Why do we travel, and can travel transform our lives?

Why do we travel, and can travel transform our lives?

Travelling is in our genes. From nomadic hunter-gatherers to modern-day travellers, we humans have always been drawn to exploring beyond our borders.

These days, the wealthy traveller is looking for high-end holidays that prioritise exclusivity, privacy and personalisation. We all need to let our hair down and relax, but what else drives us to leave the comfort of our own homes? What do we expect or want to find? Why on earth do we travel?

To escape

A change is as good as a rest, as the Old English proverb goes. A change of scenery can be a welcome antidote to the hamster wheel that so many of us find ourselves on. Leaving our lives behind, albeit temporarily, can be like pressing the reset button. Whether it’s driving somewhere nearby or braving a long-haul flight, or anything in between, an “escape” can help us change course and switch gears. Forget the “home away from home” – we’re looking for escapism!

To explore

Travelling to distant – and not so distant – shores is an opportunity to discover new places and cultures. We’re curious beings with a craving for adventure, and travel can go some way towards satisfying our need for novelty. But travel can also lead us on a journey of self-exploration – a search for who we are when we’re not in familiar territory. We may be surprised by what we find out about ourselves!

To learn

We can learn anywhere and anytime, but there’s something about travelling that stimulates that learning mindset. Travel can broaden our horizons, and shift or expand our perspective. By learning from other cultures and people, we can embrace difference and perhaps even rid ourselves of certain stereotypes or biases, as well as gain awareness of issues that we aren’t familiar with. And by trying out novel activities during our travels, we may even learn new skills or uncover surprising interests.

To challenge ourselves

There’s nothing like leaving the security blanket of our comfortable lives and finding ourselves in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by languages we don’t speak, to test what we’re really made of. If we step (or jump) out of our comfort zone and dive into uncertainty and discomfort, with a jolt of culture shock added to the mix, we might just discover a talent for problem-solving and learn a lesson or two in self-reliance.

To disconnect (and reconnect)

These days, our attention is hijacked by digital distractions and information overload, which can lead us to neglect our physical and mental health. Perhaps we no longer make time for deep thought about our lives, our dreams, and who we really are. Travel shakes us out of our daily routines and creates distance from our everyday lives, so that we can gain a clearer sense of ourselves and a new appreciation for what we have. It can provide an opportunity for personal growth and time to strengthen bonds with family or friends. By disconnecting both digitally and metaphorically, we can open ourselves up to positive change and make space for inspiration and creativity.

To make new friends

We’re all so busy these days that we often don’t prioritise our social lives. Or we look no further than our existing social circle and miss out on opportunities to meet new people. Travel can compel us to make the effort to socialise and connect with local people or fellow travellers. This can turn a “superficial” holiday into a meaningful and memorable trip, with new connections possibly blossoming into enduring friendships.

To find ourselves

A combination of all these motivations to travel can take us on a true journey of self-discovery, which might even involve trusting ourselves to travel alone. Solo travel can help us to rediscover our independence and self-esteem, without the safety net of family or friends. We can explore, learn, challenge ourselves, disconnect (and reconnect with ourselves), and make new friends. Or we can explore a spiritual path, with the freedom and time to allow for introspection and the search for inner peace and a new meaning to life.

Travel opens the doors to a world of possibilities, which we can pick and choose depending on our preferences and personality. There are many different types of traveller and our travelling style can vary according to our stage of life, and whether we’re travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or with family. Do you recognise yourself in one (or more) of the types below?

What kind of traveller are you?

Culture vulture: you want to get under the skin of a destination to unearth its true essence. Your itinerary is filled with opportunities to learn about the customs and history of a place and find out all its secrets. To travel is to experience life as a local and collect enriching cultural insights along the way.

Adventure seeker: curious and intrepid, you’re on the lookout for thrilling experiences, once-in-a-lifetime adventures and activities that will challenge you. You want to push your physical and mental limits in the search for the next adrenaline rush. Land, sea or sky, you’re up for it!

Bon vivant: you’re blessed with a refined palate that has you hunting the authentic and the sublime in edible or drinkable form. Travelling to new places serves up tastebud-titillating opportunities, and you’re hungry for the entire smorgasbord of culinary styles, from traditional, home-made dishes, to innovative fusion cuisine.

Nature lover: you’re eager to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature, preferably off-grid and unplugged. You want to rediscover that feeling of harmony and nurturing that only the natural world can offer. You’ll spend every spare moment in the great outdoors, inspired by wild landscapes and fascinated by exotic flora and fauna.

Wellness devotee: you prioritise your health at home but also when you travel, seeking out opportunities to nourish mind, body and soul. A serene spa with mountain views, beachfront yoga as you gaze at the waves, woodland meditation to the soothing sound of birdsong – you choose your activities with total wellbeing in mind. For you, travel is to indulge in relaxation and pampering, so that you can return home rested and revitalised.

Hobby hunter: hobbies aren’t just for the home or homeland! If you’re a serious hobbyist, you’ll go wherever your special interest(s) take you. Whether it’s taking part in your sport of choice (or watching a sporting event), learning about different cuisines or engaging in creative pursuits, the world is your oyster when it comes to practicing or discovering new hobbies.

Family fun fans: you lead a busy life so when it comes to planning your holidays, you want to focus on spending quality time with your family. Gathering different generations together to experience new destinations and cultures is the perfect opportunity to make memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

It’s clear that we can have different motivations for travelling, but in the end, we’re all seeking that certain “something”. An experience, a feeling, perhaps even something transformative…?

Can travel be transformative?

Transformation can come about at any significant moment in our life, because it’s the experience which counts, not the destination. But when does a holiday become a transformative journey?

Transformative travel isn’t something you can plan, like an itinerary. You can’t buy a ticket for it. It’s a state of mind: stepping into the unknown, putting aside our fears, being present in the moment, losing all sense of time, finding ourselves. It’s rediscovering the boundless curiosity of a child in whose world anything is possible. Travel can transform you when it becomes part of your identity, when you can no longer return to what was before, when you see your life with fresh eyes.

There are no guarantees a trip will lead to transformation – it’s entirely dependent on how open we are to the possibility of transformative experiences. But it’s more likely if we approach travelling with curiosity, enthusiasm, introspection, an openness to learn and connect, and the courage to test ourselves, by putting aside all expectations and embracing the unexpected. Exactly how we should approach life, don’t you think?

Marbella Mountain Resorts

At Marbella Mountain Resorts, we’re all about providing you with the ultimate luxury holiday, but we also strive to create tailored opportunities for you to escape, explore, learn, challenge yourselves, disconnect, and make new connections. Understanding our clients’ needs and motivations for travel is key to being able to respond to them. In the world of luxury travel, by treating every one of our clients to individual and personalised attention, we can be confident that we are providing the right type of service in our luxury villas.

We cater for every type of traveller and every holiday aspiration. Escapism can be effortless when you’re taking in the stunning sea and mountain views from your luxury villa, or exploring Marbella’s rich cultural and natural heritage. We can provide exclusive access to historical sites and cultural events, recommendations and bookings for Marbella’s finest restaurants, and unique experiences that will give you a privileged insight into the authentic side of Andalucía. We can create bespoke itineraries for every taste and whim: private tours of Málaga province’s prestigious vineyards, exciting adventures that can test your mettle, golf days at the exclusive La Zagaleta Country Club, total pampering in the comfort of your holiday villa, and so much more. And our high-end villas offer the privacy, space and security for relaxed family holidays and get-togethers with total peace of mind.

Whatever your needs and desires, the Marbella Mountain Resorts team make it their business to deliver exclusivity, privacy and personalisation in the shape of luxurious accommodation, exceptional bespoke hospitality service, and expertly curated unique experiences.

We go the extra mile to ensure total satisfaction. You imagine it, we’ll make it a reality.