Looking for gift ideas? Skip the stuff and go for the memory-making experiences…including one of our favorite recipes!

When it comes to holiday, birthday, or anniversary gift shopping, many people scratch their brains for the perfect “something” that will delight the recipient. We try to shop for the person who has everything, the person who has become a minimalist, and the person who never seems entirely delighted by any gift. It’s not surprising given that people have growing concerns about clutter, waste, and consumer fatigue, leading to billions in spending for things nobody really wanted. 

If you’re in search of a more meaningful way to spend your time and gift-giving budget, experiential travel deserves strong consideration. And research continues to show that experiences make us happier than possessions. When those experiences involve travel, the benefits may extend to our physical and mental health as well. 

What Is Experiential Travel?

Experiential travel is exactly what it sounds like—it is experiencing wherever you visit. It means more than just checking a landmark off a list or passing through an area. To put it another way, it’s the difference between snapping a picture of a historic inn to say you’ve seen it, and savoring a slow breakfast that was handmade for you in that inn’s story-rich interior. It means chatting with the owners and other locals about the hidden gems of the area, all while feeling like the place you’re staying has you stepping back into the luxury of another era.

Okay, you caught us. But, staying at the Inn at Woodhaven is one way to more deeply immerse yourself in local culture and history on your next vacation or staycation. We’re not about racing you through a buffet line and then anxiously waiting to bus your breakfast table. Experiential travel with us is about allowing yourself and your guest(s) to be present in the moment and slow down.

The Science of Happiness and Experiences

There is a surprising amount of research around the benefits of gifting and partaking in experiences, over the accumulation of stuff. Dr. Thomas Gilovich, a psychology professor at Cornell University, has spent decades researching the relationship between money and happiness. In study after study he has found that experiences bring us more lasting joy than material goods.

For anyone who was so excited about the new car or piece of had-to-have exercise equipment they purchased four years ago, you can understand this. Eventually, at some point, the thrill of the new object wears off. We adapt quickly to our physical possessions so that even the ones that we love and appreciate bring us less fulfillment over time. 

Experiential travel, on the other hand, leaves us with memories. Think back to the best vacation you’ve ever had. Chances are it still brings you joy and fulfillment at the thought of what you were able to experience. And often these memories, particularly with the ones we love, become even more meaningful over time.

Experiences, including those while we travel, also shape who we are as human beings. Each new place we visit and each time we push ourselves out of our routines or comfort zones, we learn new things about ourselves and what we’re capable of doing. When these experiences are shared with others, they create a bond that deepens relationships in a way that shopping simply can’t do.

The Measurable Health Benefits

Experiential gifts and travel don’t just boost our happiness; they can change our physiology for the better. Some health benefits of positive life experiences include:

Lower stress levels. Stepping outside of the daily grind may give our nervous system a chance to reset. Our cortisol levels, the stress hormone that may surge during our 9-to-5, has the ability to drop and give our nervous systems a much-needed reset. And while 7-8 day vacations have been found to optimize this stress release, even a short trip can provide this reprieve.

Better heart health. Studies have linked regular vacations with a reduced risk of heart disease. People who take time off tend to live longer, healthier lives. And depending on where you travel, you may have the opportunity to take advantage of new outdoor spaces and activities that get you moving and into fresh air. Louisville’s extensive park system, not to mention the many gorgeous areas around Kentucky within a day’s driving distance, will have you lacing up your sneakers and putting your screens aside.

Improved mental clarity and creativity. New environments are stimulating to our brains. Travel forces us to break out of our routines and creates new neural pathways as we explore and try new things. This can also spark fresh ideas and new ways of being. It’s why people often return from a trip feeling inspired to try more new things… and have the recharged energy to be able to do them.

The Perfect Gift is Not a Thing

Think about the gifts you’ve received over the years. Do you remember most of them? Probably not. What about those vacations, celebrations, or shared moments? Chances are you can think of some from decades ago. They are the gifts that stay with us forever.

So, if the best gifts are experiences, what does that look like from a practical perspective? It might mean tickets to a concert or theater performance. It could be a gift certificate to a new restaurant experience. The experience might be a cooking class or lesson in rock climbing. Or, it may be a gift certificate or surprise getaway to one of the top-rated bed and breakfasts in the United States with a stay at the Inn at Woodhaven. 

Each experiential gift is a memory waiting to happen. It’s a way to say, “I want to rest, explore, and make memories with you.” There’s perhaps no better way to let someone know that you care.

Why the Inn at Woodhaven is an Experiential Travel Gift Worth Giving

If you’re looking for a destination gift to celebrate your next anniversary, birthday, career milestone, or holiday, consider a stay at the Inn at Woodhaven in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Our meticulously restored 1853 Victorian Gothic bed and breakfast blends historic charm with the modern comforts of luxury mattresses, newly-remodeled bathrooms (some with soaking tubs), and a top-shelf collection of Kentucky bourbon. It is one of Louisville’s most beloved boutique lodging experiences, where casual elegance and a homemade gourmet breakfast starts every day right. 

Beyond our walls, guests can take advantage of all that Louisville has to offer, including visiting distilleries along the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We have many historic neighborhoods, each with their own unique flavors, museums, shops, and architecture. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, a solo retreat, or a friend reunion, the Inn at Woodhaven provides the kind of restful, memory-making getaway that experiential travel is all about.

Start the Experience Early

We couldn’t leave you without giving you a little taste of what’s ahead at your stay with us. Enjoy this recipe for our Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Bread (which can be made gluten free) and experience the joy in each bite.

Lemon Blueberry Breakfast Bread Recipe

2 Tbs lemon juice

¼ cup of powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Roll your lemons on the countertop to get the juices to the surface. 
3. Zest the lemons directly into your softened butter.
4. In a large bowl, cream the lemon zest butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in eggs and lemon juice.
6. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
7. Alternate adding the flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. 
8. Fold in the blueberries. 
9. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
10. Make the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Once the bread has cooled for at least 10 minutes, add the glaze. Enjoy!

Ready to give the gift of experiential travel? Visit the Inn at Woodhaven in Louisville, Kentucky to book a stay or purchase a gift certificate today.