Looking back at all of the trips I have taken, I can’t help but notice that there are two types of trips: vacations and travel. Although to the naked eye, or in this case the inexperienced traveler, there might not be a big difference between the two words, there is a huge difference between the two trip styles.
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When I think of a vacation I see myself on pure-white sand, laying out and enjoying the tropical scenery. Even the word vacation makes my thirst glands excited at the thought of a fruity drink coming their way. Most vacations come after a long school year, or work assignment and are a time for relaxation and reward.
Vacations usually focus around a beach, attraction, or sport. For example many people enjoy skiing while others prefer the thrill of an amusement park, like Disney World, for their annual vacation. Either way, the purpose of a vacation is to enjoy oneself in a worry-free environment.
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The great part about these trips is that generally there isn’t a busy agenda and plans come spontaneously. Also, this is a time most people use to spoil themselves. All-inclusives and five star resorts are a vacation norm.
Traveling, in my opinion, is completely different than vacationing. Traveling is about learning and experiencing something completely new. When we travel, we must remember to keep our minds open to the unfamiliar. Usually travelers are exploring their destination on a low budget, which means that accommodations and rewards may not be as upscale as they are on vacations.
Travel’s main focus is to explore, immerse, and enjoy a new culture. Rather than having a slow-paced trip, travel is all about seeing and visiting as much as possible in a generally short period of time.
The truth is that although very different, both trip styles are very enjoyable. I personally prefer traveling trips because I love getting out of my comfort zone, being adventurous and trying new things. I hope that this personal explanation of both vacations and travel, help gear you to choosing the right trip for you.
I couldn't agree more, reference my first blog post to see this same distinction made, but in far less detail. I loved the in-depth analysis of the two distinct activities! Often times it is difficult for people to differentiate the two but hopefully a few people read this and are encouraged to explore both sides of this coin.
ReplyDeleteYou could further break down the category of traveler into "immersers" and "hoppers" as I have heard them referred to a few times. I disagree with your notion that traveling usually entails seeing as much as possible in a short amount of time. While travel can be fast paced like that it is not unrealistic to assume some people leave their comfort zones and tour just a few areas.
All in all, I think this is a post that needed to be written and I'm happy to see someone that shares these ideas with me! Keep traveling!
I must agree traveling and vacationing are two completely different entities after experiencing both I can say that I prefer to travel I feel like many of the things that you do on a vacation don't let you truly experience the culture and lifestyle of the destination.
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