Travel - movement through any territory or water area for the
purpose of studying them, as well as for general educational,
educational, sports and other purposes.
Until the 19th
century, travel was one of the main sources of obtaining information
about certain countries (their nature, population, history,
economy), the general nature and shape of the Earth's surface.
From ancient times, descriptions of the travels of Herodotus,
the scientists who accompanied Alexander the Great in his campaigns,
have been preserved. A classic example of the journey of the Middle
Ages is the wanderings of Marco Polo and Athanasius Nikitin. Travel
for religious purposes (to worship shrines, visit holy places) in
the Middle Ages was called "pilgrimage"; Russian pilgrims,
including, for example, Abbot Daniel, left travel notes about their
travels, which were called walks. The era of great geographical
discoveries is characterized by many travels that radically changed
the idea of the planet.
Later, the travels of D. Livingston
and G. Stanley, N. M. Przhevalsky and others were of great
importance for expanding knowledge about the Earth; however,
Przhevalsky already called his travels scientific reconnaissance,
since they could only satisfy the needs of a primary and general
acquaintance with the characteristics of a particular territory.
Therefore, already in the 18th-19th centuries, with the deepening of
research, the concretization and specialization of scientific goals
and tasks, travel began to acquire the character of scientific
expeditions.
Fancy travel, often stylized as a blend of luxury, sophistication,
and strategic affordability, encompasses high-end journeys that
prioritize exclusivity, comfort, and memorable experiences over budget
constraints. While the term can broadly refer to upscale vacations
involving private jets, five-star resorts, bespoke itineraries, and
gourmet adventures, it has evolved in recent years to include "smart" or
"hacked" approaches where travelers use rewards systems to make such
opulence accessible without exorbitant out-of-pocket costs.
The
Core Concept of Fancy Travel
At its essence, fancy travel is about
elevating the travel experience beyond the ordinary. This includes:
Luxury Accommodations: Staying in high-end hotels, villas, or
resorts with amenities like private pools, personal butlers, spa
treatments, and oceanfront views. Think properties from chains like Four
Seasons, Aman Resorts, or Ritz-Carlton, where rooms can cost $1,000+ per
night but feel like personalized sanctuaries.
Premium Transportation:
Flying in business or first class with lie-flat seats, gourmet meals,
and lounge access; chartering yachts or helicopters; or traveling via
luxury trains like the Orient Express. The focus is on comfort and
exclusivity, minimizing the hassles of economy travel.
Curated
Experiences: Personalized activities such as private wine tastings in
Tuscany, helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon, safari adventures in
Africa with expert guides, or cultural immersions in hidden gems like
Bhutan. These are often tailored to individual preferences, emphasizing
authenticity and rarity.
Culinary and Wellness Focus: Integrating
Michelin-starred dining, farm-to-table experiences, or wellness retreats
with yoga, meditation, and holistic therapies. Fancy travel often weaves
in themes like sustainability, adventure, or romance to create holistic
narratives.
Sustainability and Exclusivity: Modern fancy travel
increasingly incorporates eco-friendly elements, such as carbon-neutral
trips or stays at green-certified properties, while maintaining a sense
of privacy—avoiding crowded tourist spots in favor of
off-the-beaten-path locales.
This style of travel appeals to
affluent individuals, families, couples, or professionals seeking
escapism, status, or rejuvenation. It's not just about spending money;
it's about investing in transformative moments that create lasting
stories.
What sets contemporary fancy travel apart is its accessibility
through strategic planning, particularly via rewards and points systems.
Rather than paying full price, savvy travelers "hack" the system:
Points and Miles Optimization: Everyday spending on credit cards
(e.g., groceries, gas, bills) accumulates points that can be redeemed
for flights, hotels, and experiences. Cards like the Chase Sapphire
Preferred, American Express Platinum, or Capital One Venture offer
bonuses (e.g., 60,000–100,000 points on signup) and multipliers (2x–5x
on travel categories). Transferring points to airline or hotel partners
(e.g., United Airlines, Hyatt) can amplify value—turning $5,000 in
spending into a $2,000 business-class ticket.
Award Booking
Techniques: Tools and knowledge for finding "sweet spots" in loyalty
programs, such as using Virgin Atlantic miles for Delta flights or
booking off-peak awards. Holding awards temporarily while transferring
points is a common tactic to secure deals before they're gone.
Layering Perks: Combining credit card benefits (e.g., free checked bags,
priority boarding) with status matches or elite programs for upgrades.
For families, this means turning one annual trip into multiple
adventures without extra costs.
Budgeting for Luxury: Even without
points, fancy travel involves smart budgeting—booking during shoulder
seasons, using flash sales from sites like Secret Escapes, or opting for
all-inclusive packages to control expenses.
Risks include
over-reliance on credit (potentially harming scores if not managed),
program devaluations, or availability issues during peak times. However,
with discipline, it's possible to achieve $50,000+ in annual travel
value from normal spending, as demonstrated by experts in the field.
Several organizations and influencers specialize in making fancy
travel attainable. One standout is Fancy Travel Pointers, a platform
founded by Michele, a mom and travel enthusiast who specializes in
family-oriented award travel. Here's an in-depth look:
Overview
and Mission: Fancy Travel Pointers is an educational resource dedicated
to demystifying points and miles for everyday people. It emphasizes
turning routine expenses into "fancy" trips—think business-class flights
to Europe or luxury stays in the Maldives—without increasing budgets or
risking credit health. Michele shares her personal story of maintaining
an 800+ credit score while unlocking over $50,000 in yearly travel
value, making it relatable for families who might otherwise stick to
basic vacations.
Key Services and Tools:
Fancy Travel Formula
Course: A comprehensive, step-by-step program that acts as a "playbook"
for beginners to experts. It covers earning points from daily spending,
transferring them efficiently, and booking awards. Users learn to shift
from one trip per year to frequent bucket-list adventures, with
strategies for families (e.g., kid-friendly redemptions).
Free
Resources: Includes a Points & Miles Guide as a quick-start shortcut to
dream trips; a Hotel Upgrade Cheatsheet for scoring complimentary
upgrades or perks; and blog content like "Roadmap to 1 Million Points"
or comparisons of top travel cards (e.g., which Southwest card suits you
best).
Airline and Hotel Hacks: Specialized advice on airlines that
allow holding award flights during point transfers, sweet-spot
redemptions, and mixing luxury with budget options (e.g., free budget
hotels on road trips alongside high-end flights).
How It Helps
Users: The platform simplifies complex loyalty programs, providing
repeatable strategies to maximize value. For instance, it teaches how to
find hidden award availability or layer points for multi-leg trips.
Testimonials highlight real transformations: families taking
international vacations they thought were impossible, all while keeping
spending habits unchanged. It's particularly strong for parents,
addressing family-specific challenges like seating arrangements or child
fares in award bookings.
Notable Features: Community-driven with a
podcast on points and miles, Instagram content (@fancytravelpointers)
for visual inspiration, and a focus on diverse travel styles—from
opulent to practical. Michele's approach is ethical and transparent,
avoiding gimmicks and stressing long-term credit health.
Other
entities like The Fancy Travel Co. focus on curated luxury packages for
individuals, couples, and families, offering cost-effective
all-inclusives and resorts. Abercrombie & Kent provides bespoke
worldwide adventures, emphasizing small-group tours and private guides
for ultra-luxury seekers. Fancy Holiday Travel acts as a meta-search
engine, comparing deals across airlines, hotels, and packages to ensure
confident, value-driven decisions.
The sector is growing with post-pandemic demand for "revenge travel," where people splurge on premium experiences. Trends include AI-driven personalization (e.g., apps suggesting itineraries based on preferences), sustainable luxury (e.g., eco-lodges in Costa Rica), and wellness integration (e.g., digital detox retreats). Challenges like inflation and overtourism are pushing toward more responsible, off-peak options.
Minimalistic travel, often referred to as minimalist or ultralight
travel, is a philosophy and practice that emphasizes simplicity,
intentionality, and freedom by stripping away non-essentials to focus on
the core joys of exploration. It's about carrying less physical and
emotional baggage, prioritizing experiences over possessions, and often
aligning with sustainability and mindfulness. This approach contrasts
with traditional tourism by encouraging travelers to pack
light—typically in a single carry-on bag—while still meeting needs
comfortably. Rooted in minimalism principles, it promotes a mindset
shift from "what if" packing to "what do I truly need," allowing for
more spontaneous, immersive, and eco-conscious journeys. Whether for
short weekend getaways or long-term adventures, minimalistic travel
appeals to budget-conscious explorers, business professionals, families,
and eco-enthusiasts seeking liberation from overconsumption.
Core
Concept of Minimalistic Travel
At its heart, minimalistic travel
revolves around the idea of "less is more." This means:
Physical
Simplicity: Traveling with a compact bag (e.g., 19-40 liters) containing
only versatile, multi-purpose items. No checked luggage, bulky gear, or
redundant clothing—everything fits under an airplane seat or in overhead
bins.
Mental and Emotional Freedom: Ditching the stress of
overpacking, decision fatigue, and material attachments. Instead,
embrace spontaneity, local immersion, and a slower pace, such as
wandering neighborhoods or chatting with locals rather than rushing
through checklists.
Sustainability Focus: Reducing carbon footprints
through lighter loads (less fuel for transport), supporting local
economies, and minimizing waste. It often incorporates eco-friendly
choices like reusable items and public transit.
Experience-Centric
Approach: Shifting emphasis from luxury amenities to authentic
interactions—visiting local markets, using public buses, or borrowing
gear from hotels instead of buying new. For instance, a minimalist
traveler might explore a city by foot or bike, packing just enough for a
week's worth of outfits that can be laundered en route.
Adaptability
Across Trip Types: Suitable for business trips (quick mobility), family
vacations (less hassle with kids), or solo backpacking (enhanced safety
and ease). It's not about deprivation but optimization—ensuring comfort
without excess.
This concept has gained traction post-pandemic,
with 68% of Millennials and Gen Z preferring flexible itineraries that
align with minimalistic principles.
Strategies for Achieving
Minimalistic Travel
Success in minimalistic travel hinges on smart
planning and mindset. Key strategies include:
Bag Selection: Start
with a small backpack (e.g., Osprey Farpoint 40 or Tom Bihn Synapse 19)
to force prioritization. Check airline carry-on limits.
Packing
Principles: Categorize into clothing, tech, toiletries, and accessories.
Use a spreadsheet to track weights and items. Pack for one week max,
planning laundry. Choose versatile, quick-dry fabrics like Merino wool
or synthetics over cotton. Layer for weather: base layers, mid-layers,
outer shells. Wear heaviest items (e.g., boots, jacket) on the plane.
Multi-Use Items: Opt for gear like a pashmina (scarf/blanket/towel), dry
bags (laundry/odor control), or smartphones (camera/map/flashlight). Use
packing cubes for compression and organization.
Mindset Shifts: Be
honest about activities and needs; overcome "just in case" fears by
weighing items and removing extras. Test packs in advance. Embrace
borrowing: Use hotel amenities (e.g., workout gear from Fairmont,
chargers from Hyatt) or rental services like BabyQuip.
On-the-Go
Tips: Refill toiletries locally; ship souvenirs home; donate unused
items. For long trips, restock essentials. Focus on slow travel: Local
transport, spontaneous detours, and cultural immersion.
Tech and
Essentials Optimization: Rely on a phone for most functions; pack
compact chargers and noise-canceling earbuds. Include a basic first-aid
kit but trust local resources.
A sample minimalist packing list
for mild weather (45-85°F), adaptable for trips of any length:
Clothing: 3-4 shirts (mix short/long sleeve, Merino wool), 1-2
pants/shorts, 3 pairs underwear/socks, 1 rain jacket, 1 pair versatile
shoes, optional hat/buff.
Tech: Phone, slim charger, earbuds,
adapter.
Toiletries: Travel toothbrush, solid shampoo bar, sunscreen
stick, minimal first-aid (e.g., bandaids, pain relievers).
Other:
Wallet with essentials, sleep mask, reusable water bottle.
Trends
and Future of Minimalistic Travel
The trend is evolving toward "slow
travel" and digital nomadism, with apps for gear rentals and
AI-optimized packing lists. Sustainability drives choices like
carbon-offset programs and eco-lodges. Challenges include adapting to
extreme weather or family needs, but resources like blogs (e.g., James
Clear's guide) and communities make it accessible. In 2025, expect more
integration with wellness, such as mindfulness apps for travel anxiety.
Backpacking travel refers to a style of independent, budget-conscious
exploration where travelers carry their essentials in a backpack, often
prioritizing flexibility, cultural immersion, and adventure over luxury.
It's distinct from traditional tourism, emphasizing low-cost
accommodations like hostels, public transportation, street food, and
spontaneous itineraries. This form of travel originated in the 1960s and
1970s with the hippie trail from Europe to Asia, popularized by
guidebooks like Lonely Planet, and has evolved into a global phenomenon
for gap years, career breaks, or personal growth. Today, it appeals to a
wide range of ages, though it's particularly common among young adults
seeking self-discovery through experiences like volunteering, hiking, or
partying in new destinations.
While "backpacking" can also mean
multi-day wilderness hiking (covered briefly later), in the travel
context, it's about long-term journeys across countries or continents,
often lasting weeks to months. The ethos is "travel light, travel far,"
fostering resilience, social connections, and a deeper appreciation for
diverse cultures.
Motivations and Benefits
People embark on
backpacking trips for various reasons: escaping routine, personal
development, cultural exchange, or simply the thrill of the unknown.
Benefits include building independence, learning languages, forming
lifelong friendships in hostels, and gaining a global perspective. It
can be transformative—many return with improved problem-solving skills
and a broader worldview. However, it's not without challenges, such as
fatigue from constant movement or dealing with language barriers.
Pros:
Affordable: Monthly budgets can range from $1,000–$2,000
USD depending on the region.
Flexible: Change plans based on
recommendations from fellow travelers.
Immersive: Live like locals,
try authentic foods, and participate in festivals.
Cons:
Physically demanding: Carrying a heavy pack and navigating public
transport.
Unpredictable: Weather, health issues, or political
changes can disrupt plans.
Safety concerns: Requires vigilance in
unfamiliar areas.
Planning Your Backpacking Trip
Effective
planning balances structure with spontaneity. Start by defining your
parameters: duration (e.g., 1-6 months), budget, and goals (e.g.,
relaxation vs. adventure). Research destinations based on seasons—avoid
monsoon periods in Southeast Asia or peak tourist crowds in Europe
during summer.
Key steps:
Set a Budget: Factor in flights,
accommodations ($20-40/night for hostels), food ($10-20/day), transport,
and activities. Use apps like Trail Wallet for tracking. Aim for
$1,000/month in affordable regions like Southeast Asia, $1,300 in Latin
America, or $2,000 in Europe/North America.
Choose Destinations and
Routes: Popular routes include the Banana Pancake Trail in Southeast
Asia (Thailand to Vietnam) or the Gringo Trail in South America (Mexico
to Patagonia). Consider visa requirements—use tools like Passport Index
to check entry rules.
Book Essentials: Secure flights via aggregators
like Skyscanner or Kayak for deals. Get travel insurance (e.g., World
Nomads for comprehensive coverage at $300-500 for 6 months) and
vaccinations (e.g., hepatitis, typhoid; budget $400).
Itinerary
Flexibility: Book the first few nights in a hostel, then adapt based on
local advice. Use apps like Rome2Rio for transport options.
Health
and Safety Prep: Get an eSIM for data (e.g., Airalo), pack a basic
medical kit, and research safety—share itineraries with family and avoid
high-risk areas.
Essential Gear and Packing
Pack light to
maximize mobility—aim for a 40-50L backpack weighing under 10kg. Focus
on versatile, quick-dry items. Essentials include:
Backpack:
Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40L for carry-on compliance.
Clothing: 5-7
outfits max—moisture-wicking shirts, convertible pants, merino wool
layers for varying climates, one pair of sturdy trail shoes (e.g.,
Hoka), and flip-flops.
Tech: Smartphone with offline maps (Maps.me),
portable charger, universal adapter, eSIM for connectivity.
Health/Safety: First-aid kit, water purification tablets, reusable water
bottle, padlock for lockers.
Other: Quick-dry towel, packing cubes
for organization, earplugs for noisy hostels.
Women-specific
tips: Pack versatile scarves for modesty in conservative areas and
period products. Test your pack on a short walk to ensure comfort.
Popular Destinations and Experiences
Backpacking hotspots offer a
mix of nature, culture, and nightlife:
Europe: Interrail through
cities like Paris, Berlin, and Prague; island-hop in Greece; hike the
Camino de Santiago. Expect vibrant hostels and easy trains.
Southeast
Asia: Full-moon parties in Thailand, ancient temples in Cambodia, diving
in the Philippines. Low costs make it ideal for beginners.
Latin
America: Trek to Machu Picchu, surf in Costa Rica, explore Amazon
rainforests. Learn basic Spanish for better interactions.
Oceania:
Road trip New Zealand's South Island or work on Australian farms for
visa extensions.
Other: India for spiritual journeys, Morocco for
markets and deserts.
Tips for a Successful Trip
Accommodations: Use Hostelworld or Booking.com for social hostels with
kitchens to save on food. Try housesitting or home exchanges for free
stays.
Transportation: Opt for buses/trains over flights; use
BlaBlaCar for rideshares. In Europe, Eurail passes can be cost-effective
for multi-country trips.
Food and Money-Saving: Eat street food, cook
in hostels, and use the sharing economy (e.g., Uber Eats alternatives).
Avoid scams like fake taxis.
Social and Cultural: Join hostel events
to meet people; respect local customs (e.g., dress modestly in temples).
Learn phrases in local languages.
Safety: Use anti-theft bags, avoid
flashing valuables, and trust instincts. Solo travelers: Stay in
well-reviewed spots and use apps like TripWhistle for emergencies.
Sustainability: Minimize plastic use, support eco-hostels, and offset
flights via programs like Atmosfair.
Outdoor Backpacking as a
Subset
If "backpacking travel" refers to wilderness hikes, it
involves multi-day treks carrying all gear. Planning includes choosing
trails (5-10 miles/day for beginners), securing permits, and packing
tents, sleeping bags, and water filters. Follow Leave No Trace
principles: Pack out trash, camp away from water, and use bear canisters
in wildlife areas. Gear overlaps with travel backpacking but emphasizes
lightweight items like a Jetboil stove and trekking poles. Popular
spots: Yosemite or the Appalachian Trail in the US.
Urban exploration, often abbreviated as urbex or UE, refers to the
practice of venturing into abandoned, forgotten, or restricted man-made
structures and spaces within urban environments to observe, document,
and appreciate their history, architecture, and decay. This can include
derelict factories, hospitals, tunnels, rooftops, subway systems, and
other off-limits areas that reveal hidden layers of a city's past.
Unlike traditional tourism, urbex emphasizes discovery, adventure, and a
sense of mystery, often appealing to photographers, historians,
thrill-seekers, and those interested in post-industrial ruins. It's not
just about trespassing—many explorers focus on legal or semi-legal
sites, and the activity has evolved into a global subculture with
ethical guidelines like "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but
footprints."
History and Evolution
Urban exploration traces
its roots back to the 19th century, with early examples including
Parisian catacomb enthusiasts and industrial archaeologists documenting
Victorian-era ruins. However, it gained modern prominence in the late
20th century amid deindustrialization in cities like Detroit and
Manchester, where vast abandoned factories became playgrounds for
adventurers. The term "urbex" was popularized in the 1990s by groups
like the San Francisco Suicide Club and online forums such as Urban
Exploration Resource (UER). By the 2000s, books like Bradley Garrett's
Explore Everything: Place-Hacking the City brought it mainstream,
detailing infiltrations of skyscrapers and subway systems while
highlighting the philosophical side—urbex as a way to reclaim urban
spaces from corporate or governmental control. Today, with social media
platforms like Instagram and Reddit (e.g., r/Urbex), it has exploded in
popularity, though this has led to debates over overexposure ruining
sites.
Getting Started: Preparation and Research
To begin
urbex travel, thorough preparation is essential. Start by researching
potential sites through online databases like UER.ca, Abandoned Places
forums, or apps like Google Earth for spotting overgrown structures.
Historical maps, news archives, and local urban legends can reveal
hidden gems—think defunct amusement parks or Cold War bunkers. Join
communities such as Reddit's r/Urbex for tips, where veterans share
"101" guides emphasizing scouting during daylight and checking for
security. Legal research is crucial: understand trespassing laws in your
target area, as penalties vary from fines in the U.S. to stricter
enforcement in Europe. Some countries, like Japan with its haikyo
(ruins) culture, are more tolerant. Always prioritize permission-based
exploration, such as guided tours of places like the abandoned Michigan
Central Station in Detroit.
Equipment-wise, pack essentials like
sturdy boots for uneven terrain, a flashlight or headlamp for low-light
areas, gloves to avoid hazards like rusty metal, and a first-aid kit.
For documentation, a DSLR camera or smartphone with wide-angle lenses is
ideal for capturing eerie atmospheres, while a respirator mask protects
against mold or asbestos in decaying buildings. Advanced explorers might
use drones for aerial reconnaissance or GPS trackers for navigation in
sprawling complexes.
Popular Destinations and Experiences
Urbex hotspots span the globe, each offering unique narratives of
abandonment. In the U.S., Detroit's Packard Plant and Eastern State
Penitentiary in Philadelphia are iconic for their crumbling grandeur and
historical significance—the former a relic of automotive decline, the
latter a former prison turned museum. Europe boasts Chernobyl's
exclusion zone in Ukraine (via official tours) for post-nuclear eerie
vibes, or Berlin's Teufelsberg listening station from the Cold War era.
Asia's highlights include Japan's Hashima Island (a UNESCO site of
abandoned coal mines) and China's "ghost cities" like Ordos, built but
never inhabited. For beginners, legal options abound: organized urbex
tours in cities like New York explore hidden subway tunnels or rooftop
views, blending adventure with safety.
Risks, Ethics, and Safety
Urbex isn't without dangers—structural collapses, toxic materials,
wildlife, or encounters with authorities or squatters pose real threats.
Always go in groups, inform someone of your plans, and avoid solo trips.
Ethical codes stress non-vandalism and discretion to preserve sites for
others; "location hoarding" is common to prevent looting. Health risks
like asbestos exposure or falls demand caution—use apps like What3Words
for emergency location sharing. Legally, while some view urbex as
harmless curiosity, others see it as risky trespassing, so focus on
public or permitted areas to mitigate issues.
In essence, urban
exploration travel transforms cities into living museums of the
forgotten, fostering a deeper appreciation for urban evolution. Whether
rooftopping in Shanghai or delving into Paris' catacombs, it rewards the
curious with stories etched in rust and concrete, but always demands
respect for the spaces and their histories. If planning a trip, start
small, stay safe, and immerse yourself in the community's shared
knowledge for an unforgettable adventure.
Traveling over long distances
is consubstantial with homo sapiens, since the latter will gradually
colonize the entire globe. On the other hand, these movements are
accentuated in the Neolithic period, most often motivated by practical
reasons (family and social life, trade, exploration, wars...). By way of
example of conquests and/or exploration, we can mention the conquests of
Alexander the Great, those of Darius, the colonization of the
Mediterranean by the Greeks and the Phoenicians, the development of the
Roman conquests, the expansion Egyptian, Chinese or Muslim empires or,
closer to us, the Great Discoveries. So many expeditions that often took
strong men far from home. Trade and pilgrimages are also important and
frequent reasons for travel, of which there are many traces from
Antiquity.
Travel is linked to material conditions that will
develop over time. Transport, housing, orientation are all elements that
had to be invented and then developed, so that people can move around
easily. First of all, alongside walking, the first mode of locomotion,
different means of transport will develop, which will make travel
easier: the domestication of the horse, and the invention of the wheel,
which will allow the creation of cars (in the sense of "platform, open
or closed box mounted on wheels, pulled by animal power, which is used
to transport people, objects."); the boat which allows river and
maritime navigation, but also the construction and maintenance of roads
(for example the important network of Roman roads), bridges making it
possible to cross natural obstacles. But the traveler must also be able
to eat and shelter during his journey, which is gradually being made
possible by hotel and inn networks. In the Middle East, this need was
partly satisfied by the networks of caravanserais which offered shelter
and protection to the caravans. During Antiquity, the lack of inns was
made up for by networks of acquaintances abroad who could accommodate
travellers. This was often the case in the Roman Empire, for example, to
the point of even curbing the expansion of inns. Finally, traveling
supposes to represent the territory on which one moves; from this need
(among other reasons) cartography was born. It will however be necessary
to wait for the medieval portolans then the maritime maps of the
Renaissance so that the map becomes a real and effective aid for the
traveller.
These material conditions often made
travel painful, difficult and dangerous. However, travel for pleasure is
a very old activity that is not limited to Europe, even if its
beginnings in Europe are commonly traced back to the 17th century.
Indeed, from the seventeenth century, a journey called "Grand Tour"
develops in England as well as in other European countries. Practiced by
young nobles, it is a form of travel less directly linked to necessity
and more and more motivated by the pleasure of traveling and discovering
other places. In the 19th century, the development of transport and
communication routes had their roots in history and in the myths
maintained by literature (Marco Polo, Jules Verne, Robinson Crusoe,
Christopher Columbus, etc.) while including motivations stemming from
social imitation or commercial promotion of travel and vacation. This
literature of adventure developed strongly in the nineteenth century.
However, at the same time as the world "shrinks" under the effect of
the speed of transport, its identification in different forms
(cartography, images, information, etc.) increases, leaving less room
for the traveler's surprise. . Marc Augé thus speaks of the impossible
journey, “the one that we will never do again, the one that could have
made us discover new landscapes and other men”.
Energy and
environmental aspects
The extension of fast and motorized travel
poses new problems of consumption of space and energy resources, as well
as of "so-called responsible tourism" as well as that of climate change,
transport being one of the main causes of gas emissions. greenhouse
effects and moreover constantly increasing.
Travel sometimes comes up against the administration, some countries
such as the GDR or the Soviet Union prevented certain citizens from
leaving, other countries limiting the entry of foreign travelers, in
both cases, in order to avoid migratory phenomena .
In some
cases, this results in the need for specific documents to be drawn up by
the administrative services concerned, such as an updated identity card
or a passport to cross the border.
In many countries, for
"undocumented" and other travelers deemed illegal, escorts to the border
or to the country of origin, and detention areas exist.
Insurance of persons traveling abroad is a type of insurance aimed at
providing insurance protection to persons who are outside their
permanent residence.
It is a comprehensive type of insurance,
including elements of personal, property and liability insurance. In
addition to insurance for medical expenses abroad, this type of
insurance may include accident insurance, luggage insurance, travel
cancellation insurance (including insurance for non-issuance of a visa),
civil liability insurance, insurance for loss of documents, legal
services and roadside assistance (technical and legal assistance), in
the country of temporary residence and some others.
In a number
of countries, the presence of such an insurance policy is a prerequisite
for the entry of foreign citizens into their territory. Some countries
require mandatory coverage of certain risks, such as COVID-19
coronavirus (in 2020, Ukraine, Thailand, UAE, etc.), civil liability,
etc., in the insurance contract.