying flights etc for 4 adult fares..and it does get rather squished with the 4 of us in small accommodations (then again, we might have to get used to ‘crowded’ if we’re going to China, lol!).
Wow. This was an amazing article. It literally kept my full attention from beginning until end – honest, practical and really well said. Thank you for giving life to my thoughts; I was thinking like this, but you nailed it in terms of expressing it. Thank you. It really just makes me like you more and want to follow even more. Big fan, L.
Thanks Laura! Glad you like the post. We felt like it was overdue… 🙂
I really liked this. Travel to me is not about trying to be the most audacious or innovative. I’ve noticed that there’s a trend in travel blogging to be the most unique, the most unbeaten path. As though anyone who could be interested in travelling to Paris for example clearly has no idea. That unless you’re roughing it in a slum somewhere you’re not truly living.
I’ve done a fair bit of travel that slowed down a bit as children took up the time (and the money!) that would have been otherwise slated for that purpose, but travel still remains such a huge thing for me. A personal as well as a physical journey.
I like the authenticity of this page and the lack of derision for anyone choosing a different path. It’s what keeps me coming back to your adventures. Good luck with 100 before 50!
Appreciate your feedback Jenn. We hope that we can reach our goal of traveling to 5 countries per year, but we know that as Baby B gets older its going to get more and more difficult (and expensive – that’s why we’re doing Europe this year, while his flights are still free).
It’s all about finding that middle ground. We’d love to be able to pick and chose when we can work and play, but not at the expense of having good jobs and a home. All of the good things in life require sacrifice!
I’m glad you enjoyed the article and that you keep coming back to read our stories! 🙂
I love to travel… but I’ve never been too jealous of people who spend months and months on the road. It’s just not my style. I prefer to live abroad and take shorter trips in the region. We all have to do it our own way, don’t we?
And I agree… the more I read travel blogs the less unique my experiences begin to feel. I just got home from SE Asia and my Google Reader is full of posts from blogs all about Thailand/Laos/Myanmar. I just can’t bring myself to read them yet… I’d like my travels to feel special for just a little bit longer!
I love your goal of 100 before 50. I was thinking 50 before 50 because I know that as soon as I move back to the States my rate of travel will have to decrease. But maybe I should shoot for something higher… 😉
Thanks for your feedback Jill.
Totally agree with you. We find ourselves in constant communication with hundreds of travel bloggers, which can at times be deflating (when we read about epic adventures while sitting up with a crying baby at 2:00AM). But, it does inspire us to make plans for our next adventure!
I can tell you it will change after this 1.5 year travel sabbatical.
It certainly will!
We dreaded the final flight home after our first RTW trip. But we quickly learned that our travels didn’t need to stop, they just needed to adapt the changes in our lives.
Visiting 5 countries a year is still impressive, especially when you live in Canada. I prefer having a home base and doing trips from there. As much as I love traveling, I also like having a place to call home. Germany is perfect for me since it’s where I’m based and so central, although I miss my family and friends in Canada.
I love the fact that you’re living the expat lifestyle. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but have yet to make happen.
We will be in Germany this summer – where are you located? Perhaps we can meet up?
I love love LOVE this post! And I love that you’re owning your changing travel style.
I’m a big proponent of the fact that there’s no one “right” travel style. A style that fits one person may not fit another, and that style can definitely change over time – as you’ve proven here!
I think your goal of visiting 5 countries per year is ambitious, but awesome.
I’ve never really had dreams of traveling permanently, or even for more than a couple months at a time. It’s just not a lifestyle that appeals to me. But, even so, MY travel style has definitely changed over the years, too!
Appreciate the feedback Amanda!
It’s true, there really is no “right” travel style. For us, it’s all about balance. Travel is important to us, but so is family and our careers.
Life would be so boring if we always stayed the same! 😉
We’re in a similar place. Well, sans baby. Completed our RTW and now trying to figure out how travelling and blogging will fit into our lives. Our plan is to leave Canada, for now, and do some extremely slow travel in other parts of the world. We’ll see how that works out. The lead picture in this post had me confused when I first pulled it up…my Delhi, India post today has a very similar picture…eerie!!
Hah! What are the odds of that?! Great picture 😉
We would love to be an expat in a completely foreign country, but I think that window has closed for the time being.
I agree that there are many different travel styles and none are right or wrong – everyone has to do what works in his/her life. I see no reason why you can’t be a travel blogger while only traveling a few times a year – that’s how the vast majority of people travel and many of them are looking for guidance from travel bloggers who travel the same way. My husband and I have been traveling (during vacation time) with our kids since our older daughter was 4 months old and the girls are now 15 and 8. Once you are traveling with kids I think that it becomes less about seeing the most unique, off the beaten path destinations and instead about showing them the world, exposing them to diversity and inspiring a desire in them to explore as well. It may not be your first time in London or Paris but it’s new and amazing to your children and it’s an incredible feeling to see them get excited about a place that you love. I think it’s wonderful that you are traveling with your son and he’s a very lucky little boy to have parents who want to expose him to a world of new experiences.
Thanks for the great feedback Lisa!
We can’t wait to have similar experiences with Baby B (and hopefully his brother or sister in a couple years).
Cheers 😉
Awesome post! My style has definitely changed. I never wanted to have a nomadic lifestyle, but I did in the beginning want to cross off every country on the globe and was in a rush to do so. Now I’m happy to travel wherever/whenever I can, even if I’ve been there 3X already. To me it’s definitely not about the destination rather than the journey. I have been to Argentina almost 15X now and each time I have an extraordinary adventure.
You make a great point Andi.
In the past, we found ourselves wanting to only visit “new” countries, trying not to duplicate travel experiences. But as we get older, we’ve realized that travel has less to do with the actual location and more to do with the experience.
Wow – 15X to Argentina! You’ve been a busy girl 😉
Great post. It’s a different kind of traveling.
And everybody has his oven style. Keep going on 🙂
Cheers! 🙂
Great post! My husband and I have had a nearly identical experience (minus the baby). We quit our corporate jobs, traveled the world for a year and continued blogging when we got home. You don’t have to be constantly traveling to exotic destinations to write an interesting blog– you can explore destinations closer to home (in our case, NYC or other parts of the USA, and occasional trips overseas) and can share past experiences and advice. Like you, our style of travel has changed greatly since our backpacking trip. And you know what– there is nothing wrong with that! It’s part of growing up 🙂
Couldn’t agree more Leslie!
We love taking smaller trips now, especially ones that are close to home. Sometimes it’s nice to not have to change currency and buy travel insurance! 😉
It’s really challenging to travel around the world being newbie parents then also you people took the world into your stride. Loved your guts very much. Your travel blogs are really interesting as I get engaged with a new place every time I come across it. Anyways enjoy your parenthood right now and keep on sharing about new place you might come across while surfing. 😉
Thanks for the kind words Marie! 🙂
Love the thought of 5 countries a year! Totally doable with baby and career! Glad parenthood has become such a big part of your new identity. Baby B is going to be such a lucky boy – he will learn from the school of life, the world his classroom.
You ask about travel style – I think mine is still evolving – still trying to find its legs….and probably will for the rest of my life. I did the backpack around the world, the cycle tour (both trans-Canada and hotel based) and am still searching for the next adventure. 5 countries a year sounds perfect in a world where I work to fund my life! 5 travel destinations may be more in line for now – off to a flying start with Prague, Mallorca and Barcelona under the belt – looking forward to the next adventures and experiences – running in Boston (the 5K color run, not the marathon) and kayaking in either Belize or Baja!
Love your philosophy – happiness is a state of mind. So very well said! Happy adventures!
Thanks for the positive feedback AnitaMac! It’s great to hear that you’re pursuing your passions and living life. Cheers! 🙂
Nice post! I think your goal of 5 countries a year is attainable. Our goal for travelling is also similar, we aim for 4 large trips a year with a few local jaunts. We have very young tots in our company, a one and two year old, so I feel this is the perfect amount of trips to take without being too disruptive to their (and my) routine. We’re also expats in the Middle East (UAE) so in many respects I feel like I’m travelling even though I’ve been resident here for a couple of years. You’re very lucky that you’ve been able to experience 2 different styles of travel blogging, as an adventurous nomad and also with family! I’ve always liked to travel and I’ve lived in a few different countries now but I’ve never just picked up and travelled for a long period. For me travel blogging didn’t actually begin until after I had my first baby.
Great to hear from you Lisa. I’m sure that living as an expat is an adventure all on its own!
We’ve often thought about living the expat lifestyle. It’s something that we have yet to experience.
I’m happy to hear that you’ve been able to weave travel into your family routines – it’s encouraging for us as newbie parents.
What a weird question… is it a requirement to be no a RTW if you have a travel blog? I guess I shouldn’t have one either then 🙂 I’ve never done a RTW and wouldn’t be interested in one either because I like having a home base. I think it’s great that there are so many different travel blogs out there. Makes it more interesting! Five countries per year seems like quite a challenge if you’re also holding a regular job. Hope it all works out!
Thanks Sabrina – we’re hoping it works out too!
I think the question reflects the perception that some people have about blogs and travel blogging. But you are right, I don’t think being on a RTW trip is a requirement for a travel blog. In fact, most people have no desire to live out of a backpack indefinitely (at least that’s what we’ve learned from our experiences).
Congratulations on your new addition! Travelling with children is a wonderful experience, though not without its ups, downs and challenges along the way. It will certainly be different than your RTW travels, but no less fantastic. 🙂
Your goal of 5 countries in a year is totally doable ($ permitting of course), especially in Europe, where you can get it all done in one trip! Our first trip overseas with our 5 month old baby involved 5 weeks of travelling around Europe visiting family in six different countries. Enjoy these precious times and happy travels!
Change is the only constant in life! Congrats on the new baby, and on embracing your changing life and lifestyle. Embracing change is definitely the way to go.
My travel style is changing too. Awhile back, I only wanted to travel in India, now other places are calling me … Ireland, Nunavut, Sri Lanka…
Thanks for the honest reflections, cheers.
Sounds like you have some very exciting plans! I’m still trying to find the best way to fit travel into my life but for now, I can just live vicariously through others!
Wow – can I ask what sort of jobs you guys have which allows you to hit up FIVE countries a year? Are they hiring? We will need work when we get home 🙂
Wow! unbelievable! visit of 5 countries in a year with kids. Really i have surprised to look your different style of traveling. Thanks for your attractive story.
5 countries a year sounds good. I only do 1 or 2 a year at the moment but cheated with the round the world trip I guess 😉
Enjoy!
I love this! And I completely agree. My travel style has changed. I don’t have a desire to travel indefinitely. Just not for me. I’ve said for a LONG time travel is a state of mind. I’ve learned that from my own experiences here in California. I realized I didn’t need to go far to have some awesome travel experiences.
Love your perspective on travel and can completely relate to this!
Great article. My wife and I have been on and off long term traveling for the past decade and recently moved back to the USA, got a year lease on a home, got our stuff out of storage and are ready to start a family. Travel will always be a part of our lives, but it has been such an evolution. Even on the road, we marvelled at how much less we were willing to put up with as time went on. How much less “omg what an experience” our night on a train floor became. This didn’t dampen any of it, but it did change things. Now things are changing again. They always change, and that’s ok. Like you, I continue to write my travel blog. I still have stories and photos from 5+ years ago that haven’t made it online. And, when I travel again, something new will be put into the queue. It’s fun.
Anyway, that became a ramble… but thanks for the great post.