Editor's note on travel: Discussions in 2025
In a twist from traditional travel narratives, we've been exploring emotional journeys this year instead of typical holidays. This time around, individuals embarked on quests not for sun, sand, or sightseeing, but for inspiration, reconciliation, reunions, restoration, or closure.
One extraordinary story belongs to Fiona Golfar, who never envisioned her future would lead her to seek citizenship from a country that once banished her family. In her gripping account, Fiona recounts her journey from her great-grandfather's Berlin chocolate factory in 1921 to modern-day London, and the extraordinary chain of events that led her to stand outside the factory gates again. Prompted by her children, who wished to work freely within Europe post-Brexit, Fiona made the difficult decision to apply for German citizenship. Though personal, Fiona's story echoes a broader historical relevance that resonates today.
Ben Markovits embarked on a cycling adventure through the Yorkshire Dales, celebrating his novel's completion and two years of cancer remission. His expedition, accompanied by his teenage son, was an open, honest reflection of the ups and downs of such an ambitions journey. We hope this marks the first in a series of father-and-son adventures around the Yorkshire hills.
What exactly makes a country "happy"? According to the World Happiness Report, Finland has held the title of the happiest place on earth for the past eight years. To better understand Finland's happiness, we reached out to Helsinki-based writer Carolina Forss. Perhaps it's Finland's sauna practices that boost serotonin levels, or the simple fact that happiness means different things to different nations.
Last winter, I had the privilege to explore Patagonia, a wild, desolate region that straddles Chile and Argentina. Sparse communities are bound together by the Carretera Austral, a road completed in 2003, yet despite this newfound connection, Patagonia remains eerily isolated. The region's haunting beauty and endless frontier have captivated travelers for centuries.
Elsewhere, novelist Christopher Bollen delves into a deeply personal odyssey around New York's famed hotel, The Carlyle. Meanwhile, film director Wim Wenders sheds light on why locations serve as the foundation for his inspirational films. Over the years, Wenders' films have ignited in me a desire to visit destinations like Berlin, Hangzhou, and Tokyo. I've managed to check off a few items from the Wenders bucket list, but Paris, Texas, and Wuppertal still call to me.
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@jellison22
[1] Bloomberg.com, "Finland Teaches Us Why Money Can't Buy Happiness," accessed February 2, 2023.
[2] World Happiness Report 2022, "Finland," accessed February 2, 2023.
[3] Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Department of Labor, "Census of Population and Housing," accessed February 2, 2023.
[4] Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, "Finland," accessed February 2, 2023.
[5] European Commission, "Education and Training in Finland," accessed February 2, 2023.
Fiona Golfar's emotional journey, though personal, echoes how travel can foster a desire for reconciliation with one's past, demonstrating that exploration can extend beyond traditional travel narratives to include elements of lifestyle and personal transformation. Ben Markovits' cycling adventure through the Yorkshire Dales, a celebration of his novel's completion and cancer remission, showcases how travel can also serve as a means to rejuvenate one's lifestyle, enriching it with new experiences and bonding moments.
