I’m a firm believer that travel makes us more well-rounded individuals. It helps to build confidence, broaden our perspectives, teach us new things and thereby, contribute to our general happiness. The International Day of Happiness got me thinking about what makes me happy, particularly when I travel. Well, that led to this post! Haha! Here are some of the things and moments that always bring a smile to my face whenever I travel.
What makes me happy when I travel
1. Food
Whether it’s a pasta in Italy, fresh sashimi in Vancouver or a hot bowl of noodles in Asia, food (and fun cooking courses) is my number one source of happy moments when I travel!
Read:
- Exploring the food scene in Vancouver
- A food tour around Modena
- One big happy Mercado
- Cooking like a local in Puglia
2. Wine
A close second, sipping on a glass of wine (provided it’s good!) has created many joyful moments. That’s probably why some of my favourite places to visit are wine regions in France, Italy, Spain and South Africa.
Read:
- Wine-blending at Middelvlei Wines
- An afternoon at La Motte
- The Moscato di Scanzo meditation wine
- A passion for Lambrusco
- Finding bliss at Jordan Wine Estate
- Places to visit in the hills of Monferrato
3. A stunning panorama
A stunning panoramic view from an observation point always makes me stop and look in amazement. I often pinch myself to make sure it’s real, then have a good chuckle about it.
Read:
- The magic of Rio de Janeiro in photos
- Experiencing the magic of Wadi Rum from above
- Plane Views: Himalayas and Mount Everest
- A helicopter tour of Mauritius
- A helicopter tour of Cape Town
4. Beaches
Nothing is more relaxing to me than standing ankle-deep in the water and feeling/hearing the waves gently lapping around my feet while the sand shifts beneath me.
Read:
5. Sharing a beautiful moment
A great travel experience is much better if it’s shared – there’s (almost) nothing that makes me happier than sharing a beautiful or funny moment with my partner, family or friends when we travel together.
Read: My favourite travel memories
6. Doing something I normally wouldn’t dream of doing
I love using travel to challenge myself. If I didn’t travel, I wouldn’t have skydived, zip-lined through a forest or abseiled down a waterfall! The immense excitement and adrenaline rush were unforgettable! Looking back, I can only be happy that I had these opportunities to do something different and challenging. And the experiences sure make for great travel stories!
Read:
- I did it! I jumped out of a plane! (skydiving)
- Getting over my Jaws complex (swimming with sharks)
- The spectacular lake-crossing across the Andes (zip-lining)
7. Sunsets
Another favourite of mine, some of my happiest travel moments have included a sunset. The colours never fail to amaze me.
Read:
- Sunset cocktails at Vertigo
- Beautiful sunsets from around the world
- What it feels like to float in the Dead Sea
8. An ‘Aha!’ moment
That moment when I figure out what that person is saying (in a foreign language) or how the public transport system works, or I stumble upon a hidden gem, or I discover something about myself, is another source of joy and fulfillment for me when I travel.
Read: Travelations – the trip that opened my eyes
9. Nature
Strolling through the woods, walking in the mountains or snorkelling never fails to give me a sense of calm. I also love safaris – watching the animals in their natural habitat is always an incredible experience. Getting back in touch with nature, especially for us who live in cities, is so important for our general well-being and doing it while travelling has created many happy travel moments for me.
Read:
- My favourite nature photos
- Safari at the Gondwana Game Reserve
- The art of rejuvenation in Vorarlberg
- The magic of Phinda
- The magic of the Galapagos Islands
10. Unexpected encounters
It’s those unexpected moments that make travel so enriching, such as meeting someone inspiring, a wildlife encounter or an act of kindness. I’ll never forget the kindness and generous hospitality I experienced while passing through a village in Eastern Turkey and falling ill. Or the time I met a lady on a flight from Australia to Malaysia – we talked non-stop during the flight, the start of a friendship that has lasted more than thirty years!
11. Art and architecture
I’m a big fan of art (especially street art) and architecture. Whether it’s beautiful street art in Rio de Janeiro or the Cathedral Quarter in Belfast; historic masterpieces in the museums, churches or palaces of Europe; Art Nouveau architecture in Riga, or modern architecture such as the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia or Jewel Changi Airport, art and architecture never fail to amaze and inspire me.
Read:
- UNESCO World Heritage monuments of Ravenna
- Baroque splendour of the Rein Abbey
- Historic architecture of Sevilla
- Architecture in Palma de Mallorca
Je dois vous remercier pour votre temps juste pour cette merveilleuse lecture. Continuez à écrire.
hey, I can relate with you you put so much effort to explaining things while traveling the best thing while traveling is food, the street food, as u mention in your blog, choose street food, you’re usually eating authentically. Street food is the perfect way to try the local cuisine of the place you’re visiting. Street food typically comes from locals, and they know how to do it best. Much cheaper than a sit-down restaurant and you explain very well
Amazing! The pictures speak a lot.
Food is definitely number 1 on my list!!! Agree 100%
Thanks for your comment Emma! Totally agree with you. 🙂
Yes, Number ONE for me is food all the time! 🙂 And next are the views and the list goes on 🙂