You love to travel.
Usually spend your free hours basically watching documentaries about new destinations, or watching your past travel photos.
You dream every day with new destinies and new adventures.
But let’s face it, not everyone who loves to travel can do it the moment they want.
Many times travel involves making many plans and organizing for it. You probably have already acquired commitments that you have to fulfill.
Perhaps you need to set-up a free time from work that has to be at a certain time of the year, you have family that depends on your presence, or you simply have to save a certain amount of money to reach your dream destination, etc.
While you make plans for your next trip abroad and saving money for your next adventure….
I bring you excellent news!
You do not need to leave your country to travel to incredible places
Most people have the idea that to travel, you have to do it to distant and exotic destinations.
I don’t deny that traveling to a distant destination and being exposed to a different culture are not only valuable, I am sure it is one of the most valuable experiences that any human being can and should live.
But to be able to recognize the value of the culture where you grew up is also very valuable and important to keep in mind.
There are those who dream traveling to nature, with eternal days walking among forests, camping in nature and for others hopefully this destination is tropical and also, ideally with the super comfortable and safe All-Inclusive.
Something I always tried to put into practice is to live life enjoying the day to day. It means being able to see the wonders of the world here and now.
Once I decided to live my life to the fullest so I realized that it is not necessary to travel to the other side of the world ( although I looooove it) to be impressed with sunsets and wonderful landscapes.
The reality for Chileans
Although to be realistic, almost any destination seems far away from the long and narrow strip of land that is Chile, the country from which I come, it is this condition that gives us a geographical advantage over other countries and that few Chileans take advantage of .
After traveling through 3 continents and over 25 countries, I am convinced that Chile is one of the most beautiful on the planet.
Many people mention that traveling through Chile is very expensive and they prefer to spend that same money in another country, but a staycation could be as funny and interesting as traveling abroad.
While comparing Chile with other South American countries is among the most expensive, it is within the average countries and tourists spend an average of 68USD per day (away from Brazil that is estimated at 144USD!).
The magic of Chile gives you the opportunity to spend the night in the Atacama desert, the dryest in the world and visit vestiges of ancient Andean cultures around Iquique or San Pedro de Atacama, then to be doing Astro-tourism in the Elqui Valley or Sail alongside dolphins in La Serena.
In the surroundings of Santiago, you can fully enjoy the Andes Mountains and in the center of the city all the history and the nightlife that characterizes it.
From there, just a step away you will be immersed in the cultural scene of ValparaĂso, which faces the mystical Easter Island.
A country in which you can be traveling through ancient forests of oaks or araucarias, sailing between magical islands in Chiloé or to get tired of seeing waterfalls and glaciers in Carretera Austral. And in Patagonia, get closer to the beginnings of life and feel the air that feeds the world Torres del Paine.
You can be a tourist in your own country
What makes your country of origin (or the city where you live) as attractive as a destination to many foreigners can also be for those who live in it.
When you are passionate about traveling any place becomes ideal for exploring.
- You can propose to visit those towns or cities that you do not know yet and that because you are so close you have never met.
- Plan a day walking through a forest or mountain that you have always had in mind to know.
- There are always new restaurants, art exhibitions and hotels with beautiful views that you can enjoy one afternoon after your work.
If you stay curious and always seek to see the world with eyes of a traveler, the whole world becomes interesting, even the place where you live most part of the year can give you the most incredible adventures.
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A great read, Gloria – thanks! I couldn’t agree more with Darren & Shelley and Katie. I’ve vowed to explore a lot more of the UK in 2017 and I also wish I’d been able to visit Chile during my South America trip. I may ask your advice about astro tourism in the future too!
Hi Sara! Thank you very much for your words! I would love to help you with your Chile and South America plans! Just let me know đŸ˜‰ Best wishes!
Very well said chica! I have been living abroad for many years now and have always strived to explore the country I live in while I cannot travel any further… even now that I’m living in the tiny island nation of Malta I can still find nice places to visit to light up my every day life!
Your are so right. We have hardly seen any of our home country, England, which is just terrible. We know there are amazing beaches in the south and great hikes in the Midlands but we have not visited them yet. We have hardly seen any of Europe either so we have so much to see on our doorstep. When we are saving for the big trips it means we sacrifice a lot, which includes not enjoying what we have at our fingertips. However that is why we loved living in London as there was always another restaurant to try or something new to see.
Yes! It happens to many travelers who are always wandering about new destinations. It’s easy to forget the beauty is everywhere! I’ve seen this everywhere and specially in Europe where is so easy to move around and countries are so close together this should be a must! Cheers and keep traveling!
I wish I’d made it to Chile while I was in South America. It sounds so beautiful!