Travelling with Meaning

Travel with Meaning

There has been a lot of discussion about ‘mindful travel’ as we finally emerge from the social distancing of the pandemic and can once again safely partake in the pleasure and adventure of travelling.

To Deb Niven, co-founder of The Divine Destination Collection, mindful travel really means travel with meaning.

“It’s about embarking on a trip that includes experiences beyond the hotel. That includes supporting the local community by relaxing, shopping, and taking excursions through the area – but it goes beyond that for us. The travel we offer is carefully curated to pull back the veil of a destination and allow our travellers to experience what is sacred about the location – far beyond history or what makes a place famous.”

Has mindful travel changed the way people travel?

The post pandemic era released many people from their isolation out into the world, which at first they enjoyed with parties and get-togethers, followed very quickly with travel, says Deb.

Even during the pandemic people were drawn to cottages up north, glamping and wilderness adventures, as it provided a safe environment.

“But as the safety came back, people realized that time is precious and travel is to be savoured and not devoured,” says Deb.

“That’s why every single trip we curate includes meaningful encounters. For example, in Muskoka we honoured the First Nations people of the area and gently led our travellers back to nature with activities such as foraging the very mushrooms used in that night’s gourmet dinner  – all while enjoying the finest of wines, of course, which is a special Divine Destination Collection tradition.”

Another example is the trip to Mexico which featured the opportunity to be blessed in a Mayan ceremony, swim in a sacred cenote, take a mild “temascal” sweat lodge experience, and share an Indigenous meal and dancing with residents of a local Mayan village.