Travel By Design: Experiences
“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”
―
Travel is one of the best teachers and the lessons we learn from journeys undertaken provide the richest travel experiences.
When we interact with our friends and our near and dear ones who are just back from one or other trip, there is so much excitement in the room as they share their travel stories. There is a long list of activities they might have taken like diving, sight seeing, tasting delicious food, some adventure trip up the hills, finding some off the beaten path spot, some warm interactions with local people, and so on. Each travel journey has some good and bad parts , yet they all are memorable ones.
The stories in this section reflect the range of emotional, spiritual and physical experiences one can have from a travel opportunity. Some travel experiences are deep, some are lighthearted and some are “adventurous” (referencing the night in jail story). All of the experiences shared here are impactful.
Create your experience vicariously through these stories.
The Falkland Island | A Birdwatcher’s Paradise
By Tonya FitzpatrickSo let’s discover why the Falkland Islands are an excellent place to visit and how you can have a unique birdwatching experience. Read more
Central and South America United Kingdom Adventure Experiences
Ultimate Road Trip to Tofino
By Sara PerilloTofino is a funky surfer town on the West Coast that has earned its reputation as Canada’s top adventure playground. With its sprawling beaches, wild inlets, and ancient rainforests, it’s easy to see why Tofino has become such a popular destination. Read more
Canada Nature & Outdoors Rail & Road Travel
No Boundaries: Women Explorers and Scientists who are Changing the World
On this World Footprints episode, Ian and Tonya Fitzpatrick speak to National Geographic Explorer and conservation photographer, Gabby Salazar, to hear about some inspiring stories of women change-makers profiled in her new book, No Boundaries. Read more
The World Experiences
The Perfect Introductory Activities to Solo Travel
By Cara SieraI never thought solo travel was for me. I spent my childhood adventuring with my parents and other family members. When I got married, I relished the thought of a lifetime travel companion. How often we have regaled with stories of road trips with friends. Read more
The World Experiences
Vancouver Island’s Juan de Fuca trail: A beginner hiker’s story
By Sara PerilloIt was a hot summer day when a friend of mine and I pulled into the parking lot of Sombrio Beach, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. We planned to be there for the day and set up a shady spot on the sand to enjoy … Read more Read more
Canada Adventure Experiences Nature & Outdoors
Celebrating Black History Year-Round: 9 Sites in the U.S. to Visit
By Tonya FitzpatrickBlack History Month has been celebrated annually since the year 1926. First termed “Negro History Week,” Black History Month is honored each February. Read more
United States Experiences History
Somalia in the States: Finding Immersive Cultural Experiences Close to Home
By Cara SieraCulture can be explored in many ways — through conversation, clothing, dance, music, and more. As a recipe creator and food photographer, I’m a firm believer that food is one of the most intimate ways to connect with another culture. Read more
United States Experiences Food & Drink
Studying the Northern Lights: More Than A Pretty Picture
By Ann-Marie CahillThe official scientific name is the aurora borealis, but they have many names. The northern lights, the Green Lady, merry dancers, guovssahasat, and revontulet or ‘fox fires’. No matter what you call them, they have been tempting travellers forever. Read more
Europe Experiences Landscape
Discovering and supporting local gems in Turks and Caicos
By Tara TadlockSerene white sand beaches. Tropical cocktails garnished with slices of fresh fruit. Catamarans floating through turquoise water. Images like these tend to be the first to come to mind when thinking of the Turks and Caicos Islands. But this tropical destination, which has stringent COVID protocols, has much more than … Read more Read more
Caribbean and Atlantic Experiences Food & Drink
1,000 Places To See with Wanderlust
Join World Footprints for our conversation with New York Times bestselling author Patricia Schultz and Avalon Travel’s Grace Fujimoto about their newest travel books, the Deluxe edition of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and Wanderlust. Author Patricia Schultz has transformed her New York Times bestselling book, 1,000 Places … Read more Read more
The World Experiences
Confronting Cannibalism Stereotypes in Papua New Guinea
By Cara SieraI hate to admit it, but when we booked our trip, I didn’t even know where to find Papua New Guinea on the map. Our travel companions had selected the destination. But in the months leading up to our departure, I began to fall in love with a place that … Read more Read more
Oceania Experiences History Indigenous
Why Walking the Camino de Santiago is Not Just a Religious Journey
By Derek CullenThough it’s best known as a religious pilgrimage, walking the Camino de Santiago does not need to be a spiritual journey and people from all walks of life can and do take this adventure for different reasons. Read more
Europe Experiences Religious Travel
Sikh and You Shall Find: Searching for Cultural Experiences Closer to Home
By Nicole BanksAfter a year of being confined to my home state of New South Wales, I’m desperate to experience another culture. It was this desperation that saw me eagerly scoop up a pamphlet for the Sikh Heritage Museum of Australia when I spotted it on display at the (locally) famed Big … Read more Read more
Australia Experiences
Alternative Game of Thrones Locations You Can Visit Today
When searching for inspiration for your next vacation, it is likely you may turn to the world of film and television.Movies and television series can often open your eyes to new and wonderful locations, creating a tourist destination where previously few people visited. A classic example is Game of Thrones; … Read more Read more
The World Experiences
I’m Dreaming of a White (Sand) Christmas
By Kerri DriverIt was Christmas Eve and it was snowing! This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. Growing up in Houston, Texas, we rarely saw snow, and for it to happen on Christmas Eve had me jumping for joy. Read more
The World Experiences Events & Festivals