Refined Minds Vancouver

Join us for our next Refined Minds gathering as we explore what it really means to travel.

We live in an era where the world feels more accessible than ever. But are we truly connecting with the places we visit, or just passing through? This session examines the difference between being a "tourist" and being a "traveler," and whether that distinction even matters.

Is calling yourself a traveler just a way to feel superior? Or does it point to something real — a different way of moving through the world? What shifts in us when we slow down, stay longer, or venture beyond the guidebook? And what do we lose when we don't?

We'll explore questions like:

• What actually separates a traveler from a tourist?
• Does seeking "authentic" experiences make us more enlightened, or more pretentious?
• Is travel really a path to self-discovery, or mostly an escape from routine?
• What do we gain from spending a month in one place versus racing through ten cities in ten days?
• How has Instagram changed not just how we share travel, but how we experience it?

Through personal stories and honest conversation, we'll dig into how the way we travel shapes what we take home: not just photos and souvenirs, but how we see the world and ourselves.

Whether you're a longtime backpacker, an all-inclusive resort enthusiast, or someone who just loves dreaming about your next trip, this is a space to think together about why we go, how we explore, and what we're really searching for when we leave home.

Please have your travel stories ready to share with the group.
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For Confirmed Attendees: If your plans change and you find you cannot attend, please take a moment to update your RSVP on Meetup as soon as possible.
As a courtesy, this makes a huge difference, allowing us to notify the people on the waiting list with enough time to join us.

For the Waiting List: Thank you for your patience! Please stay tuned, as we often see spots open up in the days leading up to the meeting. If you don't get a spot this time, please know that the topic of travelling is a rich topic we can certainly revisit in future sessions.

📍 Where: Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, 6th Floor, Room 690 (L6 North Meeting Room)

Join us for a special Refined Minds outing to hear the winner of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition, live in a concert held at the Orpheum in Vancouver on February 16, 2026.

Held every five years in Warsaw, the Chopin Competition has launched the careers of some of history's greatest pianists. This is a rare opportunity to experience a world-class interpreter of Chopin's music right here in Vancouver, and a perfect follow-up to our recent session on the composer's life and artistry.

We'll experience the elegance, drama, and poetry of Chopin's works together, hearing firsthand why his music still captivates audiences nearly two centuries later.

After the concert, we will regroup at the nearby library meeting room to talk about our experience.

🎟️ Tickets are available through the Orpheum website (address below). We recommend booking early, as this event is likely to sell out.

https://chopinsociety.org/winner-chopin-competition-2025.html