One World, Endless Journeys

 

One World, Endless Journeys

 “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

So, where should we travel? It sounds like a simple question, but in today's world, it is almost impossible to answer in a single sentence. Should we head towards the mountains or the sea? Should we explore the colourful streets of Jaipur or the skyscrapers of Dubai? Should we spend a quiet weekend in Kerala or embark on an adventurous journey through New Zealand? Should we travel on a shoestring budget or save for that dream holiday in Switzerland?

Perhaps the better question is not “Where should we go?”, but “What kind of journey do we need?”

 Travel means different things to different people. For a young backpacker, it may mean a cheap hostel, a train ticket and an unknown road. For a family, it may mean a comfortable hotel, good food and attractions that children can enjoy. For a busy professional, it may simply mean two days away from emails and meetings. For an adventure lover, however, a holiday without trekking, rafting or diving may hardly feel like a holiday at all. The beauty of travel is that there is something for everyone.

India is one of the best examples of a country where travel can be adapted to almost every pocket and every kind of traveller. Those on a limited budget can take a train to Udaipur, explore the ghats of Varanasi, discover the forts of Rajasthan, spend a weekend in Mount Abu or enjoy the beaches of Gokarna; with careful planning, local transport and modest accommodation, even a short break can become memorable. For those who can spend a little more, the possibilities expand to cruising through the backwaters of Kerala, exploring the mountains of Kashmir, experiencing the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh, walking across the living-root bridges of Meghalaya or relaxing in the Andaman Islands. And for travellers seeking excitement, Rishikesh offers rafting and outdoor adventures, Himachal Pradesh provides trekking and mountain experiences, while the Andaman Islands open the door to scuba diving and underwater exploration. Beyond India, adventure seekers can trek through the Himalayas in Nepal, experience the spectacular outdoor activities of New Zealand or explore the rainforests, volcanoes and wildlife of Costa Rica. From beaches and deserts to forests, mountains and bustling cities, India—and the world beyond—offers a journey for almost every budget, interest and appetite for adventure.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” The words may sound like a cliché, but anyone who has stood on a mountain trail after hours of climbing or jumped into a river for the first time knows why adventure travel can be so addictive. Yet not everybody wants an adrenaline rush. Sometimes, after months of work and responsibilities, what we really want is silence. We want to wake up without an alarm, have breakfast slowly, sit beside the sea and watch the sun disappear into the horizon. For such travellers, Goa, Kerala, the Andaman Islands or the quiet corners of the Himalayas can be more rewarding than an action-packed itinerary. Internationally, the Maldives, Mauritius, Bali and Seychelles offer the kind of landscapes that seem designed for doing absolutely nothing.  And there is nothing wrong with doing nothing.

Sitting beside a swimming pool for five days would be unbearable. They want cities. Cities tell their own stories. Delhi takes visitors through centuries of Indian history, while Mumbai combines colonial architecture, Bollywood, street food and the restless energy of a financial capital. Jaipur brings together palaces, forts, markets and colourful traditions. Kolkata offers literature, art, history and food. Hyderabad brings together magnificent architecture and a culinary tradition famous across India. The same excitement exists outside the country. London offers museums, history and theatre; Paris combines art, architecture, cafés and fashion; Tokyo brings together technology and tradition; New York offers an almost endless collection of neighbourhoods, museums, restaurants and entertainment. A city holiday is less about escaping civilisation and more about experiencing it from a different perspective.

Then there are travellers who plan their journeys around food. For them, a destination begins on the plate. They travel to Lucknow for Awadhi cuisine, Hyderabad for biryani, Kolkata for Bengali delicacies, Goa for seafood and Kerala for its distinctive flavours. Outside India, Italy can become a pilgrimage for pasta and pizza lovers, Japan for sushi and ramen enthusiasts, Thailand for lovers of spicy street food and France for those who believe a pastry can be an important part of a cultural education. As the old saying goes, “The way to a person's heart is through their stomach.” Perhaps the same can be said about understanding a country.

 The important thing is not to confuse travelling with collecting destinations.There is a temptation today to rush from one landmark to another, take a photograph, upload it and move on. But travel is not a competition. You do not receive a prize for visiting twelve cities in ten days. Sometimes one destination experienced deeply is better than five destinations experienced hurriedly.

Social media has also complicated the way we choose our holidays. Every day, our screens show us perfect beaches, luxurious resorts, picturesque European villages and mountains without a single cloud. But a photograph captures only a moment. It does not show the crowded streets, the long queues, the weather, the expense or the early morning flight required to get there. The destination that receives the most likes may not necessarily become the destination that creates the best memories. Perhaps that is why some of the most meaningful journeys happen away from the famous tourist trails. A small village, a quiet hill station, an unfamiliar local restaurant or an unplanned conversation can become the highlight of a trip.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” J.R.R. Tolkien's famous words capture something essential about travelling. Not every journey needs to have a perfectly planned purpose. Sometimes, getting lost is part of the experience. Of course, practical considerations matter. Before booking a holiday, every traveller should think about the budget, available time, weather, transport, accommodation and the people travelling with them. A destination that is perfect for a group of friends may not be ideal for a family with young children. A difficult Himalayan trek may be thrilling for one traveller and exhausting for another. A luxury resort may be perfect for someone looking for relaxation but completely unsuitable for a backpacker who wants to meet people and explore local life.

In the end, there is no universally perfect destination. The perfect destination is the one that matches your time, your budget, your interests and your idea of happiness. For one person, happiness may be watching the sunrise over the Himalayas. For another, it may be sitting beside the sea in Goa with a cup of coffee. Someone else may find it while walking through the ancient streets of Rome, tasting street food in Bangkok, riding a train through Switzerland or exploring the neon-lit streets of Tokyo. And perhaps that is the greatest gift of travel: it teaches us that the world is much larger than our everyday routines.

So pack a bag, choose a direction and take that first step.

The world is waiting.