Travel

I like to travel, to put it in short. Seeing new places, meeting new people, it is all great and helps me understand the world better. Usually I also enjoy the journey itself, the excitement of setting out, enjoying your own time on the plane, driving through beautiful scenery or just taking it easy on a ship.

Doing quite of bit of travelling for work can be exhausting at times, and in the destination you don’t get to see too many famous tourist attractions, but rather engage with people in their daily lives. This provides a totally different angle compared to leisure travels. I always try to make the most of all kinds of journeys, but have to admit that following the example of local people always pays off. A view from the world’s tallest building tells you very little about how the locals at the bottom of the building live and think.

I have been fortunate to take many trips to the Middle East. I know there are some pretty strong preconceptions about the area and people there, and I had some as well. Turns out, like in so many other cases, that we mostly only get the bad news here in the west, and form our opinion based on those headlines. The reality is very different. From the world famous city of Dubai to the more exotic Oman and Bahrain, ordinary life isn’t too different from ours. Of course the climate is mostly very warm and pleasant, which in a way sets the pace and dictates traditional lifestyle in the area. Each country has its own vibe and personality, and I will post more specifically about them in the future.

Family trips are another matter. The kids will be excited about an upcoming trip for months in advance and it absolutely great to take them to see new places. We have been skiing in the Alps, riding mountain bikes and skiing in the Finnish Lapland and having winter fun in our very favorite Åre, Sweden. Summer trips have taken us to Spain and around the Nordic countries by car and sail boat. We have also managed to experience two wonderful journeys in Canada, first time in the summer driving through the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Calgary, and on the second time in the winter skiing in the Rockies. I think our children remember every holiday and moment a lot better than I do.

Reducing the environmental impact of travel is a difficult challenge. This is especially true with children, as I totally believe that they become better persons if they get to see the world outside our own city and country, but then again unnecessary flying really should be avoided. We have tried to improve by using the car for holiday travels more, which is not the ideal solution, but still better than long flights. A 2000 km vacation by car with the whole family on board is more environmentally friendly than a typical 7000 km return flight. Central Europe is accessible by car for us, and the journey will both teach the children patience and give them a better understanding of distances, plus it is valuable family time.

It is always worth taking a journey, experiencing new cultures, broadening your world, and then coming back home again. Works every time.