One of the ways Ken and I have dealt with our recent travel disappointments, and enforced isolation, is to engage in lively discussions about where we want to go when we can travel again. The list so far is diverse, far flung and well beyond any budget, but we are having so much fun.
One night that conversation morphed into a discussion of why we travel and what kind of travelers we think we are. Based on nothing more than our opinion we have developed the following five categories. We have taken into consideration age, physical condition, economics, education and interests, and risk tolerance. Consider what category you fall into and how that has or will influence your travel plans moving forward.
Vacationer
The vacationer is looking to get away from all the stress of everyday life and just relax. They are as happy at a cottage by a lake as they are at an all inclusive resort. Their only criteria is the amenities; attentive staff, beautiful views and great food. Destinations are judged based on what the traveler can do, or more importantly, what they don’t have to do. Vacationers tend to bring their lifestyle and culture with them when they travel, take very little risk and come home well rested and tanned.
Explorer
The explorer is always looking for the next destination that will offer them a different 
perspective on culture, art or history. They want to explore new cities, spend time with locals in small towns, and plan to visit every museum or art gallery they can. The explorer tends to be more self directed and independent travelers, shunning organized tours in favour of following their own itineraries. Amenities are considered but the explorer will book an efficiency apartment instead of a hotel, shop for and cook most of their meals and interact with the locals on a more personal level.
Adventurer
The adventurer is interested in the type of travels that will challenge them both intellectually and physically. They have the highest risk tolerance of any type of traveler so will look for the most adventurous of activities such as white water rafting, rock climbing or volunteering as a way of seeing the distant corners of the world. Their destinations are chosen based on how they can conquer their own trepidation and enrich themselves and the place they are travelling to. Budget may be a consideration but the experience far outweighs any other.
Bucket Lister
This type of traveler is all about checking the must do’s off their bucket list and as such are generally in the category of the mature and well funded traveler. Whether it is a cruise to the Mediterranean to see the Coliseum in Rome and the Parthenon in Athens, or a week long guided tour of France to visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris and see the lavender fields of Provence, the Bucket Lister is enjoying and engaging in their type of travel, and taking lots of great pictures. Budget is rarely a consideration and is often far lower on the list of travel requirements than convenience, amenities and scope.
Backpacker
Whereas the Bucket Lister tends to be the more mature traveler, the backpacker tends to be the younger. Economics often pays a key role in their travel choices. They will wonder longer in order to stretch out this often life changing opportunity and spend their travel dollars wisely in order to achieve that end. Hostels are teeming with young travelers looking for the cultural enrichment of a pub crawl with like minded youths from around with world with the odd tourist site thrown in for good measure. They have a high risk tolerance but are savvy enough to know how to look after themselves. In fact Backpackers tend to be the most innovative travelers; solving problems with the free thinking capability of the young.
I hope we have captured at least some of the characteristics representative of you. If not please feel free to reach out to tell us what type of traveler you are. Either way, as long as we continue to appreciate what the world has to offer we are the best type of traveler.