Well hello to you my reader chums! Travel is a part of my life and my biggest passion. I adore travelling to new countries, roaming around different cities, and immersing myself in different cultures, it fills my heart and soul, and I miss it dearly.
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This time last year, I never thought life would be how it is in 2020 and neither did anyone. It's been a hard year for everyone in so many different ways, some people had to delay their weddings, lost their jobs, some, unfortunately, have lost family members, and a lot of us have struggled with our mental health. It's been a year to delay many life plans, but also a year for everyone to take a step back and appreciate the little things.
Travel is my top priority in terms of life goals, and I always aim to do at least five trips a year, and this is the first year it hasn't happened. I don't want to sound ungrateful, as I'm so blessed to lead the life I do. However, it saddens me as it's a passion I adore to fulfil and I miss that. I've been thinking about travel a lot recently and what I miss, as there isn't just one thing.
Here is everything I miss about travelling:
Researching/booking/planning trips
I'm a massive planner in every sense, especially when it comes to travelling. Nothing thrills me more than choosing a place to go, researching for inspiration for future trips, and actually booking a trip. I love finding the best flight deals, searching for places to stay, and most importantly, planning the itinerary for a trip. I love spending hours flicking through blogs, learning about the place I'm going to, and pinpointing what day on the trip I'll see that certain thing, whether it's backpacking, interrailing, or a short trip. The organisation and searching for hidden gems, genuinely makes me so happy and I'm longing to do it again.
Scrolling endlessly on Skyscanner
It's fair to say, I have a huge addiction to booking flights, and Skyscanner. Before the pandemic, I would genuinely spend most days going on Skyscanner at least once, and see what last minute flight I could easily book and get away.
Planning my airport outfit
One of the exciting things about going to the airport is planning the outfit I'm wearing but also. the clothes for that trip. It's the outfit I want to be ready for the gram (love an airport photo) but also something to feel comfortable in.
The airport rush
Oh, to walk into a bustling airport, with people rushing about pushing their suitcases, is only something I can dream of right now. I would give anything to go through security, pick up my Pret meal, and wait for my gate to be called - and then queuing up to take my seat on the plane. The rush thrills my soul and I love the excitement of the prospect to travel to somewhere new.
Landing in a new country
Landing somewhere new is an amazing feeling. I love looking out the window and thinking to myself 'we're in a new place to explore.' It's such an exciting thought as I never know what is to come when I leave the airport in a new destination. Will I love it? Will I hate it? Will I never want to leave? Probably. There's so much excitement!
Checking into a hotel
Going into a hotel/hostel/Airbnb for the first time is always such a great feeling. I love to search around the room/apartment to see what the place is all about and look for the amenities. I also like to unpack all my things and make it feel like home; my home for the next few days.
The first day in a new country/city
Travelling to a new place is incredible but the first day is always so exciting. I love being able to see something for the first time and finding my bearings around a new location, and scoping out where my favourite place is to be there. It's the unknown on the first day which makes it so thrilling.
Meeting new people
Whether it's on the plane, in your hostel, or tour group, when I travel I love meeting new people and finding out about where they're from, and why they're travelling. It's so interesting hearing people's stories and meeting like-minded individuals.
Taking photos for the gram
I may have a little addiction to Instagram but I really love it as a place to document my life and capture my memories, especially when I'm travelling. When I go on a trip, with all the photos I take, I love mapping out how they're going to look on my feed and coming up with fun captions. It just adds another element to my travels.
Blogging about my travels
Like Instagram, I always love to blog about my travels, hence why this is a travel/lifestyle blog. I love being able to share what I got up to whilst away but also the things I learnt, the places I saw, and the tips I have for people also looking to travel to that destination. Writing and travel are my passions so put them together and it makes for the best ever time.
The food
I'm a huge foodie and I absolutely adore trying new foods, especially when I'm in a new country for the first time. There's nothing better than walking off the beaten path and discovering non-tourist restaurants, usually run by famillies as they're the best spot to eat the most authentic food.
Talking to the locals
Not so much in cities, but when I visit quieter areas abroad, there's nothing nicer than speaking to the locals. Whether that's the employees at the accommodation, at the local market, in a restaurant or generally bumping into them, it's a humbling experience hearing their stories.
Experiencing different cultures
Roaming around a new place, and experiencing everything it has to offer is heartwarming in itself. Whether that's the mannerisms, learning their language, learning the history in museums, or going to local monuments, I love to experience everything new about a destination.
The stories
After a trip away, whether it's a few days, a week, or a month, the trip I've just been on, I've made plenty of memories. And then those memories, I'm able to have and share as stories to my family and friends. The beauty of travelling is having my mind full of stories to share and reminisce about in years to come.
I hope you enjoyed this post. What do you miss from travelling?
Thank you for reading <3
I haven’t been traveling in so many years that I think I’ve forgotten how much I loved doing it when I did get the opportunity. Now that there are so many restrictions and changes I can see for those who do it regularly, not being able to travel can be something to miss so much. Hopefully soon things will improve and going around like this will find a new normal!
ReplyDeleteIt's so amazing! Yes, hopefully we can travel soon x
DeleteOh man, I can relate 100%. Wrote a similar post recently, and most of the things you miss, I do too. But when I moan about it, I kinda feel bad cause, as you wrote, it's such a privilege and there are much more important things. But we are allowed to feel whatever we feel in these crazy times. I had a fab travel year planned as well and am still sad about not being able to go. I was so excited, already so many ideas of what I wanted to do and then it just didn't happen. And what bothers me most is that nobody has a clue when things can go back to normal. Who knows when travel can be safe again. I'm not taking any risks and am also not planning anything for 2021. Fingers crossed things will go back to normal someday and we can all continue to travel the world. :)
ReplyDeletexx Hailey – www.haileyjaderyan.com // www.instagram.com/haileyjaderyan
I'm so glad you're able to relate and I'm sorry to hear your trips were cancelled! Here's hoping we can travel again soon x
DeleteI also love travelling a lot... this was an amazing read..thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteBeauty and Fashion/Rampdiary/Glamansion
Thank you!
DeleteOoooh this post made me happy and sad. I miss it all. I miss that feeling of putting on your out of office and going to the pub the night before your go away. I cannot wait to get out there again! I will never take it for granted ever again!
ReplyDeleteRosie
loverosiee.co.uk
Oh to put an out of office response on!! Same, I'll never take it for granted xx
DeleteAw, this post makes me so nostalgic for holidays abroad! We didn't go this year, we had a couple of staycations instead, which were lovely but I do miss the rush of landing in a new country, trying the food, and experiencing some different cultures. Fingers crossed for next year! x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to go on a few staycations! Same, hoping next year will be different xx
DeleteOh how I miss travelling! I had big plans for 2020 and 2021. Still have a voucher to spend next year due to cancelled trip twice! I start a travel blog and can't travel! hahaha. Couldn't make this stuff up. Great post. I've heard of friends taking their kids to airports to watch the planes take off, they miss it that much! It's hard to make plans for 2021 without the thought of another lockdown so planning just not booking!
ReplyDeleteOh bless you, I hope you're able to fulfil those plans soon! That's such a lovely idea xx
DeleteI also missing all of these thing that you listed. But if you can travel you can visit some new city or place in your country and have that traveling feeling again.
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It's crazy how much I miss it! xx
DeleteCome and meet us in Dubai!
ReplyDeleteI will do when it's safe again!
DeleteLooking forward to start travelling again once all this is over! I bet you cannot wait to start travelling again! x
ReplyDeleteLucy | www.lucymary.co.uk
I'm honestly counting down the days!
DeleteLol this is giving me nostalgia because I feel the same way whenever i am getting ready to travel and when I get to my destination. I definitely miss picking out my airport outfit and the airport rush with other travelers xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad we're the same!!
DeleteThis is making me miss traveling even more! I'm looking forward to the day we are all able to go out like that again! Thanks for sharing, I hope you're doing well!
ReplyDeletemelissakacar.blogspot.com
Same here, I cannot wait for that day! Thank you, hope you are too x
DeleteNice post. Really good things to miss about traveling, the thrill and the fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely! xx
DeleteThis, this, this, this! All of it, the planning of the trips excites me almost as much as being there. I love the cultural element of experiencing new things and places so much. I have a lot of dietary requirements so I don't get to enjoy the food as much when I go somewhere new these days but it's still so fun to explore and see where the locals eat. I had so many plans and maybe destinations thia year that never happened. My first trip of the year was due to be late March/ early April so it looks like this year will be the first year in a long time that there'll be no travelling at all for me unfortunately. I can't wait to jump back on a plane x
ReplyDeleteSophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk
I'm so glad you're with me on all of those things! I hope you can get back on that plane soon x
DeleteI miss travelling so much too! I visiting Disney World in Florida back in March but we were hit with the news of the park closures due to covid, so only spent 3 days in actual Disney. I miss getting hit by the wonderful smell of heat as soon as you step foot off of the plane! I can't wait to eventually travel again!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry your trip got cut short! I can't wait till we can all travel again x
DeleteYou've mentioned some good points. I really miss the build up too. The researching and planning and wondering what it will be like.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Ah yes, all those wonderful things x
DeleteI can't imagine how hard it is right now for those who travel a lot. I'm not a huge traveller but I do seriously miss booking trips and going on holiday and not having to worry about it! x
ReplyDeleteAw thank you! Yeah, I miss the freedom of not worrying and thinking so much about the safety behind everything x
DeleteI miss traveling, too! We had to cancel a couple of trips due to the pandemic. Like you, we love seeing new sights, trying all the food, and talking with people we meet. I always make it a point to learn to speak a few phrases in the language of whatever country we visit. Makes traveling so much more fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you had to cancel some trips! I hope you're able to go again soon x
DeleteI haven't been travelling for 25 years of my life lol ~ maybe just short trip! So I really envy you >< I hope I can do it someday!
ReplyDeleteNo way! I hope you're able to experience it at some point x
DeleteThe "airport rush" is something that cannot be duplicated anywhere else! I really do miss travelling, especially since I mostly travel to see my boyfriend (we're in an LDR, he's in England and I'm in Singapore). Can't wait till normal travel resumes again!
ReplyDelete✨ Marissa Belle × marsybun.com ✨
It's the best thing ever! That's a long distance, I hope you're able to resume your travels again soon x
DeleteI miss travelling, too! I'm not so much of a travel junkie but I love visiting places sometimes. We have cancelled travels due to pandemic and I wish I could travel soon!
ReplyDeleteQueenie | thequeensigths.com
I hope we can travel again soon! x
DeleteYou are spot on Della! Nothing beats that 'first day' feeling and I just LOVE researching before a trip. I'm in Essex and so we're back in some weeeeird form of semi-lockdown (which SUCKS) but I'm daydreaming a lot about where I'll head to when all the Corona Craziness calms down eventually x
ReplyDeleteThank you, honestly there's nothing better! Oh no, I hope you're keeping well and safe x
DeleteI love this post! I honestly can't wait to be let of the UK once coronavirus has left!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Same here x
DeleteI love this post! I have missed travelling so much from the excitement of planning and researching the area and things to do to landing in that country and exploring. Hopefully, we will be able to travel again soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, I'm with you there x
DeleteGreat post! I know exactly how you feel! I am also a travel fanatic and love every aspect of planning and taking the trip. Fingers crossed for at least one trip in 2021!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, let's hope x
DeleteI miss traveling so much too - the exciting of the planning, the trip and the experiences.... I can't wait to do it again
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with everything here! I really miss plane journeys and the feeling you get when you step off the plane!
ReplyDeleteI think I share so many of these feelings right here... even though I am not the best traveller (I find the flight boring, so not keen on it) I currently would do anything to be on a plane x
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ReplyDelete