Discover the transformative power of renewal travel. From silent retreats to creative workshops, learn how intentional travel can help you recharge, refocus, and reconnect with yourself. Start planning your next soul-refreshing journey today!”
Hey, travel dreamers! Let’s get real for a second. Are you tired of going on trips, snapping the same old touristy photos, and coming home feeling…meh? Yeah, me too.
That’s why it’s time to shake it up. Enter intentional travel—a way to make every trip not just another escape but a life-changing adventure. This is for the women who want more than a checkmark on their bucket list. You want meaning. You want connection. You want to grow, laugh, cry (happy tears), and come back with a story worth telling.
Let’s talk about transformative travel and how to set travel goals to make your journeys more meaningful. Whether you’re bonding with your besties, challenging yourself, or diving headfirst into a new culture, setting goals is the key to making your next trip unforgettable.
What’s the Big Deal About Travel Goals?
Good question! Setting travel goals is a game-changer for women who are done with the run-of-the-mill vacation and ready to turn every trip into a soul-filling, life-expanding adventure. Intentional travel isn’t about snapping pics for Instagram (though, hey, no judgment—I do it too). It’s about traveling with a purpose. You don’t just go somewhere—you go FOR something: personal growth, cultural immersion, learning, connection, or even giving back.
That way you wake up excited every day of your journey and have experiences that will fill your cup. They help you prioritize what truly matters—whether that’s creating memories with your people, immersing yourself in local culture, or finally ticking that big adventure off your bucket list.
Why Plan Your Trips With Goals in Mind?
Because winging it works for birds, not bucket lists.
Make It Count: Your trips become super intentional.
Be a traveller not a tourist: You’ll find the good stuff that make great experiences.
Feel Fulfilled: You’re not just checking off landmarks; you’re making memories that matter.
The Many Flavors of Transformative Travel (and Why You Need to Try Them All)
Here’s where the fun begins. Let’s dive into the kinds of intentional travel experiences you can embrace, with some fresh, unusual suggestions to spice things up.
Bond With Your People
Travel has a magical way of bringing people closer—whether it’s your partner, your kids, or your best friends.
Try This: Rent a yurt and spend a weekend stargazing, storytelling, and making s’mores. Or head to a cozy mountain town for some hot cocoa and quality time. Or rent a convertible & take a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway or travel Route 66.
Immerse Yourself in Culture
Forget the guided tour with headphones—get your hands dirty and your heart full. And if you want a guided tour, hire a local. I’ve personally had excellent experiences hiring European locals through With Locals.
Try This: Take part in a tea ceremony in Japan, learn pottery-making in Morocco, or spend a day learning how to make pasta in Italy.
Challenge Yourself
Push your limits. You’ll come home with stories that start with “I didn’t think I could, but then I did…”
Try This: Hike a glacier in Iceland. Take a solo road trip through a country where you don’t speak the language. Or zipline through a rainforest even if heights make you queasy.
Learn Something New
Travel is the ultimate classroom!
Try This: Learn flamenco dancing in Spain, foraging in the Pacific Northwest, or even survival skills in the wild. (Who doesn’t want to channel their inner badass?)
Give Back
Make your trip about more than just you.
Try This: Volunteer at an animal sanctuary in Thailand. Help restore coral reefs in Belize. Or join a community project like building schools in Nepal.
Seek Self-Discovery
Sometimes, you don’t need a big plan—just a quiet moment to reconnect with yourself.
Try This: Spend a week at a meditation retreat in Bali or walk the Camino de Santiago for clarity, peace, and maybe a little magic.
Sometimes, you need more than a getaway—you need a reset for your mind and rest, real rest for your body.
Try This: Disconnect to be fully present. Try forest bathing in the ancient redwood forest in California or try a silent retreat. Esalen has been on my bucket list and should be on yours too.
When you travel with purpose, it’s not just about where you go—it’s about what you gain. Instead of flying somewhere just to lounge by the pool (which, let’s be real, has its moments), you dive headfirst into an experience that makes you feel alive. Intentional travel is about having a clear objective—learning something new, challenging yourself, or connecting deeply with a place or its people.
Think less tourist, more trailblazer. It’s travel with meaning. Whether it’s exploring the artsy streets of Mexico City to reignite your creative spark, volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, or simply escaping to a mountain cabin for some soul-searching—you’re traveling with heart and purpose.
How to Be Intentional When You Travel
Okay, so how do you actually do this? Don’t worry—it’s easier than you think. It starts with asking yourself a few key questions:
Why Are You Going?
No, seriously. WHY? Are you trying to connect with your creative side? Heal from burnout? Or just learn how to make the perfect Italian pasta (yum)? Get real about your goals, and let them shape your trip.
How Will You Spend Your Time?
Skip the “must-see” tourist destinations unless they light you up. Instead:
- Book a cooking class with a local grandma.
- Wander aimlessly through a neighborhood off the beaten path – be open to discoveries.
- Volunteer a morning at a community project. Look around for a new friend at the same time.
- Talk to locals – strike up conversations with everyone you can. The person serving your breakfast, the lady next to you on the bus, the cashier at the museum store – seek their advice. Where do they love to eat? What place is their favorite? If their sister/cousin/grandma were visiting, where would they take them? People love to offer advice as long as they see your curiosity and excitement.
Who Will You Impact?
Intentional travel isn’t just about you. It’s about being a mindful traveler. Think:
- Supporting local businesses (for the moment no Starbucks & McDonald’s, please).
- Being respectful of cultural norms (read up before you go).
- Minimize your tourist imprint – leave the place better than you found it.
Let’s Make Your Travel Dreams Happen
Ready to take your trips from “meh” to magical? At Silver Sage Collective, we’re all about creating experiences that matter. Whether you are looking for a small group trip with like-minded women or tips to help you plan your solo adventure, we’ve got you.
Join the club for travel inspiration, tips, and updates on upcoming trips. It’s time to stop traveling aimlessly and start creating adventures you’ll never forget.
Let’s make those intentional travel goals a reality—together.