Lying on a beach has never been my idea of travel. Even when I’ve traveled to one of my favourite rock-climbing destinations, which happens to be a Greek Island, I can’t handle more than about 10 minutes at a time sitting on a beach there, usually just drying off after swimming. I’m more likely to travel to get out and test my limits than to “relax” as it is usually defined. But certainly facing challenging experiences can help facilitate inner calm. I guess it’s the so-called "good stress."

Can traveling to far away destinations never be therapy? Take a young person who is a recovering heroin addict for a two month walk around the Himalayas, as I have done, and see.