Rick Steves believes that travel can make the world a better place, and make us better people – and I agree.
Travel has a way of grounding us in reality. It forces us to step outside our day-to-day routines and into the raw, unfiltered world. It’s not just about breathtaking views or new cuisines – though those moments of awe matter. It’s also about seeing how others live, how fragile ecosystems thrive, and how interconnected everything truly is. That kind of perspective can be uncomfortable, especially when we realize how deeply human activity has impacted the earth.
Full interview:
Escape Travel and Reality Travel
So many of us travel the world and experience different cultures for the purpose of wanting to go home a little bit different, a little less afraid, a little more thankful, a little better citizen of the planet.
To Rick, there are two kinds of travel: there’s escape travel, and there’s reality travel.
Escape travel is the all-inclusive resorts, the sanitized experiences designed to shield us from the world. But reality travel? It’s getting your boots muddy, witnessing life in its raw and authentic form, and seeing the beauty and the fragility of the earth up close. Reality travel humbles us, expands our perspective, and reminds us why this planet is worth fighting for.
Rick Steves’ reflections in his latest interview remind me why I’ve always believed that travel is the greatest teacher. Every journey has the power to transform us—opening our eyes to new cultures, deepening our understanding of humanity, and, most importantly, re-invigorating our love for this beautiful planet we all call home.
Reconnecting with the World, Our Home
For me, and for so many of us, travel is more than just an escape; it’s a way to reconnect with nature, to feel awe for the earth’s wonders, and to reignite my purpose – protecting it for future generations.
Reconnecting with the world through travel strips life back to its essentials. The feeling of standing in a vast desert, walking through a dense rainforest, or watching the ocean stretch endlessly toward the horizon is both humbling and invigorating. These moments remind me that we aren’t separate from the earth – we’re part of it.
The trees that give us air, the rivers that sustain life, the landscapes that move us to silence—they’re not just “out there” for us to visit. They are our home. And in seeing the world this way, we start to understand that protecting nature isn’t a distant responsibility – it’s a deeply personal one.
When was the last time you really connected with nature? Not through a screen, not from a car window, but in person? Have we reduced our wild places to weekend attractions and photo ops? Are we treating nature like it’s a novelty instead of the source of everything that sustains us?
We Are Not the Problem
It’s easy for many of us, especially those that have fallen in love with the planet we call home, to fall into the trap of thinking the carbon footprint of our flight to Asia is the problem – but let’s be clear: that’s a narrative corporations want us to believe. While our choices as consumers matter, it’s not the individual traveler who’s destroying the planet. More emissions come from massive industrial operations than personal vacations.
This narrative puts the weight of the climate crisis on individuals – on our flights, our diets, our shopping habits (ok, that last one might be serious problem). But the truth is, we’re not the ones driving the planet to the brink. The bulk of emissions come from corporations and industrial systems that profit from overconsumption, pollution, and unsustainable practices. They’ve mastered the art of deflection, shifting focus onto consumers while avoiding the systemic changes they’re uniquely positioned to make. That doesn’t mean our actions don’t matter, but it reframes the conversation: individual efforts are a spark, while corporate accountability and policy reform are the fire that will drive real change.
Yet, there’s a silver lining: while we may not be the biggest cause of climate change, we can be the biggest driver of human change. By traveling thoughtfully, supporting sustainable businesses, and demanding accountability from corporations, we can amplify our impact.
The irony is that it’s often travel – something frequently criticized for its carbon footprint – that opens our eyes to this reality. Standing in front of a melting glacier or walking through a forest ravaged by drought makes it impossible to ignore the urgent need for action. Travel doesn’t just broaden horizons; it grounds us in the truth of what’s at stake. And while we can’t carry the weight of the world on our own, what we can do is allow these experiences to inspire us, to push for changes that scale far beyond our personal choices.
