By Nancy Dorrans
I wonder, was I born with wanderlust or was it nurtured in me?
When I was too young to remember, probably around three years old, I overheard my mother say she needed to go “On-a-diet!” As the story goes, every time she said she needed to go “on-a-diet,” I asked her when she was going.
She thought I had noticed she was gaining weight, but that wasn’t the case. When she finally asked me why I wanted to know when she was going “on-a-diet,” I replied, “Because, when you go, I want to go with you.” To me it sounded like an adventure!
Genetic Predisposition to Travel
I believe my desire to travel is a genetic predisposition. According to Dr. Richard Paul Ebstein, a psychologist and geneticist “…certain genetic factors might contribute to a propensity for adventure and exploration. The DRD4-7R gene, often dubbed the “wanderlust gene,” has been linked to novelty-seeking behavior, which could influence one’s desire to travel and explore new places.”
Other key researchers in this field have focused on personality traits such as “openness to experience, curiosity, and extroversion. They propose that these traits have a genetic component that is associated with a desire for new experiences, including travel.” Explains my passion for adventure and travel.
The research does state that environmental factors can shape individual differences in these traits as well. However, I still believe I was born this way!
Genetic predispositions continue throughout your life. Seems true for me. This spring I packed my bag and passport and wandered to a few different countries in Europe to quench my thirst for wanderlust and feed my appetite for adventure!
Wanderlust in Slovenia
Slovenia, the only country with “love” in its name was my first course. Here, the Pannonian, Alpine, and Mediterranean worlds converge to create a rich natural, cultural, and culinary experience.
Invited by the Slovenian Tourist Board, I arrived in Ljubljana, the small capital city in the country’s center. To ward off jet lag, I wandered into Prešeren Square and strolled across the Triple Bridge, a stunning, uniquely designed foot bridge spanning three ways over Ljubljanica River. Live music from Kavarna Tromostovje caught my ear and I sat and listened to an Irish musician playing Top 40 hits from the US while sipping on a local “spritz.” Life’s good in Ljubljana!
The next morning two busloads of travel advisors from around the world converged for a two-day fast paced Slovenian Study Tour! We ventured into Postojna Cave, where an underground railway has been operating for 140 years. We continued to the coastal medieval town of Piran. Then visited the church of St. George, went truffle hunting, and walked across the Sečovlje salt pans.
Next up, this year’s Slovenian Incoming Workshop which was hosted in the picturesque alpine town of Bled.
Day of Adventure in Bled
For our Day of Adventure (DOA) in Bled, instead of zip-lining due to rain and wind, my group toured Bled Castle. Perched high on a cliff overlooking the lake, the castle dates back to the 11th century.
The next day I met with dozens of suppliers from Slovenia and the other Balkan countries. From hiking, biking, wineries, traditional delicacies, local cuisine, cultural events, water sports, and winter sports… My head is spinning with ideas for new adventures!
Sustainability is the current buzz in Slovenia and in all corners of the adventure travel industry. One way to help is to encourage longer trips instead of multiple airplane journeys. I decided the sustainable thing to do was to extend my stay and attend the first Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) European Elevate event in Kitzbühel, Austria. The dates matched up perfectly.
On to Austria
And so, straight from Bled, I transferred via Venice for a five-day Elevate Pre-Adventure, from Lake Garda to the Dolomites. This region served up a feast of flavors, delicious wines, and jaw dropping vistas. Lake Garda is known as the “Mediterranean in the heart of the Italian Alps”! The Dolomites were born from the sea over 200 million years ago and an extensive network of trails and mountain huts exist.
Our pre-adventure was organized and hosted by Trentino Tourism and Caldana Tours. We went e-biking around Lake Garda, took an alpine hike in the mountains around Molveno, went forest bathing in Paganella, and mountain climbing on the Via Ferrata Rio Sallagoni through a stunning river gorge. A Via Ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) is an advanced hiking route with fixed anchored ladders and suspension bridges. We wore harnesses and helmets, climbed and repelled.
I wasn’t scared… Exhilarated for sure, maybe a bit nervous, but not scared. Really, I wasn’t! The views and experiences are hard to describe, but totally breathtaking is a start.
On to Kitzbuhel for yet another DOA before the two-day trade event. I chose canyoning… and rappelling, jumping, climbing, and swimming in crystal-clear water. Equipped with a helmet and protection against the cold [wet suit], canyoning allowed us to explore adventurous routes to hidden places in the surrounding Kitzbühel Alps. Exhilarated once again and inspired.
These adventures definitely fed my inherent Wanderlust. Now, I’m going “on-a-diet”!
Adventure Travel Industry’s Role in Sustainability
The adventure travel sector is particularly suited to lead the sustainability charge due to its deep connection with nature and local cultures. Key initiatives include:
- Leave No Trace Principles: Educating travelers about minimizing their environmental impact.
- Sustainable Activities: Promoting activities that have a low impact on the environment, such as hiking, cycling, and kayaking.
- Community Engagement: Working closely with local communities to ensure tourism benefits them and respects their way of life.
