Q: What has been your favorite place to visit and why?
A: Oh, this is such a hard one Tavis! I have loved all the places I’ve been to and I firmly believe any country or region has something amazing to offer. If only newness. The reason I love traveling so much is because every time I set foot in a place for the first time, I get this feeling that anything is possible. The next step has the potential to change my life. And once in while, it actually does… It’s magic at work. But a place I particularly loved discovering recently is Israel. I am not a political or religious person (I believe religion and spirituality are two very different things) so I do not place judgment on a country’s situation. I’m interested in people and local lifestyles. And I really related to their approach of the Shabbat. For 24 hours they disconnect. My friends there were telling me how nice it is to take this time to pause, to reflect, and to spend time with their families. Rarely in our modern lives do we consciously take the time to do just that. And I think this is a very positive exercise.
Q: What are the most common mistakes people make when planning a vacation?
A: I would say planning, actually. Or too much of it. Travel is serendipity, it’s embracing the unknown, it’s letting life surprise you, taking a path you never knew in the morning that you were going to take. I think most of the time when someone comes back from a holiday disappointed, it’s because they projected so much onto it. They planned it, for real through bookings and mappings, not letting much room to spontaneity, and in their mind, with a precise idea of the perfect holiday it was going to be. With traveling as with anything else in life, the only way to be truly happy is to let go… And accept what is. Instead of thinking what we would like “it” to be, or what we think “it” should be.
Q: What advice can you give to an inexperienced traveler who wants a truly unique experience?
A: Be in the moment. Wherever you go, whatever you do, be 100% present, in that moment. Don’t think about yesterday, don’t worry about tomorrow, be here and now. Embrace the unknown. How often in your daily life do you get the chance to say, “I don’t know what is going to happen today”. This, is freedom.
Laurence Pasquier
Laurence is a journalist and international speaker with a background in trend-forecasting, who spent her career between London and Paris reporting and writing on lifestyle, analyzing consumers’ behaviors and expectations. Until her combined interests for personal development and exotic travels led her to start writing about self-discovery on the road. She is currently developing a collection of guidebooks for mindful travel on spiritual lands.
To learn more please visit:
Website: www.roadtoquiet.com
Instagram: @roadtoquiet
