Going traveling is one of the few things we undertake in a direct attempt to make ourselves happy-and frequently, in fascinating ways, we fail. We get bored, cross, anxious, or lonely. It isn't surprising: our societies act as if going traveling were simple, just a case of handing over the right sum of money. But a satisfying journey isn't something we can simply buy, and sadly something that should fill us with excitement can often end up being a source of angst and stress. This is the guide: not to any one destination but to travel in general. It talks to us, among other things, about how we should choose a place to go, what we might do when we get there, how we should make good moments stick in our minds and why hotel rooms can be such liberating places... In a succession of genial essays, we become students of an unexpected but vital topic: how to understand and more fully relax and enjoy (what should be) some of the finest experiences of our lives.

Autorentext

The School of Life is a global organization helping people lead more fulfilled lives. It is a resource for helping us understand ourselves, for improving our relationships, our careers, and our social lives-as well as for helping us find calm and get more out of our leisure hours. They do this through films, workshops, books, and gifts-and through a warm and supportive community. You can find The School of Life online, in stores and in welcoming spaces around the globe.

The School of Life Press was established in 2016 to bring together over a decade of research and insights from The School of Life's content team. Led by founder and series editor Alain de Botton, this is a library to educate, entertain, console, and transform us.

Inhalt

How to Choose a Destination

What Is 'Exotic'?

The Suspicion of Happiness

Anxiety

Small Pleasures

Water Towers

The Importance of the Sun

Travel as a Cure for Shyness

The Pleasure of the Airport

The Pleasure of the Flight

Pretty Cities

The Pleasure of Otherness

The Longing to Talk to Strangers

The Vulnerability of Perfection to Emotional Troubles

The Importance of Family Holidays

The Pleasure of the Romantic Minibreak

The Little Restaurant

In Defence of Crowds

The Pleasure of Room Service

The Pleasures of Nature

Drawing Rather than Taking Photographs

Holiday Fling

Traveling for Perspective

Travel and Pilgrimages

How to Spend a Few Days in Paris

How to Come Home

The Advantages of Staying at Home

Cherishing Memories

The Shortest Trip: Going for a Walk

The Shortest Travel Quiz