Wondering if group travel might be your next adventure? Join me as I chat with Avery Hale-Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads, who shares how guided active adventures are transforming the way people experience destinations worldwide.

Avery reveals how her own childhood travels—from immersive village experiences in Ecuador to studying abroad in India—shaped her perspective on what makes travel truly meaningful. These formative journeys ultimately led her back to Backroads, where she now works alongside her father (the founder) to create exceptional active travel experiences focused on cultural connection and personal growth.

We dive deep into the remarkable surge in women's adventure travel, with Backroads seeing triple-digit growth in their women-specific trips. Avery explains this phenomenon: "Women tend to spend much of their lives doing things for others. Now they're waking up and feeling like 'why wait?' The time is now to choose me." This shift has created a boom in journeys with spiritual elements, like the Camino de Santiago, where women find both connection and personal transformation.

The conversation takes unexpected turns when Avery describes their unique active safaris in Africa—where guests actually bike through game reserves alongside giraffes—and their adventures spanning from Antarctica to the Azores. For solo travelers (my specialty!), there's exciting news about upcoming reduced single supplements to make these experiences more accessible.

Perhaps most valuable are Avery's insights for women venturing out alone: "Start small, follow your intuition, and remember you're capable of more than you think." Whether you're considering your first solo journey or looking to join a group adventure, this episode illuminates how stepping beyond your comfort zone—with the right support—can create life's most enriching experiences.

Ready to discover how active travel might transform your next adventure? This conversation will inspire you to explore the world in ways you never imagined possible.

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Feeling overwhelmed by endless travel possibilities? You're not alone. Every wanderluster faces the delightful dilemma of where to go next. Drawing from years of solo travel experience, I reveal six distinct approaches to selecting your next destination – some spontaneous, others deeply intentional.

You could explore trend-based travel, where popular destinations like Paris or Amsterdam beckon with their timeless appeal. I candidly share how social media discoveries have sparked unexpected adventures while cautioning about the carefully curated perfection of travel influencers' posts. For those seeking structure, I discuss how bucket list approaches like visiting all Seven Wonders create purposeful travel itineraries, sharing my personal experience visiting Machu Picchu with my son.

A few playful and truly spontaneous methods – from literally throwing darts at maps to rolling dice for destination selection. Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate practical tips on leveraging flight deals and subscription services that alert you to fare bargains. But the heart of this episode lies in my final approach: creating deeply meaningful travel experiences aligned with your current emotional landscape. I vulnerably share how following this method led me to the solitude of Saguaro National Park after a traumatic period, resulting in a profoundly healing encounter with a horse named Rebel in the desert solitude.

Whether you're seeking adventure, healing, or simply your next great story, these six approaches offer a framework for making travel decisions that truly resonate with your personal journey. And for those drawn to wellness travel, I extend a special invitation to join my European river cruise in 2026, where I'll blend my passions for Pilates and exploration in an intimate setting. Ready to discover where your next journey might take you?

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Ever notice how the ground beneath your feet changes when hiking? From sandy paths to packed dirt trails, paved walkways to rocky terrain—each surface requires a different approach and energy level. What if these changing terrains hold wisdom about the type of travel that would serve you best right now?

During a recent solo road trip to West Texas that didn't quite go according to plan, I discovered a powerful metaphor while hiking that perfectly illustrates the relationship between life's seasons and our travel needs. Those sandy stretches where progress feels slow and tiring? They might be signaling you need a trip centered around your passions—music, cooking, hiking—something to restore the joy that daily challenges are slowly depleting. Walking comfortably on packed dirt trails with steady momentum? Your stable life foundation makes you perfectly suited for ambitious multi-city tours or country exploration.

Then there are those moments we find ourselves on autopilot, so overwhelmed we're just trying to survive each day. Surprisingly, these "paved pathway" phases call for wellness retreats or spa getaways—controlled environments that provide restoration without requiring you to make decisions. And those rocky paths demanding your constant attention? When life has you carefully navigating multiple challenges, cruises or organized group tours remove the burden of planning while still giving you the escape you desperately need.

This isn't about running away from life's difficulties but gaining fresh perspectives that transform how we navigate them upon return. In my one-on-one travel coaching, we assess exactly where you are in life's journey and design travel experiences that meet you right where you stand. Whether you're trudging through sand or picking your way across rocks, there's a perfect travel experience waiting for you.

Ready to discover what terrain you're walking and what type of travel would serve you best? Visit CherylBeckEsch.com to learn more about my personalized travel coaching program and schedule a free discovery call today.

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