Domestic trips or international trips?
People travel for various reasons. Some look for stress relief from daily life, some plan to have new experiences, and others look forward to seeing or making friends. Depending on the objective, people choose different places and activities. For my part, though I love both domestic and international trips, I prefer to travel in my own country. In this essay, I would like to discuss how traveling in one's motherland could be enriching and practical.
First, domestic trips can deepen your knowledge of your country without being constrained by a tight itinerary. Traveling abroad is often favored to have exotic and <s>relaxed</s> relaxing experiences. However, the short duration and the tight schedule prevent many people from enjoying the location to the fullest. I, too, have rushed from one tourist attraction to another in London, not being able to savor the beauty and acquaint myself with the history of the place. All I could retain afterward was a vague memory of taking some pictures and getting exhausted (so true!). On the other hand, domestic trips are usually less costly and less tightly organized, giving room for a more thoughtful reflection. I vividly remember my visit to Booyeo, a city in South Korea. My brother and I planned to visit only two museums during that trip, and we spent hours in each museum, marveling at the works of art to our heart's content and participating in the history workshops provided by the museums. We were fascinated to be able to learn about religious traditions and political conflicts in the region. The in-depth excursion led us to reflect on the history of our country. The fact that we didn't have to see all the famous spots in one go--as it has been the case with traveling abroad--made it all the more tranquil and satisfactory.
Moreover, domestic trips are often more budget- and health-friendly than international trips. Money and health are indispensable assets, whether in daily lives or on trips. For example, if I am to stay in France for two weeks, it would cost me about half <s>the</s> my annual income. However, if I choose to spend the same amount of time traveling around my own country, a two-months' salary would suffice to cover the fees. Another thing that many people neglect is food. It would be nice to try out different foods overseas, yet many people have difficulty digesting foods that they are not used to. Personally, being severely lactose-intolerant, I am not likely to thrive in countries whose typical meals are loaded with dairy products, such as France
Wow, Grace! Your English is excellent with a great use of advanced vocabulary. What has been your favorite place to visit in your own country? Thank you for sharing your ideas! :)