Do you dream of taking a break from everyday life and exploring the world?
If so, you’re far from alone, as more and more people share the desire for a travel break or a longer journey abroad.

In our performance-driven society, pressure on individuals has increased significantly. Growing workloads, constant expectations to improve, traffic congestion, being available at all times, family responsibilities and everyday obligations often leave little time for ourselves.

Do these words sound familiar? Have thoughts like these led you to Reisebrise.com? Then you’re in the right place with our special guide to planning a long-term trip or round-the-world journey.

Escape the Rat Race – Step Into Adventure

In both my personal and professional life, I’ve often heard people say they would love to travel for a longer period, admiring the courage it takes to leave everything behind.

This made me curious: Is the desire for a travel break a widespread phenomenon or just my own perception?

While researching, I found that current and reliable studies on travel breaks are surprisingly limited. However, a 2016 survey by the career network Xing revealed that one in ten Germans had already taken a career break, while another 20% could imagine doing so.

Among younger people, the idea is even more popular: around 43% of 18 to 24-year-olds had already taken or planned a sabbatical, compared to 22% among those aged 50 to 59. According to Statista, sabbaticals are mainly used for mental and physical recovery, as well as travel.

As you can see, you’re not alone in wanting to take a break, travel and discover more of the world.

Taking a Travel Break: The Reasons Behind the Growing Trend

For many people, travelling the world is the ultimate dream in life. But what’s behind this growing trend? Why do so many people feel the urge to explore the world and step away from everyday routines?

Below, we take a closer look at some of the main reasons why long-term travel or a travel break has become a goal for so many people.

Burnout, Stress Relief and Recovery

Working late into the night, dealing with an overflowing inbox, endless meetings and constant phone notifications?
Always being available, even during weekends or holidays?

Perhaps you work in a physically demanding profession, leaving you exhausted at the end of the day. Or maybe you work in healthcare, facing staff shortages, overtime and significant emotional pressure. No matter the profession, modern life often comes with high levels of stress and constant expectations.

For many people, a few weeks of annual holiday are no longer enough to fully recover.

As a result, burnout, chronic exhaustion and mental health challenges have become increasingly common in modern society. According to a 2024 study referenced by Statista, sick leave related to mental health issues has increased significantly over the last decade, with work absences linked to psychological diagnoses rising by around 50%.

A 2023 Swiss Job Stress Index study found that 30.3% of employees reported feeling emotionally exhausted, which is considered one dimension of burnout. Another Swiss study commissioned by SWICA showed that 57% of absences caused by psychological issues were linked to conflicts in the workplace.

As these figures suggest, burnout and mental health struggles have become increasingly widespread. It’s therefore not surprising that many people are looking for ways to recharge, recover and gain new perspectives on life.

A travel break can provide an opportunity to step away from everyday pressures, reconnect with yourself and experience new ways of thinking.

However, if you’re experiencing burnout or mental health challenges, seeking support from qualified professionals remains important.

Rewarding Yourself After Education or Further Training

In Western societies, education is often seen as the key to success.
Perhaps you’ve completed your studies after years of hard work, earned your degree and even managed to save some money along the way.

Now, you want to explore the world before the next chapter of life begins?

Or maybe you’ve already completed vocational training or further education, investing significant time, energy and dedication into your personal and professional development. Finishing education or additional qualifications is often the perfect reason to take a travel break.

Many people feel a strong desire to reward themselves after such an intense period.

A sabbatical or long-term trip not only offers a chance to celebrate your achievements, but also an opportunity to gain new perspectives and collect unforgettable life experiences.

This time away can help you step out of familiar routines, prepare for the next phase of life and discover different cultures and ways of thinking.

A travel break is therefore more than just a reward. It can become a valuable opportunity for personal growth, with experiences and insights that may shape the next stage of your life.

A Fresh Start After a Breakup

Do you love romantic movies and dream of experiencing life like the main character in a love story?
If your relationship feels like something out of a fairytale, then travelling the world together could be the perfect way to celebrate your love and create unforgettable memories.

For those who feel more like the heartbroken character after the ending of a love story, a travel break can offer the chance to heal, reset and rediscover yourself. A relationship that no longer works can be emotionally exhausting, and a breakup often leaves behind pain, uncertainty and countless unanswered questions.

Travelling provides distance from familiar surroundings, creating space to process emotions, regain clarity and reconnect with your own identity. Stepping away from everyday routines often opens new perspectives, helping you see yourself, your needs and your future goals in a different light.

Along the way, you’ll meet people from different cultures and backgrounds, forming new friendships and gaining valuable insights into life.

And who knows… perhaps your journey will even lead you to a new chapter of love.

A travel break after a breakup can become more than just an escape. It may offer the opportunity to heal, grow and begin the next stage of life with renewed energy and a fresh perspective.

Career Change and Professional Reorientation

At first glance, it may seem contradictory to rethink your career while travelling the world.
Yet, when looking closer, a travel break can be exactly what helps during times of professional uncertainty.

Perhaps you’re frustrated with your job, unhappy with your work environment or simply no longer enjoying the tasks and responsibilities that once motivated you.

Over time, this dissatisfaction may lead you to question your entire career path, including whether your education, qualifications or previous decisions were truly right for you. Maybe career advice hasn’t provided clear answers, and friends or family struggle to understand your situation.

In moments like these, it’s easy to become trapped in an endless cycle of overthinking, where the more you search for solutions, the more complicated everything seems to become.

A travel break can act as a reset button.

Of course, your professional challenges won’t disappear overnight, but stepping away from everyday stress and routine often creates space for new ideas and perspectives.

Distance allows for reflection, helping you rethink your goals, values and what truly matters to you. Travelling may also help you discover new interests, strengths or talents that had previously gone unnoticed.

Who knows… perhaps you’ll even meet your future employer during your journey, or uncover the confidence to build something of your own.

I once found myself in a similar position.

Creating distance from my everyday life eventually helped me discover the right further education for me, something that brought joy, purpose and ultimately contributed to the creation of this travel blog.

Family Time – Finally Having Time for the People You Love

For many people, a travel break is not only an opportunity to recharge, but also a valuable chance to spend meaningful time with family.
In the fast pace of everyday life, there is often little room for quality time, deeper conversations or creating shared memories.

Travelling together offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect and fill that gap.

Exploring new places as a family not only strengthens relationships and bonds, but also creates memories that can last a lifetime.

Stepping away from daily routines and responsibilities often allows family members to discover new sides of each other and enjoy conversations that may rarely happen at home.

Perhaps you’ll even discover new shared interests or hobbies along the way.

The experiences gained during a family travel adventure can strengthen family connections in the long term, turning the journey into a valuable and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Self-Discovery and Personal Growth – The Journey Back to Yourself

Everyday life can often become monotonous and predictable.
The routine continues endlessly, and over time, it’s easy to feel stuck or disconnected.

In our daily lives, we are expected to constantly function – at work, at home, managing responsibilities, paying bills or meeting family obligations. Our minds are always occupied, trying to keep up with expectations, and sometimes the pressure becomes overwhelming.

When life feels like an endless cycle of responsibilities, it becomes difficult to gain new perspectives or reconnect with yourself.

Perhaps you recognise this feeling.

Perhaps you’ve reached a stage where you feel disconnected from who you truly are. If these thoughts sound familiar, a travel sabbatical or long-term journey might be exactly what you need. A travel break creates distance from everyday routines, giving you the opportunity to redirect your energy back towards yourself.

Far away from familiar pressures, the mind often becomes quieter, allowing you to focus less on obligations and more on your feelings, values and inner world. Without constant distractions, you may begin to reflect more deeply, confront fears, unresolved questions or emotions, and discover what truly matters to you.

Travelling the world is not only a physical journey, but can also become a journey inward – an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. Especially solo travel removes you from familiar patterns and creates space for deeper reflection.

Along the way, you may uncover new strengths, hidden talents or completely new life goals. You might gain clarity about your future, your values and the life you truly want to build.

Travelling also brings encounters with people from all over the world, many of whom are searching for similar answers about themselves and their lives. These conversations and shared experiences can become deeply inspiring, opening new perspectives and supporting your own journey of self-discovery.

Discover the World – Experience Adventure on Planet Earth’s Playground

Discover the World – Experience Adventure on Planet Earth’s Playground
Not every travel break is the result of stress, burnout or major life changes.

Many people are happy and satisfied with their lives, yet still feel a strong desire to explore the world. The motivation to travel often comes from curiosity, a sense of adventure and the wish to experience life in all its diversity. Perhaps you’re naturally adventurous, driven by the urge to discover new places, cultures and experiences.

The world is filled with fascinating people, unique traditions and breathtaking landscapes, from snow-covered mountain peaks to tropical beaches with turquoise waters.

Whether you’re hiking through untouched forests, snorkelling in crystal-clear seas, relaxing on white sandy beaches or sleeping beneath a sky full of stars, the opportunities for adventure seem almost endless.

And whether you travel in your own campervan, stay in a simple hostel or enjoy a luxury resort, the world remains an enormous playground waiting to be explored. I often look out the window and think that the world feels like one giant playground, a place where we can live, learn, play and experience adventure.

Perhaps you know that feeling too.

For many people, travelling is also a way to step outside their comfort zone, challenge themselves and experience life from a completely new perspective. Being independent on the other side of the world can feel incredibly liberating and strengthen confidence in your own abilities.

Travel can also become an endless source of creativity, inspiring new ideas, fresh perspectives and different ways of thinking.

Whether you’re a CEO, doctor, student, artist or engineer, the world offers countless possibilities waiting to be discovered. The desire to explore is deeply rooted in human nature. It’s our curiosity, search for knowledge and fascination with the unknown that continue to drive us forward.

Even if you already feel happy with your life, travelling may still open doors to experiences that enrich it even further.

The world is vast, beautiful and full of wonder.

There are few things more rewarding than discovering it with open eyes and an open heart. If you’d like to learn more about my personal story and what inspires me to travel, you can read more in this article.

So pack your bags, prepare for new adventures and let’s explore Planet Earth’s playground together.

What Are Your Reasons?

Did you recognise yourself in any of the reasons mentioned above? Or perhaps you have completely different motivations for dreaming about long-term travel or exploring the world?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences, and I’m sure other readers would find them inspiring too. Feel free to share your perspective in the comments section below.

You’ll also find more articles about long-term travel and round-the-world trips in our dedicated travel break and world travel section.

In another article, I share more about my own motivations, experiences and personal journey.