Eight reasons to travel now

February 2nd, 2008 by Susan - NWA WorldVacations

You need a vacation. It’s no surprise to most of us that Americans work more than 40 hours a week. Time for a break!
You deserve it. Americans have less vacation time than most other civilized countries. Consider France, Australia, and Austria—with no less than 5 weeks paid vacation mandated by the government! The famous traveler Arthur Frommer calls our meager 2 weeks the “scandal of American vacation time.”
There’s no better way to try something new, whether it’s food, recreation or culture. Think about it—in another state or country, you may not find a bagel shop down the street for lunch. You might even learn something new about another religion, and find a new respect for those who practice it.
There are so many options! Like the infamous football commentator/bus-rider John Madden, not all of us were meant for air travel. But you can still drive, cruise, or take an amazing train ride. There are places in the world you can only see by train.
You can afford it. The tourism industry needs your dollar, and it is offering great specials to get you to travel. Places to check for great deals: our websites, of course! Or visit a travel agent, who has access to fantastic offers. Remember that if you can be flexible and leave on short notice, you’ll find the best deals.
You’ll give the economy a boost (both in the US and wherever you go). We are all well aware that the U.S. economy still needs help, but so do places like Bali, Toronto, and China. Even places that thrive on tourism – like Hawaii - can use some more visitors.
Connect with the past - whether your own heritage, or that of someone else’s. Visiting the country of your ancestry (even if it’s only 1/16th of your ancestry) is a great way to learn about your family and its traditions. Visiting historic sites worldwide can be an incredibly moving experience as well as very educational.