If you travel there are almost as many types of travelers as destinations. Where do you fit in?
The stay at home traveler
The ‘in between time’ of travel. That’s me recently. I’m usually out and about all the time when working or traveling then in between I stay home almost like a hermit. But I am researching and planning for the next trip.
“Armchair traveler”
So you don’t really want to go but love to be taken to far away places from the comforts of home. Paging through National Geographic magazines, watching documentaries, reading and dreaming of exotic places around the world.
Full-time traveler
On the go all the time. Quit the 9-5 and hit the highway, or airways like Wandering Earl. Home can be wherever you are. The longest time for me was 7 months in Mexico although the original plan had been to continue into Central and South America for who knew how long.
Frequent vacation traveler
Many probably fall into this category because we work a 9-5. Been there and done that. But I no longer do the typical American work 50 weeks for a 1-2 week paid vacation. Six months as a Park Ranger works for me.
Business traveler
Not everyone travels just for pleasure and may not even want to go. But seems as though a little fun and maybe some tourist activities could be fit in like the Eclectic Travel Girl.
Paid traveler
Travel writer, photographer, blogger actually being paid to investigate and report back. I’ve dreamed of this since I was 18 and am still working towards it.
Don’t make me traveler
Some people are perfectly happy at home. I get itchy feet after a month or so.
Plan or wing it traveler
Some travelers have a tight itinerary with reservations every step of the way while others want no plan so everything is a spontaneous surprise. I fall in the middle because I love to research my destination and make a way too long list of places to see and things to do. I like options. But I do not like to make reservations just in case an unplanned opportunity crosses my path.
Domestic or International traveler
Wherever you live options abound with places to travel whether it’s in your home town, state or country. I’ve traveled at least through all but three states in the US, Maine, Hawaii and Alaska. Believe me those are on my list. But it’s a big world out there.
Budget or luxury 5 star traveler
Travel can be accomplished on any budget. I started out living in my Vega camping across America. And although I still love to camp find a few creature comforts more to my liking now so often stay at inexpensive hotels and guest houses. Neither my budget or inclinations really allow the luxury of 5 star. But that could change.
Put out your thumb, self drive, take a bus, a train or a cruise. I’m prone to self drive, whether it’s my own car or RV, or a rental. Never been much for public transportation but in Mexico it was the way to go. In the 80s my honeymoon consisted of hitchhiking across country but don’t think I’d go that route any more. And I’ve never been on a long cruise or train ride but it’s on the list.
Adventure or leisure traveler
Could be all about climbing the highest mountains, diving with sharks, rafting the Colorado River (which by the way is awesome), or hiking the Inca trail. But maybe just lounging on a tropical beach sipping a fruity libation is your style. Zip lining in South Africa was my last adventure followed by a relaxing stay at the nearby coast.
Solo or not traveler
I’ve traveled solo most of my life but also with a dog, partner, family and friends. When alone I seem to interact more with local people which is an important part of travel to me. I am not afraid, just cautious and paying attention. Of course I also enjoy sharing the experience with others but I’ve discovered people I can’t travel with. Haven’t been on any group tours other than short guided walks.
Handicapped traveler
What is easy for some is not for others. But even a disability doesn’t have to stop travelers as TravelnWrite discovered. Airline personnel can assist and hotels, transportation, restaurants and other businesses should be accessible. Though I’m sure that’s not always the case asking for help or traveling with someone could make travel a reality.
Work as you go or work to go
Jobs are available all over the world. They may not be easy to find or ideal. But if you have marketable skills, or aren’t too picky, you could work as you travel. Most of us probably work in one place and try to save as much as possible to travel during time off. If you follow a tight budget it’s surprising how much can be saved. It’s all about priorities.
No worries about money
Then take me along!
I guess there really are as many types of travelers as destinations. Can you think of any others?
To me it’s all about the journey and learning along the way. No right or wrong way to travel although respect and courtesy is important everywhere. Please don’t be an ugly traveler.
Where are you off to on your next travels? What kind of a traveler are you?
If you really want to travel, get out there and do it.
Thank you to the travelers who shared posts about travel different than my own.
What a great list of traveler types. I can’t possibly add to it. You’ve thought of things I hadn’t. I’m a many ways will work for me type. I just don’t want to “stay home” unless home is a place I want to be and then I want to stay as long as I like and leave when I don’t want to be there anymore. Unfortunately at least in this country reservations are often necessary to go to some of the places I want to be. I really don’t like reservations. Too confining to my spirit. What if I don’t want to stay that long? Or want to stay longer? Or want to stay longer at somewhere else on the way? Or…………… Perhaps Don’t tie me down should be my motto.
I like your kind of travel, and not. And ‘home’ is a nice place to come back to. I know that reservations are often needed and I do occasionally. “Don’t fence me in.”
My best friend is always planning her next trip. When I travel with her, we rarely have an itinerary. Traveling with my husband is much more structured. I enjoy each type of “adventure.” Even with structure, a trip usually provides unscripted moments that stand out in memory as totally unique. I like going along with you on your trips, Gaelyn – sometimes, I’m happy being an armchair traveler.
Nice to be flexible about travel.
I am a blog traveller. I travel through other peoples stories and photos and dream about when I can do the same as the bloggers.
Nothing wrong with that. Hopefully the bloggers can entice you to travel.
Yeah, well you know when you are married and have a kid with a specialized diet it takes all sorts of planning. I love our week on the beach but I also love road trips more than the family does so I those on my own as the opportunity rises. I used to use business travel to also make side trips but I’m now a stupervisor so I rarely get to travel on my own except to conventions where I maximize the time geocaching and picture taking.
When I had a family it took a lot more planning to travel than now. And you know how I love road trips. Geocaching is a great way to get out an explore.
So many types of travellers. I love travelling and if I could be a professional traveller I would be. I try to install the love for travel with my family and they love it too. I prefer to plan and know what I want to do, but I leave more than enough time open to wing it and discover things I find out about while on the road. I feel sorry for those who don’t get to travel or don’t like travelling. They are missing out.
Yea, I don’t get that some people don’t like to travel. But to each their own.
I would be the full time traveler if I could. Have you ever read the blog ‘Gone With the Wynns’? That’s what I’d like to do. Just live in an RV and travel the US and Canada. And get paid for doing it.
Haven’t read the Wynns but do many other full-time RVers. When traveled the US I was too poor for the RV. Now that I have a nice RV I’m too poor to move it. So what’s stopping you?
Well I guess full-time, budget, with occasional international, and luxury seldom. Right now we’re looking forward to getting back out west and spending a month or more in Anza Borrego just watching more cloud formations!!
I like your kind of travel. And Anza Borrego is a marvelous place to watch clouds.
I guess I could be called a full time traveler. However, I have not much changed how I lived before in a sticks-n-bricks. The biggest change is I now live in one location for one or two months then I move on trying my best to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Perhaps I am a climate nomad?
I like that ‘climate nomad’ idea. Mine has been to live perpetual summer with a little spring and fall thrown in.
This was fun … As soon as I get caught up, I’m going to come back to follow the links you provided, those are all new blogs to me. I miss full-time RVing, but it was time to get off the road. We have plans for Alaska and some other places….with luck and health…..
Isn’t it wonderful that there are so many different ways to travel?