Wanderlust is a strong desire to wander or travel and explore the world. The term has its roots in German Romanticism. Those with wanderlust don't necessarily need to go anywhere in particular; they just don't care to stay in one spot. The etymology of wanderlust is a very simple one that you can probably figure out yourself. Award Winning Programs, Certifications & Resources for Travel Advisors. Create a free Wanderlust Campus account to start learning today. A strong desire to travel is called wanderlust. If you dream of backpacking through Europe and then taking a quick spin through southeast Asia, you have wanderlust. Britannica Dictionary definition of WANDERLUST : a strong desire to travel [singular] an insatiable wanderlust [noncount] A strong desire to travel is called wanderlust. If you dream of backpacking through Europe and then taking a quick spin through southeast Asia, you have wanderlust.