Cuba has a special way of reminding me what actually matters—perspective, resilience, and the strength of human connection. Despite political uncertainty and challenges facing the island, I'm considering one final New Year's trip in late 2026 to support the local communities we've come to love. If Cuba is on your heart, join the waitlist for December 27, 2026 - January 3, 2027.

I woke up at 3 AM with an overwhelming urge to buy concert tickets to see Adele in Barcelona. Never mind that she was playing an hour from my house the following week. I just knew I had to go. That trip changed everything. Somewhere between Gaudí's architecture and Adele's voice, I made the decision to leave my marriage. A year later, floating in a hot air balloon over Turkey, I quit my corporate job. For years, I brushed these off as coincidence. Then I discovered astro-cartography, and suddenly everything clicked.

Three years ago, Teresa was newly divorced and terrified to travel alone. Today, she's visited five countries, taken up painting and singing, and is eight states away from her goal of visiting all 50 before turning 50. Her secret? She stopped waiting for perfect timing. Here's why her parents' unused RV taught her the most important lesson about travel—and life.

Stop making vague travel promises. Elementary school teacher Rachel Trapani went from taking one unaffordable trip in 2019 to five international adventures per year by 2023. Here are the 10 resolutions that actually work—from automating your travel savings to packing light, mastering long-haul flights, and saying yes to trips that scare you. Download our free guide with all the tips, product links, and travel credit card recommendations.

A solo traveler confronts her fears, discovers marigold everything, and floats over ancient pyramids at sunrise during Mexico City's Día de los Muertos. This is the story of how one picky eater found transformation through lucha libre, hot air balloons, and the power of group travel to make intimidating destinations feel effortless.

At 62, newly divorced Kerry Breckle had a choice: stay bitter or get better. She chose better—and ended up in a hot air balloon over Mexican pyramids, getting her first tattoo in Cuba, and discovering that age is just a number. Her message? 'No one is going to knock on your door with a new life plan. So do it.' Read how Kerry went from afraid to fly to living her best adventure.

When Carrie booked her first international trip to Cuba, she was terrified. She'd never considered leaving the country and worried it wouldn't be safe. Now, after journeys to Cuba and Morocco—with Kenya on the horizon—she's discovered a passion for travel she never knew existed. Read how group travel with Laura Ericson transformed not just her itinerary, but her entire worldview.

If you've ever eaten ramen for the third night in a row while scrolling travel Instagram because you're "saving for a trip," this one's for you. Money coach Rachel Covert (who retired at 36 with $500k saved) just dropped a truth bomb: saving for travel doesn't have to suck. The problem? You've been conditioned to believe saving means extreme deprivation. No restaurants. No fun. No life. And then you crack and book a trip on a credit card. Here's what actually works: automation, clear priorities, and zero lentils required.

I'll never forget the moment I decided to quit my job and start my travel business. I was floating in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, Turkey, when my entire body just... knew. Within a week, I'd submitted my resignation from a 14-year career. My brain was screaming at me the entire time. But my body? My body was calm. Quiet. Certain. That's the thing about intuition that nobody tells you: it doesn't scream. It whispers. And it lives in your gut, not your head.

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.

While Cuba is famous for classic cars, cigars, and free healthcare, the reality of daily life tells a very different story. Based on my conversation with Andres, a Cuban tour guide who has spent his entire 38 years on the island, here are the eye-opening truths about Cuban life that most tourists never see - from highly educated doctors who earn less than waiters to locals who've never tasted the "Cuban" cocktails served to visitors.

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.

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."

"Let me start with a confession: The night before flying to India, I was frantically contemplating whether I should pack an emergency loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter. Seriously. I was worried I'd get there and starve for 12 days.

But here's the thing about Laura's trips—I trust her enough to follow her literally anywhere. And holy shit, am I glad I did.

Picture this: I'm a self-proclaimed clean freak who hates being dirty. Now imagine me letting complete strangers pour unknown liquids on my head and smear colored powder all over my face while I'm walking BAREFOOT through street puddles of questionable origin. If you know me, you're already laughing.

But that first Holi celebration was nothing like I ever thought I'd experience. I've got the photos to prove it—apparently, I became something of a micro-celebrity, gaining nearly 2,000 followers from the pictures Laura took of me covered head-to-toe in pink powder."

Tired of cheesy travel quotes that don't capture the real essence of wanderlust? After traveling across six continents, I've collected 12 travel quotes that actually hit different—the ones that make you nod your head and think "damn, I need to book a trip."

These aren't your typical vision board quotes. They're honest reflections of what it feels like to choose street food in Morocco over dinner parties, desert tents over five-star resorts, and adventure over comfort. Travel isn't always Instagram-worthy—sometimes you're crying in airports or getting food poisoning. But it's also about unexpected dinner invitations, laughing with strangers who become friends, and coming home with stories that make your old life feel too small.

If you've been bitten by the travel bug and never quite recovered, these quotes will speak to your soul. Ready to stop making excuses and start planning your next adventure? The world isn't going anywhere, but your reasons for not exploring it are getting old.

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.

Looking for bucket list inspiration? Meet Amanda, whose aspirations range from breaking plates in Greece to naming someone's child. Through her eclectic mix of dreams—both accomplished and pending—we discover how bucket lists become more than just checkboxes; they're repositories of family history, personal healing, and pure adventure, reminding us that the best life goals combine grand adventures with everyday joys.

In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Viñales Valley, a remarkable group of Cuban cowboys (guajiros) maintain centuries-old traditions while sharing their culture with visitors from around the world. From Changa, the Clint Eastwood lookalike with a heart of gold, to Yasel, the charismatic tobacco expert, these men represent the authentic soul of rural Cuba. Through their daily lives tending horses, rolling cigars, and preserving local customs, they offer travelers more than just guided tours – they provide a genuine window into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged by time. Whether it's sharing stories over dominoes under a palm-thatched palapa, demonstrating traditional tobacco cultivation, or leading horseback adventures through the valley's stunning landscape, these guardians of Cuban tradition exemplify the warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage that make Viñales an unforgettable destination.

From a tattoo skeptic to a curator of international ink adventures, my journey into coordinating group tattoo appointments abroad wasn't exactly planned.