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Updated on February 26th, 2025
If you’re ready to take that leap but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you. Let’s explore the factors and strategies to help you find your perfect WHERE.
Define Your Purpose
Why do you want to travel? What are you hoping to gain from the experience? Is it:
- Healing: Are you recovering from a loss, a major life change, or burnout? Look for peaceful, restorative destinations like wellness retreats in Bali, yoga ashrams in India, or quiet escapes in the Scottish Highlands.
- Adventure: If you’re seeking to reignite your passion for life, consider destinations that push you outside your comfort zone, like trekking in Patagonia, safaris in Kenya, or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.
- Connection: If you’re yearning for meaningful relationships—with yourself, others, or the world—look for experiences that immerse you in culture and community, such as homestays in Peru or volunteer programs in Thailand.
Knowing your why will narrow down your options and align your destination with your personal goals.
Assess Your Comfort Zone
How far are you willing to step outside of your comfort zone?
- Familiar vs. Foreign: If the idea of navigating a completely foreign culture feels daunting, start with destinations where you share a language or cultural similarities, like Canada, Australia, or Europe.
- Urban vs. Remote: Do you feel more at ease in bustling cities like Paris or Tokyo, or does the serenity of nature in places like Iceland or New Zealand appeal to you?
- Independent vs. Guided: If solo travel feels intimidating, consider joining a small-group tour or opting for a guided travel experience to ease into it.
Understanding your comfort zone isn’t about playing it safe—it’s about setting yourself up for a successful and fulfilling experience.
Budget and Timeframe
How much can you realistically spend, and how much time do you have?
- Short Breaks: If you’re short on time, look for transformative experiences closer to home or in destinations that don’t require extensive travel. A weekend hiking retreat or a quick cultural getaway can still have a profound impact.
- Bucket-List Trips: If you’ve saved for a longer adventure, consider destinations that require more planning and time, like a two-week African safari or a month exploring Southeast Asia.
- Hidden Gems: Keep in mind that transformational experiences don’t have to break the bank. Countries like Portugal, Vietnam, or Mexico offer affordable yet enriching experiences.
For more of my top travel money saving tips, check out my blog post HERE.
Match the Destination to Your Interests
What excites you, inspires you, or challenges you?
- Nature Lovers: Destinations like Costa Rica, Alaska, or New Zealand offer opportunities to reconnect with the earth through hiking, wildlife encounters, and breathtaking landscapes.
- History Buffs: If you love uncovering stories from the past, cities like Rome, Kyoto, or Cairo will transport you through time.
- Creative Souls: If you’re looking to spark your creativity, head to destinations known for their art, music, or culture, such as Paris, Florence, or Mexico City.
Consider the Season
When you travel, weather and climate can significantly impact your experience.
- Weather: Research the best times to visit your desired destination to avoid extreme weather or tourist crowds.
- Festivals and Events: Plan your trip around unique cultural experiences like the Lantern Festival in Taiwan, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, or the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
- Off-Peak Seasons: Travelling during the shoulder or off-season can mean fewer crowds, lower costs, and a more intimate experience.
Reflect on Your Current Needs
What do you need right now in your life?
- Quiet and Solitude: If you’re craving time to reflect and recharge, look for destinations that offer serenity, like a beach retreat in the Maldives or a cabin in the Canadian Rockies.
- Energy and Excitement: If you want to shake things up, opt for destinations that offer vibrant energy, like New York City, Marrakech, or Bangkok.
- Challenge and Growth: If you’re looking to grow, choose destinations that will push your boundaries, like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or learning to salsa in Cuba.
Trust Your Instincts
Sometimes, your perfect destination chooses you. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of visiting a particular place, or a photo, movie, or book sparked something deep inside you. Trust that instinct. There’s a reason you feel drawn to certain places, even if you can’t fully explain why.
Start Small, Dream Big
If you’re unsure about diving headfirst into a big adventure, start small. Book a short trip to a nearby city, join a day tour, or even plan a staycation to dip your toes into the world of transformational travel. Once you gain confidence, the possibilities are endless.
Finding your WHERE is about more than picking a spot on a map. It’s about aligning your destination with your goals, interests, and current life stage. As women in midlife, we’re often juggling responsibilities, navigating transitions, and questioning our next steps. Travel offers the opportunity to step away, reflect, and rediscover who we are.
Wherever you choose to go, remember this: The journey isn’t just about the destination—it’s about who you become along the way.
If you’re ready to start your transformational travel journey, I can help. I have specifically designed my Find Your Way programme for women in midlife to help design life-changing experiences that align with your goals and dreams. We spend a lot of time exploring your perfect destination before discussing practical tips to get you booking and travelling sooner rather than later. So why don’t we find your perfect WHERE together? Check out all the details HERE and if you have any questions, hit reply and I’ll get back to you with all the answers.
So, where will you go first? Where is calling to you currently? Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.
This week, over on YouTube, give me 90 seconds & I’ll take you on a journey through some highlights of Vietnam. From ancient wonders to underground tunnels and vibrant street food, it’s got it all! Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, these spots will make any Vietnam trip unforgettable. Check it out for yourself now using THIS LINK.
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Until next time,
Safe Travels
Sue x
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…
Find Your Way – Sign up here!
Blog – Your Ultimate Top 20 Tips for Making Travel Savings
Video – Planning a Vietnam Trip? These Spots Will Amaze You!
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
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