June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Ukraine; Belarus; Moldova; North Korea; Russia; Israel
Jamaica
Jamaica;
Think back on all the trips you’ve taken in your life. Some were relaxing, like that week at the resort in Turks and Caicos. Some were exciting, like the Alaskan cruise when you saw grizzly bears and toured a glacier by helicopter.
But were there any trips that changed you forever? Have you ever returned home with a new sense of yourself and your place in the world?
That’s what transformational travel is all about.
Let’s begin with what it’s not. Transformational travel is not synonymous with wellness travel. Wellness travel (think yoga retreat or holistic spa resort) typically focuses inward, on your own spiritual and/or physical wellbeing. Nor is transformational travel the same thing as sustainable travel, although it does incorporate principles of sustainability.
Rather, transformative travel is a way to journey mindfully, connect with people along the way, and contribute to positive change. The Transformational Travel Council defines it as “intentionally traveling to stretch, learn and grow into new ways of being and engaging with the world.”1
Jaco J. Hamman, professor of religion, psychology, and culture at Vanderbilt Divinity School, outlines the six phases of a transformative travel experience:
You don’t have to go far. It’s good to leave your comfort zone — but there’s no rule that says you have to travel halfway around the world to do that. You can have a transformative experience in the United States by (just to name a few ideas) stargazing in a Dark Sky Place; following the U.S. Civil Rights Trail; or witnessing a seasonal celebration, dance or feast day of the Tribes, Nations and Pueblos of New Mexico.
Stay flexible. While some companies offer pre-planned trips that promise to be transformational, this isn’t quite the right spirit. Instead of locking yourself into a tour itinerary or secluding yourself at a resort, seek out freeform ways to travel: road tripping, backpacking, volunteering, exploring.
Understand what your travel insurance does and doesn’t cover. Insurance is a must-have for any transformational trip, especially if you’re heading overseas. Fracture your ankle while hiking in the mountains? Travel insurance can help. Find yourself stranded by a storm? Travel insurance can help.
It’s important to understand the exceptions, however. For example, psychedelic retreats are an increasingly popular form of transformational travel. But if something goes wrong, travel insurance does not cover any losses resulting from the use or abuse of drugs (unless prescribed by a doctor and used as prescribed).
Take a break from posting. Showing off carefully staged travel videos or photos is performative, not transformative. Don’t treat people and landscapes as mere objects to record and collect. Find out what happens when you allow yourself to simply be where you are and connect with your surroundings.
Go somewhere with a personal connection. Discovering the land of your ancestors can be a deeply meaningful way to travel. Get advice on planning heritage or ancestry travel.
Embrace challenges. Transformative travel isn’t a smooth glide on a paved road. Venture to places that are off the beaten track, and you’ll be rewarded with authentic, unforgettable experiences.
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