Travel Richly
You might be thinking, “What now? Did they work during their vacation? Have they gotten caught up in Bitcoin like the Taihuttu family? Walking around with ‘hot wallets’?” No, nothing of the sort. While we certainly spent some money, we feel rich in beautiful experiences after our road trip. We tried to keep costs down by only enjoying coffee and cake on the terrace, mostly buying our groceries at the supermarket. The wealth we gained is internal. Throughout our journey, we experienced numerous ‘Wow’ moments. So we encourage you; “Take a vacation and travel richly!”
The Journey That Stays With You
On our last vacation day, summer suddenly gave way to autumn. Outside, it’s only 16 degrees. It’s time to reflect on what this trip has brought us. This way, the ‘travel rich’ feeling lingers. You can even add a follow-up action to it.
Let me first explain where our road trip took us. We drove from home through Badajoz to northern Spain. Then we crossed into France at San Sebastian, traversing the country from east to west. Eventually, we returned home via the eastern Spanish coast. You can still travel with us via Facebook. Now the question remains; “What do we take home from our ‘travel rich’ trip?”
The Rich Nature
What we experienced is that nature is infinitely rich and varied. After witnessing diverse landscapes, we feel there is an unlimited amount to see on this earth. Whether it was the stunning coastline at Begur or the caves of Nerja, you don’t even need a plane for that.
When it comes to nature, we’re convinced that hiking is the best way to experience it. You practically taste nature with all your senses, evoking a childlike sense of joy and endless wonder!
Road Trip
We have had plans for intercontinental travel, but we prefer to delve deeper into the areas we just explored. Why sit for hours in a cramped plane when you can travel at your ease in your own vehicle? You decide when to take a pitstop, saving yourself endless waiting times at the airports.
Traveling to Spain, Living in Portugal
Spain is my favorite country to reconnect with a part of my own nature. I feel that childlike enthusiasm, vibrant temperament, and expressive communication are the most natural things in the world. Honestly, the Spanish language flows better for me; the rapid chatter, and gesticulating with your hands as if dancing flamenco. Yet, I prefer living in Portugal, as the coastline where we reside is endless and more beautiful. Additionally, the Portuguese culture’s ‘con calma’ provides a wonderful balance. Not to mention, our climate is better; mild winters and summers. We feel at home here!
Hospitality is Essential
Building on that, we’ve realized how important it is for a guest to feel at home and welcome. In Spain, we encountered a great atmosphere, but less so in France. The little touches that make a difference were missing there. Furthermore, they are not keeping up with the times. I couldn’t find soy or oat milk for my coffee anywhere, let alone a vegetarian meal. I was pleasantly surprised that they had that available in the most remote café in Spain. By the way, the coffee in France is also terrible. That’s why I always take my little Nespresso machine with me on trips for the ultimate ‘travel rich’ experience.
Gratitude
How wonderful it is to receive. After a busy season filled with intense experiences, I’m so aware of what is important in life. Those small and large gestures of giving and receiving really do matter. We were graciously pampered in many ways. This evokes a sense of gratitude. It made our journey even richer.
Areas for Improvement at Home
Staying at various accommodations also gave us insight into what we can improve in our The Art of Joy. For us, it’s very important that the room is primarily practical and comfortable. There was one instance where we had a beautifully arranged room, but it was so impractically set up that the beauty lost its charm. So, this winter season, we will revisit all of our rooms. Tips are welcome.
The Rich Creative Power of Humanity
In addition to wandering through nature, we visited several cities for cultural inspiration. We admired stunning Roman amphitheaters, towering cathedrals, and lush Art Nouveau homes. This has reinforced our belief that humans have carried a substantial dose of creativity and creativity power within them throughout history. So there’s definitely something to be done with that. Action purifies!
Travel Richly
Now we’re back home, where our dear friend—the best host—welcomes us warmly. With a glass of Portuguese wine, the stories flow. How we appreciate ‘our home’ even more after this beautiful journey! Now that corona no longer stands in our way, we encourage you; “Let yourself be amazed like a child. Travel richly!”
