Hey Traveller,

In my last newsletter a few months ago, I asked you to complete a short survey to let me know what you wanted to get out of reading my monthly newsletter.

The response from my subscribers was fantastic, but rather than providing me with a clear picture of how I could cater to everyone, I was simply reminded of how different and unique your preferences all are – just as everyone's are with travel.

However, unlike with your travel plans, I can’t tailor this newsletter to each individual.

So, I have spent the last few months refining the layout, presentation, and content of this monthly newsletter (with some help from professional content writers) to bring you these hopefully more consistent, shorter, and useful updates which I hope you will enjoy.

In order to appeal to most, as per your feedback, these will mostly focus on general tips and information, with some short personal updates, and the occasional destination, product, or brand description, comparison, or recommendation.

Deals and special offers will continue to be sent to you periodically as and when relevant ones pop up, but for now let’s discuss travel dreams and bucket-list trips!

For some people, a dream destination pops easily into mind: they know exactly where they would go in a heartbeat if there were no obstacles.

For others, it’s a bit more ambiguous. You might have an idea about what you’d like, but you might not be entirely certain where you’d have your passport stamped if the opportunity came up tomorrow.

We all know that the best way to make something happen is to start intentionally giving it shape — something to look at, imagine, talk about, and (most importantly!) plan for. With that in mind, here are a few questions to ask yourself so you can get started working out the details of that trip you fantasize about during those routine days or hectic workweeks.

1. What’s your “happy place” when you have bad days? Again, for some this might be a specific place — Bora Bora or the French Alps or Johannesburg. But more than that — what’s the feeling you go to when you’re stressed out or stuck in traffic? Do you imagine the lazy perfection of pristine beaches? The thrill of craggy mountains? The rush and sensory feast of busy marketplaces? The smells of spicy foods? Make a quick list: 5 things that come to mind on the most fun, free, relaxed, no-obligations, open day you can imagine. 

2. What do you crave? Think of what you say you wish you had more of — free time, adventure, romance, time to learn a new skill, sunshine, purpose. What are you truly, deep down, just plain hungry for? What do you long for? When you imagine being your best self — what are you doing? And who is with you? Jot down 5 things you are yearning for in your life right now.

3. What season suits you best? Do you love to soak in the sweltering heat in your swimsuit? Or the crisp crunch of autumn leaves underfoot? Or the intense blue quiet of a mountain snowfall? I may have mentioned how much I love Spring time, when do you feel most at home in your body and most in love with your environment? Your perfect trip doesn’t have to be the most popular! It’s your perfect trip, remember?

4. What’s one crazy luxurious thing you secretly wish for? For some people, it’s as simple as a pile of books and no emails to answer for three weeks. For others, it’s endless room service or all-day spa treatments or king-size feather beds and huge whirlpool tubs. No matter how big or small — go ahead. Write down 5 luxuries that would make you feel like you’d won the lottery if someone handed them to you right now. 

5. When you scroll through magazines, which images grab you the most? What colors draw your eye? Spicy and exotic? Cool and laid back? Misty and mysterious? Swing by your local newsagents and pick up four or five travel magazines — and just notice which images you keep going back to, the ones that make your heart skip a little. You might be surprised. Some people assume that their “dream” trip is in an all-inclusive resort somewhere. But if you keep coming back to the pictures of a bike tour through Tuscany — well, that’s worth paying attention to. That experience might feed something in you that an all-you-can-eat buffet might not even begin to touch. Cut out the images that speak to you the most and look for common themes, even (and especially) in images that seem to be contradictions.

When you’ve had time to assemble your thoughts — and if you’re working on this with your partner or friends or family members — look for overlaps, recurring themes, those quiet nudges you can’t seem to shake. Listen to your gut. And start to dream big.

You can set a goal, start saving if you need to, and start giving shape to your plan. Put your images and any accompanying words or phrases up on a cork board, or make a digital collage that can be your screensaver on your computer at home or at work — anyplace where you’ll see it multiple times a day — and let those images inspire you as you get closer and closer to making your next bucket list trip a reality.

The best part? I can help you design your trip down to the last meticulously managed detail; recommend the best tours with the most experienced and knowledgeable guides; access great deals on the most amazing cruise destinations with fantastic lectures and authentic encounters; and offer itineraries that will provide the most meaningful journeys, enriching experiences, and memorable stories to share. Give me a call and let’s get started! Or click here to contact me now!

And remember:

It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. So, we could say that a video shows a thousand pictures. But, neither words nor pictures, nor even a thousand videos, can ever come close to the first-hand experience of being there "in person" to Witness the Wonders of Our World - while we still can, and because we still can... You still can!

Have a wonderful day,
Best regards

Nic

Your Personal Travel Manager

P.S. If you enjoy my content, please feel free to forward this email to others you think may also enjoy it; they can even subscribe (or unsubscribe) as a member for free! - see bottom of email.

P.P.S. If you are ready to start planning your next WOW trip, please reach out to me or click here to schedule an appointment.