5 life-changing travel experiences that will shift your perspective

One of the reasons why I love travelling so much, is how it always helps me put things into perspective. Every time I explore a new country or place, I find myself feeling more humble and grateful than before. Some places make you appreciate everything you have, other make you realise how small your problems actually are. So in no particular order, here are some of the most humbling travel experiences I ever had, and would recommend anyone try at some point in life if they can.

Meteora, Greece

I have a special connection with this place. Apparently, when my mom was expecting me, she saw a documentary about Meteora, Greece, and she was so amazed that it landed on her bucket list. About 28 years later, I managed to visit this magical place myself. Compared to other Greek destinations, it is not widely known, so I am here encouraging everyone to visit once in their life. Meteora, Greece, is seriously one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. Think towering rock formations with ancient monasteries literally perched on top—like something out of a movie. The name "Meteora" actually means “suspended in the air,” which makes sense once you see it. These cliff-top monasteries were built way back in the 14th century by monks looking for solitude and spiritual connection. Today, six of them are still active and open to visitors. It’s the perfect blend of breathtaking nature, deep history, and peaceful energy. Walking around in the area makes you wonder what incredible things humans are capable of and makes you feel like you just traveled back in time.

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum in Jordan has gained popularity among tourists in recent years. Everyone wants to visit to feel like they are on Mars. It does look like Mars, I can testify. But the reason I found this to be one of the most humbling experiences of my life is not because of how this place looks, but more because of how quiet it is. Once your 4x4 stops, and you get to walk around a little, away from people, you will experience real silence. Silence you have never experienced before. If you go out in nature and stay quiet, you still hear the birds or some other animals in the background. Maybe the wind is blowing and you can hear the trees. Here? Nothing. You are met with nothing but silence and your thoughts. It was a truly eye-opening experience. If you are someone with a busy life, living in a busy city, I bet this travel experience will be life-changing for you too! (side note: Jordan is the only destination on this list I didn’t explore solo, so I can’t personally speak to the solo travel experience or safety there)

New York

Speaking of busy cities... If you have ever watched Gossip Girl, you may think that everyone is a big deal, main character energy in New York. Which, ironically, is the complete opposite of how New York made me feel. I felt like a tiny ant. The buildings, the crowds, the atmosphere all made me feel so small; it humbled me for life. Not in a bad way, of course. New York is one of my favourite cities to date, and I love walking around, getting lost in the experience. But New York is not for those who seek validation or attention because unless you are an A-lister, you are likely to blend into the crowd, which can be a great and humbling experience.

Gardens by the bay, Singapore

Singapore is one of my favourite places on Earth. It is so modern and green, you really do feel like you just travelled to the future. And sitting under the Supertrees in Gardens by the Bay makes you appreciate exactly that. It is such a perfect combination to showcase that we humans are capable of amazing, sustainable and magical things if we use our power right. It definitely had to make this list because it me feel humble and grateful at the same time. It made me appreciate nature and humanity and it made me see that there are so many possibilities for the future.

Machu Picchu

A place that is on everyone's bucket list, rightfully so. If I am completely honest with you, not just the Machu Picchu itslef, but the whole experience around Cusco made me feel so grateful and humble. It is such a magical, holy, and spiritual area in many ways. You can sense the wisdom, knowledge, and spirit that built and sustained these areas over the centuries. The whole time I felt like, only if these walls, trees, or mountains could speak, I would listen to their stories all day long! Sadly, they can't, but there are lovely local tour guides to help you discover more of this magical area. Visiting Machu Picchu and Cusco's surrounding areas is an experience that humbled me and will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I hope you enjoyed this post or found it useful for your next adventure. And if you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home—wherever the journey takes you.