A Trip to Europe… a Recharge for the Creative Spirit

Big Ben, only hours away

Europe seems so far away, 4000 plus miles, a eight to nine hour flight from the continental United States.  Why invest the time and expense of making such a trip?

Bodleian Library in Oxford, England. Location for several Harry Potter films.

In a series of posts I’d like to share some things I learned on a recent journey with my son and future daughter-in-law to Great Britain and Switzerland.  I’ll share a few tips, talk about some of the challenges of overseas travel and explain why taking such a trip is a winning proposition for individuals who thrive on exploring their creativity, enjoy learning about history or simply have an inkling of wanderlust.

The Tube in London

Thanks to Europe’s long, colorful history, there is so much to see and do.  There is the diversity of spectacular architectural wonders ready to overwhelm you, museums filled with ancient artifacts and masterful works of art, ancient ruins to discover, modern engineering marvels to experience, impromptu musical performances to witness, different cultures to immerse yourself in and stunning natural wonders for exploring.

Hiking in the Swiss Alps

Simply put, a trip to a European country is a jolt to your system (in a good way).  The minute you step off the plane, your normal routine is thrown into disarray.   There’s train schedules to figure out, different landscapes to navigate, new languages to discern, different kinds of food to taste.  Traveling to a foreign country takes you out of your comfort zone, humbles you and makes you see things in a fresh and new perspective. For creative and inquisitive minds, this is a journey worth experiencing.

A European adventure might seem financially prohibitive, but it doesn’t have to cost as much as you might think.  In my next post I’ll share some of the resources I used that helped manage the expense and get the most out of the time we had allotted.

I’m not a seasoned European traveler, this was only my second trip, but what I have experienced was so impressive, it’s motivated me to share what I learned.

One of the wooden bridges in Lucerne, Switzerland. Mount Pilatus in the background.