Confident, practical travel for women starting their next chapter

If you’re 60+ and feeling the tug to see more of the world—excited, nervous, or both—you’re in the right place.

I’m writing for the woman who wants adventure, but also wants ease: more comfort, more confidence, and a plan that fits the life she’s living now.

I’ve had two rewarding careers. First, in film and television—production and post—where everything moved fast and you learned to solve problems in real time. Later, I worked at a renowned educational institution’s cinema school, surrounded by students, stories, and the steady hum of creativity.

In both worlds, I loved the work—and I loved watching people grow into what they could do.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I earned a master’s degree in gerontology. I didn’t just enjoy it—I genuinely loved studying aging: what supports us, what keeps us healthy, what keeps our minds open and our spirits brave.

Then retirement arrived, and instead of making my world smaller, it quietly opened a door.

Travel.

The kind that helps you come back to yourself—new streets, delicious food, a museum that makes you slow down, a long walk where you realize you’re more capable than you gave yourself credit for.

Over time, my focus became more specific. I became deeply interested in what it means to travel as a solo older woman—how to approach solo travel after 60 safely and comfortably, yes, but also how to do it with joy and a steady sense of confidence and freedom.

After a while, I started noticing how often I was telling my travel stories—at dinner, on the phone, in passing. What worked. What didn’t. What I wish someone had told me.

And every time, the same thought would tap me on the shoulder:

I should write this down.

My notes multiplied—journal pages, draft itineraries, packing lists, screenshots, travel wish lists, reminders about trains and airport transfers, and little “next time” lessons I didn’t want to forget.

And I kept hearing a familiar line from friends (and friends-of-friends):

“You’re so brave. How do you do it alone?”

That question is part of why I’m here.

Because the truth is, I don’t always feel brave. I’m simply willing to keep learning—and not let fear make my world smaller.

And I’ve heard that same fear, in different words, from so many women my age:

“I want to travel, but I’m afraid to take a trip by myself.”

In a way, that’s also what happened with this blog.

I kept putting it off—waiting for the “perfect” first post: the perfect safety tips, the perfect list of destinations, the perfect answers to every “what if.”

But confidence is quieter than that.

It’s built trip by trip, choice by choice—one small decision that says, I can handle this.

So this is what this blog will be: a practical, honest companion for solo travel in the second half of life.

I’ll share stories from the road, what my gerontology studies have taught me about aging and independence, and the real-world details that matter when you’re the one making the decisions—comfort, safety, budgeting, pacing yourself, meeting people (or not), and trusting your instincts without letting worry shrink your world.

What you’ll find here:

– How I choose destinations—and pace my days once I’m there (because energy is a resource)

– How I handle restaurants, evenings, and activities on my own—without feeling awkward or rushed

– Safety habits that help me feel calm and capable (not fearful)

– Small ways to meet people—or happily keep to myself

– How to use points to travel in style for less

– When to book a tour—and when to go independently

– What I pack now versus what I used to pack (and what I’ve finally stopped carrying—literally and otherwise)

If any part of you is whispering, Maybe I could do this, you’re exactly who I’m writing for.

If you’ve been waiting for “someday”—someday when you feel braver, someday when you find a travel partner, someday when you’re sure you won’t make a mistake—I understand. Truly.

But I’ve learned that “ready” is often something we become after we begin.

You don’t have to start big.

A weekend counts.

One reservation counts.

One small step outside the familiar counts.

My recent trip to Taipei reminded me just how capable we can be—learning the Metro, getting myself where I needed to go, and hunting down the best boba along the way.

That week gave me confidence.

If you’ve been thinking about going somewhere on your own, I’d love to hear about it.

Where have you been dreaming of going?

And what’s the first thing that worries you?

Thanks for being here.

I know how much courage it can take to even consider traveling on your own.

If you’re interested in solo travel after 60, consider subscribing—I’ll be sharing practical tips, real experiences, and lessons learned along the way.