Why We Travel?
...are we always searching for something? And if so, do we even know what it is?
Instead of our usual cafezin, I think we’re going to need a latte today— there’s so much I wanna tell you. So grab your mug, find a comfy spot, and let’s dive in!
Lately, I’ve noticed that habits from my travels are creeping into my everyday life. Could be because I work in travel PR, where discussing how we experience the world is our daily topic. Regardless, writing about it made me realize travel isn’t just about visiting new places; it’s about embracing (and noticing!) life.
When we travel, details speak louder—the way a different language sounds, how light hits the landscape just right. We connect with people and cultures, realizing we don't need to speak the same language to share moments and feelings.
It’s about soaking in the sound of a river, marveling at a sunset’s changing hues, or listening to a bird sing in a tone you’ve never heard before. It’s about tasting new cuisine or admiring iconic buildings and wondering how the ideas for them were conceived so long ago.
Travel immerses us in new environments, filled with different settings, foods, and customs. It’s the excitement of the unexpected—essentially, life—that stays with us long after we return home.
But is that why we travel? Are we always searching for something? And if so, do we even know what it is?
*takes a deep breath, sips coffee*
When I ask myself this, it comes down to my desire to discover, express, listen, and taste—to experience all aspects of life.
That’s what makes solo travel so addictive for me.
I remember back in college, my laptop wallpaper was a picture of a beautiful bridge, with the location printed in the corner. I’d glance at it every day, and it would quietly linger in the back of my mind, making me wonder if I’d see it in person someday.
One day, while casually browsing Ryanair sales, I spotted the name of that city. The flight was only 11 euros. Without hesitation, I booked a flight and a place to stay.
Any guesses?
I remember I was reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, and while waiting for my flight, a very sweet British man came over. We started talking about the book and discovered we both felt quite the same about it. After all, it explores humanity at its purest.
I didn’t plan much for the trip—I wanted the city to reveal itself to me. And it did.
On my first day, waking up to a chilly morning, I allowed myself to stay in bed a bit longer. No rush, no plans—just the freedom to explore Bristol at my own pace. It was truly liberating. With that freedom, I embraced the charm of Bristol, stopping at coffee shops to read, wandering through the streets, stumbling upon a traditional house that was free to visit and absolutely amazing, and discovering museums by chance. I didn’t plan my days at all. It was truly magical.
Of course, I visited that bridge. But more than just seeing it, I felt like I was listening to myself for the first time—tuning into my own rhythm, expressing my needs, and realizing how much joy I found in simple things like coffee shop visits and unplanned walks. And that was my first solo trip, a path with no return.
And just like this one, the many trips to come would teach me something new about myself that I hadn’t realized. It was as if traveling became my cathartic event—whenever, wherever, and however it happened.
It gives me different perspectives and, oh my, how much it helps me understand myself and refocus on life in all its forms! Beyond that, it makes me more patient and open to listening and understanding our differences and flaws as simple humans.
So remember how I was just told you, that habits from my travels are creeping into my everyday life?
Recently, I stumbled upon the concept of a “Dopamine List” on TikTok
a list of things that truly matter to you, that make your days better. (you can check mine here)
… and as I started thinking about mine, I realized most of the items came from my travels. More than anything, it’s always taught me something new or pointed the way towards something that was always there.
It wasn’t until I visited Mandapa that I realized how nature watching reconnects me with life’s pace, in contrast to the constant “urgency” of daily emails.
It wasn’t until I experienced Forestis, on a guided meditation outside overlooking the Dolomites, that I understood the power of simplicity.
It wasn’t until backpacking that I noticed how heavy clothes can get and learned how little I actually need.
It wasn’t until a ride to Meteora that I discovered the tranquility of train journeys, with expansive windows allowing me to soak in the scenic landscapes.
In contrast, it made me realize how an interstate bus ride provides a more intimate experience: drivers introduce themselves, wish us safe travels, and remind us to fasten our seatbelts—something I had always taken for granted. Returning home, I found myself valuing and cherishing it far more.
And most importantly, it wasn’t until I solo traveled that I realized how capable I am. It’s something about every detail that happens there—you need to handle it all. And let me tell you, I’ve always gotten the job done.
But it’s not just the destinations that teach us—it’s the cultures we encounter.
Lorenzo, my Italian roommate, taught me the importance of food in Italian culture—how it’s not just about ingredients but about tradition, connection, and self-care. He would never rush his food, showing such deep respect for each process that it felt like watching an artist create a masterpiece, even when he was “simply” making breakfast (and one of the reasons why Italian food is sooo great). Celebrating Songkran with Tha and his family in Thailand showed me the warmth and generosity of their culture, and that deeply resonated with me.
Whether it's the need to escape, share, celebrate, or disconnect, traveling is ultimately always about life. Whether consciously or not, we’re seeking to experience and connect with life—perhaps in different settings, ideas, or communities. In the end, the need to be and the desire to live are universal and have no nationality. We can all relate to it.
Weltitravelur (a concept I’ve just came up)
Regardless of your political beliefs, skin color, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation, traveling and sharing moments with diverse people reveal how human culture is truly universal. We return with new perspectives on a shared emotion.
Travel, to me, is like Goethe’s concept of *Weltliteratur*—a global literature that transcends borders. Before Germany was united as a country, between 1827 and 1830 -Goethe started to bring this concept to his conversations,
“I am more and more convinced that poetry is a universal possession of mankind, revealing itself everywhere and at all times in hundreds and hundreds of men. … National literature means little nowadays; the era of world literature is at hand, and everyone must strive to hasten its approach.”
It’s not about comparing cultures but embracing them all. And I believe that’s why we travel—or at least, why I do.
What about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts—maybe over a cafezin?
Inté