4 Places that Reminded Me How Big and Beautiful the World Is
Travel has a way of resetting things for me.
When life feels loud or busy, getting into a new outdoor space quiets everything down. It reminds me how big the world really is — and how small my worries usually are in comparison.
We’ve never been big city or shopping-focused travelers. If there isn’t space to be outside, explore, and actually spend time together, it’s probably not our place. The trips that stay with me are the ones where the scenery is beautiful and the days revolve around fresh air, movement, and shared experiences.
Over the past couple of years, our travels have taken us to very different places — Banff, Wyoming, St. John, and Italy. Different landscapes, climates, and cultures. And yet, every one of them gave us the same thing: time together and a deep appreciation for the outdoors.
Banff: Mountains, Glacial Lakes, and Watching for Bears
Banff humbles you the second you arrive.
I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice in different seasons, and it’s one of those places that never stops impressing. The mountains don’t ease into view — they rise, sharp and dramatic, reminding you immediately that you’re on nature’s terms.
Our days were spent hiking to glacial lakes, walking through Sunshine Meadows surrounded by wildflowers, and making our way to the Ink Pots — all while keeping a watchful eye out for grizzlies. (A detail you don’t forget.)
There’s something about hiking together in a place like Banff that pulls everyone into the same moment. You’re present. You’re paying attention. You’re moving at the same pace, literally and figuratively.
Banff has a way of slowing you down without asking. It reminds you to breathe deeper, look around more, and appreciate being right where you are.
Wyoming: Wide Open Spaces and Shared Adventures
Wyoming feels different the moment you arrive.
The Tetons are bold and steady, and the open space around them brings a kind of quiet you don’t realize you’ve been missing. It’s peaceful without being boring. Wild without feeling chaotic.
We spent time hiking Cascade Canyon and making the trek to Delta Lake — the kind of hikes that are challenging enough to feel earned but rewarding enough to make you stop and stare once you arrive. We watched for bears, took in views that don’t feel real, and soaked up the kind of scenery that stays with you long after you leave.
A few of my favorite memories aside from hiking was a horseback ride and scenic float trip— moving slowly through the landscape, taking it all in together. Those are the moments that stick. Not rushed. Not planned down to the minute. Just shared experience.
Wyoming reminded me how much space — physical and mental — matters.
St. John: Where Time Slows Way Down
St. John operates on a completely different clock.
Time slows there in the best possible way. Days revolve around blue water, green mountains, tropical flowers, and the occasional donkey wandering by like it’s no big deal.
Mornings start slow. Afternoons blend into evenings. Sipping painkillers, floating in crystal-clear water, and letting schedules go becomes the norm. Shoes are optional. Expectations are low. Presence is high.
Being there feels easy. No agenda. No rushing. Just time — real, unhurried time — which feels rare these days.
St. John is the kind of place that reminds you rest isn’t something you earn. Sometimes it’s just something you allow. St John is truly one of my favorite places.
Tuscany: History, Vineyards, and Lingering Moments
Tuscany showed me a different side of the outdoors.
We traveled there in the fall, when the vineyards stretched as far as you could see and the grapevine leaves were turning the softest shades of yellow. The landscape felt old — in the best way. Grounded. Steeped in history.
This wasn’t wild beauty like Banff or Wyoming. It was intentional. Cultivated. Generations of care layered into the land.
Walks were slow. Meals lasted longer than planned. Outdoor spaces were designed for gathering, conversation, and lingering. Being outside wasn’t an activity — it was just how life happened.
Tuscany reminded me that beauty doesn’t have to shout. Sometimes it shows up quietly and stays with you. We will definitely be back.
What These Places All Gave Us
Mountains. Lakes. Oceans. Vineyards.
Different parts of the world. Different experiences. The same outcome.
Each of these places gave us space to slow down and be together. To notice more. To feel grounded. To remember how good it is to step outside and let life feel a little simpler.
That’s why travel will always matter to me — not for checking destinations off a list, but for the way being outdoors, somewhere new, helps us reconnect. With the world. With each other. With ourselves.
And whether it’s across the globe or right outside my back door, that’s a feeling I’ll always be chasing.
