Well, you might have heard of Binge-eating, Binge-watching, etc. But what is Binge-travelling? Do people actually do that? I mean, I do binge-eating and watching because I don’t want to do anything else and most importantly it takes me the least cost. But Binge-travelling?

Well, if you have one set question like that in your mind, you should definitely read this post. This is for you!

What Exactly is Binge Travelling?

Remember those times when you traveled with your father/mother to your grandparent’s village, got mesmerized in the beauty of nature, the flawless sound of water flow in the river, the gentle breeze, the mountains standing atop looking at you as you stand agape still waiting to believe if all that was for real? Or do you remember the time when you and your cousins went to play in your favorite spot, hid behind trees, made your little homes, and cherished every second? Does it ring a bell? Seems like a Dejavu? Well, where did time fly? Where is that kid that was running around wanting to loiter in the still dirt filled environment, the mud filled sand, who was not worried about anything but enjoying the moment?

As we grew up, did we just lose the way we had fun? Did we lock ourself up in a room full of computers and few junk foods to inflate our tummies? Maybe we did, perhaps we didn’t. And if we had, how about taking some time, to pause all that for a while, keep it aside and actually take a step outside, look at nature, enjoy the breeze, and silently whisper a ‘Hi’ to the nature around you. How about taking some time, to plan a little vacation, a trek, a small trip, where you go visit the actual world around there?

People travel. You can find millions of people traveling passionately all around from going to nearby camping, to planning on distant long trips. Binge traveling is all about, you traveling to multiple places, visit the localities, enjoy everything about the place from food to culture, from accoutre to way to living, not missing the part of, ‘ you just being there’ as well. You can just go somewhere, even merely exist; you never know the kind of experience it gives you. And it is not just about going to only one place. It doesn’t stop there, a binge is when you enjoy one such experience at one place, and then go ahead continue the same search at another. I know a friend who goes one month to Gujarat, next to Karnataka, then to Kerala, and slowly covers up one after the other. It doesn’t really have to do with covering states or countries.

You can start with something as simple as traveling to your nearby favorite area, go on a one day trek, then try on night trek and so on. It can also be something like visiting a nearby village (if you don’t find any nearby you can increase your radius), travel there, just be there, enjoy their culture, embrace their tradition, have their authentic food, dress like the localities for a day, and have tons and tons of pure conversations with them, only to learn of how many pure naïve souls live out there whose lives can teach you what tabloids cant. Do you have any idea how refreshing it is and what sort of energy it passes along to your entire body and mind when you come back from just one relishing trip?

Conversations with a Binge-traveler.

I was intrigued, so I spoke with one binge-traveler, Vijaya Nair, a friend of mine, and she was happy to share her thoughts on some of our questions. She is an avid traveler; her world revolves around food, a chef in the making, mandala watercolor artist, chai addict, hippie hiding in civilized clothes.

People here usually settle for just watching weekend movies and hitting late night bars. Tell me what makes you travel?

Apart from boredom and monotony, my curiosity about different places makes me travel. It makes me learn a lot about the places and the people as well, something that books can’t impose, and movies can’t show for real.

How frequently do you like to travel?

I do not set any frequency as such; I travel whenever I can. Sometimes it’s a few weeks and sometimes it also a few months. But I ensure I keep it going.

Do you keep your places nearby or distant?

It mostly depends on how much echo my pennies can make ☺ when I’m short of funds; I make nearby places my travel destination. But mostly I keep all the places distant.

I know there are so many things to look for when you travel, what do you look for when you travel to a place?

Nature, a variety of food that I can try and the landscape. Also, different cultures and their rituals excite me. It gives me the authentic experience, something I believe cities can’t give.

What do you think traveling gives you? An Experience or memory?

It gives you both. Be it the place you love, or one you are not visiting again, traveling gives you one incredible experience that will be etched in your memory forever.

Do people enjoy the journey or the destination?

I think people mainly enjoy the destination. I did too when I started traveling in my early years of exploration. Slowly, I have started enjoying the journey also.

What is your thought on “The art of binge traveling?”

I think it’s being sincere towards your love to travel. Binge traveling is also not everyone’s cup of tea; the love may fade with the difficulties faced while traveling. When you overcome that, you’re a different person. Trust me nothing has ever been this refreshing.

That threw some light on the What’s and Why’s and Where’s.

Having met a few travelers and spoken with them, both passionate ones and ones who are just starting, we thought we could etch you some plan towards launching your so-called “binge traveling.”

Few things to keep in mind when you want to start this mesmerizing experience of binge-traveling:

Choose the season and hence the place accordingly. Ensure you don’t hit the sultry spots during summer.

Start Simple: Start with an easy destination. Something that you can easily accomplish and wouldn’t make you tiresome. If you are someone who loves treks, look for treks in outskirts of your city, in which in you can return on the same day.

First and Foremost: Create a list of places you would like to start traveling to, and based on your vocation, frame a timeline depending upon parameters like – available time, budget ( if you are not money conscious you can check this off), season, distance, what do you look for in a place, and solo/group trip.

Setting your frequency: You can start at a lower frequency (no. of visits) and once you start to explore, you will learn, what is that you are falling in love with — people or place, based on that you can sketch your next plan.

I can sleep anywhere: Prebook your stay, logistics, etc. now that we have options like Airbnb, OYO till lakeside camping. Set your stay clear before your travel, this removes half the tension in your mind especially if you are new to this.

Get mentally, physically ready: Let place be the only surprise you are having, get everything you need, might not need all set and packed for all your trips, keeping your mind clear and set, makes you 75% already ready for the trip. Physical wellbeing is another most important thing. Ensure 2-3 days before the journey you are getting yourself nutritious food and proper energy to hold up for the forthcoming days.

To Undying Spirit: One thing about binge traveling is, people might end up losing interest over a period of time or get tiresome. Keep your spirit up in the game; ensure you have one location to explore every month (once at least) — your timeframe, your plan, to be ready for the next six months to be sure.

Serve yourself with varieties: One thing about binge traveling, don’t narrow down the places you visit to typically one type. Let yourself explore everything from backwaters, camping, trekking, living at local, celebrating the authentic festival at the village, chilling in waterfalls, dry mountain climbing, etc. As you let yourself get a taste of everything, you let yourself, find your true love, your area of interest and guess what you will also get to know places you don’t want to visit, that will help fine-tune your future plans.

There is nothing so cherishing like letting yourself escape from this materialistic world once in a while and get immersed in a world of beauty and pure bliss. As someone caught up in busy lives and strict deadlines, shouldn’t we all make it a point to allude to such places pretty often?
We should try it. Purely, because, we deserve it!