The many benefits of taking a trip — whether to visit family members in another city, stay closer to home at far less cost or hike with a few friends in the woods — ‘travel’ is what you make of it. Consider the benefits of a new awareness: At the Grand Canyon in Arizona, for example, the site alone plus photographs of its stunning natural expanse can transport you and any like-minded travel companions, beyond the restless impulse to just “get away.” Even following a local nature trail through a leafy haven of trees, can open your mind as well as your senses without affecting your budget.
Call it a mental-health break to leave behind same-old responsibilities for as much time as you can manage — especially if you’re fully aware of costs. Search for budget-wise getaways and how to avoid getting overwhelmed by an unrealistic range of choices. One thing is certain, the health benefits of a thoughtfully planned getaway with someone you love or like a lot can create other new possibilities, from learning about other cultures to meeting and making new friends.
Like many people working and raising children, I personally had only “gotten away” on family-style trips and “vacationed” in the extended-family cottage, including visitors who kept me as busy as I was at home. But in later years, when the kids were working at summer jobs, I finally tasted what travel was all about with my husband who, after high school, had travelled the world on his own for five years.