No One Told Me How My 30s Would Evolve My Travel Style

I’ve always been a traveler at heart. My twenties were filled with spontaneous trips, budget flights, and the excitement of booking a hostel bunk for the sheer joy of meeting new people. Some of my best memories were made in the common areas of hostels—sharing stories over cheap wine, joining last-minute group tours, and forming friendships with people I still keep in touch with today. It was a beautiful era of adventure, where the thrill of the unknown mattered more than comfort, and the idea of roughing it was just part of the journey.

But no one told me that my travel style would evolve as I entered my thirties.

I still love the thrill of exploration, the magic of stepping into a new country, and the joy of connecting with different cultures. However, gone are the days when I could crash in a 12-bed dorm, sleep through the sound of zippers and late-night arrivals, and tolerate a shared bathroom situation. Now, my travel preferences lean toward sophistication, quality, and a touch of luxury—because after a long day of exploring, I want to retreat to a space that feels like a sanctuary, not an extension of the adventure.

These days, I find myself booking boutique hotels, charming Airbnbs, and well-appointed stays that offer comfort and relaxation. I want a place where I can sink into plush bedding, take a long, uninterrupted shower, and sip a perfectly brewed coffee in a quiet, stylish setting. Even though I still plan to spend most of my day out exploring, I crave a space that feels intentional, designed for comfort and tranquility.

I’ve also discovered the joy of wellness-focused stays—hotels with calming aesthetics, spa services, and rooftop lounges where I can unwind after a day of discovery. No longer am I trying to stretch my travel budget to the absolute minimum; instead, I’m prioritizing experiences that align with my current lifestyle—where adventure and relaxation coexist in harmony.

To those in their twenties reveling in hostel culture, I say: enjoy it! It’s an incredible way to see the world, meet people, and collect wild stories. But to my fellow travelers in their thirties and beyond, if you’ve noticed your tastes shifting, you’re not alone. There’s something incredibly rewarding about evolving your travel style—embracing comfort without sacrificing adventure, and understanding that luxury is not just about extravagance, but about curating experiences that truly nourish you.

So here’s to growth, to traveling with intention, and to never compromising on the joy of the journey. Cheers to high-quality stays, even when we’re out exploring most of the day. We’ve earned it!