“Words often don’t do travel justice – it improves your life in so many ways”.

If I tell you that travel will change your life, will you believe me? Yes! No! I am telling you from my personal experiences and that of others I have met on the road that travel does change you for good.

But since we’re working with words, I’ll do my best to make travel’s transformative power pop off the page — here are five fantastic reasons why everyone needs to catch the adventure bug and explore the globe.

1. To learn new things

Traveling enriches your knowledge of the world by allowing you to witness its beauty and wonder first hand. 

By breaking out of your domestic bubble and exploring different countries, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in different cultures and experience new and exciting ways of life.

One could learn a musical instrument, a dance form or different cuisines. There are also opportunities to learn new languages.

2. To meet new people

While you’re exploring the world, you’ll meet new and wonderful people who will enrich your travel experience and give you a diverse perspective.

You’ll also get to see yourself through their eyes and gain a deeper appreciation of what is special about you as well as them. Travel enhances one’s self esteem which affects their overall perception about the world.

Making friends on your travels will help keep you inspired and can open many doors. For example, if you meet a fellow traveler, you can arrange to travel together or visit one another in your native countries. I have met so many people on the road and they have motivated me to travel more. Some taught me how to travel sustainably whereas others taught me the importance of being humble and polite.

Pro-tip: If you’re eager to connect with people abroad, travel apps like PartyWith have got you covered. 

3. For personal growth

When you are able to travel to a strange country and embrace a completely new way of living, you’ll find yourself feeling uber-confident.

Your overseas adventures will change the way you relate to the world forever, as you learn to look beyond yourself and realise you’re a tiny fish in the vast ocean that’s the world.

As you explore countries outside of your own, you’ll also experience life beyond your comfort zone. It will open your eyes to the ways of the world in a way that a news story or book can’t, and your empathy and understanding will increase accordingly. 

4. To empower yourself

When you’re surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and freed from the constrains of a 9 to 5 job, you’ll realise you can do things you never thought was possible. 

Once you see the beauty that one small part of the world has to offer, you won’t want to stop. Your dreams won’t be limited to travel either –you’ll feel inspired to make your mark across the world and change it for the better. 

Pro-tip: There are many volunteering opportunities available online. Working with a local organisation while travelling will help you in empowering others too.

5. So you don’t regret it

Travel is popular for a good reason, so don’t let fear, self-doubt or daily duties dissuade you and live your life to the fullest by seeing what the world has to offer – remember, you only regret the things you don’t do.

Hopefully these five fab reasons have inspired you to venture abroad. So book your flights, pack your bags, jump in your car and head to the airport.

Pro-tip: Remember your parking too –sites such as Looking4.com offer affordable deals on US airport parking for hubs from LAX to JFK. 

With your bags secured in the boot and tunes blaring, you’ll be oozing with excitement as you cruise to the airport. What are your top reasons for traveling? Share in the comments section.