At Traveleads we understand that when it comes to business travel, there are often limitations put in place by corporate travel policies regarding where you can stay and how you can travel.

However as we celebrate the official start of summer, our thoughts turn to holidays and travel destinations restricted only by your imagination, and of course your budget!

Do you already have an idea of what your perfect holiday looks like?

For some it might be a delicious hour at the famous Café du Paris in Monte-Carlo. People watching from the Belle Epoque styled terrace, whilst sipping chilled champagne.

For others, an afternoon volunteering at one of the many orphanages in Cambodia will prove both heart-breaking and yet more rewarding than anything else money can buy.

Two poles in opposition.

Maybe you dream of visiting the last remaining wonder of the ancient world, and long to stand in the shade of the Great Pyramid, whilst warm winds from the Sahara blow gently across the Giza plateau.

Fans of the modern world can catch a birds eye view of the future from the 124^th floor of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Contrary to some beliefs a holiday isn’t just an investment into a few snaps taken on a digital camera.

A carefully crafted holiday should create wonderful memories that will last you and your family a lifetime.

Will you fly Stateside and take a bite out of the Big Apple?

Perhaps ski the celebrity studded slopes of Aspen this winter.

Relax and float lazily down the Mekong-Delta in Vietnam. Inhaling slowly, as life, like the river itself takes the path of least resistance.

From Thai Chi to Thai spa’s. From Thai beaches to Mai Tai’s!

…Step out of your door and into the world.

Tailormade holidays have gained immense popularity over the last few years as travellers continue to move away from the traditional package holiday options.

Travel has now become an experience, rather than just a destination.

Historians and WWII enthusiasts can discover the infamous battlefields, along with the Normandy beaches that played such an integral part in the D-day landings.

Delve into the darker side of the conflict by visiting the harrowing Auschwitz museum and come face to face with the unimaginable horrors of the holocaust.

Were you thinking perhaps something a bit more cheerful?

Channel your inner David Attenborough and conquer the great plains of Africa?

You don’t have to be a film maker to follow the migration of over a million wildebeest.

Track the big 5 in an open canter safari. Witness these magnificent animals in the wild, whilst supporting the ethical conservation efforts in place to combat hunting and animal poaching.

Whether your journey takes you from North to South, or East to West, there’s an infinite amount of travel experiences that can be exclusively yours.

Experts talk about ‘recession proof investments’ - a holiday is an investment that if chosen carefully will pay dividends for a lifetime.

All of the suggestions I’ve made in this post are investments I have paid into over the years, creating a priceless collection of first hand encounters of the world we live in.

Whilst discovering the Arctic Circle and facing the challenges of a hostile freezing environment, I never imagined that one day I would find myself baking out in the Mojave Desert.

…and yet just a few weeks ago I stood in Death Valley with the sun high in the sky, remembering those brutal winter days, when the sun barely rose at all.

At the lowest point in the Southern hemisphere and one of the hottest places on earth, it seemed almost inconceivable that such extremes could exist on one tiny planet, drifting through the vastness of space.

Often holidays are seen as a luxury some people can’t afford, there are always other priorities that will come into play.

Are holidays an unnecessary frivolous expense? Could that money be put to better use?

I no longer remember the financial cost of trips I have taken over the years, but with all of those memories firmly in the bank, I would say it was money well spent.

I have stumbled upon spectacular waterfalls cascading into the craters of extinct volcanoes and added over 30 different countries to the list of places I’ve visited.

A stark contrast of journeys and experiences that continue to enrich my life.

It’s tempting to play it safe when booking a holiday. Two weeks of something you’ve done before.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

But why not make this year the year you try something different?

Surprise yourself!

Whether you want to go shopping for all your favourite designers in Beverly Hills, or bargain hunting in the bustling night markets of Bangkok, seek out your passion.

From water skiing in the Indian Ocean, to Snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies.

Walk in the footsteps of Greek philosophers, or travel the Appian Way into the Eternal City of Rome.

Nuffield Health carried out the first in-depth study into how holidays affect our health and well-being and some of the findings were quite remarkable.

They reported that travellers taking part showed some significant improvements, including:

Reduced blood pressure, improved quality of sleep, increased energy levels, reduced levels of hypertension.

Several of the case studies also reported a drop in blood glucose levels, reducing the risk of diabetes.

Some argued that the study proved ‘holidays can actually help you live longer!’

There is absolutely no destination on earth that can claim to be everyone’s cup of tea. We all want different things from our holidays.

Sometimes we have to discover the things we don’t like in order to determine the things we do.

But no matter where you go, every trip you take should enrich your life in some way, even if it simply reaffirms all the things you already knew about yourself.

Not every journey has to be one of discovery. Perhaps you want nothing more than the opportunity to relax, unwind and do absolutely nothing at all – bliss!

Life itself is a great journey, and guess what …You’re already on it!

Where has your journey taken you so far, and where will your next stop be?

These are just a few of my experiences, this is my journey …Where will yours take you?

In the words of the Dalai Lama XIV ‘We are all but visitors on this planet’.

…are you making the most of your time here?

Happy Travelling!