It’s Valentine’s Day!
Though I’m sure you don’t need me to remind you.
All around the world people are telling those around them how they feel, while some are being that ‘Bitter Betty’ and grumping about the obvious signs of love all over the place.
I personally enjoy V-Day. Yes, you should spread love all year round, but this specific day permits you to be a little bit extra cheesy, so make use of it!
When I travel I make a point of spreading love throughout the places that I visit by mixing love and travel together. I firmly believe that the ricochet effect comes into play here.
By taking the time to show this person some love, chances are they will pass that love onto someone else.
It’s beautiful.
Below is a collection of ideas and ways you can spread love as you travel and as a result, make this world a better place.
Give Your Host A Gift
Whether you are in a hostel, couchsurfing, staying with friends or family, or are invited to stay with a local you just met, show them some love by letting them know you are thankful for their hospitality.
My favourite practice, in this situation, is to take a photo with your host, print it off and write a message on the back. This leaves them with a small momento of your time together, that won’t take up a lot of space and the image reminds them of who you are!
Other options are to buy a bag of groceries or some flowers to brighten up their home.
Your host will feel the simple love and you wont break the bank.
Watch a Sunset
Nothing quite puts love in your heart like witnessing one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful spectacles. As the sun slowly sinks from the sky, dipping into the water or land and eventually completely disappearing from sight you can’t help but feel warm inside.
I was fortunate to witness many sunsets around the world and each time fell a little bit more in love with our planet. The sunset in Santorini, Greece was one of the best and a guy even proposed to his girlfriend. Needless to say, love was in the air.
Whether you are in Greece, Peru or even Borneo, holidays and trips that offer you a top notch sunset will blend travel and love and have you heading home with a little extra love in your heart.
Treat Someone To Dinner
You are travelling solo, you’re on a budget, you go for dinner with a fellow traveller and out of no where they pay for your dinner. If that doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will.
So, why not be the one paying for dinner leaving your dining partner feeling all fuzzy wuzzy. No matter what your budget, this idea is doable. If you are in South East Asia, you can find a pretty epic meal for a couple bucks while in Europe perhaps you pay for their gelato.
It doesn’t have to be much, but that small act of treating someone to a meal is infectious and will surely be passed on to someone else down the road.
Send A Postcard
You might be having the time of your life galavanting around the planet but trust me, your friends, your family – someone misses you!
Take a few minutes to write them a quick postcard and throw it in the mail. It’s an easy task for you but the love they’ll feel will be incredible.
Spend Time With Animals
If you prefer to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays, don’t like eating in front of people, camp by yourself and don’t know anyone around the world to send a postcard to, then here is a last resort: hang out with some animals.
You can head to a sanctuary, go swimming, take a walk in a forest or try a safari. Animals are everywhere, so finding them shouldn’t be too difficult but spending time with some creatures in bound to make you crack a smile. That being said, use your common sense – don’t go jumping in a lion den or swamp full of alligators.
I spent a day at the Patara Elephant Farm and left feeling pretty darn fantastic.
Love is simple. It’s an affection that we can share with the people and things around us. Whether you are single or attached on this day (or any day for that matter), taking a few moments to spread some love will make you and those who receive your love feel a little bit warmer inside.
So go ahead…Put a Little Love in Your Heart….travel and love at once!
How do you spread love around the world? Do you believe love?!
