How to have a transformative travel experience

Green sea turtle
A green sea turtle swims underwater in San Cristobal island, Galapagos Archipelago, on September 1, 2009.
PABLO COZZAGLIO/AFP/Getty Images

Earlier this year, Edward Readicker-Henderson wrote about cheating death in National Geographic Traveler. He has a disease that his doctors believe is terminal and they have even advised him to plan his funeral. Instead, he is planning trips around the world.

He wrote in the magazine article: "The story about how every place I travel to comes down to how I'm going to live. Forget the bucket list. It's the travel that, very literally, keeps me alive."

Most of us don't have as dramatic of a reason for exploring the world, but we wanted to think back on truly transformative trips.

Keith Bellows, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler magazine, will join The Daily Circuit Tuesday, Dec. 11 to talk about transformative travel and tips for planning your next trip. Rudy Maxa, host of Rudy Maxa's World, will also join the discussion.

Part of today's discussion: What trip truly enlightened you or changed you?

READ MORE ON THE BEST TRAVEL:

Cheating Death (National Geographic Traveler)

Best trips 2013 (National Geographic Traveler)

Drives of a lifetime (WAMC)

Travelers of the Year (National Geographic)