COVID slowed us down for a couple of years, and now a few health issues challenge us. We're still traveling if not writing about it quite so much. Our goal in 2022 was get to all seven continents in one year... and we did it.
Going forward health issues may not allow us to travel. No one can take away those memories though. We hope all of you are well and staying safe... and that you find some inspiration here for YOUR future travels.
Should you keep traveling with terrorism and government upheavals, and shaky economies?
When things get tough around the world…
Everyone is affected...
And everyone needs to trim costs and watch out for safety.
But even when economic downturns occur or there is unrest around the world...
A majority of travelers intend to travel anyway...
They just become more cost conscious. And everyone worries about safety more.
The travel industry is "self-correcting" when it comes to economic downturns. It may be THE best time to travel and get travel bargains. Airlines, hotels and tour operators are slashing prices and offering extras like they haven't in a long time.
And when there are government upheavals and terrorist threat.. choose your destinations wisely, but don't stop traveling.
We
think it's important to keep traveling unless it will completely ruin
your home budget. Clearly during global financial slowdowns, we are all
going to have to work a little harder for less.
We will have to plan our spending a little more carefully, but we shouldn't give up traveling. You might want to dine out less often at home, take your lunch to work, start mowing your own lawn... then put the money you save toward your travel budget.
I mean... if you're lucky enough to see a mother lion carrying a days old cub... how cool is that! You'll never forget it... and it's way cooler in person that it is seeing it on TV.
Travel plays a vital role in our lives. It is rejuvenating.
It's one thing to take your vacation time and just stay home...
It's a whole lot better for you to go somewhere and try something new. There is pleasure in the discovery that travel gives you. You might even cherish your travel experiences more during tough times. If you have to focus on value, do that, but still travel.
We just need to find ways to pad our travel budget. You know you still want to go.... You just want to trim around the edges and travel for less. Stop and make a list of things you can cut down on at home and not miss too much.
We're sure you can add to our list.... Don't part with your vacation. Even in the U.S. where workers normally only get two weeks of vacation a year, the majority of people say that vacations are important.
Travelers may simply travel closer to home in rough times. They may choose safer destinations with terrorist threats.... but don't stop!
With our web pages and blogs, we'll try to help by giving you ideas on how to save... how to travel more frugally, where you can travel safely.
Don't give up on your wildest travel dreams. Travel frugally now, but hang onto those travel dreams for future trips when the economy recovers a bit.
Travelers may look to prepackaged tours to save money but still be able to travel. Volunteer vacations may be a way to save on a trip and contribute to helping some segment of society at the same time.
And if you can make friends in places where our governments don't get along.... Well, I think that can only be a good thing, don't you?
Some people may talk about cutting back when there are threats, but we're a world full of
wanderers... collectively, we love to travel.... and since we do think
of that old saying... Where there is a will, there is a way.
Go
out and enjoy the world.
Choose a country where things are peaceful if not economically stable.
Instead of eating at 5 star Michelin restaurants, enjoy a little local place, or picnic.
Spend leisurely days in free museums. Hike in the mountains.
Take the travel pace a
little slower... walk, take public transportation... just sit in a
sidewalk cafe and enjoy the ambiance.
Travel not only helps you, it helps keep economies flowing.
During economic downturns, and when terrorism strikes, it's easy to start feeling depressed.
Taking a break from the daily grind... some place exciting and new lifts your spirits. It just makes you feel good.
And isn't there a saying that goes something like... if it feels good... do it?
And.... remember the motto that we put on every page...
We feel we are ambassadors when we travel...
We believe that travel promotes understanding and understanding promotes peace.
So we hope everyone will keep traveling... you'll just learn to travel smarter.
Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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Thanks, Judy and Mark
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