“Someday just began”
I wish I could take credit for these three simple words, but they’re actually lyrics from my favorite Broadway composer, Stephen Sondheim.
Although Sondheim wasn’t referring to travel in the song, he could have been, because the sentiment holds true for anything you’re putting off for “someday.”
My “someday” started in 2019 when I took a leap and opened Wine Lovers Travel. For decades (more than I care to share), I toiled in unfulfilling pursuits because it was expected. Like many, I kept dreaming of the perfect moment to make travel a central part of my life. Finally, in 2019, I decided my someday had begun.
Five years later, I can confidently say it was the best decision I ever made. I stopped hoping and waiting for the perfect time. I just did it.
Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone reading this should start a travel business—let Wine Lovers Travel do the heavy lifting for you. What I am saying, no, imploring you to do, is to travel now. Whether it’s for a wine vacation or simply an escape, here’s what you can expect:
1. You’ll see life from a whole new perspective.
No matter how exciting your everyday life is, it’s your everyday life. The routines, the people, the surroundings—they’re all part of your orbit. And while it’s cozy, it’s also limiting.
When you travel—whether across the globe or to a neighboring city—it shakes things up. You’ll discover new cultures, foods, and experiences that will challenge your worldview and help you grow. This is especially true for wine lovers, who often find that traveling to wine regions, whether Napa or Bordeaux, offers a whole new appreciation for the world of wine. A wine travel experience opens your senses, both in taste and in perspective.
2. You’ll make new friends.
Even if you consider yourself introverted, you’ll interact with strangers when you travel. Whether it’s asking for directions or ordering a glass of wine in a restaurant, it’s inevitable.
I’m a self-proclaimed shopper, and I love to engage with local shop owners. Often, these encounters evolve into friendships. Last year, during a trip to Paris for a travel conference, I popped into a boutique off the Champs-Élysées. The salespeople didn’t speak much English, so I dusted off my rusty French. Ninety minutes later, I walked out with new clothes—and a new friend, Laure.
We bonded so much that she invited me to lunch at her home the following week. Despite my packed schedule, we’ve kept in touch, and as I write this from Paris, I’m preparing to meet Laure again for another visit. It’s one of the many unexpected gifts of travel.
So, don’t be afraid to engage with locals—whether over a glass of wine or coffee. You never know what kind of lasting connections you might make.
3. You won’t have regrets.
To paraphrase another Sondheim lyric: “You’ll not have been dead when you die.”
How often have you said, “I have no regrets”? Thought so. We all have regrets about things we didn’t do when we had the chance. Don’t let travel be one of those missed opportunities. Whether you dream of a wine trip to Tuscany or an escape to a vineyard in South America, book it. The trip doesn’t have to be perfect or luxurious, and it doesn’t have to be long. It just has to happen.
Travel is doable, whatever your situation. I’m not suggesting you spend your last dollars on a trip, but there are many ways to travel, and if you keep saving for the proverbial rainy day, that day may never come and then you’ll have missed out on some of the greatest experiences life offers.
Your “someday” is here. Make it a someday of adventure, new friends, and no regrets. Book that trip now!
Notes:
1. “Someday just began,” Stephen Sondheim, “Merrily We Roll Along,” 1982 or watch the most recent Broadway version.
2. “You’ll not have been dead when you die.” Stephen Sondheim, “A Little Night Music,” 1973