Once, traveling was an act of unheralded bravery. It meant learning new languages and navigating maps. Okay, I haven’t had to learn any new languages yet, but traveling is definitely something I love and someday, would like to broaden my cultural horizions beyond North America. For now though, I’ll take as many adventures as I can, regardless of what continent they may be one.
When we go traveling nowadays, though, the majority of us take a bit of a back seat. We go through the motions as we catch the plane, and catch hotel transport as soon as we land. We then spend most of our time protected by the pool or attending planned tours which depart from our hotel lobbies. In short; heading abroad is no longer a testament of bravery. Nor will it help you to become worldly wise, or develop faith in your abilities. I must say I am guilty of immersing myself in what some of these amazing resorts offer and probably don’t seek out new experiences aside from what’s on the itinerary. Spontaneity, I want to add that back in to travel.
That’s not to say, of course, that those benefits still aren’t on offer. Opting to take day tours without a guide can still see you needing navigational skills. Equally, choosing to say in local accommodation instead of tourist-heavy hotels could make for a more daring travel time.
If you want to test your skills or develop your knowledge further, you could even consider a trip with a difference. By heading out for a stay in the wilderness, you can challenge yourself in all the ways you aren’t with your hotel stays. If you don’t believe us, keep reading to find out why a survivalist vacation is the best way to take charge and test your boundaries. We call it a survival vacation. Now don’t panic, it’s not zombie apocalypse survival, but maybe a little more thinking and navigating on your own than you’re used to with modern technologies like Google Maps.
There won’t be any planned routes
Survival vacations don’t have planned routes like regular vacation tours. Instead, you’ll need to access maps before you head off, and plan your route. This may sound like a hassle, but it’s often refreshing. Remember when we actually had to print off the MapQuest directions to get somewhere? Now take that back a few years when your parents and grandparents traveled with road atlas’ and individual state maps. Now you’re getting closer. Stick with me here. It even ensures you stop by everything you want to see on the way. While it might involve a little more thought than, say, a package vacay, you’ll be glad you made the effort. You might even learn some navigational skills along the way. (Yes, that means speaking and understanding terms beside “left” and “right” at the light.
There won’t be a team of hotel staff to save you
When we get in hot water in hotel rooms, most of us phone hotel staff for replacements or things we need. It’s easy, it’s convenient, and usually I get frustrated that I don’t have that kind of service at home. You can live without it though; and maybe even be proud of your new found freedom since that’s not an option when you go into survival mode. You’ll be out in the wilderness, away from anything. As such, you’ll need to take responsibility for everything from a reliable tent to a magnesium fire starter from day one. You’ll also need to keep them safe for the duration of your journey. As a family that preps, this just seems like common sense, but even if you’re not a survival and preparedness type of person, you would be surprised what can provide an appreciation which we don’t get during a hotel stay. It can also provide resourcefulness which a lot of us do lack when we go away.
In fact, there won’t be anyone
It isn’t just hotel staff who will be gone, either. During a wilderness trip like this, it’s not unusual to go days without seeing anyone other than those you might be traveling with. Though that can sound petrifying, it’s the most transformative benefit of all. When you remove the distraction of other people, you can face yourself in precisely the way travelers of old used to. That can change your outlook, and make sure the lessons of your trip stay with you in the ways your current travel experiences fail to.
This kind of trip isn’t for everyone I’ll admit but if you’ve ever considered it, or even if you haven’t, the possibilities are endless. You might be surprised at what you can learn about yourself when it’s just you and your thoughts. Is a survival trip something you’d be interested in? Have you ever taken a trip of this sort? Let me know in the comments below and thanks for reading!
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