There are those who think it bizarre to leave the shores of Great Britain for a holiday. Why would someone suffer the inconveniences and risks of travelling abroad? Of course, one can now be transplanted to areas of the world and cocooned in a protective 'home' environment. This vogue can be discounted as travel in the context of this discourse. Before considering the reasons why one goes to a particular destination there is a more profound consideration. I have realized that just to be on the move provides some satisfaction; an almost primeval need is met. Maybe it's a remnant from a nomadic heritage (read What Am I Doing Here by Bruce Chatwin). This feeling has been wonderfully captured by Robert Louis Stevenson:

"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. Is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this feather-bed of civilisation, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints"

Travel broadens the mind they say. This is not an irrefutable fact but a fair generalization. Thus, is the objective of travel to broaden one's mind? Do we select the destination for our travels based on the criterion of maximizing the broadening of the mind? Of course not. So what are the criteria for selecting a travel destination?

Each of us has a complex set of criteria to judge a potential travel experience. A classic scientific method is to list all the relevant criteria and to apply a relative weighting to prioritize them. Each travel option is then scored against the weighted criteria. However, despite my training I prefer to resolve such complexities by mulling over a good pint of beer and sleeping on the problem. This method has rarely let me down! However, jet airliners now allow one to travel to any destination in the world and the range of experiences on offer is vast. Thus, a conscious consideration of the key criteria can help filter down the vast number of options.

Prime Constraints

1. Number of Days for travel: Usually 30 days or 16 days. It is essential that the agenda is well matched to the time available. Trying to cram too much in will result in no flexibility and stress when time invariably slips.
2. Mode of travel: i.e. Organized or Independent.
3. Travelling companions: i.e. On own or with friend(s).
4. Time of Year: Any restrictions due to work? Prefer mid Sept. - mid May
5. Cost: Fortunately, this is generally not a major factor. However, some items are still not tenable e.g. £18,000 to goto North Pole.
6. Safety: Any travel is a calculated risk. One must check the situation at a potential destination; things can change dramatically e.g. On the day I was to enter Jordan the Gulf War began; the Foreign Office strongly advised us not to enter.

Main Threads

Criteria is a rather dry term. I prefer the terms 'threads'. What we all want is a rich experience and to enjoy the 'tapestry of life'. Thus, the challenge is to weave as rich a tapestry as possible from the selected travel experience.

1. Cultural Contrast: Language, clothes, music, religion, laws, art, wealth, education e.t.c. The reference point is a white 30 something Christian middle income Englishman.
2. Food & Drink: Some of the most memorable experiences centre upon ones intake e.g. snake in China, the coffee of Costa Rica, the amazing sea food soup in Thailand and Port in Oporto.
3. Landscape & Climate: The variation around the globe is tremendous and one should experience all types. My favorite landscape is high mountains. The undersea world is one I must explore.
4. Transport: As Robert Louis Stevenson stated, it is often the journey to a destination rather then the destination that is the best experience. Sharing vodka on a Russian airliner, sitting on the roofs of Indonesian buses. The transport to and at a destination can influence a decision; especially if interesting aircraft may be on the agenda.
5. Wildlife: One of the greatest privileges of travel is to watch wildlife in their natural habitat. Watching Orangutans in Sumatra and the big game in Namibia are experiences I will always treasure.
6. Physical Challenge: Pushing ones body can heighten the senses. Thus, trekking in the Himalayas and cycling in Tuscany increased the pleasure of the food and the landscape.
7. Historical Interest: Visiting a place where there are tangible links to the past can be fascinating. Of course, the more one studies local history the more evocative a place can be. Thus, Tunisia was brought to life because of it's history.
8. Companions: Who you travel with and meet enroute is one of the most influential factors on a trip. My around the world trip was blessed with good companionship. Overland truck journeys are usually a good way to meet like minded people from all over the world.
9. Country Collection: An ambition is to travel to every country in the world. Thus, each trip should ideally be to one or more unvisited countries. However, this thread can be outweighed.

Travel Threads

When travelling extra threads can be introduced to add to the richness of the experience. For me these are currently:

1. Photography: Capturing a beautiful image is rewarding. The hunt for that 'National Geographic' shot keeps one sharp.
2. Wood Carvings: The craftmanship combined with the natural beauty of wood has always lured me to carvings. Searching for a good quality carving on a subject representative of the destination is a challenge.
3. 20th Century Coins: The buzz from collecting is inexplicable. Discovering an interesting coin in a local flea market provides a keen feeling of success.
4. Reading: I always try to take a book(s) which are related to the destination e.g. Reading Aldous Huxley's comments on his travels in Central America whilst there was enlightening.
5. Local Music: Watching local bands or just listening to the music played by a taxi driver provides a 'taste' of the place. I always try to buy or record some local music.
6. Language: I always learn the very basics of the local language i.e. thankyou, good morning and the numbers. This small effort is greatly rewarded by acquiring a level of acceptance by the locals.
7. Aircraft: A consistent interest in my life has been aviation. I keep a record of all my flights and always keen to add a new aircraft type to my Flight Log.

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