The smell of the ocean is almost guaranteed to give you nostalgia. As the salty sea breeze wafts through the air, suddenly you start to recall memories of your favourite childhood holiday spot. Or maybe even that time you spent a week lazing by the beach in Byron Bay. Regardless of the destination, there’s one thing we know for sure: our noses have a knack for sniffing out wanderlust.
There’s a reason why we form emotional connections to scents and link them to our most-loved destinations. In a 2013 study, researchers found that the brain is more stimulated by olfactory stimuli (i.e. the smell of a flower) than with visual stimuli (i.e. the sight of a flower).
If you have a holiday in the pipeline but are lacking inspiration, might we suggest you follow your nose? Here, we list six natural scents and perfumes (we’re looking at you, A Drop d’Issey) that are guaranteed to give you wanderlust – simply close your eyes, take in the aroma, and let nostalgia inspire your next vacation:
Hidden Waterfalls
When was the last time you spent the afternoon walking through your nearest National Park? It’s an activity that nourishes the mind, body and soul, yet we rarely find the time. When a waterfall is nearby, you’ll likely smell it before you can see it. Take in the scent of the crisp air, fresh running water and leafy vegetation, and allow your mind to wander. Where do your thoughts take you?
The Ocean
For Australians, a summer holiday spent at the beach is almost a rite of passage. Thanks to a phenomenon known as ‘blue mind’ just being around the ocean (hello fresh air, salty sea breeze and the gentle sight of shape-shifting water) is enough to set our minds and bodies at ease.
A Drop d’Issey
A Drop d’Issey, $135 for 50ml from David Jones
A Drop d’Issey, a new fragrance for women by Issey Miyake Parfums, is a holiday in a bottle. Joyful, optimistic and feminine, this new perfume is as fresh and complex as Mother Nature herself. For the avid traveller, A Drop d’Issey provides scores of inspiration for new adventures ahead. Notes of sunny lilac, jasmine and delicate orange blossom are balanced by musk, vanilla and atlas cedar. The bottle itself is shaped like a drop of water, which is a nod to the brand’s long-standing appreciation of this elixir of life.
Made from 80 per cent natural ingredients, the brand made a conscious decision to protect the environment by working with ethically sourced fair growers and incorporating synthetic ingredients where necessary.
Fields Of Flowers
Is there anything more awe-inspiring than a field of flowers in full bloom? While the sight itself is one to behold, it’s the scent that has the ability to boost your mood. If you don’t have the time to get there in person, treat yourself to a bunch of fresh blooms instead. Does the soft floral scent make you want to travel to the fields of lavender in Queensland? Or perhaps, one of the tulip farms in Tasmania? Allow yourself to be inspired.
Brought to you by Issey Miyake Parfums.
