What is Tranquil Travel?
Updated: Oct 19, 2020

What is this thing we call “Tranquil Travel”?
It is an intentional stepping away from the chaos of daily life, the tyranny of our little sphere. It’s a stepping away to gain a new perspective. To see the forest through the trees. It’s a stepping away to revive, to gain new strength and vision. Whether through walks in the mountains, the discovery of a new city or historical site, or stolen moments like this one at a roadside hotel.
The home responsibilities that pull at me, stealing my attention from that which matters, are miles away now. Our upturned COVID-19 lives, and the tough decisions that come with it, can be tabled for this moment. Here, it’s just me, my suitcase, and a happily sleeping family back in the hotel room.
The nature of the vacation journey puts me back into mind of the life journey. Is it mapped out well? Have I wandered off course? Which fork to take in the road ahead? What about this road block that is COVID-19? Am I everything I am called to be? Are my kids on a good path? And who is that man sleeping next to me, often a passing ship in the night? Oh yes, he’s my beloved! Hello, again!
Tranquil Travel is not just tourism. It is a recalibration.
Tranquil Travel is not just tourism. It is a recalibration. A revival of the heart. A strengthening of the relationships that matter the most.
Don’t bring the chaos with you on an over-scheduled trip. Whittle it down. Say “no” to F.O.M.O. (Fear of missing out) and “yes” to J.O.M.O. (Joy of missing out).
I remind myself of this as our family looks ahead to visiting three national parks in two weeks - let’s see how much of a hypocrite I am, shall we?