The Art of Travel: Not Just Places, but Perspectives
Traveling is one thing. Truly seeing is another. That's the very question Alain de Botton explores in "The Art of Travel." Why do we travel, really?
These days, travel is often seen as a way to escape — an escape from the city, work and routine. We jump from one country to another, hoping to find a happier, lighter version of ourselves. But there's one thing we often forget: wherever we go, we take ourselves with us.
No matter how far you travel, you can never get away from yourself. - Haruki Murakami, Sputnik Sweetheart
In The Art of Travel, Alain de Botton explores this very idea. The book takes us on a journey through the minds of artists, writers, philosophers and wanderers. We see the fields of Arles through the eyes of Van Gogh. We accompany Wordsworth on his walks in nature and consider why Flaubert was drawn to Egypt. Then, we turn the question inward: Why do we travel?
De Botton believes that the purpose of travel is to broaden your perspective rather than to visit specific places. Because in the end, beauty isn't in the place, it's in how we see. Even the world’s most beautiful city can feel dull, while your own balcony can become a place of wonder. It's less about where you are and more about how you see.
The tricky part is being able to see and even return. According to Alain de Botton, internal transformation only truly matters once we come back home. Yes, it's the same house, the same city, the same life. But you’re no longer the same person who left. Something within you has shifted.
Travel and Art
De Botton also believes that art can enrich our travel experiences. Consider Van Gogh’s paintings of Arles, for example. They're not just landscapes, they're emotional impressions. They reveal an intimate connection with nature. Through art, we begin to sense the essence of a place.
Ultimately, travel isn't just about changing locations. It’s a way of thinking. A way of learning. It's not about collecting facts, but about paying attention. It's about learning how to look and how to really see.
At Piri, this is exactly what we aim to achieve. We design journeys for people who care not only about their destination, but also about how they experience it. Sometimes, the true voice of a city can be found in a museum. Sometimes it's in the words of a guide. And sometimes, it's simply in the eyes of someone who knows how to pay attention.
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