Wanderlust is in my DNA, passed down through generations of adventurers before me. Over the years, I’ve discovered that the true joy of traveling isn’t found solely in the destination, but rather it’s found in every step of the journey. From the moment inspiration strikes to the final unpacking at home, travel is a layered experience that awakens the senses and enriches the soul. As a woman navigating life and travel over 50, I’ve learned a thing or two about making each adventure count. Planning well, staying curious, and embracing the unexpected have brought me not just joy, but confidence. And now, darling, I want to share that joy with you.

I’m fortunate to have an ultimate concierge, my beloved husband and partner, who shared my passion for seeing the world. I cherished his companionship, especially as we explored the globe hand in hand. A good traveler knows that each trip unfolds in phases: first the spark of curiosity, then the excitement of planning, and finally, the experience itself.

Today I will take you inside my travel stories and offer my favorite travel tips and little lessons I’ve learned along the way that make every trip a treasured memory. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with your own ultimate concierge, I hope you find inspiration and guidance in these reflections from the road. Because darling, the world is wide and it’s never too late to explore it on your own terms.

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My First Passport to the World

When I was a young girl, my family often gathered for dinner at my grandfather’s home. After dessert, I’d quietly wander into his den. Lined on his shelves were treasures from far-off lands — an ivory elephant, the Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids, London Bridge… Each figurine whispered stories of adventure. I was enchanted.

My grandfather fled the Russian pogroms at eighteen, walking alone across Europe to an English port before setting sail for America. He arrived in Texas with nothing but the name of an uncle and not a word of English. Eventually, he brought his entire family, including my grandmother Sarah, to this new land. They raised five sons and 14 grandchildren. And those souvenirs from his travels? They were my first passport to the world.

He explored the globe by ship; I, by land. Oh, how I wish we could have shared stories of our adventures. The treasures he would bring back from his travels included storybook dolls dressed in traditional garb of different nations and a turquoise ring from Egypt shaped like a pyramid. His gifts ignited my wanderlust for travel. I’d gaze at the dolls on my shelf and daydream about seeing the world for myself.

By twelve, I knew I would travel. I remember biking to a friend’s house one Friday afternoon, hoping for a weekend playdate. When she told me she was going to Paris, I exclaimed, “You’re going to Paris, France for the weekend?!” She laughed and said, “No, Paris, Illinois.” I rode home with my hands in the air, shouting, “One day, I’m going to Paris, France!” And darling, I DID.

Take the Trip

Even as a child, I understood the power of dreams and expectations. Two very  distinct forces, yet bound at the heart. A dream requires faith; an expectation is the emotional investment in making it come true. That’s the spirit of travel.

One afternoon in my 50s, while flipping through the mail, I spotted a travel brochure for Syria. I didn’t hesitate and my ultimate concierge said yes. e explored the country with each other. Most people would have tossed that mailer aside, but I saw a door to another dream.

To all my darlings who long to see the world and travel over 50, remember this: Don’t just dream the trip, take the trip. Travel over 50 is not only possible, it is magical. Let your passions chart the course, and never lower your expectations. This is your time to soar.

My Travels

My wanderlust has taken me on the most marvelous adventures — from strolling the romantic streets of Paris to exploring the opulent halls of Versailles and the quiet grace of Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon. I’ve stood in awe before the Taj Mahal in India and touched the ancient stones of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. I have felt the power of faith inside the Vatican in Rome, and I’ve discovered the beauty of stillness on the vast Serengeti plains, where the silence speaks louder than words.

I’ve traveled to Nepal and stayed at Tiger Tops, wandered among the beautiful wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, and walked alongside penguins in the icy wonder of Antarctica. In Turkey, I marveled at the cave dwellings of Cappadocia; in Iran, I visited the American Embassy and met its warm, welcoming people. I’ve climbed the Great Wall of China, stood before the stoic Terracotta Warriors, and explored the Viet Cong tunnels in Vietnam, where I also indulged in the delicious French-Vietnamese cuisine.

I journeyed through Syria, where I explored ancient synagogues, and to Saudi Arabia, where I stood at oil well #7. In Cambodia, I wandered the majestic ruins of Angkor Wat and the magic of Siem Reap. All places I believe should be counted among the wonders of the world.

And darling, these travels are only the beginning.

Travel Over 50: How to Become a Worldly Woman

I attribute my travels as the foundation of the worldly woman I have become. The people I’ve met, the knowledge I’ve gathered, the sights I’ve seen, and the adventures I’ve embraced have expanded both my mind and my soul. I’ve made all of this growth because I travel over 50! 

To my grandfather: thank you for opening my eyes not only to what is in front of me, but to everything that lies beyond.

With spring in the air, travel is calling to millions of Americans. Whether you’re venturing out solo, journeying with a partner or spouse, or making memories with grandchildren, travel over 50, is the pièce de résistance of life… no matter your age!

The Process

A good traveler recognizes every journey is a step-by-step process, and not only about the destination. It begins with excitement and anticipation, then a plan is set in place. Every woman over 50 should always seek new travel tips. The planning phase is a very important part of any journey. It is thrilling that travel includes many stages of exploration and the destination is but one important part.

Because I am a world traveler I am often asked the following question: “What is your favorite country?”  My reply, “I don’t have a favorite country.” “Why?” they ask. I respond again and again with this answer,

Each country is distinct because of its unique literature, music, art, philosophy, food, language, architecture and customs. How can I have a favorite? It is impossible.

I do have favorite experiences, some very small and yet so large, and some so grand I am still in awe. I share with family and friends the marvelous encounters I’ve had in each destination.

A Traveled Woman

A traveled woman who decides to travel after 50 has significant opportunities for personal growth if she embraces the notion that the joy in traveling is not just about the destination. She learns new skills as she organizes for her Journey. Because she leaves no stone unturned she travels to her destination relaxed and eager; leaving a far more enriched woman.

She is an explorer who desires self-growth so she knows the importance of packing her Journal to record her experiences. Her travels remain etched in her memory bank, enriching and broadening her visual and mental scope of destinations of different types. She experiences exciting challenges and new opportunities that engage all facets of her emotions.  Her intellectual curiosity, her substance and verve give her value. She has attained the status of a worldly woman.

Always Prepare

Preparing properly for a destination is an acquired skill, especially when you travel. The more you travel, the wiser and more efficient you become. This is self-growth. You are the one to organize plans and set them in motion. In order to have a fabulous time on your travels, you know your house must be left in order and your trip be organized properly. It is make-a-list time, darlings! You are the coordinator; the wind behind the sail. A worldly traveled woman is a proficiently organized woman.

Travel Over 50: Must Haves and Tips

Planning and preparing for travel is a must. Use this extensive list to help you gather all your essentials you’ll need on your trip!

• Travel Agent: Pick a good one, darlings. By good I mean well-traveled; not computer traveled. Let her make your airline and hotel reservations, book professional guides (a must and worth the money), purchase travel insurance and medivac. Your relationship with each other and planning with your travel agent is proof that traveling is not just about the destination.
• Passports: If you are planning for international travel, remember to check your passports for the expiration date. It must have six months remaining. Make a copy in case it is stolen or lose this very important document.
• REAL ID: If you are flying within the United States, take note: beginning May 7, 2025, all travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights. Now is the time to ensure your identification is up to date. Don’t let a preventable detail delay your journey!
• Doctor Appointments: Visit a travel doctor to update your immunizations and research your destination for other inoculations. This is very important. A travel doctor saved my life. While thinking about medical needs, make sure to refill your prescriptions and have your doctor prescribe  “just in case” antibiotics.
• Call Your Credit Card Company: You need to tell them where you are traveling. If you don’t, they may put a hold on your credit card and that really puts a damper on your travel fun!
• Share Your Plan: Leave the itinerary of your trip with loved ones and friends. Your itinerary should include phone numbers for your hotels, travel agent, and any tour companies you’ll be using.
• Leave the Key: Have you ever been running errands and had the thought, “Did I unplug my curling iron?” Now imagine having that nagging feeling while across the globe! Leave the key to your home or condo with a family member in case you need someone to have access to check on your house.
• Make Pet Plans: Leave the name and phone number of your vet. Write detailed instructions for the vet, boarding facility, or person taking care of your pooch or cat. Include any pet-sitter information on your itinerary.
• Know Your Cell Phone: Call your cell phone provider to understand what your plan includes, and what charges you can expect if you use it during your trip.
• Cancel Your Appointments: If you have a recurring appointment for a manicure, trainer, hairdresser, remember to cancel those until you return from your trip.
• Plan for the Plane: Darlings, trust me, always get to the airport two hours before your flight. It will save you infinite stress. If you end up with ample time before boarding, have a drink, write in your journal, or peruse the bookstore in the terminal. I recall a time we got to O’Hara and the doorman in our building forgot to put in our luggage! A taxi brought our baggage to us and we made the flight because my ultimate concierge always insisted we arrive at an airport two hours early.
• Be Tech Ready: Put these two apps on your cell phone: WhatsApp and Pocket Travel, and make sure to have a battery pack in case you need to charge your phone on-the-go.

Pack What You Need

Knowing what and how to pack makes your journey stress free. I don’t want to brag, but I must. I want you to trust my rules of packing because I am a pro! To learn more, read my tips on packing and what to never leave home without. I have had “near miss” experiences, but in traveling to over 60 countries I have never had to buy any necessary items on a trip. Packing properly has another advantage … you learn that you don’t need all the “stuff” in your closet. I “pack my closet” like I pack my suitcase and I don’t over-stuff.

Travel Essentials on My Packing List

Travel doesn’t have to feel scary if you prepare and have the right items. I don’t leave the country without these products. I am always adding and subtracting and so should you, darlings. Check out my Amazon Storefront for all your travel essentials!

Apple Air Tags and Air Tag Holders to track your luggage location if it gets lost.

A slim portable charger for my iPhone

These Eagle Creek packing organizers. My girlfriend Kay, a world traveler, suggested this brand to me a few months ago. I trust her opinion so I ordered them.

This 3-Outlet USB Wall Charger is an amazing (and needed) accessory.

These reusable shopping bags are compact and easy to throw in your handbag. They come in various stylish colors that won’t take away from your outfit.

A journal to record your travel stories and memories.

Travel Over 50: Begin Your Story

A worldly woman smiles when her feet touch the ground of her destination because she learned the skill of organizing for a trip and was efficient in her preparation. She knew how to coordinate and arrange her life at home so when her jet took off, she could lean back in her seat, take a deep breath, sigh and smile to herself. She was ready to travel, feeling as free as a breeze. Her mind and heart were open to take in new adventures and experiences. She opened her journal as the plane veered off toward its destination, and she began to write…her story.

What is your favorite part of planning a trip? Share in the comments!

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