Are you a travel enthusiast? A travel enthusiast is someone who is passionate or excited about travelling. Some people consider themselves travel enthusiasts, but rarely ever get on the road; they enjoy encouraging/supporting others to travel and playing the know-it-all. Do you know someone who fits that ‘bill’ or is that person you?
Sometimes it’s just fear that holds you back, other times they’re reasonable reasons why you can’t travel for leisure. Whatever the reason is for not taking that decisive decision to travel, we’ve got you covered.
Here are three words of advice to enable you transition from being an potential enthusiast to an actual tourist:
- Have a Bucket List
A bucket list is a wish list of things you would like to accomplish in your lifetime. Make one of places you would like to visit, with fun things you would love to experience. Don’t limit your imagination to where you are and what you can afford, dream on that piece of paper. Let curiosity drive your imagination. Imagine how you would feel doing those things and visiting those places. Go on a food tour and experience cuisines from different parts of Nigeria, go Zip lining in Abuja. Just because you have been to Bar beach in the 80s, doesn’t mean all beach experiences are the same. The fun you can have at Whispering Palms in Lagos is different from the groove at Tourist Beach in Port Harcourt. No two experiences are the same so put as many similar locations on your list as possible. Having a purpose for your visit will make it easier to aspire towards travelling.
- Have a plan
We have shared in
previous articles (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3) how to plan for a dream vacation. Use this information to check out the possibilities of ticking the checkboxes on your bucket list each year. You don’t have to do it all at once, but make concrete plans to put yourself in situations where you can turn those wishes into reality.
Examples of concrete plans are signing up for tour deals, following tourism websites and bloggers, hotels, airlines and travel experts so you can have first-hand information on what to do when you travel. You can also enter travel contests, apply for scholarships or programs/fellowships, etc. that will make you travel.
Avoid travelling at peak periods to certain destinations; if you do, you can get cheaper rates for everything. For example, lots of people like to travel to Obudu Mountain resort for Christmas, you can plan your trip there for mid-April or late September when people don’t have a reason to go there in droves like public holidays or festive celebrations.
- Go for it!
One of the most powerful slogans in the world of advertisement is Nike’s Just Do it! Phrase. No matter how long you plan and wish, nothing beats just letting go, taking the chance and doing it. Once an item is crossed off your bucket list, you will find it exhilarating and want to add more to it. Step out of your comfort zone, start with places that you feel more comfortable with, before venturing out to the big unknown. You can start by choosing a location where a friend or relative lives. This way you are assured of some level of safety and comfort if things get a little out of hand. Don’t rule out domestic travel. You might have dreams of seeing Lake Victoria in Tanzania but you can start by visiting Gurara Falls in Niger state. You could also start your travelling journey by choosing a place where you know you can learn something new. A craft like weaving an Akwete cloth in Abia state or salt making from Nasarawa state perhaps or you can take it further to even a new language.
We were not born to work till we drop; we are meant to live our best life and enjoy living. Danny Kaye said, “To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” and “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” (Henry David Thoreau). So what are you waiting for?
