Why do we desire a holiday so much? When people start talking about their holiday plans and speak of hot, white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, we all get a little lost and dreamy as we picture it in our minds eye. So where does this deep rooted urge to travel come from and as humans do we really crave adventure in unknown parts or is it all media hype convincing us that we need something we don’t.
One fifth of the British population see travel as a necessity, not a luxury and a 2013 survey found that people would happily give up new material possessions in order to afford their yearly vacation. But is it really a necessity? Popular travel began in the 18th century when being well-travelled meant being well-educated. During these times, the gentry of Britain would send their sons to Italy to complete their education as this was seen as the absolute hub of European culture. The 20th century saw the rise of the British seaside holiday and the first foreign package holidays occurred in the 1950’s run by Thomas Cook.
Psychological research has found that our brains feel revitalised when we travel and it could be this feel good factor that influences our decision to travel again. Creativity is linked to foreign travel as neural pathways are influenced by our environment and habit so are sensitive to change. New sights, smells, sounds, languages, tastes and sensations cause different synapses in our brains to spark. Is it this that makes the annual holiday so irresistible? For Luxury B&B Northern Ireland, visit www.ashbrook-house.co.uk.
The other great thing about travel is the ability to leave our concerns and worries at home as we set out to see things in a new light. Escaping your regular life through travel is also made special due to the fact that it is a temporary thing. When people travel for a living or on tour, the novelty soon wears off as hotel-hopping becomes the thing of routine. It’s the temporary break in routine that feels so appealing. Any place that you stay in for long periods of time will lose it’s freshness and excitement.
There can be more concrete reasons for travelling and these include having to go to places to pursue an interest or hobby. Here are some of the reasons why people may want to go away:
- Engaging in an interest such as a skiing or golf holiday
- Spa breaks to relax and unwind
- Personal growth and to broaden your mind by visiting places never see before
- To discover certain cuisines
- To visit historical sites and places of great archaeological significance
- Visiting family or friends
- Business travel
- Exploring locations for potential emigration purposes
Holidays can be very educational if you seek out local traditions and learn some of the history. Travelling as a family can bring you closer together and makes room for precious shared memories. Maybe you’ll learn a new skill and discover something that you’re really good at like whitewater rafting for example. Holidays are times for self-discovery as well discovery of the big wide world.