What do travel accessory and meaningful relationships have to do with travel questions you should ask? The answer begins by asking what are the benefits of travel and tourism.
There are certain travel questions every traveler should ask before traveling.
Often, as tourists, we don’t know what questions to ask until it’s too late. We often get answers the hard way. I am sharing my top 5 travel questions with you here to help avoid exactly that.
Have you ever had one of those brilliant thoughts…
You know, one of those you just know everyone around you would enjoy it?
Believe it or not, I had one of those moments before writing this post. And here it is
Everyone has travel questions.
Shocker, right? Not really. Surely we share some of those questions. I believe in taking the proverbial bull by the horns. Let’s answer those questions. While we are at it, let’s also ask other experts and get you well-rounded answers.
I reached out to everyone I could think of. I included tourism experts, top-rated travel bloggers, friends, and acquaintances that travel frequently for both business and pleasure.
Of course, I also reached out to fellow travelers.
People want to know answers to these travel questions:
- What is the one travel accessory that always goes with you, regardless of the trip is for work or play?
- What are the 3 things you want to know about a destination before traveling there?
- Why did you start traveling?
- Where is the first place you traveled as an adult? (outside of work)
- If you had one lesson to share, what would that be?
I know what Papa Joe and I would answer to these travel questions, but I wouldn’t blame our readers for wanting a wider perspective. After all – one of my Top 10 Travel Tips is to ask questions.
Lots and lots of questions.
I researched answers to these travel questions for you.
Thank you to DumbLittleMan, AirTreks, and Virtuoso Life for answers to the question “Why travel”. Start small, right? Common answers are below:
- Travel improves social and communication skills
- Exploring culture through tourism
- Ensures peace of mind
- Helps stimulate creative thinking
- Tourism broadens your horizons – it opens your eyes and helps you become a well-rounded person
- Enhances tolerance for uncertainty
- Boosts confidence – helps you learn who you are
- Opportunity for real-life education
- Creates meaningful relationships – I love this one. For Papa Joe and myself, developing meaningful relationships has been #1 of the benefits of travel
- Helps develop new skills and learn new languages
- ADVENTURE!
- Tourists have cool stories
- Proves that dreams do come true
- Travel challenges you and shakes things up
- And I think this is the keeper – travel helps you appreciate your life.
I wholeheartedly agree with all of these answers – and have added my own thoughts to many of our previous blogs.
My full-length story 11 Ways to Boost Your Travel Budget has many of those responses from us.
Getting back to my original 5 travel questions
I STILL want to know the answers from others! So, thank you to all the contributors identified below.
Let’s break down the travel accessory question first.
What is the one travel accessory that always goes with you, regardless if the trip is for work or play?
- Buzzfeed and Travel and Leisure list practical travel accessories like luggage scales, portable chargers, bright easily distinguishable luggage tags, speakers, compression socks, organizers, and waterproof phone cases.
My favorite travel accessory? I always load applications on my phone – currency converters, language apps, maps, etc. I guess that means my favorite travel accessory is my phone. Next in line is probably my speaker and extra chargers. These have all helped enhance my tourism experiences.
What about your destination?
What are the 3 things you want to know about a destination before traveling there? Thank you SmarterTravel and Fodors for helping with this question.
- SmarterTravel focused on things to DO before traveling, like stopping mail and newspaper delivery, planning the first and last day of travel (usually the most difficult), check the weather, public transit, and things to do. Fodors added research entrance and exit fees to the list.
Papa Joe and I agree with the weather, public transit, and things to do. Researching the things to do is one of the more fun parts of traveling.
Our 6 Easy Vacation Planning Steps breaks down this question, as well as much more helpful step-by-step information.
The Book Depository has literally thousands of books for researching your destinations!
I have to say, the research for things to do at our destination drives how Papa Joe and I prepare for travel. The results of that research guide what items we pack – both for anticipated weather and scheduled activities.
It also strengthens our bonds and contributes to our relationship by working together to complete that research. Take advantage of those hidden benefits.
Why did you start traveling?
- Google says people travel to see their soul mates, learn other cultures, and to have fun.
I agree with the fun bit. Travel has also been a significant tool in keeping our relationship strong. We travel every year for our anniversary, usually taking a romantic vacation for 2.
Having that time to unplug from everything else and plug into each other – that is a great tool for maintaining a meaningful relationship. Can you imagine what family bonds are created during family vacations?
Where is the first place you traveled as an adult (outside of work)?
Thank you TripIt for answering “where is the best first trip”?
- TripIt lists the United Kingdom (fewer language barriers), Iceland (unique experience), Ecuador (easily accessible), Japan (culture, history, and amazing food), and Mexico (short trip, stay to the safer regions).
Guess Papa Joe and I need to add to our bucket list! We have visited the United Kingdom. Papa Joe has visited Mexico, and I can’t wait to add information from Ecuador, Japan, and Iceland.
Last but not least…
If you had one tourism lesson to share, what would that be?
I researched several websites, and no surprise here, the lessons were similar to the answers to the “why travel” question.
- Patience, opportunity to be curious, leave the comfort zone, appreciate other cultures, make friends with strangers (they must have met Papa Joe), think creatively and find beauty in small things.
Thank you, HuffPost for sharing what Papa Joe and I have already learned and are excited about sharing with you!
Each of these photos below has a story that demonstrates the benefits of travel.
The snake pushed me out of my comfort zone. Visiting Christ Redeemer gave Papa Joe an opportunity to practice Portuguese. The park in Odessa – well, everything in Ukraine was outside our comfort zone.
I could find the benefits of travel in every one of the photos shared here. What I want you to take away from those quick snippets is to capture the story behind every photo. Believe me, the story is always there.
Neither Papa Joe or I claim to be travel experts
As a matter of fact, we encourage you, as the reader, to leave comments with your answers to the 5 travel questions. What we do claim is that we have thoroughly enjoyed our travels and tourism experiences, building meaningful relationships, meeting others, and sharing experiences with loved ones and our readers.
Researching this story was fun. I always encourage you to do some research, ask your own questions, and find your own answers.
We felt the questions in this story would be common to many people. Hopefully, you continue to ask travel questions and learn about this beautiful world we all share.
We have found many benefits of travel and sincerely hope you do too!
This story was originally published in January 2018 and was updated in October 2019 and March and July 2020.
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