People often ask us, why do you both love to travel so much?
In 2016, when we first started traveling internationally while still working full-time, our goal was simply to see new places and seek adventure. However, the more we traveled, the more we realized that it wasn’t just about the destinations—it was about the experiences we had along the way. We became obsessed with it, so much so that we quit our jobs and traveled full-time for over two years. We consider it to be the best investment we ever made.
Though there are many, here are six reasons why you should travel!
Try Different Foods
One of our favorite things about traveling has been trying new foods.
If you are a foodie, we know you can relate! Though we enjoy trying new restaurants at home, we didn’t realize how experiencing ingredients around the world would impact our travel so much.
From curry in Sri Lanka, to Korean BBQ in Korea, churrasco with farofa in Brazil, and pasta in Italy— we’ve fallen in love with the global cuisine. Whether you are traveling on a budget or enjoying a fancy vacation, trying the local cuisine is a must.
Let’s not forget the incredible natural fruit juices, and our favorite drink of all time— coconut water.
Tip: Take a cooking class in every country you visit. We wish we did this more often, but it’s a great way to learn how to recreate your favorite dish at home!
Meet New People
One of the most unexpected benefits of traveling is the ability to connect and form new friendships all over the world.
Not only with locals in each country we visit, but especially with other backpackers and travelers that are on similar journeys. This is life-changing because it puts into perspective the importance of cultivating new connections in all aspects and stages of life—not just maintaining the old ones.
>> Check out our blog post on How to Meet People While Traveling <<
It’s amazing to know we have friends spread across the globe with whom we share incredible memories and could visit in the future.
Learn A New Language While You Travel
Learning a new language is an incredible skill, and many travelers take the opportunity to perfect it while traveling full-time.
However, this is not something we take advantage of enough—mostly because we’re too lazy to do so. With that being said, we do make an effort to pick up a few words and phrases along the way. Learning simple expressions like “thank you”, “goodbye”, and “how are you” are always extremely helpful.
Locals often appreciate when we try to speak their language, especially when they don’t speak English!
Learn a new language on our favorite language app, Duo Lingo.
Explore Nature
Spending time outdoors is a priority in every single one of our trips.
Regardless of where we are going, we always aim for a season and place where we can spend time in nature. This includes primarily being near the ocean and mountains.
Though we are not the best or most experienced hikers, we pushed ourselves to try a famous multi-day long hike (linked below). This served as a great reminder to try new challenging experiences, even if it not something we’re familiar with.
Take Time to Unwind and Relax
One of the things we appreciate most about traveling is having the ability to fully disconnect and enjoy life.
While there are many ways to do this, our favorite is spending time at the beach, what we like to call; beach bumming. This usually consist of hopping around as many beaches as we can first, to find the best locations. Followed by pit stops for lunch, swim or snorkeling, and Kelvyns favorite— napping.
Nothing beats laying by the beach, hearing the waves crash, and simply being present.
Immerse In Different Cultures
The number one reason why you should travel is to fully experience different cultures.
Whether it was volunteering in a coffee farm in Colombia or being invited to dinner from a local we met in Sri Lanka. Experiencing cultural differences first hand has been the best take away from our travels.
It is much more than just food or language, it’s about experiencing their music, dances, traditions, and lifestyle. All of which play a big role in how we view the world and understand the people in it.
This is your sign to take that trip you’ve always wanted to.
You don’t have to do it alone—join a group trip, attend a retreat, invite family or friends, or make new ones along the way. The important thing is to experience something different, taste something new, and take some time for yourself.
So, where are you headed to next? Let us know on Instagram @THETRAVELERINUS
Disclaimer: All the information shared is based on our research and experiences. Please note that we are not travel consultants, tour guides, or financial advisors and are not held liable for any misinformation. We give suggestions, but advise each person to do their own research and make the decision that best suits them. This blog posts also contains affiliate links, by using the links we provide you are helping us at no additional cost to you. Photos on this page belong strictly to The Traveler In Us and are not allowed to be saved or used for any reason unless granted permission so by the owners.
