It’s easy to get lost in the era of phones and technology. I know I have. And when it comes to travel, it can be even harder to disconnect.
Creating itineraries, finding restaurants, mapping out places to visit – there’s always something else to search, save, or plan. Especially in an age where the Internet tells us what to do, where to eat, and where to go next, it’s easy to get lost in the screen.
Before you know it, you’re experiencing a destination through your phone instead of taking in what’s right in front of you.
But sometimes, all it takes is looking up. Taking in where you are. Noticing who’s alongside you. Letting yourself experience the company you’re with without wondering what AI says you should be doing next.
When it clicked for me
I was traveling through Copenhagen with my family when sightseeing ran a little longer than expected – as it always does. We were rushing to Amalienborg Palace to catch the changing of the guard. It wasn’t something any of us particularly cared about, but the Internet told us we couldn’t miss it, so naturally, we were determined to get there.
We arrived at 12:06. We had missed the entire thing.
I felt a wave of disappointment so strong I could barely appreciate the palace standing right in front of me. My family was huffing, puffing, and dripping in sweat. We had failed our AI-generated itinerary at that point and were ready to just move on.
But on our walk to lunch, we heard splashing, laughter, and crowds in the distance. We followed the noise.
What we found felt like hundreds of locals gathered along the harbor – diving into the canals, sunbathing, snacking, and simply enjoying the warm afternoon together. It didn’t take long for me to jump in.
My family dipped their feet in, grabbed drinks from a nearby bar, and we spent the afternoon cooling off and laughing – phones away.
It was one of those moments that made us fall in love with Copenhagen even more – and reminded me that sometimes the best part of traveling is when we can disconnect and be present with each other.
People, places, and experiences – connection can be unexpected
Sometimes, connection comes from the people who help you see a place differently. Other times, it’s found in the people you can’t wait to tell about your day over dinner. And sometimes, it’s simply about sharing an experience that once felt unimaginable with a group of people who now understand exactly what made it so special.
That’s the thing about connection when you travel: you don’t always know where it will come from. It can be found in a new destination, an unexpected afternoon, a conversation with someone you’ve just met, or a familiar person standing beside you as you experience something completely new together.
And in an era where technology is always within reach, sometimes disconnecting is all it takes to notice these moments as they’re happening – and appreciate the people, places, and experiences already right in front of you.
Moments where you can be fully present with Roam by Tauck
That same kind of connection is easily found throughout a guided journey. With Roam by Tauck, each itinerary is designed by real people, creating space for experiences that bring you closer to a destination and the people alongside you.
This is especially clear in moments like these…
Climbing the scaffolding inside Florence’s Baptistery for a rare, up-close look at the intricate 13th-century mosaics in private.
Walking a section of New Zealand’s famous Queen Charlotte Track, taking in coastal scenery and celebrating the accomplishment together.
Climbing to meet the setting sun at the top Cape Town’s Lion’s Head, where city views make the climb worth every step.
Trekking a section of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, sharing part of a centuries-old pilgrimage.
Canoeing beneath France’s dramatic cliffside châteaux in the Dordogne region.
Discovering 20,000-year-old rock carvings at Peñascosa in the Côa Valley of Portugal.
Let the unexpected lead
Whether it comes from a destination, an unexpected experience, or the people around you, connection has a way of finding you when you travel. Often, it’s in the moments when the phone goes away and you simply take in what’s unfolding around you.
For me, that meant letting go of the idea that there was a “right” way to experience a destination. Instead, I had to experience it my way – with my family beside me, plans left behind, and a willingness to see where the unexpected might lead.
