Traveling may be one of your passions, but we understand you have other interests in your life. Why not combine the excitement of traveling with your zealousness for adventure, your passion for philanthropy, your fascination with art? The following passion points feature popular hobbies and interests that can be enjoyed in exotic and exciting places.
Family
When traveling with your family in tow, the destination has to fit a certain criteria: entertainment for young children, supervised kids’ clubs, babysitting facilities, and a ton of family-friendly activities. Families with younger children might enjoy islands with an all-inclusive resort and beach, such as Club Med in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, or Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Kids will enjoy playing in the sand, swimming in kid-designated pools, and seeing aquatic life. Families with older children might find places like London interesting. Adolescents and adults alike will enjoy everything from the towering Eye of London to the frightfully delightful Tower of London.
Voluntourism
For those who enjoy helping others, there seems to be an unlimited amount of opportunities to lend a hand abroad. The combination of traveling and volunteering keeps the travel bug at ease while indulging in philanthropic passions. Post-war countries and areas where natural disasters occurred are some places where voluntourism is both welcomed and encouraged. Volunteers can offer their services in places like Cambodia, where there is an abundance of orphaned and abandoned children. Since the earthquake in Haiti, many groups and travelers have offered their services rebuilding homes and helping Haitians in need.
Arts and Culture
There are some places in this world that breathe art, as if every street corner or building facade was an artist’s muse. Greece’s diverse towns and cities, from bustling Athens to its rural seaside islands, offer a vast array of both art and distinctive culture. Gazing upon the archaic Parthenon and the breathtaking artifacts in Athens’ many museums, Greece’s art exudes distinctiveness and mastery. But its authentic food and traditional Greek dancing keep with the culture. Hungary’s distinctive culture and art is also a site worth seeing. The Hungarians’ expertise in handicrafts and beading add more significance -to the term hand-made.
Escape
Sometimes we travel to distance ourselves from our daily lives. Lounging on a remote tropical island with a fruity drink in hand does the trick quite nicely. One of the only beaches in Bali that isn’t layered in dark black sand, White Sand Beach is a gem, tucked away in a tiny cove on Bali’s east coast. Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Samoa is also an idealistic island escape. For those who want something different than an island escape, maybe the tranquil woods and farms of Germany’s Black Forest is more appealing.
Adventure
Zip lining, hiking, scuba diving. If these activities sound up your alley, you might be interested in traveling to an adventurous destination. For those who love the outdoors, the Amazon Rain Forest offers an in-depth exploration of the jungle’s natural marvels. Another adventure filled destination would be to zip-line through Thailand’s lush jungles of Chonburi.
Green/Eco Traveling
Going on vacation doesn’t mean taking a vacation from being environmentally efficient. If you’re committed to reducing your carbon footprint, there are travel destinations that offer green hotels and resorts. Iceland’s energy is generated from natural resources, like waterfalls, volcanoes and geysers. The oh-so-famous windmills of Holland are used to generate electricity in such a way that doesn’t harm the environment. And green initiatives are utilized at eco-friendly hotels and resorts across the globe, such as Utah’s Zion Lodge, whose Green Suites include bamboo floors, recycled carpets and organic linens.
Learning
Going to destinations in pursuit of knowledge is an opportunity to broaden your horizons and do something really different from the conventional vacation. Touring museums will open your eyes to new sides of history that you might have never heard of. Washington D.C. has the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History as well as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, each having over six million annual visitors according to “Travel + Leisure”. For more exotic history, take a tour of Mexico’s fascinating archaic Mayan cities. Whether you’re exploring Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Calakmul, or Palenque, the ancient ruins are teeming with history.
Spa & Wellness
If you’re idea of vacationing is getting pampered and returning feeling refreshed, these are the destinations for you. Finland is home to some of the best spa treatments in the world, so treat yourself to their amazing talents. Western Turkey’s Dalyan offers natural mud baths, where rumor has it Cleopatra herself used the nourishing mud. Yes, its mud, but it’s the type of mud you actually want to bathe in! The Healing Salt Waters of Safaga, Egypt, are also frequently visited for the rejuvenating combination of sun, sea, and salt. The natural salt waters are said to help with blood circulation.
Style
Traveling to the most fashion-forward places in the world might mean packing an empty suitcase, but it’s worth it if it means bringing back beautiful merchandise! London is home to both extremes on the wardrobe scale: from sophisticated ‘afternoon-tea’ dresses to punk-rock casual day wear. While Paris and Italy attract hordes of fashionistas and label-lovers, places like Buenos Aires and Dubai are the hush-hush secrets of the fashion world. And of course, we can’t forget New York City and its retail heaven, 5th Avenue!
Food & Wine
Of course food is important when traveling, but if that sip of wine is just right and that morsel of food is pure perfection, then let your culinary passions lead you to some of the most delicious places on earth. Food and Wine’s Classic in Aspen, Colorado, will be coming up in June, featuring acclaimed chefs and wine experts from around the world. Presentations and special exposes feature several culinary stars’ skills and craft, while the breathtaking setting acts as a superb compliment to the wine. Another epicurean destination would be New Zealand, where the creative fresh cuisine is matched only by the sublimeness of the wine.
Whatever your passion may be, traveling for the specific reason of exploring it could bring about some big changes that may not have occurred at home. Let your passions be your guide, and you may encounter the trip of a lifetime.