The more we travel the less touristy we become, is it just us?

Travel Less for “Tourist” Fulfillment: A Personal Reflection on Being Present

We’ve spent years visiting hundreds of cities across six continents, and with each journey, we find that the allure of traditional tourist attractions grows quieter. The thrill of ticking off famous sights seems to fade as our perspective evolves.

On a recent trip to Kerala, we woke to the sound of foghorns and stepped onto our hotel balcony to find a bustling waterway unfolding below. Fishing boats, cargo vessels, and a passenger ferry moved through the channel, a living illustration of daily life just outside our door.

Critics might point to the weathered boats, aging infrastructure, or the perception of privilege that comes with staying in a luxury hotel. And that critique would have merit. Yet there was something deeply comforting about witnessing everyday activity in its most unfiltered form—people pursuing their routines, lives that diverge so completely from our own. For reasons that are difficult to articulate, this view lightened the weight of our own responsibilities for a time.

We spent hours strolling along the waterway and then lingering on the balcony, simply talking about life. It’s often in these unplanned moments that travel feels most meaningful.

Looking back, many of our strongest memories aren’t tied to iconic landmarks but to moments of presence: being in a place, watching life unfold around us, and feeling connected to something larger than ourselves.

We’re curious how others experience travel as they grow older. Do you find that the most memorable moments come from immersion and observation rather than checklist-style sightseeing? Or is this just a natural shift as we accumulate experiences and seek deeper connection?