7 Foreign Words That Capture the True Essence of Travel
There's so many ways to describe the love of travel.
After visiting all seven continents, I’ve started to think that the real reason people travel isn’t always what we say it is. Sure, we want to “see the world,” “get away,” or “experience new cultures.” But underneath that, there’s often something harder to name — a kind of emotional itch, or mood, that doesn’t really translate. Except, sometimes, it does. Just not into English. Here are seven foreign words that quietly explain what a plane ticket or passport stamp can’t.
Fernweh (German)
That weird ache for somewhere you’ve never been. Most people know wanderlust — and yes, it’s all over Pinterest boards. But fernweh hits a little differently. It’s less dreamy, more like a low-grade homesickness for places unknown. The kind of feeling you get when you stare at a map too long, or you’re at home doing your usual thing, and suddenly feel like you need to be anywhere else. It’s a tug. A pull. And for some of us, it’s the main reason we book flights.
Niksen (Dutch)
Doing absolutely nothing — on purpose. Niksen is the Dutch art of idleness. Not zoning out and not meditating. Just... sitting. Staring. Letting the world do its thing while you do yours (which is nothing). More and more, travel is moving away from the jam-packed itinerary style. People want space. They want quiet. They want a seat in a café where they can watch bikes go by and not feel guilty about wasting time. That’s niksen — and it’s incredibly underrated.
Sobremesa (Spanish)
When the meal ends, no one leaves the table. Sobremesa is the time you spend after a meal, just sitting around, talking, laughing, pouring more wine even though the plates are already cleared. There’s no rush. It’s part of the experience. In a lot of cultures, this is where the good stuff happens — not when you eat, but when you stay. Travel that builds in sobremesa time (long lunches, late dinners, lingering conversations) feels more human. And honestly, more fun.
Hygge (Danish)
That warm, low-key, cozy feeling — especially when it’s shared. Sure, hygge has been overused a bit in the last few years (candles, fuzzy socks, etc.), but the real idea behind it is simple: comfort and connection. It’s being inside while it rains. It’s stew on the stove and a good blanket. It’s not fancy — it just feels good. And when you travel, these are often the moments that stay with you. Not the big attractions — the tiny cozy ones.
Lagom (Swedish)
Just enough. Not too much. No drama. This one’s all about balance. Lagom is a kind of Swedish “sweet spot” — not extreme, not flashy, just right. In travel, this shows up in places that are calm, intentional, and not trying too hard. It’s the hotel room with no TV, just a soft bed and a good window. Or a trip where you don’t try to see five cities in six days. Lagom travel is the kind that leaves you feeling truly rested when you come home.
Friluftsliv (Norwegian)
Being outside, not as an activity, but as a way of life. Friluftsliv translates roughly to “open-air living,” but in Norway, it’s more like a mindset. People there go outside in any weather, not just when it’s sunny. It’s not a big event — it’s a daily habit. Fresh air, movement, light, no pressure. You don’t have to hike a mountain to feel friluftsliv. Sometimes it’s just a quiet walk through the woods or sitting by a lake. The idea is: don’t wait for nature to be perfect — just go.
Hurkle-Durkle (Scottish dialect)
Staying in bed longer than you’re supposed to. Probably the most fun word on this list. Hurkle-durkle means that lovely, lazy feeling when you’re warm and sleepy and not quite ready to get up, so you don’t. Travel often feels like a race to get up and do everything, but honestly? Some of the best mornings are the slow ones. Rain outside, soft blankets, no agenda. More hurkle-durkle, please.
None of these words are English, but all of them describe something deeply familiar — and maybe that’s the point. We travel not just to see new places, but to feel things we don’t always have names for. These words help us get closer. And if travel teaches us anything, it's that a good word — like a good meal or a long walk — can stay with you long after you’ve gone home.
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