By Amy Chlebeck, Travel Advisor, CWT Vacations, Virtuoso Member (one in a series of travel columns by Amy)
Enrichment travel: defined as vacations with authentic, hands-on or interactive learning experiences, featuring themes such as adventure, agriculture, archeology, arts, culture, cuisine, education, forestry, gardening, language, nature, science, sports, wine and wildlife. SOURCE: enrichment-tourism-WDOT.pdf
Many of us embarking on a trip via plane, train, automobile or ship would not consider our journey an enriching experience – it’s “just” a vacation. But really, when thinking of past or future trips, most travelers can identify with one or more of the experiences listed above in the definition of enrichment travel. I find that often I am not thinking of my long weekend away or even my ten-day vacation as an enrichment travel experience. But in retrospect, when examining previous trips, I realized that they truly focused on educational, cultural, cuisine, and/or nature-based experiences.
Take, for instance, this summer when my husband and I planned an extended week in California. Without purposely planning our itinerary with an enrichment focus, we achieved exactly that! Great food and wine encounters in the Los Olivos area. Cultural exposure in Solvang with the city’s Danish heritage. New knowledge from a stop at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. And, last but not least, the wonder we experienced during a visit to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.
What I personally find so exciting when thinking of enrichment travel experiences is that they can emerge from trips of various shapes and sizes…
Think of your quick weekend to visit friends or family in a city. If visiting family in Boston, for example, you could decide to spend a half day at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Or if you are visiting friends in Arizona, pop into the Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale. ENRICHMENT
How about a five-day trip to Toronto to take in a Maple Leafs hockey game? You could decide to include these extras: A visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame located in the city. The following day, an excursion to visit Niagara Falls and travel en route to Niagara on the Lake for wine tours and tastings. Nearby you take in a theatre performance at one of the many performing arts theatres. Quadruple ENRICHMENT
A river cruise in France is on your travel calendar. Your ship sails roundtrip from Paris and includes Normandy. Sightseeing itinerary: the centuries-old tapestry in Bayeux, landing beaches of Normandy, villages along the river. Onboard you’ll enjoy locally inspired food and wine choices. Upon ending the river cruise, you add on a few days in Paris to see sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre. ENRICHMENT GALORE.
I have found in my day-to-day career as a travel agent that requests for trips that include art, wine/food, adventure, ancestry, eco tourism, etc., have increased greatly. Many love the idea of combining enriching travel itineraries with relaxation time to recharge their batteries before returning home. For many travelers, this is a perfect mix. Have you made your 2020 travel plans yet? If not, I encourage you to include enriching experiences which will add extra delight.