Do you collect anything? Do you enjoy travel? A lot of people who answer yes to the second question answer no to the first question. That’s too bad because collecting things can make the experience of travel even better. And the experience of travel in turn makes it more fun to do your collecting.

Collecting things gives you a purpose for your travels. It may also take you places that you wouldn’t otherwise go. For example, let’s say that you collect nice dishes. Whenever you go somewhere, you’ll head to the neighborhoods where locals make and sell dishes. Would you have seen those places otherwise?

At the same time, the experience of collecting is enhanced. Sure you can add to your collections by shopping online and looking for stuff at yard sales. But how much better is your collection if you handpick the items during your trips? You’ll swell with memories every time that you look at the Richard Ginori dish from Italy or the Juliska glassware from the Czech Republic.

You shouldn’t start collecting items just for the sake of improving travel. You should find something that you truly love to collect. When you do, though, you should think about making travel a part of the collecting experience.

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