The Beauty of Arrival: A Mindful Perspective on Travel
How embracing the art of arrival can transform your travels—and your mindset—while uncovering the hidden joys of every journey.
A while ago, while staying at a luxury property in Lima, Peru, I came across an article by Annabel Rivkin1 titled "Last Word." Published in the hotel's magazine, the piece lingered with me long after checkout. It’s about the concept of arrival—not just as a physical moment, but as an emotional and existential experience.
Each arrival holds the potential to ground us, even when we’re far away from home. Arriving somewhere new, connects us with our surroundings and ourselves in a way that is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. Her reflections stayed with me, reminding me of my own travel experiences and inspiring this post.
A Mindful Perspective
The article also offered a more practical perspective on mindfulness than the average social media post. While mindfulness often emphasizes staying present in the moment—free from thoughts of the past or future—arrivals are a form of mindfulness as you’re truly present in the moment.
Arrivals are those rare moments where we become fully aware, fully alive, and acutely attuned to our surroundings. Arriving is a way to discover something new.
Instead of forcing ourselves to sit still and clear our minds, we find ourselves moved into mindfulness through the sensory and emotional richness of arriving somewhere new.
This idea deeply resonated with me, especially as someone who often feels the pull between the restless desire to explore and the need to be present. My Freedom Project ‘Love 2.0’ book shares more about finding harmony and bringing it into concert with your life.2
The Beauty of Arrivals
There’s a richness embedded in arrivals—the culmination of a journey, the anticipation of new discoveries, and the many sensory layers that define those moments: different sounds, smells, and new sights to see. Whether it’s the cool floral scent of a hotel lobby after many hours of travel, the distinct hum of a city’s background noise, or the sight of a sunset over unfamiliar waters, arrivals are more than destinations. They’re portals to presence and possibility, bridging past yearnings with future potential.
My arrival in Lima was no exception. Before the hotel tugged at my credit card limit (this was not a shoestring stay), they managed to tug at my heartstrings with thoughtful welcome amenities. A local cocktail on arrival goes a long way, and a surprise birthday cake with a bottle of champagne and flowers in the room exceeded even my expectation.
After running another marathon (another 42k for my 42nd birthday) and flying from Chile to Peru, I was struck by these simple, human gestures against the backdrop of a luxury stay.
The memories I took home with me weren’t just of the ceviches or the refreshing Pisco Sours, but of walking and running over 133 kilometres through Lima’s streets, parks, and coastline. These moments of exploration brought me closer to the essence of Lima and its rich culture. And those experiences are what travel, and arriving, are all about.
Creating Experiences that Matter
I literally would not have been able to afford this experience without the special hotel rates I accessed. While the property’s bill was high, it was significantly discounted3—a perk of the travel hacking principles I teach in my course, The Travel Revolution.
Arrivals also invite reflection—on what brought us to a place, what we take home from it, and (most importantly) how we integrate those experiences into our daily lives4. That’s what true travel is all about.
In Lima, I found myself inspired by the vibrancy of the city’s neighbourhoods and its laid-back yet dynamic pace. The cats of Kennedy Park, the tangy taste of fresh ceviche, and (most importantly) the warmth of its people. These experiences were more than moments; they were pieces of a puzzle that helped me connect more deeply with the world and with myself.
Travel isn’t just about getting somewhere; it’s about arriving in every sense of the word. It’s about allowing ourselves to be present in the moments of transition, in the in-between spaces where we find meaning and connection. It’s about the fleeting joy of a first impression and the lasting impact of an emotional resonance.
Arrivals are not just destinations—they’re an opportunity to truly say, "I am here."
Get Into Action: Do It Yourself
If you’re curious about how I managed to unlock luxury experiences like this one in Lima at a fraction of the price, I invite you to check out my travel hacking course, The Travel Revolution. It’s a comprehensive guide to making travel not only more affordable but also more meaningful.
Thank you, Lima, for the memories, the kilometres walked and run, and the sense of connection. Nos vemos.
Further reading
Annabel Rivkin is a British journalist, author, and co-founder of The Midult, a platform and media brand targeting women in their midlife.
For many years I did everything I could to forget the past: expensive therapy, a library of self-help books, meditation, and even medication. Love 2.0 is not about travel souvenirs. It’s about my greatest nemesis: love. Find out more about the book here.