The ROI of Travel Research
If you've picked a location and your travel companions, it's time to start your research. Wait! Please don't leave yet! I promise this isn't going to be as painful as you think...
independent travel
Time and Money (aka Reality)–Part 2
A previous post about travel planning (Time and Money Part 1) focused on the financial budget and limitations, but just as important to planning is the time budget. It is important to...
Time and Money (aka Reality)–Part 1
I was once with a group and we were swapping stories about trips we had each taken when the topic of trip planning came up. As we shared how we initially choose...
The Traveling Brain is a Healthy Brain
With the rising rates of dementia from multiple causes, most of us have at least a passing concern as to how to keep our brains healthy. While your brain benefits from a...
How to Avoid Ruining a Good Friendship
All the friends and family you enjoy hanging out with will make great travel companions, right? Actually, not always. A group of us making memories on the cobblestones somewhere in England. Don't...
Some Questions to Get the Travel Party Started
It's important to make sure that you and your potential travel partners are well matched when planning a trip together. (See the post How to Avoid Ruining a Relationship.) Don't assume that...
The Voice of Fear
There are many reasons why people who say they want to travel independently don't actually do it. I think the majority of the reasons, some might call them excuses, boil down to...
How to Start
As with so many things in life, the hardest part in trip planning is often starting. Unlimited potential is exciting but also overwhelming. How do we decide what to do? If there's...
If Not Now, When?
I'm guessing you started reading this blog because you've had some fantasies of traveling and adventure, and many of you have carried for years a secret dream of a specific place you...
Adventure is a State of Mind
Be a Brave and Wise Traveler...and Adventure-ish! When it comes to travel, so many people have a dream of traveling independently and customizing a trip that is perfect for them, without knowing...