Hobbies That Allow You to Travel the World? – 2023

Author, Cynthia Ross Tustin – June 22, 2023

Are you searching for interesting hobbies that allow you to travel the world? Some of you definitely are. I know that because ever since I wrote 40 Unusual Hobbies for Seniors: The Most Comprehensive Guide for Avoiding A Boring Retirement, you’ve been asking me about travel hobbies.

There’s no shortage of interesting hobbies, pastimes, or pursuits out there, especially if you’re retired or even thinking about it. So let me share some with you.

Travel, in and of itself, is one. But hobbies that allow you to travel the world? Is that possible? I had to dig a bit to find the real crux of their question about hobbies while travelling.  I already pursue a specific hobby, can I do it when I travel? Or, must I travel so I can pursue a specific hobby?

The latter question, “Must I travel so I can pursue a specific hobby” feels more compelling to me. And it’s what I believe people are really asking.

What hobbies compel you to travel? In this post, I’ll tackle the question of what interesting hobbies allow you to travel the world from the “compel” perspective.

Hobbies That “Compel” You to Travel the World

What interest, hobby, pass-time, or pursuit compels (induces, requires, or obliges) you to travel? Certain hobbies allow you to travel because you need the “travel part” to bring something new or changing to keep the hobby fresh and evolving.

Photography comes to mind or birdwatching. Travel is what brings new perspectives to the hobby.

Other times you’re obliged to travel because your hobby can’t be done from home. Pity the person whose passion is mountain climbing and who lives in Saskatchewan. (It’s so flat there. How flat is it? It’s so flat there that you can see your dog running away for two days.) I’m kidding, I love Saskatchewan.

It’s the same for a surfer that lives in the mid-west or a lover of cross-country skiing that lives in Arizona.

Still other times, it’s about the challenge or the competition that’s needed. You’ve turned your love of running for the “personal high” into a desire to run marathons. Your love of restoring old cars has turned to cross-country travel for a show and shine, or vintage racing.

Competition is an element that many forget about, and it frequently requires travel. Almost every hobby can have some competitive component – from painting and juried art shows to tournaments for darts, poker, or pool.

So, Let’s Break Down Hobbies That Allow You to Travel into Those Three Chunks

Travel inspires the hobby, the hobby requires travel, and the hobby requires travel for competition.

Let’s jump into this one!

Hobbies That Allow You to Travel the World: Travel Inspires the Hobby

Travel Photography

The connection between travel and photography is basically a marriage made in heaven. Nothing could be more compatible. Except maybe culinary travel. The obvious trifecta would be to take food pics while on your journeys.

Travel photography offers the ability to use all the photographic genres – portrait, wildlife, landscape, architecture, live-action sports, and the ever-popular selfie! Perhaps video versus still photography is your thing? With travel, anything and everything can make for great picture subject matter.

Personally!

Personally, I like architecture or landmarks…anything that doesn’t blink, or get red eye. You will never need to ask the Statue of Liberty to say “cheese”!

The blog site Focus, from the photo experts at Picfair, recommends these 10 top cities in North America for photography. As a matter of fact, they even go so far as to say these should be on every travel photographer’s “bucket list”!

New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, Austin, Vancouver, Miami, Los Vegas and Washington DC.  They also have a few “notables” worth visiting too. St. John’s Newfoundland and Quebec City are also highly endorsed!

What about something outside the box if you’re a bit past the beginner stage?

How about booking a photographic expedition? National Geographic offers several astounding opportunities. It would be hard to deny that National Geographic doesn’t know a thing or two about taking a good picture!

All of the voyages on board the National Geographic Fleet include a certified instructor and a “National Geographic Photo Expert”.

Or have you ever considered a photographic residency to up your travel photography hobby game? Experts at Format have an entire list of awesome photographic residencies all over North America. You can learn a new skill or simply polish your hobby into “your craft”. With a residency, you’re “surrounded by like-minded people in a world full of collaborations, exhibitions and artist talks.”

And if you want someone to curate an entire travel photography adventure for you, then Photo Workshop Adventures are for you. You pick from one of their 150+ small group tours, in over 50 countries, and they’ll do the rest. They are “photo-centric” in their tour design and are ideal for true beginners to semi-professional photo-travellers who want an immerse themselves in their favourite hobby.

Birdwatching

We fed the birds regularly at our house and liked looking at what came to the feeders. But it wasn’t until our first trip to Costa Rica that we were inspired to take up full-on birdwatching. Serious birdwatching hobbyists are called “birders.”

One way to guarantee yourself spectacular bird spotting and amazing destinations is to travel to places that have renowned bird sanctuaries. They obviously exist all over the world, but some just stand out.

How about the Djoudj Bird Sanctuary, Senegal River? This sanctuary lies between the countries of Mauritania and Senegal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and sits on 16,000 hectares of lush river delta. The Djoudj Bird Sanctuary is home to over 400 species of birds like the Pelican, Egret, Heron, and Greater Flamingo and is the preferred “layover spot” for migratory birds like the Eurasian Spoonbill and the Northern Shoveler. 

And if a trip to Vietnam is on your bucket list, then the Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary in Bac Lieu, considered the epitome of ecological balance, should be your first birdwatching trek of the trip.

Want an entire Island chain that’s basically a sanctuary, that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and that also has some of the rarest birds on the planet? Sound like a tall order, right? No. That sounds like the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. You can read more about that place in my post, Galapagos Island Tours for Seniors.

FAQ – Side Note

That would be the Mar Chiquita Reserve in Argentina. It sits on 5000 square kilometres and is home to over 4000 bird species. More than enough for any birder!

How about interacting with birds? While you might not want to take up the sport of falconry, you might want to experience these magnificent birds of prey up close. You could take a day or weekend course, just to see what it’s like.

There’s a great place in Ontario that would be an easy drive from Quebec or several US States, called Royal Canadian Falconry. Want a truly unique bird experience with falconry? Then head to Mongolia where you can see these birds as part of a way of life.

Want to be a well-educated birder? Then plan a trip to Cornell University’s Ornithology Lab. You can find that in Ithaca, New York. Check out the birds on their grounds, attend some fascinating lectures, and learn how to participate in citizen science.

You can check out Cornell’s live stream “bird cams” for birds in places like Panama, New Zealand, or Bermuda. And then plan a trip to those places.

Creative Writing

Travel has inspired many famous writers – Hemmingway, Kipling, and Oscar Wilde. Even George Orwell’s work was inspired by his trips abroad. Travel brings fresh inspiration to writing because you can step outside your comfort zone, and do firsthand research, and it requires you to use all your senses. It will also show you how your own personal perspective fits into the rest of the world.

You might not be “writing the great American novel.” But you can definitely make a start. Travel can also inspire work in a personal journal or writing travel blogs. If you’re interested in learning to travel blog, then I recommend starting with a course called Scale Your Travel Blog with Mike and Laura! They’re excellent teachers, and their passports will make you drool!

How about a writing retreat? Check out this post by Write Life, part of Selfpublishing.com for a list of 25 great writer’s retreats around the world.

And what if you’re so inspired by the trip, but just have no idea how to start writing a travel book or guide? I can actually help you with that one. You might need a PLR. No, that’s not some kind of creative brain scan! It’s a foundational document that you can use to jump-start your book process. Here’s a free checklist for beginning writers on how to use a PLR to get started.

And finally, let’s not forget about “creative writing” – literally. I’m referring to different types of calligraphy.  Add Japan to your travel plans and try Shodo. That’s the art of Japanese ink calligraphy. You can try it in Setaga City, Japan. Or how about Turkish-style calligraphy in Istanbul?

Just trying to offer up something outside the box.

Art

The connection between art and travel seems obvious, right? But it’s also backed up by science. Studies have proven that there’s a true link between travelling and improved creativity. Check out this article, Living Outside the Box: New Evidence Shows Going Abroad Linked to Creativity, which was published by the American Psychological Association. Seriously, how cool would it be to get a doctor’s note that says you must travel?!

Travelling to galleries and museums is a great source of inspiration. Anna Rubin created a list of the world’s top 100 galleries. You could simply add one of these to every trip you take.

Three Quick FAQs – Answered Via Wikipedia

Try an art retreat or take studio tours. Artists everywhere open up their studios to students and fellow artists who want to come and learn. One of my favourite places is The Essence of Mulranny Studio in Ireland. You can start with the online course, Painting with Fire.

It’s the brainchild of talented artist Lora Murphy. And is a full year of weekly courses with some of the giants in the encaustic painting world.

 It will make you fall in love with encaustic painting (wax medium) and add new dimensions to your existing art practices. But more than anything else, it will feed your travel bug, and have you booking a trip to Ireland to paint with her in her studio for an art retreat!

Just FYI, the best place to find an inexpensive flight to Ireland is through CheapOAir. (I know I can fly a round trip to Dublin this fall from Toronto for $650 CDN.) Save your money…buy paint!

Hobbies That Allow You to Travel the World: The Hobby Necessitates Travel

Mountain climbing

Mountaineering is an excellent hobby for anyone, of any age. Goes without saying, but I said it anyway. And let’s be clear here, I’m not talking about taking the summit of Everest. I’m talking about basically walking uphill.

Walking up higher and steeper hills is also mountaineering. Author and mountain climber Doug Davis says, “There are plenty of great mountains to summit for beginners, and more and more mountains are installing paths for disabled and elderly people.” And he adds that “it’s important to know that climbing a mountain is a dangerous undertaking, and you shouldn’t rush into it without proper preparation.”

If this hobby appeals to you, especially if you’re a regular hiker or are into trekking, you should check out Doug’s guide to getting started with mountaineering.

I’m not sure I’m up for big mountains, but I can attest to the beauty (and fitness benefits) of hiking in the mountains of Costa Rica. It’s one of the reasons we go there.

I always like to recommend taking a class or hiring a private instructor before taking on an adventurous hobby such as this one. So, if you’re heading to the UK, may I suggest this full-day mountaineering class in Pen-y-Pass?

Since you’re already looking for hobbies that allow you to travel, start with this learning trip to Snowdonia National Park in northern Wales. This small group class is excellent for beginners, or those looking to upskill.

Check for availability for this Mountaineering Class here.

Diving

Diving, like many hobbies, has variations. For some, diving is about looking at natural underwater structures, like coral reefs. Others like to go down for an episode of “Finding Nemo” because it’s all about the fish. Some have watched too much “Shark Week”, and are in it the sharks.

The point is, there are many variables that make diving a great sport, where you’re diving, how deep you’re diving, or what you’re looking for while diving. The list is long, and if you’re a diver with even a moderate amount of experience, you’re going to want new places to explore and new things to see.

My friend Jill Heinerth, Canada’s Explorer in Residence dives for all those reasons and more! So, if you’re looking for some inspiration for places to dive (lakes, oceans, cenotes, caves) you find it in my interview with her in the link above.

Looking to level up your diving hobby because you’re already a well-seasoned diver with decades of experience? May I suggest an expedition to Micronesia for some once-in-a-lifetime wreck diving?

You can begin SCUBA diving at any age, truly. But it’s not mahjong in the park, it can be a dangerous sport and requires a reasonable level of wellness. Merck provides a table of “contraindications for diving“. I would never advise anyone to strictly use Dr. Google, so before starting a hobby like diving, check with your own doctor.

If you’re looking for a few well-researched tips for older divers who are looking to get started with this hobby, I have a checklist for that.

The pdf is here, and free. Please download it and use it as you see fit. All I ask is that if you’re using it, for forwarding it to a friend, please consider subscribing to my blog.

Orienteering

The Oxford Dictionary defines “orienteering” as a, “a competitive sport in which participants find their way to various checkpoints across rough country with the aid of a map and compass, the winner being the one with the lowest elapsed time.

Put it in the outlet mall, and it’s competitive shopping! But I digress.

Orienteering might just be the ideal hobby to add to travelling and hiking because it requires both a compass and a map…no GPS. Let’s face it, we might be the last generation who know what those are and how to use them!

Check out this great article by Kari Smith wrote about orienteering for seniors. This article in Sports and Science reaffirms why it’s good for you! And Time Magazine refers to it as the “thinking sport.”

By its very nature, it requires that you travel “somewhere”. You obviously need to be in an unknown place to “orienteer”, otherwise, you’re just out walking at home. Best place to start?

Join a club like Orienteering USA. They have great resources and lots of events for every level of orienteer.

Need a good compass? If you’re already a serious hiker, and a budding orienteer enthusiast, level up to the SUUNTO-MC-2 global style compass. It has directional measurements and has been balanced for global use with Metric UTM scales and an inch ruler.

Order the SUUNTO MC-2 global style compass.

And a while back I did a post about the best Florida tours for active seniors. That post highlighted many of the amazing state and national parks. So, if that post made you long for a beautiful park in the Sunshine State, here’s a link to orienteering in Florida State Parks!

Storm Chasing

Storm chasing is often considered a lunatic endeavour! But it is also a definite hobby. Yes, the science is super cool, and so is the gadgetry. But trying to predict the exact location of extreme storms and then getting there to see them requires “travel at a moment’s notice.” Perhaps that’s part of the elemental rush.

The technology to make amateur meteorology possible is now much more readily available. Plus, much of the data needed for hardcore evaluation is available online in real time. Predicting the weather is now much more accurate than it used to be when the weatherman was basically using the Doppler dartboard!

Be Prepared to be Self-Reliant

If you’re chasing storms, be prepared to be self-reliant for days. You can’t arrive where a tornado has touched down or a hurricane has come ashore and expect to get a hotel room and a hot meal! This travel adventure needs to be done camping style or in your own RV or trailer.

Fishing

It offers both tranquillity and competition! You can fish to relax and simply enjoy nature. Or you participate in some healthy competition in tournaments while making some extra cash. The choice is yours.

Fishing also offers “options.” And I mean “options” beyond bass vs trout. Fish from the shore or a boat. Fly fishing vs spin fishing. Deep sea fishing vs local ponds and rivers. Ice fishing vs shark fishing in the tropics. You get the drift.

Here’s a quick post on ice fishing here in Ontario if you’d like to try that.

And if you want big sport fish, try deep-sea fishing with my buddy Vibert, down in Costa Rica!

Cycling

Cycling is a super popular hobby for both men and women, and it can be the sole purpose for your trip or just an activity for a few day trips. Either way, it’s an awesome way to incorporate exercise, tours, and sightseeing.

Most of us have friends who are foodies and love to take vineyard tours via bicycle. I myself am a “speck” lazy, and totally out of shape, so I prefer my “cycling” to be via e-bike. Try it, you’ll like it.

Check out this article from Explore the World, and learn about the benefits of cycling for older adults and the best destinations for us to hit the road on two wheels.

Surfing

If you’re a bro, a barney, a grom, or even a pushy aggro, chances are…you’ll have to travel to surf. And even if you’re fortunate enough to live in, on, or near a good surf town, you’ll want to venture farther afield to try new and different waves.

And no, 60 is not too old to learn to surf. You just need the right instructor, a properly sized board, and a moderate fitness level. I had two out of three, and I still manage. So, so can you!

While I may prefer the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Swell Magazine recommends the following 6 destinations for beginner surfers: Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, the UK, Portugal, Bali, and Australia.

The Hobby Requires Travel to Compete

Racing

There are many exhilarating types of hobby racing that not only provide adrenaline-pumping experiences but also require you to explore different parts of the world to compete in them. These racing activities combine the thrill of competition with the joy of travel, allowing enthusiasts to indulge in their passion for both

One popular form of hobby racing that takes enthusiasts around the globe is rally racing. In this motorsport, participants navigate through diverse terrains and challenging off-road tracks, covering long distances across various countries. The most famous of these is the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.

And the Dakar Rally isn’t limited to cars; trucks and motorcycles also compete. A couple of points of clarity before you hop on a plane to go race in the desert.

How Do You Qualify for the Dakar Rally?

Anyone over 18 can apply to compete, you must hold an FIA/FIM Cross-Country Rally licence, and must also have participated in one FIA/FIM World Championship event or any other event on the FIA/FIM calendar or their national calendar.

You also need a ton of money. Rally racing in the desert is not for the underfunded. The race lasts for days, you and your support crew need food and accommodation; tools, parts, and equipment for repairs; fuel; and airfare for all of you and your equipment/vehicles there and back.

On a more budget-friendly note, organizations such as Rally North America host events all over the country for amateur racers, and raise money for charity while doing it. Rally racing on a motorcycle is often referred to as Enduro or Harescrambles (shorter duration).

Check out the Adventure Riders site for a list of “Noob-Friendly Races World Wide.”

Yup, You Can Race Boats Too

Another fascinating hobby racing option that involves international travel is yacht racing. This water-based sport requires skilled sailors to race against each other, competing in various regattas and offshore races. Yacht racing events can take participants to renowned sailing destinations around the world, such as the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Ocean. Competitors not only get to experience the thrill of sailing but also have the opportunity to explore stunning coastlines, visit vibrant ports, and immerse themselves in the rich maritime heritage of different countries.

In reality, so few of us could afford to “yacht” race that we might as well save our money for the Dakar Rally! Realistically though, you could apply to crew for an owner of yacht style racing boat (ship?). This article from Ocean Navigator has “shoestring options” for racing. And these can be very appealing to those of you who build your own boats (it can’t just be Leroy Jethro Gibbs who builds boats in their basement!).

And just to cover a few more boats to race…remember, kayaks, canoes, and dragon boats.

You don’t need a motor to race something, although, in our house, that’s what’s preferred. However, what you probably really need if you’re going to travel the world for a hobby that has a high rate of speed is health insurance!

Drone Flying

Drone flying, and for that matter, any other remote-controlled plane or aircraft can be a traveller’s hobby. Competitions for drone flying and RC aircraft are hugely popular around the world.

They are obviously far less expensive than their full-sized counterparts and they pack up and travel easily. Keep in mind that some places have special rules and require licences for these flying gadgets.

There are drone flying competitions all over the world. Probably the easiest way to start is by joining a league like the MultiGP Drone Racing League. There’s also the Drone Racing League, they host races in stadiums around the world. Take your grandkids, they’ll love it!

Darts, Snooker, Poker

Darts. Seriously, any pub in the UK! If your goal is to travel and compete in darts, start virtually anywhere in the UK. And then work your way up to the Amateur Darts Circuit. Get a haircut, they’re frequently televised!

Poker. If you want to play poker or any card games for that matter, I have two travel words for you. Vegas Baby! Or, realistically, Lake Tahoe, Monaco, Atlantic City, or virtually any cruise to anywhere!

Pool, billiards, and snooker are all “cue sports”. Want to compete beyond your local pub? Then consider joining a group like the Canadian Poolplayers Association. There’s a chapter of this Association in most countries. And they compete between chapters.

Let’s Sum Up Hobbies That Allow You To Travel the World

In conclusion, travel hobbies are an ideal way to discover the world and connect with different cultures while having a grand time. Take surfing in Costa Rica or poker tournaments in Los Vegas as two examples out of countless activities that would be suitable for adventurers from all levels and financial backgrounds.

To get the most out of it you should try finding hobby ideas that match your interests, objectives and available funds. With so many thrilling options around the globe, arranging a remarkable trip devoted exclusively to recreational pastimes is not hard at all!

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Cheers,
Cynthia