Everyone has a list of destinations they promise themselves to visit during their lifetime. People travel for endless reasons, whether it's to experience different cultures, see natural wonders of the world, or learn about heritage. All these ideas are exciting options, because in every situation, you will be exposed to something unfamiliar and life-changing.

 

每个人都有一堆承诺自己此生要去的地方。人们旅行的原因有很多，有的是要体验不同的文化、看看世界上的自然奇观，或者了解别处的传统。所有这些想法都令人激动，因为无论是哪种情况，你都会体验到从未体验过的、改变人生的东西。

 

I recently had a discussion with someone about my study abroad experience. They listened as I recounted my explorations around Italy and my additional travels. "I would love to do something like that," they said, "but I feel like everyone goes to Europe now. It's not really that unique anymore".

 

我最近和几个人谈论了我在国外的求学经历，他们听我描述在意大利的经历和其他旅行时说：“我也想那样做，但我感觉现在大家都去欧洲，没什么特别的了。”

 

I was pretty shocked by such a statement. Since when was traveling anywhere not cool enough? Naturally, the older you get, you're going to know more people who have traveled to various parts of the world, but does standing underneath the Eiffel Tower have less value to me because so many travelers have done the exact same thing? Or climbing and taking a picture up at the top of the Florence Duomo?

 

听到这样的话我很震惊，从什么时候开始出去旅行没意思了?当然，随着你年龄的增长，你会认识越多在世界不同地方旅行过的人，但是难道就因为很多人都曾站在埃菲尔铁塔下，所以这样做对我来说就没有意义了吗?或者说爬上圣母百花圣殿照张照片就没意思了?

 

My answer: absolutely not. Reading travel blogs and staring at photographs is helpful and enjoyable, but nothing close to actually experiencing that place. The truth is, every new destination is unique, and it's nearly impossible to make a "wrong" decision.

 

我的答案是：大错特错。读旅行博客、看照片都很有帮助，也很有乐趣，但跟亲身经历绝对不一样。其实每个新目的地都很独特，选择任何目的地都不会错。

 

It is important to focus on your own personal journey, not the experience of others. Every city, state, and country, has thousands of different things to offer. The places you will visit all have fascinating people, delicious different kinds of food you've never tried before, and unbelievable history that will blow your mind. Traveling will nevertheless change you and leave an imprint on the way you see the world - no matter where you go.

 

重点是要关注自己的亲身经历，而不是别人的经历。每个城市、州和国家都有数不胜数的新鲜事物。你要去参观的地方都有有意思的人、你从未品尝过的美味食物和令你痴迷的难以置信的历史。旅行仍然会改变你，在你周游世界之路上留下印记——无论你去哪儿。

 

Whether the destinations we desire are seemingly simple or seemingly obscure in the eyes of others, every experience has its own unique value. Keep your adventures authentic while also utilizing the opinions and advice of others. In every new destination, you will find a new part of yourself. Truly, no destination is the wrong place to go.

 

无论我们想去的地方在别人眼中看似简单还是无聊，每次经历都有它独特的意义。坚持自己想去的地方，同时也要听取别人的想法和建议。在每个新地方你都会发现一个新的自己。真的，没有一个地方是不该去的。