Been going to the same place every year since dinosaurs roamed the earth? Well, lovely as that spot may be, it may be time for a change of scenery. Leaving the comfort zone and tackling a holiday with a difference is a good plan for so many reasons – and here are ten of them…
It’ll probably be cheaper
Many of the traditional holiday destinations in France, Greece and Spain have become rather expensive in recent years – particularly with the pound’s weakness against the euro. It’s possible to find the same sort of great beaches in the likes of Turkey, Egypt and Croatia. They’re only a little further afield – but much easier on the wallet.
You can discover a different culture
Exciting new East European destinations such as Croatia, Montenegro and Romania have subtly different outlooks on life to the mainstream western European destinations. It’s an eye-opener to learn about these differences, and they can make you reassess your own views on the world.
You may discover a different world
Even by sticking with the package holiday, and just looking slightly further afield, you can find yourself in the likes of The Gambia, Cape Verde or the United Arab Emirates. Step out of the resorts, and you’ve got something completely different. Sometimes culture shock is a good thing.
You can pick up great anecdotes
These cultural differences that lead to great stories. Squat toilets in Asia, snake charmers in Morocco, touts in Egyptian souks and South American bus drivers are excellent ingredients in a recipe for stories that you’ll dine out on for years.
You can try out different foods
You can get Spanish, Italian and French food in the UK – but do you know what sort of dishes you can get in Hungary, Slovakia or Macedonia? From Turkish mezzes and Moroccan tagines to Georgian grills (popular in the former Soviet states), there’s a magical journey for your tastebuds to go on.
You can discover beautiful cities
Popular city break destinations such as Prague, Amsterdam and Barcelona don’t tend to hold that many surprises any more. But by branching out and taking a risk on somewhere many people haven’t heard of, you can find a new favourite that you’ll end up raving about to everybody. Top European secrets include Ohrid in Macedonia, Kotor in Montenegro, Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic and Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
You may discover a new hobby
Going to new places can lead you to trying new activities – watching Australian Rules Football in Australia, glacier-walking in Iceland or surf-kayaking in Costa Rica might well leave you hankering for another go when you get back home.
It can prove to be a big adventure
Swapping two weeks on the beach for a two week road trip or trekking holiday can be a genuinely life-changing experience. You’ll meet different types of people, start seeing the world a different way and let a long-dormant adventurous side to your personality run free. And when you get back, you may well find that side a little more prominent.
It can be a challenge
If you are, in all honesty, a bit of a soft-touch, leaving your comfort zone can toughen you up beautifully. Dealing with strange customs and languages you don’t speak can be difficult, but you’ll soon learn that it is possible to work round them and organise things. It leads to a can-do attitude rather than defeatism – and is likely to remain when you get back.
You can tick off those life goals
Instead of regarding those dream destinations as something you might do in the future, why not do it now? Going back to the old favourite is a soft option, and you may be surprised at how little extra doing something you’ve always wanted to do costs. So why not see the Pyramids, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and walk the Inca Trail? Yes, it costs more – but by abandoning the usual holiday, saving up a bit and taking the plunge, you’re living the dream rather than dreaming it.
This article was originally written for AOL UK
Copyright David Whitley
