The Right Travel Spots for You

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Travel can refresh and rejuvenate. It can be a respite from a stressful life. But it can also be much deeper than that. As Dr. Marilyn Varcoe says, “Travel is good medicine.”

Varcoe has been to 171 counties and belongs to the Naples chapter of the Circumnavigators Club, an organization of travel enthusiasts. She’s also a licensed cognitive behavioral psychologist with a successful practice in Naples.

For most of her career, she’s studied how those two parts of her persona intertwine and how the concept of a “vacation” can be so much more than just a getaway.

While we focus on the “where” and “when” of travel planning, there are the psychological benefits that may go unnoticed. A branch of behavioral psychology has started to focus on the positive effects of travel on health. Frequent travel has been associated with a boost in job performance, a lower risk of heart attack, an improved outlook on the world and even a better sex life. Overall, it makes people happy.

The proper dose of travel does need to be tailored to the patient. What is exciting to one person might be scary to another. What is relaxing to one traveler might be dull to another.

With Varcoe’s expertise, we’ve created eight different traveler personality types and the best vacations for each one. Read on to figure out which one (or ones) might fit your personality best. Consider it a trip to the therapist—just a whole lot more fun.