Losing interest in travel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone losing interest in travel? I feel like we have gone to many similar destinations and the excursions are all similar- rafting, horseback riding, spa, golfing, ropes course, nature walk, coffee/sugarcane tour, paddle boarding… any advice if you’ve been in this situation?

No. I feel I am just getting started on my soon to be empty nest travel extravaganza. But I don't travel for those things you mention. I travel for learning, history, cultures, food, etc.

I agree those things in your op are the same in most places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I completely agree, OP. I would love to get back to my 20s where we backpacked and showed up and met interesting people and wandered around cities and jumped back on a train.

You can still do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I get it OP. I’m in South America now and it’s very nice but I could find most of this food and it would be just as good if I went to the right places in DC. I had some local fish last night that was very nice that I probably couldn’t get in DC.
If you travel a lot it does seem a little repetitive. I think I’ve decided we are just going to stay local for the summer. People nowadays probably travel too much.

I think this is correct. Vacations should be special, if they stop feeling special you are traveling too much.
Stop traveling for a while. Have a staycation when you have time off. Learn to relax in your own home.

But this is the problem, I believe. So many of us are not comfortable just being home. We feel constrained and bored. The bar has been raised so much that it takes a lot to keep us engaged now.

[Anonymous]

Yes, but I have a very hard time flying. The hassle is starting to border on not being worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I completely agree, OP. I would love to get back to my 20s where we backpacked and showed up and met interesting people and wandered around cities and jumped back on a train.

And didn't know where we'd be sleeping each night.

The internet, cell phones, reviews and booking online have undermined a lot of that adventure and spontaneity.

As you get older, the ability to pay for private hotel rooms also reduces the chances of meeting people.

[Anonymous]

There is a difference between vacation and travel. I definitely like travel more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a suggestion that gets a ton of heat for being “low class” but I found after going to a theme park it reignited my desire to travel. It was great to have a vacation where everything was planned out and my tween was super happy. It made the next trip more fun

Same. I loved a trip to Disney World.

And I didn't want to go -- I thought I'd be the kind of person who hated Disney.

[Anonymous]

No. I'm itching to go back to East Africa, even if I have to go by myself. I went with a group of women last yr and it was the best trip I've ever been on.

Frequent, shorter trips with family (3-5 days due to the kids' schedules and around school breaks) and then treat myself to longer (6+) alone or with friends.

[Anonymous]

Depends upon what travel.

I am older (60) and my parents imbued in my sister and me an appetite for travel. Since then I have been an expat several times and have visited more than 70 countries. The basic European circuit is not fun for me anymore. It is much, much more crowded, dirtier, expensive and just unpleasant. But that does make sure that 1-4 people are not taking up space for those who are just beginning their travel adventures. I go back, but only to visit specific friends. Not to just be a tourist.

I still travel. But walking through East Africa is not high on the popularity charts. Nor is canoeing in the Pantanal or motorcycling through the Andes.

I hope that you guys don't lose the travel bug. I am grateful I have had my opportunities and I am grateful to stay away so that everyone else can enjoy similar opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends upon what travel.

I am older (60) and my parents imbued in my sister and me an appetite for travel. Since then I have been an expat several times and have visited more than 70 countries. The basic European circuit is not fun for me anymore. It is much, much more crowded, dirtier, expensive and just unpleasant. But that does make sure that 1-4 people are not taking up space for those who are just beginning their travel adventures. I go back, but only to visit specific friends. Not to just be a tourist.

I still travel. But walking through East Africa is not high on the popularity charts. Nor is canoeing in the Pantanal or motorcycling through the Andes.

I hope that you guys don't lose the travel bug. I am grateful I have had my opportunities and I am grateful to stay away so that everyone else can enjoy similar opportunities.

No but genuinely curious what you do in East Africa (where specifically?) that is so awesome. Please share!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I'm itching to go back to East Africa, even if I have to go by myself. I went with a group of women last yr and it was the best trip I've ever been on.

Frequent, shorter trips with family (3-5 days due to the kids' schedules and around school breaks) and then treat myself to longer (6+) alone or with friends.

I love this idea. We completed a family trip the Caribbean and to the California State Parks. Both were fun but exhausting. I went on a retreat in Europe and it was wonderful and so worth it.

I also think DMV is a great place to live like a tourist. There are just so many places to see within 3-4 hours that one should never get bored. I enjoy living in a region that allows me to feel like a tourist.

[Anonymous]

I’m in a phase where it isn’t interesting me. Some years we take 3-4 trips a year- this year, every time we get a break I do a mental check in to see about planning a trip and the energy and interest just aren’t there.

[Anonymous]

Even if you don't do cities and museums there is so much different nature. No zip lines but hikes around the world. New Zealand, Galapagos, Dolomites, Swiss alps, Acadia in Maine, Yellowstone, Banff in Canada. Etc etc.

[Anonymous]

You are just getting old. Old people hate to travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are just getting old. Old people hate to travel.

Maybe. Also, we traveled before overtourism and can see the differences today.