It may seem like splitting hairs, but there are major differences between being a traveler and being a tourist.
Being a traveler is sort of like being a part of a Newtonian law: A traveler in motion stays in motion, yada yada yada. While being a tourist is sort of like intentionally plopping yourself down somewhere to say you went there.
Fancy yourself a traveler? See if the below rings true first.
You dream about your next trip during your morning commute.
Solo travel is your jam. (Read this if you need a nudge to take the plunge and go it alone.)
You wouldn't be caught dead doing this. Like EVER.
Or THIS.
You love it so much, you made it your job.
Homesickness happens, we know. But you don't make it a point to head to the nearest McDonald's/Starbucks/Pizza Hut every chance you get.
You understand that not all money looks like American dollars. As such, you don't refer to foreign currency as "play money." It's real. Very real.
You plan trips you don't end up taking for the fun of it.
You have maps stashed on your walls/in your wallet/underwear drawer from favorite places.
Your Facebook cover photo is a destination you love/just got back from.
Your phone has the weather and time zone of your favorite spots just because you like to know.
You know how to say "hello/goodbye and thank you" in many a language.
You name cities by airport codes, aka CDG, LHR, ORD.
Your passport is your favorite personal item.
Instagram shots of your friend's vacations on Mexican beaches just isn't really traveling in your book.
You rationalize trips as "well, that's a month's worth of electricity" or "I can't watch 'Homeland' this season" so you can afford your adventures.
Your New Year's resolutions always includes places you want to visit in the coming year.
Friends come to you for packing tips.
You've never gone somewhere "just to check it off the list."
You know how to get through security in the least amount of time.
You're spontaneous.
We don’t know what you do for a living, but we do know you likely need a break. And, nearly halfway through the year, we’re challenging you (yes — busy, overworked, financially stretched you) to #TakeABreak. During the month of June, we’ll help you nail down how many vacation days you have at your disposal, figure out where to go, and plan a trip you can actually afford. For 30 days of travel tips, cheap flight hacks, vacation ideas and wanderlust galore, sign up for our Take A Break action plan here!