Wanderlust
Etymology
A direct borrowing of German “Wanderlust,” from “wandern” (to hike or roam) and “Lust” (desire, pleasure). It entered English in the early 20th century, keeping its literal German sense of a joy in wandering rather than any hint of the narrower English “lust.”
noun · /WON-der-lust/
A strong, restless desire to travel and see the world.
What it names
The itch to be elsewhere — the pull toward unfamiliar roads that makes staying put feel like something missed.
Example
A single postcard from a friend abroad was enough to reawaken his old wanderlust.
Related idea
Simple curiosity about places can be satisfied by a book; wanderlust is bodily and restless, a craving to actually go that cannot be read away.