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what Travel teaches us: Beyond destinations

What Travel Teaches Us:

 Beyond Destinations

by Nidhi Guglani 

Every journey begins with a destination, but somewhere between airports, unfamiliar streets, new cuisines, and shared silences, we realise that travel isn’t just about places—it’s about people, presence, and perspective.


Whether it’s the Empire State Building in New York, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, or the CN Tower in Toronto, most cities offer iconic towers that promise breathtaking views. Add a cruise by the sea, a bustling downtown, and a vibrant park—and the similarities grow. Cities across the world seem to have developed a familiar template for tourism. And yet, no two places feel the same when we actually walk through them. The difference lies not in what we see, but in how we experience it.


In Canada, for instance, while the CN Tower was striking and the cities beautifully planned, it was Montmorency Falls near Quebec City that etched itself in memory. Walking near the thunderous waterfall, soaked and laughing uncontrollably, we felt more alive than ever. Or the long, peaceful bike rides through Stanley Park in Vancouver—kilometers of green, ocean, and sky. These were moments of motion and stillness blending together, offering something no guidebook could list.


Food was another adventure. My son carried a long, detailed list of what to try—and we took it seriously. From local specialties to experimental flavours, food became our way of engaging with the culture. Yes, it did stretch the budget at times, but the tastes were worth the memory. The act of sitting together and trying something unfamiliar became its own kind of joy.


What truly brought the trip alive, however, were the people. Conversations with locals, casual tips from fellow travellers, smiles from strangers—these small interactions created warmth that no itinerary could guarantee. People help in small ways. They suggest better routes, share stories, show kindness. And through them, we learn that every place holds a heartbeat, a rhythm of its own.


Travel also teaches us how to adapt. We learn to navigate unknown streets, manage money across currencies, choose wisely where to spend time and energy. It’s not always perfect. We sometimes wish we’d skipped a place or cut a day short. But even those decisions become part of our personal travel instinct—a muscle that strengthens with each journey.


And above all, travel teaches togetherness. Sharing a journey as a family—walking the same trails, getting tired at the same time, tasting something new, facing delays, laughing over small things—creates bonds that are hard to replicate back home. It’s the ‘together’ in travel that becomes the most unforgettable part.


In the end, when we return, we don’t just carry souvenirs—we carry moments. A waterfall we stood beside. A flavour we tried. A kindness we received. A new way of seeing things. We come back a little changed, a little expanded.


Because travel isn’t just about where we go. It’s about who we become while we’re on the move.


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