Ever stared longingly at that stack of unread books on your nightstand, wishing for just a few uninterrupted days to dive in? You're not alone. A fascinating new travel trend is emerging in 2025 that might be the perfect solution for book lovers everywhere: reading retreats. Imagine yourself sipping wine on a veranda overlooking mountains or ocean, completely absorbed in a novel without a single interruption. No chores calling your name, no meetings to attend, just you and your books in a be...
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Ever stared longingly at that stack of unread books on your nightstand, wishing for just a few uninterrupted days to dive in? You're not alone. A fascinating new travel trend is emerging in 2025 that might be the perfect solution for book lovers everywhere: reading retreats. Imagine yourself sipping wine on a veranda overlooking mountains or ocean, completely absorbed in a novel without a single interruption. No chores calling your name, no meetings to attend, just you and your books in a be...
Ever stared longingly at that stack of unread books on your nightstand, wishing for just a few uninterrupted days to dive in? You're not alone. A fascinating new travel trend is emerging in 2025 that might be the perfect solution for book lovers everywhere: reading retreats. Imagine yourself sipping wine on a veranda overlooking mountains or ocean, completely absorbed in a novel without a single interruption. No chores calling your name, no meetings to attend, just you and your books in a be...
The empty nest phase doesn't mean the end of meaningful parent-child connections – it simply marks the beginning of a new kind of relationship. As summer vacations end and college drop-offs happen across America, many parents find themselves reminiscing about family trips and wondering how to maintain closeness with their now-adult children. Travel creates a unique opportunity to reconnect with adult children in ways that regular family gatherings often cannot. When we remove ourselves from ...
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is transforming how we plan, book, and experience travel—whether we're ready for it or not. After resisting the AI wave, I've finally accepted its inevitability while maintaining a healthy skepticism about certain applications. Delta Airlines' recent expansion of AI-powered pricing algorithms reveals a troubling trend. They've increased coverage from 3% to 20% of domestic routes, using your personal data to determine how much you might be willing to ...
Travel transforms us in ways we rarely anticipate. When we step outside our comfort zones, something remarkable happens – not just philosophically, but neurologically. The brain forms new pathways, rewiring itself in real-time as we navigate unfamiliar territory. My journey with travel's healing power began unexpectedly in 1996 when I traveled to Jamaica just eight weeks after losing my mother to breast cancer. We had been extraordinarily close – best friends, creative confidants – and her t...
Solo travel has become a transformative movement, particularly among women who now comprise 70% of all solo travelers worldwide. Yet despite these impressive statistics, many women remain on the sidelines, watching others embark on adventures they only dream about. What's holding them back? For many, it's the invisible weight of past trauma, grief, or loss that makes the unknown elements of solo travel feel insurmountable. This episode introduces the concept of travel coaching—a specialized ...
Every budget traveler has faced that moment of frustration—the cheap hotel that feels unsafe, the bargain flight with endless layovers, or the too-good-to-be-true deal that actually wasn't worth the hassle. As someone who lives by the philosophy that spending less on one trip means affording more adventures overall, I've made plenty of costly mistakes in my quest to travel economically. In this candid episode, I pull back the curtain on five significant budget travel blunders that actually e...
What happens when a woman who's lived like a "caged bird" for 25 years suddenly finds herself free? For Linda Magoon, freedom meant climbing mountains—specifically, all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot peaks. After decades in a controlling marriage where asking permission was the norm and independence was punished with silent treatments and anger, Linda reached what she calls her "tipping point" in her mid-50s. With the help of a crisis counselor, she realized she was experiencing domestic v...
The moment of departure for a long-awaited trip should be filled with excitement, not anxiety about what you might have forgotten at home. So many travelers have experienced that sudden panic on the way to the airport – "Did I leave the curling iron plugged in?" or "Did I forget to lock the door?" This episode tackles those pre-travel worries head-on with a practical, comprehensive checklist to ensure your home remains safe while you're exploring the world. From arranging house-sitters and m...
What drives a woman to sell everything she owns, travel halfway around the world, and jump on yachts with complete strangers? For Tess Millhollon, author and founder of Her House, it was the desperate need to reclaim her sense of self after surviving sexual assault in college. Tess shares her remarkable journey of healing through solo travel in Australia, where she discovered that recreating her comfortable bartending life from Texas wasn't enough. The pivotal moment came when she spotted a ...
Have you ever looked at a solo traveler with a mix of curiosity, concern, or even pity? Those reactions reveal the powerful misconceptions surrounding solo travel, especially for women over 50. As a freedom traveler and coach who's ventured solo across continents, I'm pulling back the curtain on these limiting beliefs that might be keeping you from one of life's most empowering experiences. Safety concerns top most people's list when discussing solo travel. While being informed is crucial—re...
Ever found yourself standing in a crowded European plaza, sweat dripping down your back, wondering why you bothered to travel at all? For women navigating perimenopause and menopause, travel presents unique challenges that rarely make it into guidebooks or travel blogs. Hot flashes, night sweats, and unpredictable temperature regulation can transform dream destinations into uncomfortable ordeals without proper planning. Drawing from personal experience and health coaching background, I share...
Freedom calls from the open road, and summer's the perfect time to answer. This practical guide to solo road trips unlocks the joy of spontaneous travel when expensive flights or elaborate planning isn't an option. Feeling the wanderlust but haven't made summer plans? A solo road trip might be your perfect adventure. Whether you have just a day, a weekend, or a full week to spare, hitting the highway offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility. The beauty lies in simplicity - choose a destin...
The summer countdown has begun. School's out, temperatures are rising, and social media feeds are bursting with vacation photos and travel plans—but what if you don't have anything planned? Whether due to procrastination, budget constraints, or simply preferring to avoid peak travel season, a summer without definitive plans doesn't have to leave you feeling left out or bored. Today's episode offers a refreshingly practical approach to creating memorable summer experiences without the need fo...
Ever caught yourself staring at travel influencers' perfect Instagram feeds, wondering how on earth they afford their seemingly endless adventures? You're not alone. The truth is, most travelers aren't sponsored, wealthy, or living off massive social media revenue – they're regular people, like you and me, who've mastered the art of funding their wanderlust through creativity and planning. As a solo traveler with a full-time job outside of podcasting, I've developed practical strategies that...
What kind of traveler are you at heart? Do you pinch pennies to extend your journey, or do you splurge on luxury experiences? Are you drawn to cultural immersion, or do you crave heart-pounding adventure? We all have natural tendencies that shape our travel experiences, yet many of us try to force ourselves into travel styles that don't authentically reflect who we are. In this eye-opening exploration of travel personalities, we break down six distinct traveler types - from the budget-consci...
When life forces you to start over completely, what would you do? For Allison Gonzalez, a series of devastating blows in 2019—losing her job, the death of her beloved dog, and the onset of a global pandemic—became the unexpected catalyst for a transformative journey of self-discovery through solo RV travel. Rather than continuing to push for conventional stability after selling her California home, Allison made a bold decision: "I'm just going to skip the house and travel." What began as a r...
The endless horizon stretches between volcanic plains and glacier-topped mountains as we journey through Iceland, a land where fire and ice create one of earth's most breathtaking natural canvases. What makes this Nordic island nation so remarkable isn't just its visual drama but how its landscapes become a powerful catalyst for personal healing and renewal. My solo adventure through Iceland revealed a country of startling contrasts - snow-capped peaks beside dramatic coastlines, black sand ...
Danielle Hiebert's life took an unexpected turn when, in the midst of a painful divorce after 32 years of marriage and exhausted from the pandemic's toll on educators, she found herself scrolling through job listings in the middle of the night. A curriculum coordinator position in Kuwait caught her eye, and within weeks, she was preparing to move halfway across the world. What began as an escape from heartache transformed into a profound journey of healing and self-discovery. Kuwait—a countr...
What do the Statue of Liberty, Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, and the Eiffel Tower have in common? They've all become part of the global tourist trap circuit—places that promise unforgettable experiences but often deliver crowds, inflated prices, and a distinctly inauthentic atmosphere. I've traveled to numerous destinations on those viral "must-see before you die" lists, and while these iconic landmarks certainly have their merits, the experience of visiting them doesn't always match ou...
The vibrant energy of Porto, Portugal comes to life through Cheryl's detailed account of her day and a half in this charming riverside city. While many travelers automatically gravitate toward Lisbon, Cheryl makes a compelling case for Porto's superior atmosphere, describing it as less touristy yet rich with authentic Portuguese culture. From the moment she steps off the train from Lisbon, Cheryl's adventure unfolds with visits to the famous Livraria Lello bookstore (which she recommends boo...
Solo Travel Adventures: Safe Travel for Women, Preparing for a Trip, Overcoming Fear, Travel Tips
Ever stared longingly at that stack of unread books on your nightstand, wishing for just a few uninterrupted days to dive in? You're not alone. A fascinating new travel trend is emerging in 2025 that might be the perfect solution for book lovers everywhere: reading retreats. Imagine yourself sipping wine on a veranda overlooking mountains or ocean, completely absorbed in a novel without a single interruption. No chores calling your name, no meetings to attend, just you and your books in a be...
