4 Unforgettable Travel Experiences That Happened Because Of Music

Music simply means the whole world to me because it has touched and changed profoundly every single aspect of my life. I’m an opera singer and I play the piano, so I’m often amazed by how my life has taken incredible turns because of the power of music. And one of the ways it impacted my life is by allowing me to live incredible travel experiences.

Growing up, I noticed how listening to music made me want to travel the world. I would sing an Italian song and imagine myself eating pizza in Rome, then dance to Salsa in my living room with my sister, and just picture myself doing that in Puerto Rico and Colombia. When music was playing, I was dreaming. Dreaming of traveling and seeing the beauty of this world. And this is how music automatically connected me to traveling the world.

My very first trip, in fact, was only possible because of music. During my teenage years, I used to be a member of a choir that would tour around Brazil, so I knew that being a child from a poor family, I’d only be able to see places because of the choir.

As a grown-up now, it hasn’t been any different. There have been so many joyful travel experiences because of music. I’ve gotten the chance to see places and do things that were only possible because of it. And not only has music been impactful in my life, but it has also been my greatest companion when I travel.

Whether I’m strolling through the bustling streets of a foreign city or hiking through remote landscapes, I’m always listening to music. The Sound of birds singing on a hiking trail is music. People gaggling at a restaurant is music, the silence of a hotel room after a hectic day out is also music, and the melodic sound of someone’s accent is the most beautiful form of music too.

From dancing to traditional music in South America to attending live concerts in Europe, I’ve created memories because of the cultural connection music allowed me to make. So, here are a few that stood out for me.

Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour

I was not intending to travel to Spain and Scotland last year at all. I started the year very eager to finish my biggest travel goal which was to travel to 30 countries before the age of 30. So, going back to a country that I had already been to was certainly not in my plans.

But when Beyonce announced her tour dates and I saw that she was going to be hitting Edinburgh and Barcelona, I didn’t hesitate to book the tickets.

Both concerts were amazing, but my favorite was the one in Barcelona, which took place one day after my birthday. So it was the perfect birthday trip for me.

Beyonce means the whole world to me. Her music truly resonates with me, and it’s amazing that her art made me travel this year. What I loved the most about these two trips was that I got to see a completely different side of these cities and do things I didn’t get to do when I visited them for the first time.

Various Voices in Italy

I’m a member of Ireland’s first LGBT choir. The choir was founded in 1995 and it has been a popular musical group in the country ever since. Last year when they opened their auditions welcoming new members, I didn’t hesitate to try to get a place.

The auditions happened in January, and about a week after auditioning, I received a call from them saying that I passed and that they would like to offer me a place in the tenor section.

I couldn’t contain my joy. I was so happy and honored that I’d be singing with them. Since February, I’ve been living a dream. I got to perform in many theaters, arenas, and festivals. But my greatest highlight was when we performed at the biggest LGBT Choir Festival that took place in Bologna, Italy during the summer. We all flew from Dublin, Ireland to Bologna, Italy in the summer and lived a dream together with other 4000+ LGBT opera/choir singers from many parts of the world.

From singing in the main square to thousands of people to singing in a traditional Italian theater, my time in Italy last year was extremely special to me. It was more than just a travel experience, it was a powerful immersion.

As an opera singer, I’ve always known the connection opera has with Italy and how much it is a part of its culture. So, I’d always dreamed of performing in the country. When I went to Italy for the first time in 2019, I got to sing to a few people at a restaurant, and I’ll never forget how so many of them said that I should come back and perform in an opera house. It’s funny because fast-forward 4 years, there I was again, but this time as a legit opera/choir singer performing at the largest LGBT choir festival in the world.

This incredible travel experience wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for music.

Singing right outside of the Royal Castle of Warsaw, Poland

And speaking of opera…

There I was, randomly walking around the Old Town in Warsaw, Poland, when I heard a beautiful tenor that had a voice that reminded me so vividly of Andrea Bocelli’s. I approached him and like many of the tourists, appreciated his undeniable talent.

When he finished singing, I complimented his voice. I said I’d love to hear him sing more, and mentioned I’m also an opera singer, so I appreciated his work at the square. As soon as I said I was an opera singer, he asked me if we could do a duet. I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I felt so honored to be asked to sing with him there.

Music united us right there, so we performed Con Te Partiro together to the crowd by the Royal Castle of Warsaw. It was an unforgettable experience. His group consists of a Cello and guitar player and all I can remember is how beautiful we all sounded together. It moved me in a way I can’t simply put into words.

Playing the piano in the capital city of Switzerland

And last but certainly not least, one of the most unforgettable travel experiences I’ve ever lived took place right in the heart of the capital of Switzerland.

During the strict lockdown in 2020, I was living in the U.S., and because I couldn’t go anywhere, I decided to devote myself to writing my own original music. I started it as a hobby and composed 7 songs on the piano. I worked really hard on all of them, recorded them and, for some reason, never shared them publicly. A few close friends had listened to them, but I decided I’d wait for the right moment to share them with the public.

In 2022, I was in Bern, Switzerland for a few days with my childhood best friend. On a beautiful sunny day after lunch, I was walking past Bern Waisenhausplatz (one of the city’s main plazas in the Old Town), and I saw a huge piano and a sign that read “Everyone is allowed to play. Everyone is allowed to listen”. It was an initiative by Open Piano For Refugees that welcomed piano players in town to play for free in the city of Bern.

I approached it and sat down to watch some of the most random but talented piano players I’ve ever seen. People were playing from pop songs to some of the world’s most iconic and classic piano pieces. After seeing a few of them play, I said to my friend that I wanted to play as well. She asked me what song I’d do, and with a huge smile on my face, I replied that I’d be playing one of the original songs that I had written during the pandemic.

It was unreal. I felt so vulnerable and free. It was so emotional for me. After I played, the plaza was packed and random people asked me what the name of the song was because they loved it. When I told them it was my original song and it wasn’t out on any streaming platform yet, they were all shocked and encouraged me to release it someday. This made me so happy.

These were my top 4 favorite travel experiences that happened because of music.

How about you? Have you ever lived an unforgettable travel experience because of music?

Let me know in the comments.