HuffPost Readers Share Their Life Changing Travel Experiences And Give Us Extreme Wanderlust

Whether it's tasting a new food, experiencing a new culture, or hearing an alternative perspective on the world -- travel changes you, often for the better.

We asked our followers on Twitter and Instagram to show us pictures of the travel experiences that have fundamentally transformed them. Needless to say, the response was overwhelming!

Here are 15 of our favorites. Check out #HPWanderFull on Twitter and Instagram to see them all.

A night I will never forget—climbing atop Mesa Arch in the dark where one side drops hundreds of feet into the canyon, and bathing in the light of the galaxies swirling above us. Inspired by the solar eclipse, we made a fire, wrote down all the beliefs that limit us, and threw them into the flames to burn to ash. We smiled to ourselves, lifted our gleaming eyes and let our souls beam into the skies. : @e.digernes. Edit by me. #americaxthewild

A photo posted by Kym Pham (@kympham) on Oct 10, 2014 at 1:14pm PDT

kympham embedded via Instagram

La Golden Hour est très difficile à capturer au Cambodge. Le soleil descend très vite et il faut être au bon endroit pour pouvoir en profiter. Voir les derniers lancers de filet des pêcheurs dans ce précieux moment est un privilège.

A photo posted by Julien (@buchowski) on Oct 10, 2014 at 10:16pm PDT

buchowski embedded via Instagram

Translation: The Golden Hour is very difficult to capture in Cambodia. The sun sets very quickly and you must be in the right place to capture it. To see the last casts of the fishermen in this precious moment is a privilege.

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living. Mary Ritter Beard #iamwanderfull #HPWanderFull #huffpostgram #travelwhattodo #travel #NYCdotGram #newyork #nyc

A photo posted by iamwanderfull (@iamwanderfull) on Oct 10, 2014 at 9:57pm PDT

iamwanderfull embedded via Instagram

Discussing important life issues...in broken English and broken Nepali #cheeky #Nepal #rice #dahlbhat #power

A photo posted by @renee_ezra on Jul 7, 2014 at 7:16am PDT

renee_ezra embedded via Instagram

• I don't want to leave, I don't want to leave, I don't want to leave

A photo posted by christiejord (@christiejord) on May 5, 2014 at 8:49pm PDT

christiejord embedded via Instagram

In the age of digital cameras, this guy sat in front of his subject, took out a paper and sketched.

A photo posted by @prijm000 on Jul 7, 2014 at 2:19am PDT

prijm000 embedded via Instagram

Watching the sunrise this morning, floating amidst hundreds of hot air balloons over the incredible Cappadocia landscape, reminded me of the mesmerizing beauty of this Earth and to appreciate our privileges of freedom and happiness. Truly a Top10 life moment to remember @joycepan7 #kapadokya #balloonsonballoons #freedom #ladolcevita #day3

A photo posted by @starstarrynight on Sep 9, 2014 at 12:44am PDT

starstarrynight embedded via Instagram

First time eating deep-fried cheese curds. They squeak! #explorewanderlandwi #washingtonisland #thealbatross

A photo posted by Pilar Clark (@pilarclark) on Jul 7, 2014 at 10:30am PDT

pilarclark embedded via Instagram

#hpwanderfull Ghost Ranch, New Mexico changed my life in more ways than one. This picture depicts my last trip at the top of the Chimney Rock hike. I had just spread the ashes of my fiancé as you can see and I always feel reassured looking at this photo and the seeing the ray of light shining through the rock. Ghost ranch gave me the happiest times of my life, but also gave me peace after the worst. I feel anyone and everyone should go once for a restoration or finding of oneself. Thank you for allowing me to share.

A photo posted by Kyla Price (@prickypockets) on Oct 10, 2014 at 9:35am PDT

prickypockets embedded via Instagram

#tbt that time I played with tigers in the water #meow #Thailand

A photo posted by Kate Lokey (@klokey11) on Jun 6, 2014 at 3:49pm PDT

klokey11 embedded via Instagram

Rock climbing and zip lining through the Andes Mountains @mcschloss_ @wagnerks11

A photo posted by DanielleBloch (@daniellebloch7) on Aug 8, 2013 at 2:18pm PDT

daniellebloch7) embedded via Instagram

2 weeks in #Istanbul gave me new perspective on Muslim culture & changed how I see the world #HPWanderFull pic.twitter.com/wS9bxOlJ49

— Lacey Uhlemeyer (@LUhlemeyer) October 24, 2014

LUhlemeyer embedded via Twitter

A travel experience that changed how I see the world: 3 days in New Orleans. #HPWanderFull pic.twitter.com/h8n4kQljO7

— Heike Franke (@hitchhyker) October 24, 2014

hitchhyker embedded via Twitter

My trip to Sedona (AZ, USA) back in 2010. One word. "Amazing!". Mother Nature is still alive there.
#HPWanderFull pic.twitter.com/PH2SopYXe6

— yuto_okinawa (@yuto_okinawa) October 25, 2014

yuto_okinawa embedded via Twitter

#HPWanderFull those few days spent in #Amsterdam changed my vision of life forever @HuffingtonPost pic.twitter.com/W4jDmSEzUo

— Nassima Bireche (@Nassmc) October 24, 2014

Nassmc embedded via Twitter


Had an unforgettable travel experience that changed the way you look at the world? Tell us your story! Submit your 500 - 800 word blogpost to travel-next@huffingtonpost.com.