You have three tabs open comparing flights. You've read 47 blog posts about what to pack. You've calculated the budget six different ways. But you still haven't clicked "Book Now."

It's probably not about the money. And it's definitely not about finding the "perfect time."

I sat down with life coach Bonnie Surie to talk about why smart, capable people create elaborate barriers between themselves and the things they actually want. What we discovered: the limiting beliefs that stop you from booking a trip are the same ones keeping you stuck everywhere else in life.

Let's dig into what's really stopping you—and how to finally take action.

Let's talk about the stuff nobody posts on Instagram. Like the moment you're desperately tapping your tour guide's shoulder on a Moroccan highway: "I really need to go. Like, now."

This is Mel Ripp's story—from Door County encyclopedia reader to someone who handles roadside emergencies with remarkable grace. If you've ever worried that travel isn't for you because you have food sensitivities, get lost in airports, or aren't "adventurous enough"—this one's for you.

The unglamorous moments? They're the ones that transform you.

Remember COVID lockdowns? That feeling when going to the grocery store suddenly felt terrifying? That's what can happen to your comfort zone after divorce - except nobody's mandating it. You're doing it to yourself. Divorce coach Julie Danielson sees this pattern constantly: women who gradually stop going places, decline invitations, and watch their worlds get smaller and smaller. "If you do not continually work on stretching your comfort zone, it will shrink," she warns. "And you will isolate. And that is when women get depressed." Here's why it happens - and the surprisingly simple steps you can take to reverse it, starting today.

While Cuba is famous for classic cars, cigars, and free healthcare, the reality of daily life tells a very different story. Based on my conversation with Andres, a Cuban tour guide who has spent his entire 38 years on the island, here are the eye-opening truths about Cuban life that most tourists never see - from highly educated doctors who earn less than waiters to locals who've never tasted the "Cuban" cocktails served to visitors.

After stumbling off a 4am flight from Morocco (fueled by exactly zero sleep and one too many espresso martinis), I found myself on a bus to Donegal for TBEX—one of my favorite travel creator conferences. What followed was a perfect mix of Irish hospitality, questionable life choices involving 72-kilometer bike rides after carb-heavy lunches, and meeting Buttons, my new alpaca best friend who had some serious bathroom priorities. Between traditional music sessions, the best clam chowder of my life, and a car breakdown that somehow turned into Irish Tetris with our luggage, Ireland reminded me why sometimes the most magical travel moments happen when absolutely nothing goes according to plan.

Just got back from Morocco with my latest group, and honestly, I'm still processing everything that went down. Here's the real, unfiltered story of nine days that reminded me why I love this crazy job—even when it nearly kills me. From Operation Wine Stockpile in Casablanca to monkey attacks in the cedar forest, heat exhaustion in the Sahara, and way too many leather bags in Fes, this trip had it all. Follow along for the authentic behind-the-scenes of what boutique group travel really looks like—complete with 80 billion cats, drum circles under the stars, and the kind of transformational moments that change you forever.

Patagonia isn't a country—it's a region spanning both Chile and Argentina. And choosing which side to visit sparks heated debates among travelers. Travel writer Steph Dyson, who lived in Chile for three years, breaks down the real differences: "The Argentines are so good at tooting their own horns... but the Chileans frustrate me because they just need to promote themselves a little bit better."

While most people think "Argentina" when they hear Patagonia, that's largely due to superior marketing rather than superior experiences. Chilean Patagonia offers more diverse landscapes, better value, and authentic experiences without the crowds—but requires more planning to discover its hidden gems.

There's literally a handbook for military wives—and it's time to throw it out the window. As a travel professional, I meet military spouses constantly who feel trapped by expectations. My recent conversation with travel writer Kim Kephart, who's lived across Europe and Asia as a military spouse, opened my eyes to just how restrictive military wife culture can be—and how some women are breaking free through solo travel and independent living.

What happens when you take 30 adults, put them in the Wisconsin Dells with craft cocktails and summer camp activities, then throw in epic storms, a pickle fountain, and spontaneous tattoo decisions? You get Camp Lola Whiskey - the inaugural summer camp for grownups that turned into an unforgettable weekend of chaos, connection, and pure Wisconsin magic. From Rachel's two-day commitment to adventure to Megan's impromptu old fashioned tattoo before catching her flight home, this weekend proved that sometimes the best adventures come from embracing chaos with good people.

Let's be honest - nobody gets excited about buying travel insurance. It's not Instagram-worthy, it's not fun to research, and most of us would rather spend that money on literally anything else. But after witnessing countless travel disasters and talking with travel insurance expert Erin Fish, I'm here to set the record straight on the myths that could ruin your trip. From why your credit card "coverage" probably isn't enough to the real cost of medical care abroad, these are the 7 travel insurance myths every traveler needs to stop believing.

The world feels pretty intense right now, and it's no wonder so many people are second-guessing their travel plans. Between endless news cycles and global conflicts, that voice asking "but what if something happens?" gets louder every day. But here's the thing: there's a difference between being smart about travel and letting fear keep you home forever. A travel industry expert with over 25 years of experience shares how to navigate your fears, assess real vs. perceived risks, and become a prepared traveler (not a paranoid one) in today's uncertain world.

So there I was in Antalya, Turkey, on what was supposed to be a romantic double date, except the guy was a total asshole and there was only one of him. My travel buddy Kari and I were stuck at dinner with this insufferable man who kept interrogating us like we were applying for citizenship instead of just trying to have a drink. That's when Kari started swirling her wine glass and accidentally created an international incident involving fake American traditions and armpit fart noises. Nobody talks about this stuff in travel guides, but these ridiculous disasters? They're the moments that stick with you long after you've forgotten what you ate for breakfast in that beautiful café overlooking the Mediterranean.

When leadership coach Andrea Andree felt overwhelmed and bored by working mom life, a solo trip to Cuba changed everything. Despite leaving her husband and two kids at home, she returned as a better mother—more present, energized, and authentic. Learn how she overcame the three major fears that hold parents back from solo travel: fear of death, mom guilt, and control issues. Discover practical strategies for planning your own solo adventure, handling critics, and why modeling self-care teaches your children that the world is big, exciting, and accessible. Sometimes the most generous thing we can do for our families is to remain fully ourselves—adventures and all.

Listen, I've had my share of questionable travel decisions—like that time I quit my job to start a travel business. But my friend Tamara? She's collected international dating disasters like I collect passport stamps, and somehow turned it into an art form. From getting abandoned on an Italian cliff by a manipulative boyfriend to explaining her mother's ashes to confused airport security, Tamara's 20 years of travel dating stories are equal parts cringe-worthy and enlightening. Here's what she learned about romance, safety, and finding love while exploring the world—plus the plot twist ending that proves sometimes the best relationships come from the most unexpected places.

What happens when a travel photographer prioritizes authenticity over Instagram perfection?

Allie Jorde, the 28-year-old "desert rat with a camera" behind Allie Jorde Creative, joined the Type 2 Travel podcast to share her refreshingly honest approach to travel photography. From her early days shooting weddings in Arizona to documenting retreats across the globe, Allie's philosophy is simple: capture people as they really are.

"The best camera is the one that you already have," she insists, debunking the myth that you need expensive equipment for great travel photos. Whether it's a smartphone or an old Canon Rebel, authentic storytelling matters more than gear.

Her approach to balancing presence with documentation? "Take a photo of whatever I'm seeing and then put it down. It really doesn't matter if I got that shot... I'm still gonna have this amazing memory in my head."

When most tourists visit Tokyo, they settle for Instagram-worthy food photos. But our small-group mochi making workshop led by Miyuki, a Certified Nerikiri Art Instructor, offered real immersion. We crafted colorful hanami dango and delicate strawberry daifuku, culminating in a traditional matcha tea ceremony with our handmade creations.

While Tokyo's famous sites deserve their reputation, it's these intimate cultural workshops that create the most meaningful travel memories.

What happens when you choose a path society questions—and then build a community around it?

Angela Gentile, speaker and founder of the Single Child-Free Network, joined the Type 2 Travel podcast to share her journey of embracing life without children or a partner. But her story isn't the "spring break every weekend" fantasy people imagine.

"I think one of the assumptions people have about single child-free folks is that we are all out here just spring breaking it... I wish that was my life sometimes. I'm tired," Angela explains. The reality includes financial constraints (covering all living costs solo), decision fatigue, and safety concerns that partnered people rarely consider.

After hitting rock bottom two years ago with "$500 to my name," Angela built a global community from a viral TikTok rant about feeling unheard. Now she's planning passport stamps and meaningful connections—including a Morocco group trip specifically for single child-free women.

Ready to embrace authentic travel that aligns with your actual life choices? Your tribe is out there.

What happens when a travel journalist refuses to stay silent about the industry's biggest problems?

Yulia Denisyuk—storyteller, photographer, and founder of Going Places media—joined the Type 2 Travel podcast for a conversation that went far beyond typical travel content. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Estonia, Yulia brings an immigrant's perspective to American travel culture, and her observations are eye-opening.

"I don't want to be here anymore," she said about living in the United States, describing how the promise of a better life through hard work no longer feels attainable. But her critique extends beyond borders to the entire travel industry.

From "tourism leakage" (where money doesn't actually stay in local communities) to the "frictionless" nature of modern travel that removes authentic human connection, Yulia challenges travelers to think deeper about their impact. Her message isn't anti-travel—it's pro-consciousness.

Ready to travel with more awareness? Start by questioning who really benefits from your travel choices.

In the inaugural episode of Type 2 Travel, host Laura Erickson shares how she transformed from a resort-vacationing married woman to the founder of a unique group travel business built around "Type 2 Fun"—those experiences that might be miserable in the moment but become your favorite memories later.

Fresh off getting "absolutely demolished by mosquitoes" in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands, Laura reveals how her post-divorce desire to visit "sketchy" places led to an accidental discovery: other people desperately wanted these authentic, challenging travel experiences too, they just needed someone else to plan them.

This episode dives into the philosophy behind transformational travel, why Laura scouts every destination first, and her belief that "if you can afford to travel, you can afford to give back."

Are you constantly postponing your travel dreams, waiting for the "perfect moment" when your finances align, the world feels stable, or when Mercury isn't in retrograde? Here's the truth: that perfect moment doesn't exist. Every election cycle, global event, or economic fluctuation gives us new reasons to delay our adventures—but life continues moving forward regardless.

Remember how quickly those lockdown "few weeks" in 2020 turned into two years of staring out windows while passports gathered dust? The harsh reality is that you'll blink and suddenly be years older, with the same dreams but potentially less freedom to pursue them. Your dream destinations will still exist, but will you have the same energy, health, or opportunity to experience them fully?

Stop letting uncertainty paralyze you. That Moroccan camel ride through the Sahara, that authentic cooking class in an Indian home, that breathtaking sunset from a Cuban mountaintop—these experiences are waiting for someone brave enough to say "yes" now. Your future travel-obsessed self will thank you for not waiting until "someday."