Journey To Joy: Cultivating Happiness, The Transformative Power Of Travel, And Finding Your Tribe

As 2023 is coming to a rapid close, my kids are getting older, and my own age is staring me down, I've noticed a stark change in my mindset:

I’m reflecting more on the here and now, less on what happened yesterday, and have a voracious hunger to manifest the future that I want.

I am on a journey to joy where I’m making happiness a habit – something that takes commitment, time, and practice. I invite you to join me.

There are benefits to making happiness a habit:

1. The Law of Attraction means you'll surround yourself with other happy people

2. Say hello to a healthier you: studies have shown that those who adopt positivity have improved health

3. Smiling and laughing increase endorphins release

I noticed that I laugh more frequently and more deeply when I travel;

it’s an exhilarating feeling!

Let me ask you, when is the last time you disconnected and recharged so you could tackle the next day, the next project, or the next big moment with your family with a renewed vigor and a glimmer of your old self?

We carry the weight of a thousand worlds on our shoulders and we know that when our candle is burning at both ends, that wick is more smoke than flame. Sometimes we need more than a couple hours a week to recharge. And sometimes. Sometimes we look in the mirror and don’t recognize ourselves; we wonder, 'where did you go?'

Sometimes the way to find ourselves again is by stepping outside of our comfort zone.

I’m thrilled to introduce my “Ambitious Women Travel Group” as a solution to help break the habits of over-extending ourselves, of burning the candle at both ends, of putting ourselves last, and of forgetting the last time we laughed so hard our faces hurt because it was THAT LONG AGO.

Join my Ambitious Women Travel

Group and find your tribe.

No matter how big, robust, or healthy our inner circles are, something powerfully transformative happens when we expand our circle, experience new things, and see the world through a new lens. The benefits of this, when brought back to our everyday lives are significant:

• Increased resilience: helping us better cope with our day-to-day life and challenges

• Better relationships: having recharged emotional and mental resources to continue nurturing healthy relationships with others

• Greater productivity: mental rejuvenation can lead to increased productivity and creativity

• Better mood: needs no further explanation ; )

Travel is a great connector and sometimes it can be the best medicine. I'm on a mission to pave the pathway to a well-balanced, success-fueled life for hard-working, ambitious women through the power of small group travel.

Join me on my journey to joy.

1. Sign up for my Ambitious Women Travel Group Newsletter to be the first to hear about my specially-curated trips

2. Join my private Facebook Group

3. Come with me to Croatia

The Future of Travel: Six Travel Trend Predictions for 2024 That You Can't Miss

It's August 2023 and, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are in the throes of peak travel season. Few people are dreaming up their plans for 2024 and even fewer have taken the first steps to finalize their plans. Here, we share our travel trend predictions for 2024 and why you should start planning now.

Believe it or not, the travel and tourism industry has yet to fully recover from the Pandemic.

It is true that the pandemic reminded people of the joy and privilege of travel, the freedom of movement, the profound impact cultural exchange has on us, the beauty of the world, our diversity, and the change that overcomes us when we experience new things. However, the pandemic had severe financial repercussions for many travel-related businesses, such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators who continue, still today, to recover.

Travel changes us, but travel itself has changed.

Here are our 6 travel predictions for 2024 and beyond .

Prediction #1 - People will continue to (willingly) spend more.

The Vacation Confidence Index 2023 by Allianz says summer 2023 spending by American travelers is expected to exceed $200billion. With increased travel appreciation came the valuation of travel as an investment. People will continue to prioritize travel in 2024 and beyond.

Prediction #2 - Last minute planning is out, planning ahead is in.

Before the pandemic, consumers were accustomed to waiting for last minute deals and discounts on goods, services, and travel. Want to travel to London in July with your spouse and two teenagers? As the #1 destination for most Americans, you will be jockeying to secure space in a limited inventory market. Booking early means a greater chance of finding the type of room(s) you need, in your price point, and desired area within the city. Supply will continue to struggle to keep up with demand in 2024 as travel companies build capacity.

Service providers and tourism inventory will continue to struggle to keep up with demand in 2024 as travel companies rebuild capacity.

Prediction #3 - ETIAS will be the name of the game.

As shared in my previous blog, US travelers heading to Europe will have one more hoop to jump through in 2024: ETIAS. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system for visitors to Schengen Agreement countries. Visit my blog for details and stay tuned to apply for your ETIAS travel authorization on the official ETIAS website.

Prediction #4 - Sustainability will be an essential part of the future.

Travelers have become more conscious of the environmental impact of their trips and show a continued, growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly travel options. Sustainability is no longer a buzzword but an a concept that is important to consumers. Companies are on board with this and consumers will be more likely to choose ones that prioritize sustainability in their operations. Sustainability isn't a hype word - it's an essential part of our future.

Prediction #5 - Experiential travel will be the norm.

Travelers crave the escape offered by travel, but, in 2024 and beyond, travelers will seek out opportunities to immerse themselves in their travel experience. Cultural exchange, meaningful moments of connection with their travel companions and the world around them, and deeply moving experiences will drive traveler decision making.

Prediction #6 - Group experiences will be key for solo travelers.

More and more women are seeking the comfort and camaraderie of traveling with others who have similar destination and experience interests. The desire to explore new places, meet new people, and have a unique shared experience will override the solo traveler experience of the past. With the rise in demand for group travel, there are now more options than ever for travelers looking to get away as part of a larger group.

Stay tuned - Both Worlds Travel is launching our group travel initiative next month!

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Understanding ETIAS: What It Is and How It Impacts Your Travel Plans

Traveling to Europe is a bucket list dream for many people. For others, preparing for an upcoming trip to one of the countries in the Schengen Area second nature.

No matter what your experience level is, if a trip to Europe is in your near future, it’s time to start thinking about the media’s latest buzzword: ETIAS.

First, let’s back up, because what we are really talking about is a change in entry requirements for member countries of the Schengen Agreement.

What is the Schengen Agreement?

The main goal of the Schengen Agreement is to create a borderless zone called the Schengen Area, where people can travel between member countries without passport checks or other border controls. This means that once you enter one Schengen country, you can travel to other Schengen countries without needing to show your passport again. What countries are part of the Schengen Area? Find out more at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website

So what is ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is an electronic travel authorization system introduced by the European Union (EU) to enhance security and manage travel from visa-exempt third countries. ETIAS is designed to pre-screen travelers from countries that currently do not require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. The system aims to identify potential security risks and prevent unauthorized or unsafe travelers from entering the EU while still facilitating legitimate travel.

Who needs to apply?

Travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, will be required to obtain an ETIAS authorization before traveling to any of the Schengen Area countries when ETIAS launches in 2025. Children, including infants, will also need to apply for an ETIAS, regardless of their age.

How do I apply?

Here's where it gets tricky. While ETIAS is all over our feeds right now, it is not yet in operation and therefore applications are not being collected as of this publication (July 2023). In fact,

this is not a new concept at all.

We've been keeping our eyes on the ETIAS rollout for several years as the EU has been working to modernize their border management system. While it's been pushed back several times, this time is said to be the time.

Okay, fine, but how will it work when the application process does roll out?

When the official ETIAS website is ready to collect applications, it's said that the application process will include a security screening and a nonrefundable application fee of 7€. The whole process (including approval or denial) is expected to take about 15 minutes.

Most applicants who do not pose any security concerns will receive ETIAS authorization. This authorization will be linked electronically to the traveler's passport and will be (typically) valid for multiple short-term trips within a three-year period or until the expiry of the passport, whichever comes first.

The fine print

Since this program has yet to launch officially,

things can change.

In the meantime, it's important to note that ETIAS is not a visa. It is an authorization system aimed at streamlining the entry process for visa-exempt travelers. Travelers from countries that already require a visa to enter the Schengen Area will not be affected by ETIAS and will continue to follow the existing visa application process.

More fine print

By being well-informed about these changes in advance, you can better prepare yourself for hassle-free travel while ensuring compliance with the new regulations set forth by the European Union. But,

be mindful of your future travel plans and the potential impact of your ETIAS approval or denial on those plans.

Stay tuned, stay informed, schedule a complimentary consultation if you have questions about planning your next European vacation, and, as always,

go there.