In these times of online meetings, WhatsApp videos, and 3D films, travel is one of the few things left that ensures we remain in touch with reality and utilise all our senses to get new experiences. Reminiscing the fun of travelling to unknown places with family and friends, visits to cousins during vacations, and encountering new sights, smells, and flavours … all these have left an indelible imprint on our memories.
If you think that you have visited and seen the important destinations and spots, your appetite for tight schedules, long queues, and cramped places has reduced, here are some ways for you to reimagine your leisure travel and bring back the excitement and fun.
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Take an unplanned trip
You have believed that it is always best to plan and ensure that things fall in line and go as planned! However, sometimes, the unexpected can bring unprecedented joy. Lao Tzu said, a good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. It can be quite liberating to enjoy the journey rather than just wait for the destination. Take a road trip, and maybe stop at places that take your fancy. These days, you can even hire a recreational vehicle (RV) and camp at designated venues in India.
Don’t fix the destination rigidly and keep going where the road takes you and your heart tells you. You could go on this trip with a few friends to enjoy it more and create lasting memories. And if you thought, what about my age, watch the movie, Uunchai, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Danny Denzongpa, Anupam Kher, and Boman Irani, for some inspiration!
Try something new
We all have some rules and likes-dislikes about travel which defined where we go, what we do and where we stay for most of our life so far. Some of us don’t like water and beaches, while others stay away from crowded cities. Now that you are a free bird, try something new for a change! And you never know, you might like it. For example, you might enjoy the thrill of a water sport, a night barbecue, a jungle safari, the quietude of a farm or a tea estate, or a riverside cottage which you never imagined it to be. Unless you give it a chance, you might miss something great.
In recent years, many new and quality options have come up which a good travel partner should be able to point you to. You could also have your tours tailored to your needs and preferences. Keep an open mind and explore new places, cuisines, rituals, and so on. Even if you do not want to repeat it, you will be better off for the experience.
Look for experiences instead of destinations
Was there any time when a trip to an ordinary place or a location you visited often became special because of what you did there and the experience you had? Most of us can remember more than one such occasion.
Extend this thought. you have most likely seen the ordinary, now seek the extraordinary. In these golden years, you have the opportunity to make every tour special with memories that can keep you excited and smiling for a long time. Stay flexible, spend more time on what you like and shun the fixed itineraries. Take control of your tour and time. It can be a very different experience even if the destination is the same as what you visited before.
In a recent poll of seniors in India by Samarth, respondents rated Flexible itineraries and Unique things organised for us as two of the top three things that would contribute to enhancing the joy of a tour for them. Such tours are also great to celebrate special milestones like an anniversary, a birthday or simply celebrate life!
One more thing! Sometimes the most important aspect of travel is to live the moments. So try to put your devices away! Before you click on the night sky or the green panoramic view, ensure you enjoy it first. Listen, feel, and soak in the moment for eternity.
If you find this of interest, explore Samarth’s custom experiences around the country, write to us at breakaway@samarth.community, or visit www.samarth.community/tours.
