“I want to travel as much and as far as I can. And see as many things as possible.”

I remember myself saying that when the travel bug got to me, still in my early twenties. But, life has turned out a bit different than I imagined. Actually, it might have turned for the better.

Still remember buying a big world map and some colourful pins, fixing the map on a big corkboard on the wall, and starting to pin all the places that I visited. That map has not been updated for a while, not because we haven’t been to places, but because ticking off the places that we’ve been is not that important now.

So, my younger travelling self, yes we are still travelling, but we’re taking it slow.

We’re not checking boxes anymore, and we’re not compiling list upon list of attractions to visit when we’re going somewhere. 

Instead, we’re going to places that feel just right, even to places where we have already been. 

I still remember the first time we went to Greece, having a paper with a day by day itinerary, full of museums and attractions that needed to be visited. The same thing in Paris and in London. 

Those holidays left us feeling exhausted, not because the attractions were bad, but because after the trip had finished, we still felt like we wanted more.

Nowadays, we go to a city or a place, and blend in the everyday life. Visiting an authentic bookshop, a cute coffee place, or just walking on the streets and absorbing it all. And visiting a place more than one time, means that we’re making it our home bit by bit.

So, no, we won’t see the whole world, and that’s okay. But the places that we’re visiting, ah those places mean so much more now that I’m taking it slow and don’t need to follow itineraries and check lists.

Travel to find that beautiful library and spend a whole morning wandering through rows of books.

Travel to spend time with whoever is accompanying you on that trip and experience life with them.

Travel at your own pace, and take the time to stop on the side of the road to take in the scenery.

Travel to enjoy a cup of tea and a traditional pastry, listening to a foreign language, not understanding anything, but your heart is still full. 

Because life on this planet is meant to be savoured, not rushed.