Adult Travel
We know that student travel opens up stories and histories of diverse cultures and communities. This kind of immersion fosters empathy and encourages students to view the world from various perspectives.
So what does it do for adults?
Enjoy the Ride
Well, besides the obvious (expanding your horizons, developing a deeper cultural understanding and connection, personal growth, self-discovery, and intellectual stimulation) traveling, especially with others, is fun! It's particularly fun when you're traveling with new friends with similar interests on a trip arranged by a company that manages all the details. Your only responsibility is to enjoy the ride (truly!).
Seeing New Places
By traveling with this program, we already know we have one thing in common - the interest in seeing new places. But there is the added benefit of learning about our destinations. I develop reading lists, post short destination-specific videos, and deliver online lectures that provide a deeper understanding of some of the locations we will be visiting. And we will do these activities together - at a local library, in my classroom, on Zoom, or even at my house - whatever works!
Adult Travel vs. Student Travel
Finally, how adult travel differs from student travel... To begin, we don't move at breakneck speed, and the hotels and meals are pretty fabulous. See the picture to the left? That was taken when my group first arrived in Egypt. Instead of starting the tour immediately after you disembark the plane (like most student programs), we were brought to the hotel, told to relax, freshen up by the pool, and be down in the dining room for dinner by 6 pm. The touring (and learning) started the next morning (btw, Go Ahead's Egypt & Nile River Cruise is spectacular and I hope to run it again soon (-: ). Go Ahead does a terrific job of balancing the intellectual and epicurean, all at an adult pace.
Rick Steves
What does my favorite, Rick Steves, have to say about the benefits of travel?
Gain a broader perspective, enrich your life, and as Rick says, "Fear is for people who don't get out very much."
National Geographic
National Geographic also weighed in on travel's benefits, saying that travel is not rational, but it’s in our genes.
Upcoming Travel
So, where is AttleTravel headed to with adults?
From elegant hilltop towns to endless plains, Tuscany and Umbria have plenty in common - including a culinary tradition that would make your nonna proud. As you drive across these regions, you’ll find wines and humble, time-honored bites at each stop. And don’t overlook those classic sights: Feast your eyes on Florence and Siena (and Rome on the extension) to truly savor this country’s big, bold culture.