Those who travel regularly are likely to have experienced those travel moments that resonate somewhere deep within. Beyond the usual delight or excitement of an adventure, but those moments that sate your soul. Forgive my poetics and self-indulgence, but here are 6 special travel moments that resonated with me.
Please share your special travel moments in the comments below.
Top Travel Moments that had me thankful:
Sunrise at Monument Valley, USA
If I were to tell you there is, in fact, a perfect sunrise – would you believe me? Monument Valley is on Navajo Nation land on the border of Arizona and Utah. This other-worldly view can be enjoyed from the tribal hotel, cabins or campground. On our road trip to Monument Valley we also took in the gorgeous desert landscapes of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.
On our visit in early July, it was over 40c / 105f, so the evening was heavy and oppressive. I knew the sun would rise behind the buttes and resolved to get up at 4am in order to enjoy the cooler temperatures and revel in blue hour. We were rewarded with a soul-shaking experience as the deep blue and exceptionally clear sky was punctuated with a golden sunrise.
The magical silhouettes of the Oljato-Monument Valley buttes are a photographer’s dream. Their ancient stillness is transformed into movement as the light crept up to meet them. Watching the sunrise at Monument Valley is easily one of my most special travel moments – it would take a lot to top it!
Watching a storm roll in at Lake Brienz, Switzerland
Our stay at Ringgenberg, on the shores of Lake Brienz in Switzerland, was a perfect storm. Literally. We had just spent a sunny day exploring Lauterbrunnen, taking the cog railway to Kleine Scheidegg, admiring Eiger and Jungfrau, and the Top of Europe, and drinking wine in Grindelwald. As days go, it was pretty perfect.
We arrived back into Interlaken in the early evening and the skies looked ominous, so our plans for a wander and find a restaurant in town were scuppered. Instead, we decided on a hotel picnic and an early night. The heavens opened as we arrived at our wonderfully Swiss boutique lodging – the Alpina Boutique Hotel.
We had a third floor room and set up our picnic of cheeses, meats and nibbles on the balcony. Being a typical chalet-style hotel made of pine, as the rain fell, the wood smelled wonderful. We sat like happy little pigeons and watched the black clouds roll in, the lightning illuminate the lake, and the thunder clap across the hills. I have enjoyed many electrical storms, especially in the American south, but this one was special.
We were road-tripping across Austria and Switzerland with some American friends, so the magic of this night was being able to share it with them. We sat there and chatted and ate together, and were all amazed when the storm disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. This photo is the blue sky emerging not long after the storm rolled out.
Fondue and music in the mountains, Switzerland
For a notorious introvert, it’s amusing that so many of my happiest travel memories features groups of people. This particular travel moment is a repetitive one – most years we like to attend the absinthe festival in the Val-de-Travers, Switzerland. Over the years, since 2012, I have enjoyed many fondue dinners, alpine vistas, and delicious speciality drinks with a lovely bunch of absinthe-enthusiasts from around the world.
Some of our favourite moments have been when the guitar inevitably comes out and we sing into the dusk towards fields of cows with their cowbells tinkling in the background (MOAR COWBELL!). The tradition of gathering in the carpark of the Hôtel de l’Aigle in Couvet for a Belgium beer party with friends from around the world always made for a great evening. Good company, good food, local liquor, amazing locations – what more does a person need?
Seeing the opera in Verona with my Mum
The north of Italy is a diverse and fascinating part of the country. From the spectacular Dolomite mountains, to the serenity of the northern Italian lakes, there is a vacation idea for every style of travel. And Verona is one of the gems.
Since discovering you can see an opera in the Roman amphitheatre in Verona, I have had it on my bucket list. And being able to have my mum and step-dad along for the trip was such a treat.
Quite by accident, I bought tickets to the opening night of the 100th Verona Arena Opera Festival on 16th June 2023. I thought I was just buying basic tickets early in the season. But there was a fly-over by the Italian airforce, lots of pomp and ceremony, and even Sophia Loren was in attendance! We definitely got more than we bargained for when I bought 4 x cheap seats for Aida.
Built in 30AD, the Verona Arena sits on Piazza Bra, surrounded by the buzzing conviviality of restaurants and modern shops. It is a juxtaposition enjoyed en masse in Rome, where ancient and new coexist in weird harmony.
The stage takes up one end of the floor space, plus the steps behind. The orchestra sits in the small area directly in front of the stage. While we all enjoyed Verdi’s Aida, the real treat was experiencing the acoustics of an un-amplified opera in a nearly-2000 year old arena. The atmosphere was electric too.
Even if you don’t like opera, it’s a very very cool thing to do.
Writing at an old monastery in Naples, Italy
Sometimes travel moments can surprise you, take you by the scruff, shake you a bit, and release you as a new person. Naples, in general, was that place for me; and more specifically, the Certosa di San Martino monastery. It illuminated the power of travel for me.
It was my first solo trip and I was woefully underprepared for the swell and sway of emotions that would come from being alone for the first time. I came to enjoy it immensely as I got older, but that first trip to Naples was an eye-opener.
In the quiet gardens of the San Martino monastery and museum, I found a view so breathtaking I couldn’t pull myself away. The Bay of Naples and Vesuvius in front of me, and the distant buzz of the city below. It was in that serenity that I was inspired to write. What? I can’t remember. But it was the first time I remember being inspired to write by a place.
Naples, forever in my heart.
Seeing bears along the Icefields Parkway, Canada
In contrast to the reflective moment in Naples, our road trip adventures in Canada have yielded adrenalin-filled bear sightings and squeals of delight at seeing these majestic beasts.
One of the best road trips in the world is the Icefields Parkway, between Banff and Jasper in Alberta, Canada. We have driven it a number of times now, but until recently we had never seen bears here. Bears are like buses apparently, you don’t see one for ages, and then 3 come at once!
During our two days in Jasper we drove a very snowy road to Moraine Lake. It was spring in the Canadian Rockies, and the buds had appeared on the trees, despite the temperatures. Atop a huge tree we spotted a mama and baby bear eating the highest greenery during a snow storm. My squeals of delight could be heard for miles I’m sure.
The next day, the snow had cleared and we were meandering down towards Banff, when we saw our third bear of the trip. My heart was in my mouth as this big dude just chilled on the side of the road, ate some moss and stared at us as if we were entertainment! I would’ve stayed parked up on the opposite side of the road from him/her for hours, had I not been moved on by a ranger (you are reminded to stop safely, take your photos and then move on swiftly).
What are the Travel Moments that meant something for you?
What are your most raison d’être-shaking moments while travelling? Have you been somewhere that takes your breath away? Seen an animal that was on your bucket list? Found inspiration in a surprising place?
Tell me your story in the comments below…
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All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
That sunrise at Monument Valley, looks stunning and well worth the early start!
For me the best travellers moment was visiting a beautiful temple at night on budda day in Thailand. We sat in peace and watched people circled around the temple with candles and burning torches. So magical.
Oh, that sounds so magical!
Great to look back at some of the travel memories that have stayed with you. Sometimes it is just about settling in and enjoying the magical moments that nature brings you. We too have amazing memories of seeing an opera in Verona at the amphitheatre! All great reasons to keep seeking out new travel memories. Of course, we have great memories of meeting new friends along the road!
It’s those new found friends on the road that make it special!
One of mine is a sunrise too. From the top of Masada in Israel, watching it rise over the Dead Sea. Getting goosebumps just thinking about it.
I love your description of being swept away by the view of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. For me, a similar experience happened at Taormina, in Sicily. I was at the ancient Greek Theater, high up in the stepped seating, looking down and out, past the ancient stage and pillars to the bay beyond and the smoke vising from Mt. Etna. It is still the most magnificent view I have ever beheld. I wanted to just sit there forever.
Oh, what an image you conjure! I would love to visit Sicily, now even more!