Rome, Paris, Italy, Germany, Agra. These are some of the things that immediately come to mind when we talk about travel. And this is for the obvious reason that these places contain historical monuments, entertainment venues and much more. For most of us this is a cliché. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay So, what is travel? Is it just a six letter word that most people do just for the fun of it or is there something more behind it. However, I think that the true meaning and value of travel have been lost. Being a traveler doesn't mean expensive clothing and EDM concerts at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. People often tend to take bags of cash, dine in 5 star hotels, click a million photos and post them on social media just for the fame. True travel isn't just about seeing new things, it's about seeing things with a new and renewed perspective. It's important to take a step back and simply enjoy the moments you spend visiting another country or place. Meditation and mindfulness can make for an incredibly fulfilling journey. I would like to cite an example. Let's take the Taj Mahal. What a person would generally think of is: “Mumtaz, Shah Jahan, an infinite love, a tragic death, a luxurious burial.” It sounds boring, but that's what most people think. But what people miss are those intricate details that could tell you so much more about the place. Four minarets representing the four cardinal points, the Quran which is carved around the monument, a construction time of around 20 years which employed around 20,000 workers, architectural symmetry, an immense mausoleum of white marble. Surprised, right? This is just a taste of what you might learn simply by looking at a monument. Now, now. Let's not walk away. Travel is integrated into a culture that values ​​deviation from the beaten path, dialogue with locals and exploration of a one-of-a-kind area. Traveling means trying to blend in and wanting to leave as an altered and more educated person. Traveling means staying in hostels and making friends with other travelers, as well as locals. It's drinking in neighborhood bars and taverns rather than hitting the tourist club circuit. It's about moving away from the traps and tourist sites and, instead, seeking out the more elusive history of a country and its people. If you really want to travel, you have to eat, drink and live like a local. Walk, bike and take public transportation. If there is a language barrier, learn key phrases and try to start and end conversations in the native dialect. It may seem silly or arduous, but you will be appreciated for trying. It is also true that a true traveler will have an impact on the place he is visiting equal to the impact that place will have on him. Receiving a compliment from a native speaker is something you should be proud of. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay There are millions of reasons to travel: real travel, not just a vacation - and the thrill of integration makes it so worth it. Traveling is more active than passive and is a great way to recharge and feel like new. Ultimately, it's about becoming a new person from what you've experienced. I'm not forcing you to develop wanderlust, but even just trying to travel could make you a more knowledgeable person. In other words, travel can be defined as a catalyst for happiness. So go ahead, get some stamps in your passport and create your own experiences that you.