2020, a year we will never forget. I miss traveling.

Everything is different—so many things I have taken for granted. My travel philosophy will never be the same, but maybe that is a good thing.  

As I hung the ornaments on our Christmas tree this year, I felt deeply nostalgic. I always purchase an ornament on our adventures. Every year I am brought back to our travel memories while decorating the tree. This year, 2020, all I had to show for our journeys was toilet paper and mask ornaments. And a kind yet mischievous friend even sent me a virus with a Santa hat ornament. Funny girl.

I asked my traveler friends what they miss the most about traveling, and they had a lot to share. I am not the only one feeling nostalgic. 

Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.

25 Genuine Reasons Why Why I Miss Traveling.

The #1 Reason Why I Miss Traveling is the Liberating Feeling of Leaving It All Behind.

What I miss the most about traveling is the liberating feeling of leaving it all behind, relaxing, and spending time with my family. Vacation has become a time to recharge and rejuvenate. We sleep in, explore, purchase snacks from the local market, and eat a healthy lunch. We have our downtime in the afternoon, a light dinner, and get a good night’s restorative sleep. We return to life at home, recharged and motivated, ready to face the daily grind. But we are always planning our next adventure.

I miss traveling, but I am hopeful for the future. 

#2 ~ Learning through new experiences—Kyle from ViaTravelers.

Kyle misses the ability to be out and about exploring and learning through experiences.

For me, travel is a way to digest the way of life. It’s refreshing because it allows me to absorb and get away from the noise we often get caught up in routine life—noise that surrounds the internet, the news, etc. 

Traveling, you’ll constantly get to see, feel, and taste something new. It’s the ultimate way of learning that stimulates your senses along the way. The future of travel will be different, but I think at some point we will revert to some level of the old normal. 

I think there are still going to be many people who are hesitant about crowded spaces, crowded cities, etc. If you can have the right precautions in place, that could be a good opportunity to see some cities for a reasonable price. 

Here is Kyle’s most recent travel post, 23 Best Travel Gifts of 2020.  My favorite gift is the packing cubes; they are life-changing.

#3 ~ The people you meet and what you learn from them—Zoe from Zoe Goes Places.

Here is my note from Zoe.

For me, travel has always been about two things: the places you experience and the people you meet. Throughout the ups and downs of 2020, those places remain standing, albeit tinged with an edge of sadness without the buzz of locals carrying on their lives around them.

But, the thing I miss most about pre-pandemic travel is the people that you meet, the stories they tell, and the recommendations they share. A little excitement about being on the other side of the world. Finding people who speak the same language as you, perhaps even from the same part of the world as you. Sharing a taxi or bus ride, swapping stories over drinks in a bar or a hostel, agreeing to get up at dawn the next day to see the city’s must-see sunrise attraction! 

This unscripted part of travel is so much of the travel bug that gets to so many of us. I would hate for 2020 to make travelers more isolated from each other. So, to all the travelers out there, let’s remember to keep connected in the future!

Read about beer, wine, carbs, coastlines, and Pula’s day trips—I think it is absolutely worth visiting.  

Bistra from Your Cultural Tour misses meeting new people, too.

She shared her hope for the future of travel after the current crisis is over.

2021 is around the corner, and this got me thinking about how travel will change after the turbulent 2020. One of the things I love most about traveling is the opportunity to meet local people, talk to them, even work with them. As my passion is to share inspiring people and their stories with the world, it’s natural that we need the environment to meet and spend time together. 

Well, I think that will change. People wouldn’t be so open to meet a stranger, invite them to their home, and be physically in the same space. All of this is affected by safety measures, social distancing rules, etc. 

To finish on a positive note, maybe people will find other and more effective ways to connect, I hope so. I have a lot of faith in humanity, even after a crisis. 

Read more from Bistra here, and meet two Ugandan locals with a passion for empowering women and promoting sustainable tourism. 

#4 ~ The freedom travel provides—Veronika Primm from Travel Geekery.

Now more than ever, I feel the lack of freedom, which travel provides. I was one of the lucky few, having been able to take two trips abroad over the summer. It only made it clearer that travel indeed cannot be taken for granted, as I may have forgotten in the past. 

Travel is a privilege, and we should always keep that in mind. The feeling of freedom, whether it be not knowing what I’ll do on a given day or where I might sleep in a few days, is so much more increased when one’s traveling. 

Humans are explorers, and some feel the highest boost when exploring foreign lands, where the language spoken is unknown to us, where buildings look different, and customs are unlike ours.

This year has made travel within our home countries essential. And that was a good thing, too. There were times when I was not too excited to discover my own backyard. That has changed tremendously, and the appreciation is back. I’ll be forever grateful when I’ll be able to travel again. I will always remind myself to savor it to the fullest since you never know when it can be taken away. 

Learn about three coastal trails with breathtaking views for hiking in Brittany, France, in Veronika’s most recent post.  

Nothing can take our travel dreams away.

Freedom is what I miss the most about travel—Sandra Joseph from Poof Bee Gone.

As a solo traveler, I’ve gotten used to the flexibility of coming and going as I please. I don’t have to consult anyone else about their schedules or finances before I can take off. My only concern is getting “my act” together. 

Before COVID-19, I truly believed I had freedom. All that changed once the government put in restrictions. It was a rude awakening—this was the first time as an adult that someone else restricted my time to this degree. To this day, most of the COVID regulations were contradictory and didn’t make much sense to me! Now that we’re all getting a greater understanding of the virus, I’m so expectant of travel restrictions loosening. 

I miss the carefree travel days of old. 2020 has made me a little nervous about traveling internationally. I would have to familiarize myself with COVID details before traveling to any other country. Good or bad, at least I know the full extent of U.S. policies. For now, I will stick to domestic travel. 

The cruising industry has suffered the most since they have yet to resume operations in the U.S. I have a credit pending with Carnival, and I can’t’ wait for the “freedom” to use it!

For a trip around The Grand Canyon and Sedona (one of my personal favorite places to visit in the US), here’s a thorough post by Sandra, The Grand Canyon’s Splendor, and Sedona, Arizona’s Majesty.

#5 ~ Planning for my next adventure.

I Miss Travel Planning.

Travel Planning is almost as exciting as the travel itself. Researching a new destination, planning travel days, deciding on attractions and activities, creating an epic itinerary, and filling up my travel planner are activities that give me joy.

Plus, travel planning provides something for us all to look forward to and dream about. Gosh, I miss that feeling.

#6 ~ Not having a big trip planned in the future—Holly Connors from Four Around The World.

The biggest thing we miss is that almost empty feeling of not having a big trip planned in the future. We almost always have an overseas adventure in the works. The planning and research is a big part of the fun. 

While we can still plan larger trips within our own country, it doesn’t feel quite the same since it is relatively familiar compared to a new destination and culture.

The feeling that we don’t know when this may change is unsettling too, with no signs of international travel returning anytime soon. It gives the vibe that while many of us may want to travel the same way again, things may always be a little different in the future. Which does bring some extra caution when traveling with kids, especially. 

We look forward to visiting new places again, but for now, local travel will become a focus. 

A road trip from Brisbane to Cairns sounds perfect for the times; here is an ideal itinerary by Holly.

Since we are on the subject of not traveling, I gathered up twenty gift ideas for you and your traveling friends stuck at home; click here for the list.

This T-shirt with departure and arrival airport codes is one of my favorites. Custom Travel Art carries lots of options for dreaming about travel and saving memories of past adventures.

#7 ~ Getting to journal my thoughts and reflections—Maria from Maptrekking.

One of the things I miss most about travel is getting to journal my thoughts and reflections. No matter how lightweight I used to travel, I always seemed to find room for my travel journal in my small carry on backpack. It was a Christmas gift from my sister, a fellow travel lover, so taking it with me also reminded me of her. 

Journaling always helped me to understand how a particular place or culture had affected me. Writing helped me to slow down and dig deep in my thoughts, which revealed how I was actively changing with my surroundings. 

Even before 2020, my partner and I were convinced that slow travel practices like taking time to reflect and journal were powerful and transformative. Now with the travel changes that 2020 brought, we appreciate the privilege of travel even more and will prioritize slow, meaningful travel experiences in the future.

#8 ~ Being able to travel for the sheer enjoyment of travel—Elliott from TheTravelKind.

I miss being able to travel for the sheer enjoyment of travel. 2020 has seen restrictions imposed upon anybody who wishes to cross a border, and while it is still sometimes permitted, it seems only business-related justifications are accepted.

This is a certain freedom that has been taken from us – the ability to spontaneously wake up in a mountain forest just because you want to smell the fresh air or to hop across to Prague just to hear a different language. Instead, only travel deemed “essential” to the continuity of existence based upon a government opinion is the only way to physically escape the place where we live. 

Going forwards, I feel that us nomadic minds will never take travel for granted again. Even the sight of a grubby airport carpet will bring us an iota of joy. Travel will be less spontaneous as we more carefully balance up the benefits of travel insurance covering pandemic-related cancellations. Instead of deciding upon destinations we simply want to see, we may start to eliminate options purely for the inconveniences that local restrictions have upon us. 

Learn how to venture between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, the most popular of the Canary Islands, in Elliot’s thorough post on how to take the ferry between the two islands.

#9 ~ The Food—Meg Alexander from Have Toothbrush Will Travel.

Staying at home during 2020 and cooking meals on my own has me longing for one key element of travel – the food. I am craving all types of international cuisine. The strange, unusual, and exotic just as much as the savory and sweet signature dishes. 

My first trip post-pandemic will be food-focused, possibly Greece, Italy, Japan, or Thailand. Bring me all of the cheese, noodles, and sushi, please! If 2020 has taught me anything, besides the fact that I am a lousy home chef, it will be to add cooking classes into my future travel itineraries. It can’t hurt to learn a few recipes, source local ingredients, and be prepared to recreate my favorite international cuisine at home in the event of another global pandemic. 

Meg wrote about her favorite meals in Asia, and now I am hungry. And I miss food traveling, too.

#10 ~ Sitting at a bar and chatting with the bartender—Donna Emperador from Explore the Road with Donnamarie.

This might sound crazy, but what I miss most during the pandemic is sitting at a bar and chatting with the bartender. I know this doesn’t sound exotic, but my husband, Dan, and I enjoy finding places off the beaten path and starting up conversations with the bartender; this is a great way to get inside information on local hot spots, culture, and local events. This often leads to chatting with locals and really getting a chance to soak up the local culture. 

Right now, we have had to do this virtually through online experiences, but it’s not the same. Luckily, I don’t think this will affect us too much in our future travels because we tend to like smaller, less crowded places. We will probably be cautious about how much space we leave between us and the next set of customers.

Donna and her husband have a unique experience to share, read about their cozy night on an alpaca farm, the perfect place to social distance.

#11 ~ Immersing into a different culture.

The best way to learn about a different culture is to immerse yourself fully. Learn about the cuisine, especially the story behind the cuisine. Research proper social etiquette, respectful clothing and fashion, and the local traditions. Meet the locals and find out where they eat and where they play. I miss traveling into a different world and learning about them and myself.

#12 ~ Those first few moments when you see a new place for the first time—Or Amir from My Path in the World.

I love traveling for dozens of different reasons, but nothing quite beats those first few moments when you see a new place for the first time. It feels like my senses are going crazy – my eyes are trying to absorb every single detail, I can hear every little sound, and I can even smell and taste this new place. My Heart also starts racing with excitement, and there’s a good chance I’ll get so emotional that I’ll have tears in my eyes. 

Whether I had traveled to Italy, Romania, Greece, or South America, I’ve always had that feeling. Sometimes we take that initial excitement for granted because not every new place is impressive to us, but I’ll definitely cherish this feeling even more after this year.

When I finally do go back to traveling, I know I want to focus on underrated destinations. I’m still obsessed with Europe and miss it terribly, so I can’t wait to revisit it, and luckily, this continent is full of hidden gems that are yet to be discovered.

Or published a round-up post about the 12 Best Italian Road Trips, from a few days to two-week treks through a unique and stunning country.

#13 ~ The anticipation of traveling—Denise Macuk of Chef Denise.

Since planning a trip in 2020 has been impossible, what I really miss most is just that, planning and having something to look forward to! The anticipation of traveling almost anywhere and having a trip to look forward to can get me through some really tough days. 

When my husband and I planned our last trip to France, we had maps covering our dining room table for months. We scheduled how many days we would spend where, navigated our driving route, and researched some key things we wanted to do. 

Of course, as a chef, many of those things involved food! Sometimes, while going through the motions, the planning didn’t seem like fun. But coming home from work and focusing on something wonderful in our future was so exciting, even though we had been to France many times.

So, not being able to plan a trip, and not knowing when we will be able to, is like not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! I sure will be happy to plan our next adventure!

If you love butter and want to learn a few fun facts about French cuisine, read this, Traveling for the Food of France. 

#14 ~ Visiting family—Donna from Packed for Life.

Like many people, one of the hardest things about this year has been not visiting family. With aging parents, it is important for us to make it home as much as possible. While I am grateful that technology allows us to keep in touch, nothing beats an in-person hug and visit. 

Also, coming from Northern Canada, where there are only five hours of sunlight in winter and limited dining options, our family is missing the opportunity for a sunny escape and tasting new foods. 

Last year we were eagerly awaiting our trip to Cuba. Surprisingly, I miss the anticipation of the trip as much as the travel itself—the dreaming, planning, and packing (and repacking due to my “always be prepared” tendencies). 

I am looking forward to the time we can once again give our young daughter the chance to see and experience the world in new ways, build resilience through challenges, and learn the importance of connecting with people in their own language. Growing up in a generation where travel was easily accessible, what 2020 has taught us as a family, is not to take our blessings or the ability to travel for granted.

#15 ~ Learning a new language—Deb from Spanish Latin America.

For someone who loves traveling and loves learning languages, I have no doubt that traveling in Latin America was the best way to learn Spanish for me. To practice Spanish, I mostly hung out with my Latin friends. I also went to language exchanges and had conversation partners. And simply being around people and listening to them helped me immensely in learning a brand new language. 

In my opinion, traveling is such a great and effortless way of learning a new language. And this is something I miss very much for not being able to travel during the pandemic. While taking classes online is definitely helpful, practicing a new language is best done when traveling in a country where the language is spoken. 

When I look back on 2020, I think I did take it for granted in the past. After being shut down for months, I realized how much I miss learning languages while traveling.

Learn more about why traveling to a Spanish speaking country or island is the best way to learn Spanish.

#16 ~ Editing 1000+ images.

I never thought I would say this, but I miss going through all of those images, tossing the bad ones, clipping strangers out, and editing the good ones. Y’all know this task can take hours and is so tedious, but, I can’t wait to sit there and edit again.

#17 ~ The feel of being “on holiday” or away from the normal routine of life—Ariana from World of Travels with Kids.

The thing I miss most about traveling is the feel of being “on holiday” or away from the normal routine of life. When on the road, life is more about meeting our essential needs – finding a place to sleep and eat – than things like earning an income or cleaning the house! 

In addition to less of the daily grind, we do focus on having fun – whether it is playing cards after dinner or seeking out zip lines or ropes courses – we are “lighter” than during normal life. 

I also love the stimulation and challenges presented by travel – there are often unexpected obstacles that stimulate us! It is also fascinating to see, feel, and touch new places. 

2020 has taught me that mindset is incredibly important – so we can’t go on holiday – we can have holidays at home. Don’t worry about the mess, eat fun food, and play games, and take more of our’ travel mindset’ into our daily life. 

If you are looking for the best family holidays in Australia, here is a thorough post from Ariana, The Best Family Holidays Australia Has to Offer.

#18 ~ I miss sipping on an adult beverage, well, from anywhere.

Relaxing after a day of exploring, editing pictures, planning the next day, while sipping on a glass of champagne or local cocktail of choice is one thing I miss the most. Tasting local Tequila in Sedona, sweet Bacardi Rum in Puerto Rico, hot mulled wine in London, and a tasty brew from the local brewery in Blue Ridge—all experiences that bring back happy memories and dreams.

#19 ~ The overall food experiences that I enjoy, like street food, bustling food markets, and just stumbling onto something new—Allan Wilson from It’s Sometimes Sunny in Bangor.

When the pandemic hit, I was in Northern Ireland housesitting for my parents while they were off on a round-the-world cruise. At the same time, my wife, who is a food blogger and fantastic cook, was stuck out in Thailand for their shutdown. Meaning I was stuck and alone on a diet of Northern Irish food, which is not the most exciting of cuisines, and more so when you’ve been brought up on it.

I did expect to miss travel at the time, but I was almost happy to take a break from it, with no obligations to jump on any new flights. 

But when it comes to travel, it is the food that motivates me, and my excitement for any new destination is browsing local convenience stores and scoping out the street food. And while we do have world food markets here, it is more the overall food experiences that I enjoy, like street food, bustling food markets, and just stumbling onto something new. 

Instead, I am living on an unhealthy diet of sausages and bread. But we do have plans to arrive in Thailand again soon, and, with a focus more on slow travel, we will be in no hurry to leave.

#20 ~ Long Driving Days—Cosette from KarsTravels.

I miss those long driving days when on a road trip or when driving across France or Germany to a vacation rental. 

Usually, we go on a road trip over the Summer, to a snow destination in February and France in May. All these come with long driving days normally. This year we had only two long driving days in February, and after that, lockdowns started, and traveling wasn’t the smartest thing to do. 

Over the Summer we were able to go on a road trip, but since we stayed in The Netherlands, the driving days were short. I never thought I would miss the 10 to 14 hour driving days, with traffic jams and sitting down for hours. But I do. 

I would love to pack up the car and just drive a whole day to somewhere in Europe or the USA. These long driving days always bring new memories and new places to us. After 2020 I don’t think I will think so easily about traveling when there’s a virus outbreak somewhere else in the world. When it happens again, I will think twice about going to another country, even if the virus isn’t in that country.

Imagine a 21-day road trip from New York to Orlando; Cosette describes all of the nature stops and attractions in this post.  

#21 ~ The journey—Ciara from Wellness Travel Diaries.

The journey, be it from plane to train, an epic road trip or a smooth sailing cruise – one of the things I miss most about travel is the journey itself and what it brings. The journey adds to the exciting anticipation of reaching your destination, as well as meeting strangers along the route. 

While I knew the travel journey naturally would be missed, missing the experience of meeting strangers was a complete shock to me. But when I look back on every great adventure I’ve had – taking the night train through Eastern Europe to Kiev, Ukraine, jumping off a boat in the middle of the turquoise waters of Ibiza, Spain – the company and mingling with strangers is by far the greatest thing that adds beautiful depth and adventure on trips. 

Conversing with strangers provides a deep sense of unity when traveling, an ease into the culture you’re experiencing, and they always have the best food recommendations in the city you’re visiting. 

As 2020 comes to a close and traveling may be different in 2021, one lesson this season has taught is to embrace the unknown, focusing on wellness when traveling is important, and to be extra kind to all those you meet. 

#22 ~ I miss travel day.

I love travel day—waking up excited for our upcoming adventure, making last-minute packing decisions, loading the car, and off we go. The exhilaration of embarking on an epic holiday is something that I desperately miss and will never, ever take for granted again.

#23 ~ I miss the airport.

My husband freaks out the second we drive up to the airport, then we all end up in a frenzy. We have improved upon airport drama immensely with multiple interventions applied (learn more HERE).

I have grown to love the airport. Arriving early is key. Send your bags away, get through, TSA, find your gate, and your holiday begins.

Read a book, have an adult beverage, do some yoga, research your destination, and just chill.

I miss the airport and anticipate seeing a tarmac soon.

#24 ~ And I miss flying.

Flying, something I have never been a fan of, is something that I will never take for granted again. I would give anything to hang out at the gate and feel the excitement of when our boarding time is announced.

Then gathering all of my flight entertainment and settling in for a long flight to somewhere dreamy.

#25 ~ I miss the feeling of arriving back home after a long vacation.

As much as I love leaving it all behind and exploring the world with my family, I still love that feeling of coming home—that my luggage made it all the way home, I remembered where I parked my car at the airport. And everyone is safe, healthy, and rejuvenated for life after the holiday.

Driving into my neighborhood after a long vacation is a peaceful feeling and always makes me smile.

What do you miss the most about traveling? Is there anything you thought you wouldn’t miss?

And will this experience of 2020 change the way you explore the world?

Our time will come when we can freely go and explore. Stay positive and keep dreaming.