In this episode I’m sharing some thoughts about travel in midlife… what I’ve loved, what surprised me, what went wrong, and what I’ve learned along the way.

When our kids were younger, travel looked very different. Honestly, I mostly wanted to sit on a beach chair and recover from life. But once Randy and I started traveling on our own, we became much more adventurous and started exploring places all over the world.

Over the years I’ve realized that travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It expands your perspective, wakes up your curiosity, and pulls you into the present moment in a way everyday life sometimes doesn’t.

But travel also tests your mindset. Flights get cancelled. Plans change. You get lost in Barcelona or find yourself in a city during protests. Things go sideways. Those moments can be stressful in the moment but they also tend to become the stories you laugh about later.

In this episode I also share some of our favorite travel experiences, including:

• Why Switzerland completely stole our hearts• Why Italy is always a standout (but getting crowded)• Why Spain and Mallorca surprised us in the best way• Our surreal trip to Japan right before the world shut down in 2020• Why South Africa may have been our most incredible adventure ever• Why the British Virgin Islands are one of our favorite island escapes

I also talk about something that has dramatically improved many of our trips: tours. From Devour food tours in Barcelona to a night lights tour in Paris and private tours in Rome and London, I’ve learned that the right tour can reduce stress and help you experience a place in a deeper way.

We also talk about:

• Why trains are one of the best ways to travel through Europe• Why shoulder season travel is often the sweet spot• The mindset that helps when travel inevitably goes wrong• Why pacing, sleep, and margin make trips far more enjoyable in midlife

And if international travel isn’t your thing, that’s okay too. There are incredible places to explore right here in the U.S. and Canada. Maine in August, the Rocky Mountains, national parks, Sedona, and the California coast are all unforgettable in their own way.

Travel has taught me that the goal isn’t just seeing the world. It’s staying curious about your life and remembering that there is always more to experience.

I also share where we’re headed next… including another European trip and our annual “escape the August heat” getaway to Northern California.

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