Why do we do it?
 

I've been reading the trip reports about people traveling around the world in a few days. Others are traveling multiple legs just for the miles and a class upgrade. My question is, why do we do it?

I know some of us on here are business travelers, so they have no choice but to travel all the time. The other group travel because they want to. A seemingly large proportion of this site seems to fly because they can, and rack up as many miles as possible. (I've also noticed this group usually consists of mid-20 to early 30 year old males.)

I'll admit, I've fallen into this trap as well. For some reason, I love the experience of flying. Traveling across the pond for a weekend is a great experience and if I can somehow score an upgrade, then all the better. (Being a 28 year old male, I fit the stereotype group as well.)

However, I know my friends and family think I'm insane. In fact, almost anyone thinks I'm insane when I describe it to them. I'm guessing I'm not the only one that receives this response.

So I ask, why do we do it?

Any response is more than welcome, just trying to get some good discussion going.

I am 34, I enjoy doing this kind of travel! Just a personal enjoyment! Cant be explained precisely! Just like a hobby!

I do it for work, but I love it. It is so so much better than languishing in an office day in and day out. It can be annoying at times, scary at others, but it is nowhere near as wretched as cubicle death. I like being out there on my own, on the move.

That, and travel broadens the mind. It's an adventure even when it's a place I have been to dozens of times before.

I'm 23 and I'm a perpetual traveller, the real kind. There are many reasons why I have chosen this lifestyle. In the beginning it was all about discovering new countries and managing my finances and businesses but over the time it has become a sort of drug. I'm always in need of some new thrill, new way to make myself fell alive. It can be a trip to North Korea, a walk across a desert, a dive in the pacific, an exotic girlfriend in some godforsaken country or anything that involves a fair bit of adrenaline and unexpectedness.

Of course most of my family thinks I'm crazy but you would be surprised to see how many people secretly envy peoples like us who travel a lot. For example, I went to see a movie called Chernobyl Diaries last week in Bangkok with a friend and that friend told me "Would be great to go visit Chernobyl!", I said "next week?" and my friend replied "I can't go, I was just joking". Well I'm in Ukraine right now and I'm about to visit Chernobyl, my friend is still in BKK and is working in his cubicle.

This should be an interesting thread and I'm looking forward to seeing what fellow FTers have to say.

I'm a 43 year old male and have been travelling regularly since literally before I was born.

It started out when my dad was in the military, then when I was. It slowed down/stopped for about a decade or so when I got out and then started again several years ago. I fly 60+ times a year for work and at least another dozen times for pleasure.

I suppose I do it for one main reason. I don't believe in reincarnation or anythig similar so I figure I have one chance to see what this whole thing is about. I've been shot at in Sudan, arrested murderers in the United States, delivered babies in Australia and put out fires on ships in the South China Sea. I love the adventure, am probably addicted to the adrenaline and want to experience EVERYTHING I can, good, bad and indiffent (with a few exceptions). I also love having a quiet coffee at a sidewalk cafe in some random town in a random country and just seeing what the locals do and how/why they do it.

When I die, whether it be tomorrow while doing a high risk activity for work or 60+ years from now while asleep in bed I want to be able to say "Wow, what a wild ride. I wouldn't have missed it for anything!"

I loved your post and totally agree with most of what you said. Prypiat/Chernobyl are high on my list of places to visit so please either PM me or post a trip report when you're done. I'd love to hear about your experience there.

Vic

As cool as that sound, not everybody can afford that. ;)

Besides money (or lack thereof), a second consideration is the ability to just pick up and go. A good friend of mine from Europe decided to "skip" winter and spent 6 months in SE Asia with his wife and 2 daughters. He owns a commercial space in a city (now it's a restaurant) and he doesn't have to work for his income. He just cashes in the rent. While he CAN do stuff like that; I have a full time job and I can't just take a 6 month break.

To answer the OP: why do we do it? First of all because it's possible (for some). I've done all sorts of weekend getaways, but now with a 1 year old son it's less of an option. So you need to have the freedom (time) and the money (or miles/points).

As for stuff like family/friends thinking one is crazy for traveling, it's easy to understand why. If they had the freedom and resources, they too would likely travel. When you have a bunch of miles and/or hotel points... what else are you going to do?

Because staying at home is boring?

Since my youngest childhood, I have always been the type to look at a map, and see..how far can I go, what can I see, and if there is a route not previously travelled, that is the one for me.

50 years later, I don't really see a need to change the way I think. Show me a plane, a train, even a bus, and I am happy to take it to new lands, new places and new adventures.

Ha, pretty much sums it all up right there!

It's an incurable addiction The more you do it the more you want. My children took a world map added pictures of the many places we've been together and framed it for a special birthday. It's hanging in my kitchen and not a day goes by that I don't look at the map of the world and enjoy memories or start to plan a new adventure. Why do we do it. Because its there and travel is something you pay for that makes you richer.

In addition to enjoying the travel and seeing new and different places, I really like seeing these places regularly.

For example, if someone told me I could have a choice of 2 weeks in London or 2 single-week trips in London, I'd immediately pick the latter. I wonder what most people would pick?

Of course, this being FT, I hope that everyone would pick the latter and then try to negotiate - well, I if I pick London for two 1-week trips, could I parlay that into 4 trips of 3-4 days each? etc etc etc :D:D:D

Many of us don't mind the travel part of traveling. I look at the entire trip as the vacation, not just what happens once I arrive. Others see the travel part of travel as an obstacle and their vacation doesn't start until the travel ends.

One thing I really enjoy doing is taking a mini-vacation. Since I only get 2 weeks of vacation a year, I'll take a weekend, buy a ticket out on Saturday morning, back on Sunday early afternoon.

It's nice because it lets me get out of town for a bit, stay at a nice hotel, and get both points for both airlines and hotels.

A couple important points are:
1. No internet/work. If you bring the internet with you, it won't feel like you're actually getting away. Bring a book or something similar. (And of course, only do this on a weekend where you can get away without doing any work).
2. Make sure you can find both a cheap flight and a cheap (good) hotel. If you stay at a poor hotel, it won't be fun. The good news is since you have a flight out on Saturday, you're likely to get an upgrade going out. It's a bit harder Sunday, but at least it's not the heaviest competition time.
3. If you have a long layover, make sure it's somewhere you'll have lounge access. I once had a 6 hour layover where the Admiral's Club was in a different terminal. Thankfully I was able to get to it, but going through security an extra couple times was a pain. The point is comfort and relaxation, and it can be hard if you're sitting in the terminal.
4. Go out and get a nice dinner. It's a bit weird eating alone, but it can be quite nice.

I'd much rather have two one week trips and as you suggest really break it into those 3 to 4 day trips. You can fit a lot into that time in a city like London and make the best use of time. Vacation doesn't always mean slowing down or doing nothing. For us it's getting the most out of the time and place we are. We can relax when we get home.

I understand seeing the world by stopping in various cities. I also understand MRs and accumulating miles. What I don't understand is flying convoluted award itineraries where you neither earn miles nor get stopovers but only see airports and aircraft cabins. However, to each his own. :)