If I start to think of how travel has evolved in the past 10-15 years, it makes my head spin. Any travel plan I want to make is easily carried out in a few hours of Internet research: from destination, to best route, from accommodation to what to do over there. Everything is ready, together with price comparison, in a matter of days (if I am really lazy with my research), for me to book my next trip. If I want advice, I ask my Twitter and Facebook friends and they’re always happy to help.
How was it before? You’d go through tons of printed travel guides, use agencies to book plane tickets and hotels abroad, and would call everyone you know that had travelled recently for the much-needed tips and advice you wanted.
Hard to manage maps have been replaced by GPS systems, postcards by emails, rolls of film by digital cameras. Waiting for someone to come home to tell you their travel story is also a distant memory. Everyone has cell phones, blogs, Facebook or Twitter to quickly update friends, family and readers.
We no longer carry tons of books, we just pack our kindle and if we’re gone for less than three weeks, we don’t even need to take our charger with us! How good a hotel’s internet connection is has become a relevant criterion to decide where to stay, while 10 years ago you couldn’t care less.
I love it so much, I really don’t know if I could travel in any other way. But the question arises: if we could go back to a simpler way to travel, should we?
Yes, we save time and money by doing it all faster via the Internet, yes, our friends and family are not worried, because they get all the updates they need. But do we really manage to cut all connections while traveling? Do we take a much-needed break and forget about work, daily chores and the problems that burden us? Or do we take them along on our trips, constantly weighing on our shoulders?
If it’s a business trip, no doubt, we are more effective, and it disrupts our tasks far less. But has leisure travel been forever compromised? In the midst of constant communication, do we still relax, enjoy and recover while travelling?
What do you think?
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
