Why Adventure Travel is Worth it

Over the years adventure travel has skyrocketed, capturing me and every other soul who is enticed by this way of life. We, the people under the wanderlust spell, have decided that fear will be the last thing holding us back. We have learned that travel is not about the landmarks, the money or the souvenirs. Adventure travel doesn’t mean you have to jump out of plane, you just have to be willing to open up to experiences. Often times, people let fear overrule their lives. They are scared, but how will someone live if they are constantly afraid? There is no right way to see the world, so make the experience yours. Journey to all ends of the Earth on the path less traveled and stop making excuses. The time is always right.

So why is it that adventure travel is so amazingly awesome? Well, let me enlighten you through bullet points because that makes everything more official.

• Travel is the only thing you pay for that makes you richer. No, not in the green paper-money-rich; rich in the areas that actually mean something. You learn to appreciate life, you learn that life is not all about the amount in your bank account and you learn that experiences are the best currency. I am rich in laughter, memories and smiles; and you should be too.

• Everyone loves telling stories. So why not make the stories interesting? Travel gives you the opportunity to live a life no one else does. Your stories will far pass the tourist experiences. It will make people want to hear about it. I’m not saying regular travel is boring, but the more you do…the more you have to share!

• It makes you unique. Everyone has done the “lay on the beach for a week” vacation. I mean, don’t get me wrong… I love doing that every once in a while. But add your own personal spin to an experience to make it your own. If you like swimming, swim with whale sharks. If you like animals, go on an alligator expedition. Ready for a unique beach experience? Rent a hammock instead of a hotel room. No one is the same, which means the options for unique vacations are endless. Again, adventure travel is not a specific experience, which means as long as you get out of the hotel, open up to the opportunity and let nothing hold you back, you’re in the category.

• Most of the time it’s cheaper than regular travel. $200 plus a night for a hotel room on the beach where the water in the fridge is $4? No thanks. I’d rather share a bonfire on the beach for $7/night. Backpacking is a great adventure too, and extremely cheap. Regular travel can leave you paying for overpriced tourist hotels, off site expeditions and bus tours. Don’t waste your money, which means don’t let anything hold you back. You’ll smile way more in an experience you love rather than reading a magazine by the pool, which you could also easily read on the way home.

• It leads to never-ending friendships. Sharing activities you love with others of similar interests is an instant friendship starter. While out, don’t be afraid to ask the group next to you to join your table for dinner. The more travel friendships, the more opportunities to expand your travel family on future expeditions.

• You have the ability to change the world. Adventure travel also gives the opportunity to benefit not only yourself, but the surrounding communities. I have yet to do an international volunteer opportunity, but I think it is one of the best adventures out there. You not only learn, you help, and what feels better than helping people? People who believe they can’t change the world won’t. Little changes lead to big effects. It also doesn’t have to be a volunteer opportunity. Go out, explore, and come back to share what you’ve learned with others. Adventure is the reason I started this blog and as long as inspire a single soul,I’ve helped change a life.
  

• Because learning can be exciting. It’s a never ending lesson, where you are constantly learning without realization. I could have cared less about the ancient pyramids of Cairo in high school. Now, I can’t stop learning enough. You don’t appreciate what you’ve learned until you’ve experienced it or are planning on it. One of my favorite hobbies is researching  places around the globe and the background of their creation. Adventure travel gives the option of this exploration off the beaten path and into a never ending lesson of life.

• It’s all about “the dash”. This Dash, is what defines your journey through life. It will eventually be placed between your birth and death date and will represent everything you accomplished in you short time on Earth. What do you want that dash to represent? Would you want it too be full of “what ifs?” rather than “oh wells?”. The journey is yours and it’s in your control. Whether you’re 18 or 85…it’s never too early or late! If you want to climb a mountain, climb that damn mountain. I honestly can’t say this enough. To the people reading this that feel trapped in their everyday life, you’re not. Everything is a variable in the long-run. There are families with five kids globe trotting on regular working job wages. So what’s your excuse?!

So there you go! Those are some reasons why adventure travel is totally kick-ass. But if you want the full list give me a solid month to write them all down.

Traveling gives you once in a lifetime opportunities and life lessons that no book or classroom could ever teach. It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg (and if it does-you’re over-paying) to experience everything you ever wanted. Travel by yourself, travel with your best friend, or travel with your family. Just be happy, because life is way to short not to be.