A manifesto for wonder
“Wonder”: in the context of travel, most of us might be used to the bucket list of seven natural or ancient wonders of the world. A place, a phenomenon, the promise to stir our souls, parcelled up in a neat fly-and-flop package. But in the pursuit of places, travel tick-lists and that Instagram-worthy snap, might the feeling of wonder be something we’ve lost along the way?
So consider this: there are more than seven wonders of the world. Because wonder was never limited to a set of places. There is an infinite amount of wonder in the world, waiting to be discovered – by you. The key is setting yourself up to discover it. Weaving together opportunities for chance encounters, allowing time for spontaneity, and embracing the opportunity to go beyond tourist traps and tropes.
So, rather than adding our own bucket list of places, consider seven alternative principles as a manifesto. The ‘how’s rather than the ‘where’s: seven principles for finding wonder in the world.
A manifesto for wonder: principles for travelling over land and sea
Embrace the journey: the journey is an intrinsic part of what it means to travel. Buses that trundle through country roads, ferries that float past Fjords, and train routes that wind along mountain passes all help us transition our mindsets from home to away. Watching the landscapes change terrain, signs change language, and the architecture oscillate between cultures offers a grounded approach to travel. You feel you’ve earned that step off into a warmer climate, or jump into the sea, because you know where you’ve come from. The myriad modes of overland transport that move us through worlds help to give time for connection, thought and reflection.
Cultivate curiosity: curiosity often starts with a question. Why this tradition? What’s the story behind that mural? Who built this crumbling church, and why? It’s the art of asking questions that unearth the soul of a place: the art of not just seeing, but seeking. Curiosity leads us out of the pages of a guidebook and into conversations, driving us to venture beyond postcard-perfect plazas to backstreets where life unfolds unfiltered. It invites us to linger in bookstores, join the queue at a bustling local bakery, or explore the alleys that lead away from the obvious.
Tune into nature: it’s good for us and good for the planet. Good for our mind and our spirit. Tuning into nature, we might find ourselves struck by wonder as we contemplate the unfurling of native flora, or humbled by our smallness as we watch the sunset across unfamiliar mountain ranges. Experiencing and profoundly appreciating the natural world reminds us of the need for its care and protection.
Seek connection: all good travel stories need people. So ditch the headphones and strike up a conversation with a fellow passenger. Ask the Trattoria waiter where they go to eat. Toast to travel companions, chance encounters, and the bartender, too. Brush up on the lingo (and actually give it a go). Forget google maps–ask for directions. Everyone you meet and each place you encounter is an opportunity for deepening connection with the world, people, and place.
Prioritise slowness: in an era of travel bucket lists and must-see destinations, slowing down is an act of resistance to the see-it-all mentality of overtourism. By travelling slowly, we gain the opportunity to savour each moment fully (because nothing good is worth rushing). Resist the allure of a jam-packed itinerary in favour of languid mornings and slow afternoon strolls, alfresco lunches and open fires that dwindle in the early hours. There’s no hurry here. Linger over an Italian espresso, and take the scenic detour.
Welcome the unexpected: because it will happen anyway. Most likely, it will be the unexpected mishaps-turned-miracles that will leave you with the best memories you'd never have predicted (and the best dinner party anecdotes, too). A misrouted hike? Time to veer away from the trodden track. An unexpected downpour? A perfect excuse to take shelter in a tucked-away wine bar. Delayed ferry sailing? There's now enough time for that final pre-departure dip. The unexpected isn’t just inevitable—it’s often where the magic happens.
Take the road less travelled: skip the tourist traps and discover your own wonder that won’t be found in a guidebook. Serendipity and intuition are your guides worth following–as is the recommendation of the B&B owner, the barista in the neighbourhood coffee shop, or the local rambler who pointed you in the direction of a hike that’s not on the map. In the words of Robert Frost:
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
