"I didn't have to be brave. Everything just feels so safe and taken care of." That's how Danielle describes her 10-day Morocco adventure—and she's not alone. Three women who traveled Morocco as complete strangers share what it's really like to ride camels through the Sahara, survive 108-degree heat, bond in traditional hammams, and make lifelong friends along the way. Turns out, you don't need to be adventurous by nature to have the trip of a lifetime. You just need someone who's already done the hard work for you.

Remember when summer camp was the highlight of your year? When you'd count down the days until you could escape your regular life, make questionable friendship bracects, and stay up way too late eating contraband snacks?

Here's the thing: who decided that magic had to end just because we got jobs and mortgages?

Adult summer camp is everything you loved about being a kid, minus the homesickness and bad cafeteria food. We're talking outdoor adventures, creative activities, new friends, and the kind of unstructured fun that makes you remember why life is actually pretty great.

At Camp Lola Whiskey in northern Wisconsin, you'll kayak, hike, make s'mores around bonfires, try ridiculous arts and crafts, and laugh more than you have in months. It's for people who are exhausted from adulting and ready to remember what fun actually feels like.

Your to-do list will still be there when you get back. But you'll also have this weird little pocket of joy to carry with you. And honestly? That's worth way more than another "productive" weekend.

You have three tabs open comparing flights. You've read 47 blog posts about what to pack. You've calculated the budget six different ways. But you still haven't clicked "Book Now."

It's probably not about the money. And it's definitely not about finding the "perfect time."

I sat down with life coach Bonnie Surie to talk about why smart, capable people create elaborate barriers between themselves and the things they actually want. What we discovered: the limiting beliefs that stop you from booking a trip are the same ones keeping you stuck everywhere else in life.

Let's dig into what's really stopping you—and how to finally take action.

Let's talk about the stuff nobody posts on Instagram. Like the moment you're desperately tapping your tour guide's shoulder on a Moroccan highway: "I really need to go. Like, now."

This is Mel Ripp's story—from Door County encyclopedia reader to someone who handles roadside emergencies with remarkable grace. If you've ever worried that travel isn't for you because you have food sensitivities, get lost in airports, or aren't "adventurous enough"—this one's for you.

The unglamorous moments? They're the ones that transform you.

After stumbling off a 4am flight from Morocco (fueled by exactly zero sleep and one too many espresso martinis), I found myself on a bus to Donegal for TBEX—one of my favorite travel creator conferences. What followed was a perfect mix of Irish hospitality, questionable life choices involving 72-kilometer bike rides after carb-heavy lunches, and meeting Buttons, my new alpaca best friend who had some serious bathroom priorities. Between traditional music sessions, the best clam chowder of my life, and a car breakdown that somehow turned into Irish Tetris with our luggage, Ireland reminded me why sometimes the most magical travel moments happen when absolutely nothing goes according to plan.

Just got back from Morocco with my latest group, and honestly, I'm still processing everything that went down. Here's the real, unfiltered story of nine days that reminded me why I love this crazy job—even when it nearly kills me. From Operation Wine Stockpile in Casablanca to monkey attacks in the cedar forest, heat exhaustion in the Sahara, and way too many leather bags in Fes, this trip had it all. Follow along for the authentic behind-the-scenes of what boutique group travel really looks like—complete with 80 billion cats, drum circles under the stars, and the kind of transformational moments that change you forever.

What happens when you take 30 adults, put them in the Wisconsin Dells with craft cocktails and summer camp activities, then throw in epic storms, a pickle fountain, and spontaneous tattoo decisions? You get Camp Lola Whiskey - the inaugural summer camp for grownups that turned into an unforgettable weekend of chaos, connection, and pure Wisconsin magic. From Rachel's two-day commitment to adventure to Megan's impromptu old fashioned tattoo before catching her flight home, this weekend proved that sometimes the best adventures come from embracing chaos with good people.

Let's be honest - nobody gets excited about buying travel insurance. It's not Instagram-worthy, it's not fun to research, and most of us would rather spend that money on literally anything else. But after witnessing countless travel disasters and talking with travel insurance expert Erin Fish, I'm here to set the record straight on the myths that could ruin your trip. From why your credit card "coverage" probably isn't enough to the real cost of medical care abroad, these are the 7 travel insurance myths every traveler needs to stop believing.

So there I was in Antalya, Turkey, on what was supposed to be a romantic double date, except the guy was a total asshole and there was only one of him. My travel buddy Kari and I were stuck at dinner with this insufferable man who kept interrogating us like we were applying for citizenship instead of just trying to have a drink. That's when Kari started swirling her wine glass and accidentally created an international incident involving fake American traditions and armpit fart noises. Nobody talks about this stuff in travel guides, but these ridiculous disasters? They're the moments that stick with you long after you've forgotten what you ate for breakfast in that beautiful café overlooking the Mediterranean.

In the inaugural episode of Type 2 Travel, host Laura Erickson shares how she transformed from a resort-vacationing married woman to the founder of a unique group travel business built around "Type 2 Fun"—those experiences that might be miserable in the moment but become your favorite memories later.

Fresh off getting "absolutely demolished by mosquitoes" in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands, Laura reveals how her post-divorce desire to visit "sketchy" places led to an accidental discovery: other people desperately wanted these authentic, challenging travel experiences too, they just needed someone else to plan them.

This episode dives into the philosophy behind transformational travel, why Laura scouts every destination first, and her belief that "if you can afford to travel, you can afford to give back."

Are you constantly postponing your travel dreams, waiting for the "perfect moment" when your finances align, the world feels stable, or when Mercury isn't in retrograde? Here's the truth: that perfect moment doesn't exist. Every election cycle, global event, or economic fluctuation gives us new reasons to delay our adventures—but life continues moving forward regardless.

Remember how quickly those lockdown "few weeks" in 2020 turned into two years of staring out windows while passports gathered dust? The harsh reality is that you'll blink and suddenly be years older, with the same dreams but potentially less freedom to pursue them. Your dream destinations will still exist, but will you have the same energy, health, or opportunity to experience them fully?

Stop letting uncertainty paralyze you. That Moroccan camel ride through the Sahara, that authentic cooking class in an Indian home, that breathtaking sunset from a Cuban mountaintop—these experiences are waiting for someone brave enough to say "yes" now. Your future travel-obsessed self will thank you for not waiting until "someday."

Travel has a way of surprising us, challenging our assumptions, and opening up new possibilities. In this candid discussion, two travelers - Vince and Rich - share how group travel transformed their perspectives, from making mojitos in Cuba to exploring Colombian coffee culture. Their experiences reveal how the right balance of structure and freedom can create meaningful connections and authentic cultural immersion.

Journey through the Greek islands with Stav, a passionate local guide who transformed his love for the sea and people into unforgettable sailing adventures. From secluded beaches to authentic tavernas, Stav reveals how exploring Greece by sailboat offers a unique perspective away from the tourist crowds, while sharing personal stories that bring the Mediterranean experience to life.

There's nothing quite like your first Holi celebration. As ancient traditions burst to life in a dazzling spectacle of colors, you'll find yourself swept up in a joyous frenzy that transforms strangers into friends and paints the world in rainbow hues. But like any great adventure, proper preparation makes all the difference between a magical celebration and a potentially uncomfortable day. From protecting your skin to packing the right gear, here's your complete guide to celebrating Holi like a pro.

After countless trips through Marrakech's maze-like souks, my house has basically turned into a mini Moroccan bazaar.

When I first landed in Delhi, the sensory overload was overwhelming – from vibrant colors to aromatic spices filling the air. Like many first-time visitors to India, I felt anxious about what lay ahead. But from chaotic rickshaw rides through Delhi's streets to celebrating Holi with locals in Nandgaon, each experience revealed India's true magic. Beyond iconic sites like the Taj Mahal, it was the off-the-beaten-path moments that left the deepest impression: cooking authentic dishes with newfound friends, learning traditional crafts from local artisans, and surrendering to the joyful chaos of Holi celebrations. While India can be overwhelming, its beauty, spirituality, and transformative power make it an unforgettable destination. Join our March 2025 group trip for a carefully curated journey that balances must-see highlights with authentic local experiences, all while maintaining the perfect blend of cultural immersion and comfortable travel.

Ever wondered what Kenya feels like beyond the typical safari circuit? Join me as I share how a FAM trip turned into a soul-stirring journey of unexpected connections - from cycling through dramatic landscapes and dancing with Maasai warriors to supporting women-led enterprises and finding family among strangers. This is Kenya as you've never seen it, where authentic experiences and responsible tourism create magic that Instagram can't capture.

Discover how easy it is to check off your travel bucket list with like-minded explorers. Your next adventure awaits.

In a candid reflection on last-minute travel to India, Laura Ericson reveals why she meticulously scouts destinations before leading group trips. Through her own pre-trip anxieties about safety, cultural norms, and logistics, she demonstrates how this preparation process enables her to create seamless, well-planned experiences for her travelers, eliminating the uncertainties she currently faces during her scouting mission.

In one year as a business owner, I have learned a lot of important lessons. More lessons than I learned in 7 years of college, grad school and 14 years working in higher education and leadership combined.