For many travelers, a vacation is for refreshing the soul and rediscovering yourself. When you experience faraway cultures and perspectives, oftentimes you return home rejuvenated and, in some cases, changed for the better.
Self-discovery trips may be just what you need after more than a year of dealing with the travel restrictions caused by COVID-19. Even now it’s easy for us to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind.
Read on to discover different self-discovery trips and travel styles full of experiences that may boost your personal growth, whether it's wellness, adventure, or even charitable efforts…
Solo Travel for the Soul
The idea of traveling alone can seem daunting at first, but really is a life-changing adventure that will teach you things about yourself, as well as new cultures. When you’re traveling solo you can’t help but feel encouraged after stepping out of your comfort zone, plus you get to explore at your own pace.
One of the best ways to try solo travel for the first time is by cruise.
Many cruise brands have noticed the rising trend of travelers exploring the world alone and have prepared accommodations and deals suited for parties of one.
Onboard select cruise lines you can find studio staterooms that are perfect for a single guest. They’re comfortable in size and on select ships there are activities especially dedicated to you, so you can meet new people and make new friends.
On select cruise ships, you can find a private lounge area with amenities like coffee, food, and a bar. This is perfect to start or finish a day of adventure on a good note from the comforts of your ship.
Dreaming of more than one destination, but want to stay on land?
We recommend booking an escorted tour, with many excellent tour companies serving travelers, you’ll have the opportunity to truly explore, learn, and understand the local culture from the perspective of a native guide.
Your tour guide will show you must-see landmarks, and hidden gems, and when available you can enjoy local experiences like having lunch with a family from your destination, who share their culture with you.
Try a Solo Resort Trip
If you’re looking to self-reflect, and enjoy the calmer side of a vacation and an all-inclusive experience, we recommend trying a resort-like Breathless Resorts. This resort is perfect for those who want to relish in a soothing spa treatment, mingle, and have fun. Whether you want to unplug and enjoy a glass of fine wine by the pool or celebrate a special occasion like Oktoberfest, Breathless Resorts has something for every type of adult looking for R & R.
With all these travel styles, where should you go? Since the pandemic has changed the outlook of travel, we recommend traveling close to home so you can discover nearby wonders for an easy, safe, and fulfilling vacation.
Not only may you discover new strengths that you didn’t already know you have, but you’ll learn more about yourself and gain more confidence. Traveling solo is truly an adventure that is enlightening.
For more details on the best deals, tips, and advice for single travelers, you can call the number at the top of this page to speak to a travel expert. Many of them have also embarked on this kind of adventure so they’ll be able to give you the best guidance from planning to going away.
healthy adventure on An Expedition Cruise
If you’re looking to take your vacation experience to the next level, we recommend trying an expedition cruise. Whether you’re traveling in a small group or medium-sized group, this is the kind of getaway for those who enjoy activities like hiking, biking, and kayaking. If you nodded to any of those kinds of activities, an expedition cruise may be the right fit for you.
Typically, expedition cruise ships tend to be smaller in size and sail to less-populated destinations. Select cruise lines that offer these types of cruises also offer specialized excursions for you to get a closer look at nature and the surrounding environment.
Destinations like the Galapagos Islands featuring amazing places like the inner loop and Black Turtle Cove or the Chilean Fjords, Kobe, Japan are truly amazing.
If you’re looking for a cooler climate, you can tour stunning Alaska and satisfy your craving to learn by listening to expert naturalists, historians, and glaciologists, just to name a few.
On an expedition cruise, you can embark on an adventure to any edge of the world to discover more about yourself and the boundaries you are willing to push.
Call a Vacation Planner in the Avoya Travel Network™ for the latest information on when expedition cruise lines will be back sailing around the world.
Balance Yourself with a spa getaway
On some vacations, it is common to feel like you need an extra day after to recover, simply because of all the excitement. Not all travel has to feel this way.
Many resorts and hotels have tailored treatments and programs to create the most blissful vacation imaginable.
With technology advancing more and more each day, sometimes disconnecting is the right fix, which is what wellness travel is all about.
If you have been looking to detangle knots, get your blood flowing, take a soothing bath or laugh a little, wellness travel may be the right fit for you. You deserve the chance to relax and what better way than indulging with a spa treatment. Experience enriching services like a Deep Tissue Massage and Organic Body Wrap, which are available at most resort spas.
If you choose to stay at a resort, Sandals Resorts offers the Red Lane Spa, which features unique services like the Papaya-Pineapple Salt Mousse treatment. Also available at Sandals Resorts are state-of-the-art accommodations like walk-in rainfall showers and tranquility soaking tubs, available at select resorts and suites.
For more recommendations, you can ask your Avoya Travel Expert and they’ll be able to find the best travel style and destination for you.
Making an Impact While Traveling - Voluntourism
If you enjoy giving back to your community, voluntourism is a type of travel that allows you to see the world, while also making a difference. While a week-long vacation may seem like a short amount of time to volunteer, assistance is always appreciated on many levels. You’ll have the opportunity to serve but also come back with a better understanding of the culture and region, which is another great way to immerse in the destination.
Many cruise lines and tour companies make it easy for you to make a difference without having to do the research, as they make sure the organizations they work with are truly supporting the people and destination.
With select tour companies, you can help build local infrastructure in the Ecuadorian Amazon or help with daily activities like planting seeds. Or if you have a passion for wildlife, you can aid with scientific efforts by drawing plankton samples and identifying whale behaviors in Alaska.
Also available on select cruise lines is the opportunity to fundraise for great causes, right onboard. With Carnival Cruise Lines, you can Groove for St. Jude, which is a dance party dedicated to raising awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
With any of these positive efforts, a little can go a long way and it can help you develop personally, as you’ll be able to become even more knowledgeable about the world around us and in our backyard.
No matter what kind of travel style you choose, there is no right or wrong and any kind of travel is a step in the direction of self-discovery. So, what will your next vacation be?
