Inside The University of Melbourne

Travel, in its essence, is one of life’s greatest pleasures – an opportunity to step beyond the familiar and explore the unknown. It offers the promise of discovery, of connecting with different cultures and gaining new perspectives. However, in an age where it seems everyone is rushing to conquer as many destinations as possible, there is an often overlooked truth: doing too much too soon can rob travel of its magic, leaving one jaded and the moments that once felt extraordinary, painfully ordinary.

One of the greatest joys of travel is that first moment of awe. The thrill of walking through ancient ruins or the quiet wonder of seeing an unfamiliar skyline are what make travel exhilarating. But when one hops from city to city, country to country, barely catching their breath, that magic begins to lose its shine. The grandeur of the Eiffel Tower or the majesty of Machu Picchu may not evoke the same awe after a dozen other monuments in quick succession. Experiences blur into one another, and the very essence of travel – the joy of being fully present in a new place – is replaced by the ticking off of destinations like a checklist.

There’s a delicate art to truly appreciating a place, and it requires time. Yet, in the race to see it all, travellers often trade depth for breadth. A trip becomes more about the number of stamps in one’s passport than the richness of each experience. Instead of leisurely wandering through a single city, absorbing its rhythms, smells, and stories, travellers become hurried spectators, barely touching the surface. In doing so, they forfeit the very thing that makes travel transformative: the chance to connect, to reflect, and to be changed by the places they visit.

The danger of overindulgence in travel is that it can leave one desensitised to future adventures. Where once the mere thought of setting foot on foreign soil filled you with anticipation, now it may feel routine. The quiet, personal joy you experienced the first time you wandered through the streets of Venice, marvelling at its canals and timeless beauty, may no longer hold the same charm after your third visit in as many months. What was once new and thrilling becomes commonplace, and with that, the sense of wonder that drew you to travel in the first place begins to fade.

By over-saturating oneself with experiences, future journeys may begin to lose their significance. Instead of each trip being a momentous occasion, an opportunity for growth and reflection, it can become a mere habit. The magic of discovery, the unexpected encounters, the joy of simply being in a new place – all of these can be dulled by the sheer volume of experiences crammed into a short span of time.

There is wisdom in pacing oneself. True travel is not about how many places one has visited, but how deeply one has experienced each place. By allowing space between journeys, by taking the time to reflect and savour each destination, you preserve the sense of novelty and wonder that makes travel meaningful. Imagine returning to Paris after a decade, where the sight of the Seine at sunset still takes your breath away. Now compare that to a third visit in as many months, where the beauty feels familiar, even predictable.

Moreover, travel is not just about the destinations. It’s about how these places change you, how they shape your understanding of the world and your place in it. This transformation happens not in the flurry of constant movement, but in the quiet moments of reflection between trips, when you can process what you’ve seen and learned.

So, resist the temptation to do too much too soon. Savour your journeys slowly, allowing each experience to sink in and take root. Doing less does not mean experiencing less – quite the opposite. By travelling more intentionally, by allowing yourself to fully immerse in each place, you keep the magic of travel alive, preserving its wonder for future adventures.