“If we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots instead of feet”
-Rachel Wolchin
Travelling has always been regarded as a luxury that not everyone can enjoy–at least that was how it was back in the day.
Whether one lacks the time or the finances to do so, travelling is an indulgence that was not always available to everyone. However, with the rise of affordable air travel and cheaper accommodations, it seems like almost everyone can get to see new places and cities–provided, of course, that they put in the effort to make this endeavor a possibility. In this regard, it seems like there should be no excuse not to see new places insomuch that when you are presented with the chance to do so, you should always take it without hesitation. There is so much to the world than just the little bubble you are living in and you are missing out by a lot if you do not dare tread on new territory and explore new places. After all, according to St. Augustine, “The world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page”.
Here at WK Adventures, travel has always been an integral aspect of our lifestyle as evidenced by the content published on the website. The passion for seeing new places and discovering more to the world is so ingrained in us that various itineraries are planned ahead of time to discover and explore places all over the world. Travelling is not only a leisurely activity to us, but somewhat of a lifestyle that teaches us a myriad of things. Apart from getting the chance to immerse yourself in a totally new environment and learn new cultures, travelling also takes you out of your comfort zone. It gives you the opportunity to discover things about yourself that you may never have before.
With that said, there are so many reasons to travel, broaden your horizons and experience life outside of the safety net that you call your home. To give you an insightful, albeit brief and condensed, view of why travelling the world would do you a world of good, below is a condensed list of the foreign countries we have been to. Each is distinct from the other, have their own merits and highlights that would beckon you to come see them for yourselves.
FRANCE
On the surface, France may seem like a rather expensive city but if you can actually stay for 21 days for just under $2,200 per person. A trip to France, while seemingly expensive, does not have to be exorbitant if you budget well. Visiting France would be incomplete without a visit to Paris, so if you ever have the chance to visit France, go ahead and take the full-ride by visiting the famous city of love as well and if your budget permits, visit Monaco as well.
HANOI
Hanoi was a city we visited during the Holy Week. One of the things you should note about Hanoi is that the food is incredibly cheap where you can live on $12 for two people in a day which already includes all 3 meals. The three major activities you should definitely indulge in Hanoi are going on a food trip (food tastes great and is healthy too), sight see (there are plenty of rock formations outside of Hanoi–a must see in Vietnam) and shop (Hanoi has plenty of cheap wares such as outdoor gears and fashion apparel). Some of the highlights you should definitely see in Hanoi are the St. Joseph Cathedral, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, One Pillar Pagoda and Hoan Kiem Lake (Kae of the Restored Sword). To fully experience the fullness of Hoan Kiem, it is recommended that you visit over the weekend where nearby traffic is banned from 7PM until midnight. If your budget and time permits, visit Ninh Binh and Halong Bay as well.
ITALY
Mainly known for the pizza, Ferrari, pasta, the Pope and all things beautiful in the world, Italy is one of the most exciting cities in the world. Apart from shopping, there is quite a lot to do in the city such as walking the streets of St. Francis in Assisi, being mesmerized by Lake Como, seeing the Venice canals, learning about Ferraris and so much more. Some of the places you should definitely visit are the Colosseum, Porta Portese (famous flea market in Rome), the Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Capitol Hill.
OSAKA
While mostly overshadowed by more popular cities such as Tokyo and Okinawa, Osaka definitely merits a visit if you ever thought about travelling to Japan. While it may be lacking in terms of flair as compared to other places in Japan, it makes up for it in other areas that makes it such a captivating city to visit. If you are contemplating on a visit to Osaka, some of the places you should visit are the Osaka Castle, Dotonburi, Shinsaibashi-suji, Ramen Museum, Shinsekai and the SPA World. If your time and budget permits, you should never miss the chance to visit the Universal Studios, Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple as well.
SWITZERLAND
Known as the land with the creamiest and most delicious chocolates, Switzerland is certainly a delightful country to visit. While it rose to prominence after the hit Kdrama “Crash Landing On You” featured scenes of the famous Swiss Alps, it is also known for a myriad of other things such as world renowned Swiss watches (Rolex, Piaget, Patek Philippe to name a few), idyllic lakes and sceneries of the alps. To many, Switzerland may, as well, be considered as paradise on earth. To maximize your visit to this beautiful country, some of the places you should visit are Lucerne, Bern, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Murren, Wengen, Lauterbraunnen and Zurich. Some of the things you should note about visiting Switzerland is that the local food is definitely a must-try–particularly the chocolates! The country has no shortage of picturesque sceneries either as everywhere you turn is seemingly a picture perfect spot.
So, if you have a passport and a good pair of walking shoes, go ahead and take advantage of the myriad of adventures available at your fingertips while you are still able to. Experience life outside of your comfort zone and get into an environment that would not only teach you about the world, but yourself as well.
