Is it just me or does the world seem constantly in flux? Every new headline feels like another crack in the foundation of societal norms, it’s easy to feel disoriented. But what if the answer to this uncertainty isn’t just in the headlines, but in a suitcase?
When we think of travel, we think of getting away, of relaxation of leaving our everyday world behind. But what if travel is more than that? What if it is a powerful way of navigating the complexities of todays world. A way of recalibrating, reconnecting and recalculating. so we can return back ready to improve our communities and the world at large.
Rick Steves, the travel guru and PBS host, has long championed the idea that travel is a political act. As he’s said, “Travel is a political act in the sense that it opens your eyes to other people’s lives, to their struggles, and to their hopes. It makes you a better citizen of the world.” And he’s onto something. Here’s why travel matters now, more than ever.
Travel broadens perspectives.
In a world that has become evermore defined by division, travel forces us to meet people where they are, literally. Getting out of your comfort zone and into someone else’s allows you to witness their everyday struggles, their joys, their realities. Suddenly, the debates over immigration, race, or religion don’t seem so abstract. They’re real lives, real stories. It’s the kind of empathy you can’t gain from a news cycle, no matter how intense.
Travel fosters global connection.
The internet can connect us to anyone, anywhere, but that doesn’t always translate to true understanding IRL. Travel, on the other hand, brings us face to face with people we’d otherwise never meet. Whether it’s in a bustling market in Italy or a quiet village in the Greek islands, sharing a space with others, even if just for a moment, creates a bond. And the more connected we feel globally, the harder it becomes to see borders as barriers. Travel is the ultimate reminder that we’re all part of this human experience.
Travel encourages tolerance.
I have always loved the saying “When you know better, you do better.” Travel opens up that possibility. In the streets of Athens or a café in Florence you learn to appreciate the beauty of diversity, and perhaps more importantly, the commonality between us all. Different doesn’t mean dangerous; different means interesting, exciting, and sometimes, a little humbling.
Travel can act as a mental health reboot.
Let’s face it, 2025 has already been stressful. Political strife, environmental disasters, and all the personal challenges we face can feel blindsiding. There is a power that can be uncovered in a new landscape. As Steves points out, “A change of scenery can be the most effective therapy.”
Immersing in nature, breathing in a different environment, and simply being outside your usual frame of reference can work wonders on your mental well being. It’s like pressing a reset button for your brain. This pause can allow you to come back to the issues that exist with a sense of clarity that can help empower you to do the needed work for positive change in your life and in the world.
Travel cultivates creativity.
New places equal new ideas. The unfamiliar challenges your brain to think differently. Whether it’s navigating a foreign language or finding a way to connect with a stranger, travel forces you to step outside of rigid thinking patterns. As Steves suggests, “Travel is not just about seeing new places; it’s about thinking differently.”
Our brain tends to find the quickest most familiar approach to the world around us. This lmits us , and we often find ourselves feeling that life is an endless loop of routine and repetition. Creativity and newness helps awaken the spark that makes us feel truly alive. Travel gives you new inspiration to return to your life with new ideas and newfound enthusiasm.
Travel expands your social circle.
You could spend years on social media and never meet the people who might open your mind to new ideas. But one train ride through the Swiss Alps or one evening spent in a small Italian town could forge a friendship that changes your worldview. Travel isn’t just about the destinations; it’s about the human connections we make along the way.
Group travel particularly gives you the opportunity to meet people you might not encounter in your day to day life. It also creates a vibrant container where friendships are fast-tracked by the common shared joy of exploration and community.
Travel builds cultural awareness.
Steves often speaks about the importance of understanding foreign cultures in a world that often seeks to vilify them. A trip to Greece isn’t just about the ruins—it’s about connecting with the people who live there, understanding their history, and honoring their way of life.
The more we understand other cultures, the harder it is to believe the divisive rhetoric that so often dominates our screens. In sharing in diverse cultural experiences we broaden our mind while realizing how our diversity is a true gift, and our differences are unique stories that connect us rather than divide us.
Travel inspires action.
Travel doesn’t just change you on a personal level. It changes you on a global one. By seeing the world’s inequalities firsthand, you’re often inspired to act. Whether that means supporting ethical businesses, advocating for environmental protections, or simply spreading awareness, travel ignites a sense of responsibility in all of us.
As Steves puts it, “When you travel, you not only understand other cultures you’re more likely to change your own for the better.” Travel also allows you to be inspired by how other countries and cultures live, giving you an invitation to bring a touch of what you loved back home with you, to enrich your own life.
Travel redefines your world.
When we’re stuck in our own little corner of the world, it’s easy to think things are irreparably broken. But travel shows you that the world is big, beautiful, and full of stories we’ve never heard. It reminds us that while things may seem upside down in one place, they’re always moving, always evolving, and always shifting in others. Wandering through the ruins of Italy or Greece you cant help but marvel at the persistence of humanity, of our ability to change , grow, transform, and overcome.
As I pack a bag, be it for a weekend trip or a long haul European getaway, I cant help but open up my heart, my mind, and my eyes a little bit wider. Eyes, hearts and minds should be open wide. Closed minds, closed hearts and closed eyes keep us small, stuck and separate.
They make it easy for politicians, issues and differences to divide us rather than unite us in our shared humanity. As Steves says, “We need more travel to break down the walls of division.” Travel isn’t just an escape. It’s an antidote, a bridge, and yes, a political act. The journey may be physical, but the lessons are deeply personal and globally transformative.
