But all of these excuses have their root in one thing:

FEAR.

Fear of the unknown and the unpredictable. Fear of taking a step and not knowing where your foot will land.

Photo by Jimee, Jackie, Tom & Asha, on Flickr

Because, let’s face it, travel can be scary. Not everyone loves planning the way that I do, and not everyone would be comfortable jetting off around the world alone. To many people, what I do is overwhelming; intimidating; downright scary.

I understand this. I understand where the fear comes from, because I experience it too sometimes.

But most of the things we all fear about travel can easily be overcome — and none of them should keep us at home.

Here are some of the most common travel-related fears, along with some suggestions on how to get over them:

The fear of traveling alone

Solo travel isn’t for everyone. In fact, for many people, traveling alone would be their worst nightmare. When I told some friends recently that I was planning to travel Eastern Europe this summer on my own, their immediate response was, “You’re going to die.” Well, no. No, I’m not. I’m capable of traveling solo, and I usually don’t mind it. But I know many people would never dream of doing it, and that the lack of travel partners keeps many people firmly rooted at home.

Solution: If you can’t convince a friend to travel with you, book yourself on a small group tour to the destination you want to visit. This way you’ll be able to make friends with the people in the group, and you won’t have to worry about doing any of the planning on your own.

The fear of disaster

Terrorist attacks. Planes crashing. Ships sinking. These kinds of worst-case-scenario fears, believe it or not, keep many people from traveling. They are the reason tourism suffered so much after the 9/11 attacks, and why cruise lines around the world are currently slashing prices following a ship sinking last month in Italy.

Solution: Stop worrying about things that are not likely to happen, and that you really have no control over anyway. Do you know the statistics behind terrorist attacks, plane crashes, or ship sinkings? The numbers show that you are MUCH more likely to die in a car crash on your way to work. So ignore the media coverage, and take advantage of some of those cruise deals right now! (My family is this summer; we scored a fantastic deal on a New England/Canada cruise in June!)

The fear of flying

No, it is not natural for something like an airplane to fly. And having a fear of flying is really not all that uncommon.

Solution: As mentioned above, the chances of your plane crashing are statistically very slim. But knowing that doesn’t always help to alleviate fears, I know. So if planes terrify you, consider other transportation options — ships, buses, trains, cars, bikes, walking… there are plenty of ways to travel that will keep you out of the air.

The fear of language barriers/culture shock

Traveling abroad to a place where you don’t speak the language and aren’t familiar with the culture can be understandably overwhelming. Most people want to hold on to at least some level of familiarity — that comfortable “bubble” of home — and worry about not being able to communicate or being crippled by culture shock.

Solution: Start out simple, and travel first to countries similar to your own before branching out. Ease into the foreign cultures; you don’t have to dive into the unfamiliar straight away. Or, better yet, spend some time exploring your own country first! It’s amazing what can be done/seen in your very own backyard, especially if you live in a country as large and diverse as the U.S. or Canada.

The fear of mystery foods/getting sick

Along with culture shock and language barriers, people fear strange foods and the effects those strange foods might have on their digestive tracts while traveling. It seems silly, but I’ve worried about this, too! Nobody likes being sick, and being sick abroad is even less appealing.

Solution: Don’t completely avoid foreign foods, but be aware of what you’re eating. Go where the locals go when possible, and be sure to have your Tums and Imodium on hand just in case! Also be sure to educate yourself on the region you’ll be traveling — is it safe to drink the water? Are there certain foods to avoid? Simply being informed can go a long way.

Photo by mynameisharsha, on Flickr

The fear of getting robbed

Getting robbed, scammed, or otherwise ripped off is a common fear among would-be travelers — and it’s often a valid concern, depending on where you’re traveling. Some parts of the world are, in fact, known for scamming tourists, or for street robberies. It’s an unfortunate reality of travel.

Solution: Be alert, and be informed. Are there certain common scams that target tourists where you’re going? Are there specific areas of town to avoid? Know these things before you go so you know what to keep an eye out for. Another obvious tip would be to leave your valuables at home — if you don’t want to lose it, don’t bring it. If, however, you really need a fancy camera or computer when you travel, make sure you keep it in a secure spot, and never let your bag out of your sight. And, if you really want to get serious, perhaps some gear like pickpocket-proof underwear could be right for you.

The fear of getting lost

For some people, getting lost in a new city is all part of the travel experience. But for others, it would be far less than ideal, and can sometimes dissuade people from venturing outside their hotel rooms.

Solution: If you’re the type who hyperventilates when you’re convinced you’re lost, make sure to always get a local map (that you can read) before you go out exploring, and don’t be afraid to approach locals for help. Believe it or not, getting lost can sometimes enhance your experience — if you can manage to let go of some of the control.

Photo by zoetnet, on Flickr

The fear of getting injured abroad

Nobody wants to think about that slim chance of getting seriously injured abroad — getting in an accident, breaking a bone, or winding up in the hospital with some mysterious virus. But of course there’s always a chance of something like this happening abroad, just as there’s a chance of it happening at home. However, the fear of it happening on the road — where hospital conditions can vary and language barriers could make it difficult to communicate with doctors — is usually much stronger.

Solution: First, realize that hospitals and doctors DO exist in other parts of the world — and most of them are perfectly safe. But if you want to avoid ending up in one, don’t be a moron. Don’t take unnecessary risks or let yourself get so drunk that you start making stupid or dangerous decisions. And, of course, never leave home without good annual travel insurance so that you’re covered, just in case.

The fear of coming home

A less-obvious fear that sometimes accompanies long-term travel is the fear of what will happen after the adventure is over. If you quit a job to travel, how will that lapse affect your prospects of finding work?

Solution: Despite the rather widespread belief in America that travel is largely a waste of time, don’t look at it that way. Travel is one of the best educational experiences a person can have, and the skills you pick up while navigating the world can often translate back to your life at home. Instead of worrying about how taking time off to travel will look on your resume, consider how your experiences abroad can actually set you apart from others.

The bottom line here is that, yes, travel can be scary for a variety of reasons. But I implore those of you out there who are scared about some aspect of travel to set aside your fears and JUST DO IT.

Because, as they say, “When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.”

Don’t let not traveling be one of your regrets.

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What’s your take? What do you fear about travel, and how do you overcome it?

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1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?

A traveler is someone that sees beauty in the in-between. Anyone can be a traveler and I don’t believe you have to actually travel anywhere to be a traveler — the mind, heart and imagination are very powerful tools.

2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?

Beth: Meeting long-lost family members in Lacedonia, Italy.

Randy: Staying in the hotel where William Burroughs wrote “Naked Lunch” in Tangier, Morocco.

3. How about your proudest travel moment?

When we arrived at our first WWOOF farm in Italy, there were acres of grapes that needed to be plucked from the vines. Looking at it we wondered how we were going to get it done in time — we didn’t think it would be possible. But along with all the other volunteers we managed to clear them all in 2 weeks time and we were all very proud when the job was complete.

4. Have you had any travel mishaps or bad experiences? If so, have these influenced how you view the place where they happened? Would you go back?

Well we’ve had several mishaps in Mexico, but we love it so much we keep going back!

Recently in Europe we had a pretty bad mishap on an overnight train from Vienna to Switzerland. We had to give our Eurail passes to the attendant and I (Beth) had a really bad feeling about it. That night I dreamt that our passes were lost and we didn’t get them back. I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep. Sure enough in the morning our passes had magically disappeared. We had barely used them at that point and I know they were stolen by the attendant because NO ONE ever checks the names on the tickets with the names on your passport, so technically anyone could use them.

They tried to get us off the train saying they would contact us at our next location, but we refused to leave because we knew we would be screwed if we left. Finally we did leave with the manager and 2 attendants and went straight to the Eurail office. After a few hours, the Austrian conductor had to buy us new tickets because we refused to leave without them. It’s not really a location specific problem (and we really loved Switzerland and Austria regardless) and we would still ride on trains in Europe even though this happened. However we definitely tried to avoid overnight train rides after that so we wouldn’t have to hand over the tickets again.

5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.

Besides our electronics, we are both hooked on our silk sleep sheets. We sleep with them every night when we travel.

6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.

Baggage. All of it. Except the camera and sleep sheets — we’ll keep those.

7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?

Less is more. It’s true in almost every aspect of traveling. Travel lighter and you will be happier, you’ll do more and feel more free, then you’ll stumble into experiences you never could have imagined. Traveling light cannot be overrated. Also, don’t try to cram everything in. The quickest way to ruin your travels (besides a heavy bag) is by doing too much. It seems backwards, but if you do less you will experience more.

8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

We would both love to live in Paris. We absolutely love that city — it really inspires us and makes us feel creative and alive. Whenever we arrive we feel like we are home.

9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.

Beth: I’d really love to go hang out with the mountain gorillas in Africa. That is an experience I’d really love to have.

Randy: I really want to island hop for a year on a sailboat in the Caribbean.

10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?

Preparing the night before for your travel days is key. Write down the address you are headed to, figure out the train/bus schedule, buy your tickets if you can. It’s a pain to do all this stuff but it makes a huge difference on the level of stress you’ll have on the actual travel day. We’ve actually arrived in new towns with no idea where we are going — all the information would be online and then we’d have to try to find wifi or an internet cafe. If you prep the night before, you’ll have all this written down in a notebook which will save you tons of time.

And lastly but certainly not least — watch out for those space cakes!

Check out their site: Beers and Beans
Follow them on Twitter: @BeersandBeans
“Like” them on Facebook: Beers and Beans

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Are you a travel blogger who has something to say on these topics? Do you know of somebody really interesting in the travel universe that you’d like to see interviewed? Speak up! The Thursday Traveler needs some interview subjects.

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But I’ve never seen a pair that would actually look flattering on women. And, I’m sorry, but I still like to feel cute when I travel, even if I am wearing the same 5 shirts for a month.

Enter a new alternative to unflattering pants — products from the Clever Travel Companion.

This company has created a line of underwear, t-shirts/tank tops, and even long johns with secure zipper pockets for both men AND women. The pockets are the perfect size for a passport, and can also hold a bit of money and a credit card or two.

Essentially, they are perfect for travelers.

Unlike other pickpocket-proof pants, these ones (as well as the t-shirts/tank tops) are meant to be worn UNDER your regular clothes, so they really only need to be functional.

And, for the most part, they are.

I was sent a pair of the women’s underwear and a tank top to try out by Clever Travel Companion. And, while I haven’t actually traveled with them yet, I have worn them to dance around my apartment (sorry, no photos…). Not only are both these pieces functional, but they’re also quite comfy and fit true to size, which is always a plus when purchasing travel clothing.

The underwear are either 95% cotton / 5% spandex or 95% rayon / 5% spandex (I have a pair of the latter), and run $29.90. I love the boyshort cut of them, and the fact that they aren’t flimsy; they feel like they will hold up well on the road. The pockets will fit anything as large as a passport, although sitting down with a passport in either pocket isn’t as easy as it could be.

The tank top is 100% cotton (super comfy) and runs $39.90. The under-boob pocket is discreet, and able to hold more than the pockets in the underwear. I stuck my passport, some money, and 2 credit cards in the pocket and wore the tank top around for an hour. That I had things concealed in my shirt was essentially unnoticeable to me, and would be unnoticeable to others, too, with the addition of a cardigan or jacket.

Bottom line: Both these pieces are a great way to hide important things in places it would be very difficult for a pickpocket to reach.

Lonely Planet has called the Clever Travel Companion the “perfect travel present,” and, after giving a couple items a try myself, I’m inclined to agree. I would certainly prefer to receive something like this as a gift than a pair of ugly pickpocket-proof pants.

I’m not the type of person to usually worry about getting robbed when I travel, but that’s mostly because I’ve never traveled anywhere where it was a real possibility. If I did, I imagine that being able to keep my passport, money, and maybe a credit card in a secret pocket would definitely give me peace of mind.

Both of these will definitely be coming to Europe with me this summer.

Two thumbs up!

Check out the Clever Travel Companion for yourself, and be well on your way to traveling with less fear of getting robbed!

——

What sorts of items do you travel with in order to keep your belongings safe?

*Note: I did receive free samples of Clever Travel Companion underwear and a tank top, however I would never recommend something to you that I don’t honestly like myself!

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Located just over an hour outside of Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula, Akaroa took me by surprise with its colorful streets, breathtaking scenery, and distinct French flair. Even though it was cloudy and cold and nearly deserted during my visit, I couldn’t help but fall in love. I don’t know if anyone could.

I wrote a short post about falling in love with Akaroa after my visit there, but there’s still much more to show.

Here, then, are all 25 reasons (i.e. photos) why I fell in love with Akaroa:

The harbor

The harbor and lighthouse

One of the town's many docks

Cleaning off some boats

The main pier

Who doesn't love a bar on the beach?

Tilted harbor

Low clouds on a fall day

The streets

A sculpture and plenty of benches

Akaroa has a very artsy flair

The colors in fall are pretty

Could it be any cuter?

Outside a house

A random sidewalk

This was my favorite building

Outside a great locally-owned restaurant

Some French street names mixed in

Colorful, even under cloudy skies

I think maybe I'll retire here

War memorial

The scenery

Looking down toward Akaroa

Low clouds, big hills, tiny buildings

Sea cave

And there’s of course there’s the wildlife, too — penguins, dolphins, seals and more!

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So what do you think? Is Akaroa the type of place you could see yourself falling in love with, too?

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A country so full of wild beauty that it literally explodes every now and then. (Come on, you all remember the evil ash cloud a few years back, right?)

Photo by origine1, on Flickr

By all accounts, this rather obscure European country in the middle of the Atlantic is amazing. Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, it’s been on my radar for the past few years, ever since others began telling me I would love it because I love New Zealand.

Because, as you all know, I do love New Zealand. A lot.

But the more I read about Iceland, the more I am inclined to believe that those who say I will fall in love with it too are right. And even though I doubt any other place could steal my heart the way that New Zealand has, part of me is worried that Iceland could become a contender for “my favorite country ever.”

I guess I’ll find out soon enough, because I’m heading to Iceland in March!

Photo by Funky Tee, on Flickr

While Iceland certainly isn’t your average Spring Break destination, it’s exactly where I’m heading during my week off from grad school in late March. I had toyed around with some tropical and warm-weather destinations while laying out my 2012 travel wishlist, but, when it came down to it, none of them sounded as appealing as Iceland.

Photo by vestman, on Flickr

Yes, I’ll be traveling there during the unpredictable month of March. But while I do run the risk of being kept indoors by bad weather, I will also be in Iceland during the off season — when things are slightly more affordable, and there are less tourists around.

And another plus of traveling to Iceland in March? I’ll be there during the week of the Equinox (when there are equal hours of day and night), which is supposed to be one of the best times of year to see the Northern Lights.

Photo by http://heatherbuckley.co.uk, on Flickr

The Northern Lights! I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am by the knowledge that I could very well be seeing the Aurora Borealis with my own two eyes in just over a month… Let’s hope that the weather cooperates.

Along with *hopefully* chasing down the Northern Lights, here are some other things I’m hoping to do during my 5.5 days in Reykjavik:

• Tour the Golden Circle to see Iceland’s famous waterfalls and geysers.
• Go snowmobiling on a glacier.
• Ride an Icelandic horse.
• See Reykjavik from atop Hallgrímskirkja church.
• Soak in the Blue Lagoon.
• Hunt for elves (hopefully more on this later!).
• Maybe go whale watching.
• Try to learn how to pronounce at least 5 Icelandic words correctly.

Of course, I may do more than this, or I may do less. Or I could end up doing different things entirely — that’s the beauty of going into a trip with virtually no plans!

Photo by origine1, on Flickr

Even though I’d love to be able to travel to all parts of Iceland, I’ll be basing myself in Reykjavik all 5 nights, simply because it’s easiest this time of year, when roads to more remote parts of the country could potentially be closed due to snow. I’ll be cosying up in a Roomorama apartment in downtown Reykjavik for my first 3 nights (the other 2 nights still TBD), and the lovely Susanna of ICELANDisHOT is helping me plan some adventures for the daylight hours.

Photo by Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It. World Tour, on Flickr

And the time leading up to this trip is absolutely flying. There’s only a month left now, and I’m starting to get really, really excited.

But what’s so exciting about Iceland, you ask?

Things about Iceland that excite me:

• I’ve heard that Icelandic people are incredibly friendly.
• Iceland is small and compact — you can see a lot in a short amount of time.
• This country has some truly stunning, wild landscapes.
• Icelandic horses!
• Some Icelanders hold a belief in mythical creatures like elves and fairies.
• If you’re lucky, you can see the Northern Lights.

Things about Iceland that worry me:

• Impossible-to-pronounce words with far too many consonants.

… That’s it, really… Well, that and the fermented shark meat. I’m sorry, but I will not be trying that.

Photo by o palsson, on Flickr

So far, 2012 is shaping up to be my most epic, travel-packed year yet, and this trip to Iceland will definitely be adding to it. I can’t wait!

What sorts of things would you like to read about in regards to Iceland? Have you been there? Is it a destination on YOUR travel list?

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1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?

A “traveler” is someone who leaves the familiar to venture into the unknown. Though this is typically in the physical sense, I also think it’s possible to travel without actually going anywhere. I know that, as a kid, I traveled all around the world through books. (And, like you, Amanda, through Carmen Sandiego!) I consider myself a traveler because I am constantly in search of the unfamiliar. Arriving in a new country, city, or even a new restaurant is a natural high for me… and one to which I am very addicted!

2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?

Wow, this is tough! The two that immediately come to mind are hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (magical) and attending elephant mahout training camp in Thailand. I’m kind of obsessed with elephants, so that was a dream come true for me.

3. How about your proudest travel moment?

My proudest travel moment may have been at the Cartagena airport, which I know, sounds ultra lame. But, hear me out. Pretty much, it was an airline bungling of epic proportions, and I spent all day negotiating with airline employees, talking to travel agencies, and calling alternate transportation companies on the phone. It was a very stressful day, and I barely had time to think. When we were finally on our flight to Panama, I realized that I had accomplished all of it… in Spanish. I really enjoy learning new languages, so that was a huge accomplishment for me.

4. Have you had any travel mishaps or bad experiences? If so, have these influenced how you view the place where they happened? Would you go back?

What is travel if not mishaps? I have had too many mishaps to count, and though probably cranky about them at the time, in the end I consider them just part of the experience. They’re what make the good stories, right? I did have one bad experience in Chiang Mai, but it hasn’t influenced my view of Thailand at all. It could have happened anywhere. Luckily, it was a wake-up call for me. It’s unfair, but especially as females, we need to always be aware of our surroundings and not allow ourselves to get overly comfortable.

5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.

Pepto-bismol tablets. They are my crack. I love food, and especially street food. I eat anything and everything I can get my hands on, and when that turns out to be an awful awful idea, Pepto is there to save the day. Usually. Plus, they taste (sort of) like Necco Wafers!

6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.

My passport. Do you remember that egg-baby challenge they make you do in high-school? Where you have to carry around an egg for a week without breaking it, to make you realize that having a baby is a lot of work? Well, that’s how I feel about my passport. I always am worrying about it, wondering where it is, if it is warm and dry, blah blah. I’ll have these panicky times where I’m sure I lost it, and will be scrambling around looking for it, and then realize it’s on my dresser. Traveling would be so much easier if they could just scan my retinas or something. So please get on that, State Department!

7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?

While traveling, I am constantly learning. Languages, cultures, self-reflection, it never stops. To be completely cheesy, I think that the most important thing I’ve learned is that people are the same everywhere. People may look different, speak different languages, eat different things, but, ultimately, what’s on the inside is pretty similar. We all love to spend time with our friends and families, eat good food, and laugh with each other. It’s beautiful, really.

8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Anywhere? Inside the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. That place is my version of heaven.

9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.

I guess I’m not allowed to say everything, am I? Hmm, I’ve had this dream trip in my head for a while of backpacking through Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. Nepal for the trekking, India for the food, and Sri Lanka for the animals — elephants, leopards, and SLOTH BEARS (I don’t really know what they are, but they sound awesome). I’m there! Ooh, or diving with whales. That would be absolutely incredible.

10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?

It is not going to be all sunshine and unicorns. Bummer, I know. It is going to be really hard. As douchey as it sounds, there is a big difference between taking a “vacation” and traveling. There are going to be times you really just want to go home and times when you wonder what the hell you were thinking. But, STAY POSITIVE. If you get into a bad mood, treat yourself. Go lie on the beach, eat a nice meal, or, my personal favorite — go to the movies. Take a “vacation” during your travels, and you will soon again feel refreshed and appreciative of all the amazing experiences you’re having.

Visit Susan’s site: Travel Junkette
Follow Susan on Twitter: @travljunkette
“Like” Susan on Facebook: Travel Junkette

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Are you a travel blogger who has something to say on these topics? Do you know of somebody really interesting in the travel universe that you’d like to see interviewed? Speak up! The Thursday Traveler needs some interview subjects.

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