Travel with a Purpose: 7 Examples of Intentions for Memorable Travel
“Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember and remember more than I have seen.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
Flipping through one of my travel photo books always makes me smile. I have one from a journey through Germany almost 10 years ago (my, oh my, I look younger!). The photos showcase stunning medieval castles, fields of grapevines, historic landmarks, and, of course, plenty of beer. The photographs bring back delightful memories and stir up feelings of adventure. Yet something feels missing from this trip compared to my more recent travels.
Apart from age and experience, I recognize that how I approach travel continues to evolve. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy myself 10 years ago – I did! But the memories feel more like snapshots of things I saw (and drank) rather than experiences that nourished my spirit.
Have you ever felt that way? Like you’ve collected moments, but the experience happened without full engagement or a deeper sense of personal connection?
I’m using action research to rethink how I travel. It’s not just about collecting beautiful postcard-worthy images in a book—I want something deeper. I want to feel more connected, to learn more about the world, about others, and about myself. That’s where intentional travel comes in (something I’ve written about before here). It shifts the focus from just where we go to why and how we go. Instead of chasing sights, it’s about seeking meaning—a move from external experiences to something more personal and fulfilling.
Small “p” Purpose
In a recent episode of The Happiness Lab, Dr. Laurie Santos interviewed Jordan Grumet, author of The Purpose Code, about how society has misunderstood the idea of “purpose.” We often think of purpose as some grand why that defines our lives and it haunts us in the form of a big, audacious goal. But Grumet challenges this notion, arguing that purpose isn’t about a single destination; it’s about small actions that bring us joy and fulfillment. He prefers to describe it as the small “p” purpose—the little choices we make that light us up and shape our future. By focusing on these smaller, meaningful actions—whether in our daily routines or even in how we approach travel—we naturally create a life (or a trip) filled with more meaning and happiness.
Default Travel Intentions - the ones we have without thinking too hard
When you have limited time off from a demanding job or family responsibilities, the following are the common trifecta of reasons people go on a vacation:
Relaxation and Escape: We crave the break and the chance to leave the daily grind behind. Sun-drenched beaches, spa time, and someone else cooking are a respite for our lives. And there's nothing wrong with seeking that! But what if we could find a deeper kind of rejuvenation, one that lingers long after the tan fades?
Sightseeing and Bucketlists: Travel itineraries are often planned around visiting iconic landmarks, the 'must-see' places, and locations on our "bucket lists.” Often, these are things that we’ve read about, seen in movies, or have been marketed to us! We feel compelled to find the perfect Instagram shot or take a selfie to prove we were there. But sometimes, in our rush to capture the moment, we miss the moment itself. We end up with a collection of images, selfies, and souvenirs but not a collection of deeply felt experiences.
Cultural Encounters (Often on the Surface): Experiencing new cultures is one of the top reasons people say they travel. We all yearn to taste exotic flavours, marvel at foreign architecture, and hear unfamiliar languages. While it's wonderful to experience new cultures, when we stick to the tourist zones, eat at familiar restaurants, and interact with locals only as vendors or service providers, we are often only seeing the glossy exterior. What if we could break through the tourism surface and connect on a more human level?
Nerja, Spain
Many of us travel to unwind or to simply have fun - and that's perfectly okay. There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to relax on a beach, snap photos of famous landmarks, or simply enjoy a well-deserved break. In fact, following my recent trip to Morocco’s Atlas Mountains I spent time in southern Spain to rest and recuperate! However, if you've ever felt a yearning for something more, a sense that your travels could offer a deeper connection, a more impactful experience – the following 7 examples of travel intentions that feel more purposeful might resonate.
7 Intentions to Help Travel with a Purpose
Being intentional in our approach to travel isn't about following rigid rules or complicated rituals. It's about shifting our mindset, about approaching our journeys with awareness and little “p” purpose. We can ask ourselves, 'How do I want to feel? What do I want to learn? What activities fill me with joy?' And then align our actions with those intentions.
Because I experiment on myself, I have developed a practice of setting intentions for every trip - even for a small, local adventure. I pay attention to the times when I have rich, meaningful travel experiences and when I don’t. Through my own experiences, along with what I’ve read from others, I have a current shortlist of 7 intentions that go beyond the common vacation ones. Not an exhaustive list but rather a set of fundamentals I've identified for cultivating an approach for intentional travel.
Here’s what I’ve come up with and some examples of how they have played out from my past travels:
1. Follow Curiosity
Allow curiosity to be your compass. Ask questions, explore hidden corners, and wonder about the unexpected.
Example: In both Spain and Sicily my husband and I encountered many religious processions. Fuelled by curiosity, we literally followed the crowds every time to learn more, and then planned one trip at Easter to experience even more! Read more about Good Friday in Palermo HERE.
2. Wander Mindfully
Slow down and truly notice your surroundings. Engage all your senses to be fully present in each moment.
Example: I spent a full day by myself wandering the Gardens of Versailles. All of my senses were highly stimulated with the sights, smells and sounds of the gardens, fountains and baroque music. I wrote about feeling completed enchanted HERE.
3. Connect authentically
Seek out genuine interactions with locals and fellow travellers. Share stories, listen deeply, and build bridges of understanding.
Example: My husband and I make a point of chatting up baristas and coffee shop owners. In Malta the owner sensed our interest in his culture and over a few visits, shared the stories behind the shop’s traditional baked goods and his version of Maltese coffee.
4. Feel Gratitude
Cultivate a sense of appreciation for the beauty, the kindness, and the unexpected gifts that travel brings.
Example: I honestly gush with gratitude over most things. But when there is an unexpected kindness from a stranger - wow, I’m in full gratitude mode. I’m thinking specifically of a man in Dublin who paid our bus fare when we really needed a kind gesture. The whole story is HERE. Read more about my thoughts on Travel Kindness in this article.
5. Be Adventurous
Step outside your comfort zone and embrace the thrill of the unknown. Try something new, challenge yourself, and discover your inner explorer.
Example: Morocco was a big nudge out of my comfort zone and it definitely delivered on the thrills! Read more about why Morocco was an extraordinary adventure for me HERE.
6. Build Resilience
Travel doesn't always go according to plan. Embrace the detours, learn from the challenges, and find strength in adaptability.
Example: I hope things go well, but I’m always prepared for things to go sideways! One day in Portugal we navigated our way to the sweet town of Evora unaware of a train strike, and then had to get back! Read about that misadventure that built resilience HERE.
7. Free the Spirit
Break free from routines and expectations. Allow yourself to be spontaneous, to follow your intuition, and to truly embrace the liberation that travel can provide.
Example: Being spontaneous is liberating, and while it’s not my natural state, when it happens it knocks my socks off! During a month long stay in Portugal, my husband and I escaped a week of rainy Lisbon weather with a very spontaneous side trip to Bordeaux, France.
As mentioned, these 7 are simply a starting point or a framework to build upon. Your journey may focus on all of these or none of these! It might, instead, include unique intentions that resonate deeply with you. For example, you may seek healing through immersion in nature or creative inspiration in a vibrant artistic hub. Maybe you're drawn to spiritual pilgrimage or you're focusing on learning a new skill through travel, like languages, cooking, or a sport. Perhaps you want to focus on giving back, and your intention is to travel in a way that provides aid to the communities you visit.
The beauty of travel with a purpose led by intentions is that the approach is both adaptable and highly personal. The 7 are a strong foundation, a great place to start, and then you can weave in unique “p” purpose to create a truly personalized and meaningful experience. For me, I’ll acknowledge that a few of these are firmly woven into the fabric of how I travel - following curiosity, wandering mindfully, feeling gratitude, and building resilience. The others, on the other hand, represent actions that I’m still on a learning curve! I look forward to putting them in action on my next adventure!
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
How Intentions Improve Travel
Travel is more than movement across a map - it’s an opportunity to expand our perspective, both outward into the world and inward into ourselves. When we approach travel with intention, the actions we choose help us move beyond sightseeing and into deeper experiences. We cultivate gratitude and resilience, turning challenges into moments of growth. We become more present - truly absorbing the sights, sounds, and emotions of a place. And we are more likely to travel more compassionately and ethically through the meaningful connections we make - AND it’s fun!
Let these 7 intentions be a starting off place to help you craft a way of travelling that is not just about where you go, but how you experience the world - and yourself - along the way.
I hope this article helps you to plan your next adventure! Looking for more guidance?
TRAVEL COACHING: Need a bit of travel coaching to get you started or to fine-tune your travel plans? Are you struggling with deciding on Where to Next?
I’d love to work with you. Check out what travel coaching with me is all about and let’s connect!