Impromptu trips. Spur-of-the-moment vacations. Whatever you want to call them, the spontaneous “We’re going right now!” adventures are almost always the most memorable, most enjoyable, and most freeing.
National Geographic’s excellent Traveler magazine recently collected a number of last-minute “let’s go!”‘s from notable travel writers, including Pico Iyer — who enjoyed a short jaunt to Bhutan — and Ann Hood — who whirlwinded through a 24-hour round-trip from New York to India to fulfill her lifelong yearning to see the Taj Mahal. Some trip-takers met new friends, while others conquered new challenges.
For these snappy trips to satisfy the soul and clear out the ruts in our daily lives, they don’t have to be monster treks to far flung places, however. They can be simple road trips to Miami. They can be Wyoming-based campfire-inspired experiences. The point of these journeys isn’t distance traveled. The point is learning something about yourself: call it understanding gained; perspective bent; notions shattered. Have a sudden journey this month — and see who you become.