Losing the love of travel

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pp mentioned a lack of distinctiveness and I agree with this. I am mid 50s and have travelled and worked overseas a lot. Most shops aren’t that different in asia or Europe to what we have here. Most souvenirs in every country are mass produced in China and not particularly unique.

I also see museums differently to how I used to, particularly how much of poorer countries have been plundered to create the exhibits (eg British Museum).

And of course the crowds. Visiting Venice feels like going to a theme park. No one really lives there anymore. It is just a giant hotel with tourists wandering around.

Without the imperialists taking items back (which often were sold by locals anyway), those artifacts probably wouldn't exist any more. I know that's the case with the Elgin marbles. Be grateful these things have been preserved for humanity.

Okay, but it’s time for England to give back the Elgin Marbles. Greece can take care of them now. Do you really dispute this?

NP- Art and artefacts from imperialist/non imperialist countries are displayed all over the world. How else would people get to experience other cultures without traveling, which is a great privilege many don't have? Maybe some little UK kid (not necessarily a "white and rich imperialist" child) will develop a love for Greece thanks to exposure at the British museum. I understand when it comes to certain specific stolen high profile artifacts, but dismantling entire collections would not be beneficial.

Maybe they can experience them through books.

I'm not expecting some other country to give rare and endangered species for my local zoo just so I can experience these without traveling. Likewise they should be able to keep their own cultural artifacts.

[Anonymous]

Immerse yourself in a hobby (join like a hiking group for example) or volunteer (I spend a good chunk of my weekends volunteering).

Have you considered retreats instead? There are all types (not just religious). Wellness, fitness, nature, etc.

I'm guessing you have no kids or spouse to consider?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pp mentioned a lack of distinctiveness and I agree with this. I am mid 50s and have travelled and worked overseas a lot. Most shops aren’t that different in asia or Europe to what we have here. Most souvenirs in every country are mass produced in China and not particularly unique.

I also see museums differently to how I used to, particularly how much of poorer countries have been plundered to create the exhibits (eg British Museum).

And of course the crowds. Visiting Venice feels like going to a theme park. No one really lives there anymore. It is just a giant hotel with tourists wandering around.

Without the imperialists taking items back (which often were sold by locals anyway), those artifacts probably wouldn't exist any more. I know that's the case with the Elgin marbles. Be grateful these things have been preserved for humanity.

Okay, but it’s time for England to give back the Elgin Marbles. Greece can take care of them now. Do you really dispute this?

NP- Art and artefacts from imperialist/non imperialist countries are displayed all over the world. How else would people get to experience other cultures without traveling, which is a great privilege many don't have? Maybe some little UK kid (not necessarily a "white and rich imperialist" child) will develop a love for Greece thanks to exposure at the British museum. I understand when it comes to certain specific stolen high profile artifacts, but dismantling entire collections would not be beneficial.

Touring exhibitions of artworks can help expose foreign audiences to different cultures, and after the exhibition those artifacts can go home where they belong.

[Anonymous]

My issue is that my house is more comfortable and spacious than most hotels and it contains all my toys.

I recently stayed in a five star international hotel with an upgraded corner room with a view across the city, but it was still smaller than a tiny apartment. I couldn't work out how to work the TV and I couldn't cook. To do any laundry cost a fortune. The service was top of the line but sometimes I just want to chill out.

I enjoyed visiting the country, but it wasn't relaxing.

There's a reason top music stars get sick of touring despite staying in the best places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pp mentioned a lack of distinctiveness and I agree with this. I am mid 50s and have travelled and worked overseas a lot. Most shops aren’t that different in asia or Europe to what we have here. Most souvenirs in every country are mass produced in China and not particularly unique.

I also see museums differently to how I used to, particularly how much of poorer countries have been plundered to create the exhibits (eg British Museum).

And of course the crowds. Visiting Venice feels like going to a theme park. No one really lives there anymore. It is just a giant hotel with tourists wandering around.

Without the imperialists taking items back (which often were sold by locals anyway), those artifacts probably wouldn't exist any more. I know that's the case with the Elgin marbles. Be grateful these things have been preserved for humanity.

Okay, but it’s time for England to give back the Elgin Marbles. Greece can take care of them now. Do you really dispute this?

NP- Art and artefacts from imperialist/non imperialist countries are displayed all over the world. How else would people get to experience other cultures without traveling, which is a great privilege many don't have? Maybe some little UK kid (not necessarily a "white and rich imperialist" child) will develop a love for Greece thanks to exposure at the British museum. I understand when it comes to certain specific stolen high profile artifacts, but dismantling entire collections would not be beneficial.

Maybe they can experience them through books.

I'm not expecting some other country to give rare and endangered species for my local zoo just so I can experience these without traveling. Likewise they should be able to keep their own cultural artifacts.

Zoos around the world do this constantly...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pp mentioned a lack of distinctiveness and I agree with this. I am mid 50s and have travelled and worked overseas a lot. Most shops aren’t that different in asia or Europe to what we have here. Most souvenirs in every country are mass produced in China and not particularly unique.

I also see museums differently to how I used to, particularly how much of poorer countries have been plundered to create the exhibits (eg British Museum).

And of course the crowds. Visiting Venice feels like going to a theme park. No one really lives there anymore. It is just a giant hotel with tourists wandering around.

Without the imperialists taking items back (which often were sold by locals anyway), those artifacts probably wouldn't exist any more. I know that's the case with the Elgin marbles. Be grateful these things have been preserved for humanity.

Okay, but it’s time for England to give back the Elgin Marbles. Greece can take care of them now. Do you really dispute this?

My family heritage isn’t Greek but I am from a country that was regularly plundered by a much larger neighbouring country. There are virtually no historical artefacts there anymore. They are all in museums around the world. It is really sad TBH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have always loved to travel. It has kind of been my thing. I have done long trips and solo trips and been to many parts of the world over the years. Cognitively I am still interested - new people, places, experiences are still of interest to me but the lived experience of being there is no longer so fun. Years ago I did the backpacker hostel and then upgraded over the years to airbnbs or basic hotels. I think that while this is great for comfort, it is far more isolating. I used to love sharing stories and talking travel with everyone at the hostels. I have also seen and done a lot now and while there are occasional wow moments, a lot of it just starts to look like other places. I have also done resorts, group travel, travel with a friend, etc. I turn 50 in a year and was planning to do a long trip but my enthusiasm for planning it has tanked. I feel like I travel now for the sake of travelling but I also get bored at home!

Anyone else start to lose the love of travel? DId you pivot to something else?

Yes , travel is for the rich or young

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A pp mentioned a lack of distinctiveness and I agree with this. I am mid 50s and have travelled and worked overseas a lot. Most shops aren’t that different in asia or Europe to what we have here. Most souvenirs in every country are mass produced in China and not particularly unique.

I also see museums differently to how I used to, particularly how much of poorer countries have been plundered to create the exhibits (eg British Museum).

And of course the crowds. Visiting Venice feels like going to a theme park. No one really lives there anymore. It is just a giant hotel with tourists wandering around.

Without the imperialists taking items back (which often were sold by locals anyway), those artifacts probably wouldn't exist any more. I know that's the case with the Elgin marbles. Be grateful these things have been preserved for humanity.

Okay, but it’s time for England to give back the Elgin Marbles. Greece can take care of them now. Do you really dispute this?

NP- Art and artefacts from imperialist/non imperialist countries are displayed all over the world. How else would people get to experience other cultures without traveling, which is a great privilege many don't have? Maybe some little UK kid (not necessarily a "white and rich imperialist" child) will develop a love for Greece thanks to exposure at the British museum. I understand when it comes to certain specific stolen high profile artifacts, but dismantling entire collections would not be beneficial.

Touring exhibitions of artworks can help expose foreign audiences to different cultures, and after the exhibition those artifacts can go home where they belong.

Except Greece has plans for the Elgin marbles, and historically inaccurate modifications planned for the Parthenon which will flout historic preservation standards, turning it into an inaccurate reconstruction and a false representation of what it once was. Let's hope the British Museum doesn't give in.

[Anonymous]

I still like travel, but the expense is really making us go less. Flights, especially, are outrageously expensive. And our budget won't allow for expensive flights and comfortable, spacious lodging. So it ends up feeling less fun.

It's ok though. We are just finding different ways to spend time together as a family and prioritizing less expensive activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My issue is that my house is more comfortable and spacious than most hotels and it contains all my toys.

I recently stayed in a five star international hotel with an upgraded corner room with a view across the city, but it was still smaller than a tiny apartment. I couldn't work out how to work the TV and I couldn't cook. To do any laundry cost a fortune. The service was top of the line but sometimes I just want to chill out.

I enjoyed visiting the country, but it wasn't relaxing.

There's a reason top music stars get sick of touring despite staying in the best places.

I like a nice hotel as much as the next person, but rarely do I do much more there than sleep, eat breakfast and maybe get a nightcap at the bar. Unless, it’s a resort, and even then, too much time in a hotel room on a vacation would be miserable IMHO.

[Anonymous]

Lately, I really just want to travel to visit family and friends. I enjoy sightseeing on these visits but I'm just not interested in travel for its own sake right now.

[Anonymous]

I get it OP. It was an adventure with our Let's Go guides and paper maps and looking up how to order breakfast in guidebooks. Now it's starbucks and instagram and everything you need to know or figure out is on an app. It's not the same exploration. All the posters who say social media/the internet and globalization/homogenization made travel less culturally and intellectually interesting are correct.