“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.“
– Saint Augustine
I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to travel this winter! My niece and I are leaving for a 10-day cruise together in February where we will be exploring Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. We are so excited. I always say that anticipation is half the fun!
I had a 2-week trip booked and paid for in April 2020, but as you can imagine we never got to go. We were all heartbroken. So that trip is now back on the top of my bucket list.
What’s on your bucket list? Travel continues to be #1 for women, and there are so many companies specializing on special trips, retreats, and adventures for women traveling solo. Solo doesn’t mean they are single. It just means they are traveling without a partner. While some are single, others are married, divorced, or widowed. The key is traveling “solo – but in a group.”
I traveled alone to Brazil for a 2-week spiritual retreat four times over the last decade. I go alone, and then I can meet the other 12-15 other attendees from all over the world. It’s one of the most magical things that I loved to do. I am planning to go in 2023 — again solo! So much flexibility this way!
I’ve visited Costa Rica nine times over the last two decades, and even led two retreats there. It’s my favorite place in the world. There are gorgeous beaches to explore and swim, and the most amazing rain forests filled with exotic birds, monkeys, and the lush vegetation. It’s also one of the Blue Zones! I could live there and live to 100. Pura Vida!
In a 2022 global study, JourneyWoman.com found that, ” When it comes to dreaming big, solo women over 50 are looking to the future with purpose and intention. No sitting on the beach for us – we’re hiking, biking, climbing, jumping, kayaking, exploring and trekking. And if we’re not doing that, we’re sleeping under the stars, hot air ballooning and sky diving.”
Their top travel destinations included:
- Witnessing wildlife — African safari or Antarctica
- Journey to Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Greek Islands
- Scandinavia, Iceland, Galapagos, Machu Pichu
Looks like a pretty exciting bucket list to me! This is why I decided to focus on traveling, and even moving abroad, for our January issue. Let me tell you a little about our guests and why I chose them!
Amalia Maloney Del Riego is an expat, who now lives in Denia, Spain with her husband, where they run their travel consulting business. They also help those who fall in love with Spain learn how to navigate the system to move there like they have. She will share what it’s like to live there, overcoming challenges, the health system, and more. She is absolutely delightful, and I’ve asked her to help plan my next trip to Europe with Mark when he retires. We plan to go for several weeks at a time and want to make sure we do it right!
If you would like to travel in a small group with other like-minded women, then you will love our show with Phyllis Stoller, Founder and President of Women’s Travel Group, because this is her expertise! Phyllis will not only share the top places to travel in 2023, but why women like to travel solo, how to find the right group, how to pack smartly, and other useful tips.
Phyllis even offered to create a trip specifically for our Smart Women Community. I’d love to know what is on your bucket list, and if you would be interested in traveling with a small group of Smart Women. Feel free to email me at katana@katanaabbott.com with your top destination!
Katana Abbott, CFP®, CSA, CSSCS, is a Retirement Income Coach, founder of The Midlife Millionaire® Solution, and the host of Smart Women Talk with over a million subscribers. For over 30 years, Katana has shown women how to take charge of their life and finances and believes it’s never too early to plan for expected and unexpected events like retirement, encore careers, moving abroad, or preparing for long-term care. She has written several books, created a financial literacy course, and is a popular speaker. Katana has been honored by NAWBO as one of Detroit’s Top 10 Business Women, receiving the Breakthrough Award. To download her new retirement guide, Three Smart Strategies to Maximize Your Retirement Income visit www.katanaabbott.com