They say travel keeps you young. I don’t know who they are, but I’d like to thank them, preferably over a glass of wine in some charming little café overlooking the Amalfi Coast.
At 66, I’ve learned that age is just a number — but adventure? That’s a necessity. After 15 years as a travel consultant, helping clients plan honeymoons, family getaways, and cruises of a lifetime, I still find nothing compares to the thrill of planning my own trip. I’m not a rich woman, but I’m resourceful, determined, and endlessly curious, and that’s what truly funds my travels.
Painting the mural on the U.S.-Mexico border wall in Tijuana with the artist Enrique Chiu
🌍 Why I Travel Solo — and Why You Might Want To
When my husband passed away, I had a choice: to shrink my world or expand it. I chose expansion, and I haven’t looked back. Traveling solo as a senior woman might sound intimidating, but here’s the secret: it’s freeing, empowering, and, quite frankly, a little addictive.
You set the pace. You choose the itinerary. You linger at a café for an hour or two without anyone glancing at their watch. You can have dessert for lunch (it’s research, really). You make the rules and you break them, too.
Visiting Hogwarts at Warner Bros. Studios in the United Kingdom
🧳 Confession Time: I Don’t Pack Light
There, I said it. I know all the travel gurus preach “pack light,” but this girl needs choices. I’ve tried, truly, I have, but somehow, the “just in case” outfits always sneak in. A scarf here, a pair of sandals there… next thing I know, I’m debating whether I can zip the suitcase or just sit on it and hope for the best.
Do I regret it? Never. Because somewhere between the fourth pair of shoes and the backup travel steamer, I’m reminded: travel isn’t about perfection, it’s about comfort, confidence, and a little bit of flair.
💡 A Few Hard-Earned Tips from the Road
- Stay curious, not cautious. Ask questions, explore side streets, and follow your instincts — they rarely steer you wrong.
- Make friends everywhere. Some of my favorite travel memories involve strangers who became stories. (those are for another blog entry)
- Don’t fear the table for one. Sit by the window, order the good wine, and soak it all in. Confidence is magnetic.
- Take the photo. Even if your hair isn’t perfect or the lighting’s all wrong, you’ll thank yourself later.
A new friend in Los Cabos.
❤️ Travel Keeps Me Young (Even If My Knees Disagree)
Every trip reminds me that the world is wide and that I am still wonderfully alive in it. Whether I’m sipping espresso in Paris or cruising the Caribbean, I find pieces of myself in every journey.
Travel makes me laugh, stretches my comfort zone, and fills my camera roll with memories I wouldn’t trade for anything. And honestly, it keeps my spirit young, even if my joints occasionally file a complaint.
🌅 Your Turn to Explore
If you’ve been waiting for “someday,” let me gently say: someday is now. You don’t need to be rich, young, or fearless, just willing. Pack your curiosity (and, if you’re like me, half your closet) and go see what’s waiting out there.
The world isn’t just for the young. It’s for the young at heart, and trust me, we seasoned travelers have the best stories. Feel free to share yours in the comments, but please be nice and keep it clean; the internet police are watching!
The grand ballroom on the QM2 transatlantic crossing from NYC to Southampton, UK
💜 Written by Janet Quinn, Travel Consultant & Founder of QuinnPro Travel
Confessions of a Travel Freak — inspiring wanderlust one confession at a time.
🌐 www.quinnprotravel.com | ✉️ jquinn@quinnprotravel.com