NO MORE BEACH TRIPS

WHY YOU SHOULDN'T PLAN YOUR NEXT BEACH TRIP

Year round, many American families patiently wait for the beginning of summer to approach. A major reason for this excitement is the opportunity to have a vacation. While students are out of school, the weather is nice, and we often have more time to relax, it is the easiest season to travel. However, we should prioritize exploring new parts of the world, rather than returning to familiar relaxation spots. It is important for Americans to value quality travel time as a way to increase our knowledge, better our understanding of the world, and transform our thinking of life.

Albert Einstein once said, “Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.” This quote could not be more applicable for travel. Leaving our comfort zone and exploring new cultures and places provides us with knowledge far beyond what we can gain in books and classes. The average American spends 143 minutes everyday scrolling through social media. Instead of living through a screen, we should value getting to experience things first hand. Even if it’s a small trip, there is so much to be learned from the people and history of each place. 

Another reason travel should be valued is because it increases our understanding of the world. With the time we spend on social media and watching the news, we frequently hear of things happening far away from us. There is a special beauty and uniqueness to every place, so instead of revisiting a place, go to a new one. On average, Florida has around 130 million out-of-state visitors each year. While the beach is a great place to travel, we frequently miss out on other opportunities. Instead of hanging out by the beach, try something new. Do something you’ve never done before, in a place you’ve never been. With travel experiences you will become a much more well rounded person. 

Isolating ourselves from people and places far from us can limit our thinking of life. With travel, going somewhere new can completely change your perspective on life. The farther from home you go the more changes you’ll see, but even with new places nearby you will notice so much different from your everyday life. It is important to notice these changes and grow your awareness of other cultures and traditions. We have things to learn from everyone and everywhere, so going to new places can only help us improve our way of life. 

It is clear that travel is expensive, and it can frequently be cheaper to go to the same place every trip. You are familiar with that area, you know good places to eat, things to do, and a nice place to stay. However, you don’t know if you love going somewhere new unless you go. Part of travel is experience. Getting to experience the good and the bad. Either way, there is so much to learn through the transportation, cost, food, and culture of every trip and destination. It can frequently be cheaper to go to the same place every year, but travel doesn’t have to be over the top. It can be as small as going to the neighboring town for dinner one night, or as big as spending summer in another country. Whatever it is, don’t fear an adventure, for all you can get is experience and growth.

Works Cited:

Howarth, Josh. “Worldwide Daily Social Media Usage (New 2024 Data).” Exploding Topics, Exploding Topics, 10 May 2024, explodingtopics.com/blog/social-media-usage. 

The Recreational and Economic Value of Florida Beaches, asbpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SB-Houston-RecEcon_92_3.pdf. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.