8 Signs That Indicate You're Addicted to Travel

They say the first step to overcoming an addiction is by admitting that you have a problem. 

Hi, my name is Ashlee, and I am addicted to travel. 

I've been traveling since about 2008 and my desire to continue only gets stronger with each new destination I visit.  How do I know that I'm addicted to travel, you ask? I've searched within and came up with these eight telltale signs.  See if they apply to you too!

1. You make sacrifices in order to feed your habit.

You will eat air for breakfast, peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, and eggs for dinner to feed your travel habit.  Some people are addicted to shoes and handbags (not knocking it...well, not really), but you know travel is your drug of choice when you cut out certain lifestyle luxuries to save for an upcoming trip.

2. Your family and friends always ask, "Where are you going now?"

They don't understand why you'll spend months on end away from home (*points finger at self*) or why you feel the need to always go somewhere. Just as long as you aren't asking them to foot the bill, they don't have to understand. Choose one of these responses, wave goodbye at the security checkpoint and keep it moving.

3. You must take at least 1 vacation per quarter.

I have the 3 month (or less) itch. I have to travel at least once a quarter to scratch my 'travel itch.' If I haven't gone anywhere in a couple months, I get into a little bit of a funk.  And then I remember that I haven't been anywhere in a while.  My solution? Book a quick getaway. Whether near or far, it's always nice to get away from normalcy in order to come back refreshed.

4. You will scour the internet looking for the best deal possible.

Not only do I look up flight and hotel information for upcoming trips on a daily basis, but I will not rest until I am sure I receiving the best deal possible.  Blame my Gemini ways.

5. You have alerts set up for your home airport.

Skyscanner.com is my best friend in my head.  They have a search functionality that allows you to look up flights from your home airport to anywhere in the world for the cheapest deals. I also receive daily emails from various travel sites for the best deals out of all Washington, D.C. airports. You should too! You could be missing on out on some great deals.

6. You already know who to call when an airfare glitch hits the internet.

Not all of your friends are down to travel wherever, whenever. You know exactly who to call when that $187 flight to Abu Dhabi hits the internet. There are no questions asked. They will give you their proxy to purchase their ticket because they trust you'll make the best decisions possible when booking a trip, and vice versa. Word to my friend Adriene!

7. You are open to wherever the cheapest flight will take you.

I've gone to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Iceland, London (and soon to Cartagena) because I've been open to purchasing airfare for a destination that isn't necessarily on my bucket list.  But as it turns out, I've loved all of these places and wouldn't have known that unless I opened myself up to the possibilities. (I'm sure I'll love Cartagena too!)

8. You plan to never stop traveling.

Let's face it.  Travel is addictive. Once you start, you can't stop. There's something about the thrill of seeing and experiencing cultures other than your own that makes your thirst for travel insatiable.  You haven't been everywhere, but it's on your list!

So, are you addicted to travel? Chances are if you're reading this, you probably are too. Just don't forget to pay your bills before traveling first :) 

Where to Eat: Le Refuge des Fondus in Paris, France

When most people think of Paris, they think of decadence and elegance. Between the high fashion and timeless landmarks, there’s a reason the City of Love has this reputation. It’s also known for its cuisine, which can basically be described in one word – indulgence. Chocolate, croissants, croque-monsieur, and of course, plenty of cheese. While there are many places you can dine with the quintessential Parisian elegance, sometimes you just want to stuff your face with melted cheese and not want to put your pinky up while doing so. Hence, I give you Le Refuge des Fondus.

Location and Atmosphere

Located in the Clignancourt area near the Sacré-Cœur cathedral, Le Refuge des Fondus (17 Rue des Trois Freres, 75018, Paris, France) is exactly what it sounds like – a mecca for fondue lovers. The food alone is enough to make you want to write about this place in your diary, but it’s the charm and grit of the restaurant that really make it memorable.  The entire restaurant fits about 40 people, all of whom are seated family-style at two large tables running up and down each wall of the restaurant. You will certainly get to know your neighbors well!  The wait staff has the typical French frostiness and make no efforts to hide it, but hey, what can you expect? It's Paris!

Food and Drinks

With no menus in sight, we were suggested to order “two meats and two cheeses.” Next, we were asked one simple question – red or white? The mix of the language barrier and the crazy atmosphere of the restaurant left us a little confused, and we were certainly shocked when they returned with eight baby bottles filled with wine! Given that space is limited, it actually makes sense from a logistical standpoint – no spillage.

Once the fondues arrived, we were grateful for the waiter’s forcefulness in ordering for us, for he knew exactly what we needed. The cheese fondue was something that will live in my dreams for the rest of eternity. For the meats, we were given a pot of hot oils and bite size pieces of steak to cook in it. The combination of the flavors in the oil and the homemade sauces on the side was to die for.

Overall

With its simplistic menu and undeniable charm, it’s no wonder that there’s a line out the door to get in (get there early!). If you find yourself in Paris and in need of some laughter and cheese, make the trip to this restaurant. You will not regret it!

Insider Tip: Try to avoid wearing 5-inch heels, because the people sitting on the benches against the wall are instructed to climb over the table to get to their seat. So, yes, when the waiter reaches out his hand to help you do so, he’s quite serious.

- Abby Rasweiler