In the past few years, staycations have become the most popular alternative to vacation traveling. Staying at home for the holidays is usually less expensive, safer and easier. So, it is no surprise to why back-porch vacations and poolside holidays are becoming the new trend for many middle-class Americans, especially in light of the recent state of our economy. However, there are some very specific reasons why traveling is a better alternative to staycations despite the cost and possible inconveniences. When considering staycation or vacation, one must consider the opportunity to experience heightened senses, life changing events, and meeting new people while traveling.
First of all, traveling involves experiencing places with one’s own senses: seeing, touching, hearing and smelling the new, unusual and unique environments of places that people visit while on vacation. If someone described a new ice-cream flavor using a hundred words, but instead one could choose to simply taste it, most would prefer the actual experience. It is the same concept with traveling. Unlike watching Discovery Channel or National Geographic, reading about exotic places, and watching even the most exciting and fun podcasts about traveling, actually visiting the place is a much more powerful experience. In addition, one gets to form their own opinion about what was seen instead of just watching it through the eyes of a television director or through the lens of a photographer.
Secondly, traveling is possibly one of the best sources of inspiration one could think of. Even if someone has been to the same place a few times, the next visit can leave impressions which are very different. One may have a new feeling or a fresh hint, since the weather, one’s mood and the people will almost always be different. An impression of a place can change drastically or just become fuller and mor fulfilling. Traveling always brings new discoveries, whether they are