For much of my life I have been an urban vacationer.  I love cities – with their magnificent architecture and art, museums, parks, restaurants, shops, and the buzzing hum of daily life.  It energizes me, excites me, and I find myself caught up in a whirl that only a city can provide.  Increasingly, however, I find myself limiting my city trips to long weekends.  I still love them, but I find they exhaust me just a little bit more.  I love the activity level, but I certainly don’t feel rested.  I love the energy, but over a longer period of time, I just don’t feel the rush of excitement that I once did.

Am I getting too old for city life?  I hope not!  I think it’s more of looking for a way to balance the various parts of my traveler’s soul, a bit of travel yin and yang.

Slowing down your travel experience makes a wonderful change of pace, whether it’s staying in one place for a longer period of time, slowing your travel mode, choosing a more rural or remote location, or merely taking a more in depth look at a location.  Slowing down doesn’t mean that you have to give up your comforts either!  I like a nice hotel room far better than camping, and for most of my travel companions it’s a deal breaker.  I’m willing to spring for the cost of a little luxury to see a part of the world that I might otherwise miss, a lodge or camp in Africa, perhaps.  Different strokes for different folks, and that one’s mine.

I’ve taken a number of cruises over the years, from as short as 3-days to as long as 17-days.  They were large ships, maybe not mega-ships, but definitely carrying thousands of people.  They were the equivalent of a city vacation.  Fast, lots of people and activity, and although mostly enjoyable, I’m not sure they’re my cup of tea any longer.  I still love cruising, though, and I’m not swearing off it entirely.  I just think I’m slowing that down a bit too, and looking for more of a luxury cruise option, maybe a chance to go somewhere or see something that I would otherwise skip over, perhaps an Egypt cruise.

From the intrepid backpacker of youth, to the budget accommodations of family travel, to the nightspots in the city of the young professionals, to a mix of adventure and luxury, travelers evolve and change.  We find ourselves going places we never thought we would – and liking it.  We find ourselves trying vacation styles substantially different than our own preferences – and find that in compromise can come much fun.  We find ourselves trying something completely beyond our comfort zone – and find that we may like the experience.  We find ourselves accepting that we like lots of different places, styles, and travel options – and it’s that eclectic mix that makes travel such a personal experience.

Has your travel style changed?  Do you now enjoy something that you didn’t think you would?  How does compromise impact your travel choices?

NOTE:  This post is sponsored by Sanctuary Retreats, who also provided access to the photos.  The thoughts on travel and travel styles reflect my own opinion on my evolving travel preferences.

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