“Do everything you can, while you can, until you can’t.”
Patagonia founder, Yvon Chouinard
Seven years ago, after a month-long trip to Europe (where I made a ton of mistakes and learned a LOT), I founded this blog — because I wanted to create the content for other solo travelers that I couldn’t find. (And boy, you should see some of my early posts!) Now, I’m reaching 90-100K in traffic per year.
I put out a how-to eBook last year around taking a sabbatical — because I went on my own financial journey to budget and save for a freer, more flexible life — to educate and inspire anyone who dreams of taking a career break that one, it’s monetarily attainable if you prepare (and sacrifice) for it, and two, it’s ok to temporarily leave the workforce, refresh, renew, and satiate your curiosity — you can get another job, but you can’t get more time.
I affiliated with a travel agency last year, because I was hearing the same thing over and over — “Julie, can I travel with you? You make planning look easy, I can’t figure out when people are going to be able to go with me, and I NEED MORE exploration and culture in my life!” — so I started to select and organize group trips to bring people together in their love for world adventure. Now, I’ve sold out several trips, I have a few more on the calendar, and I’m putting together others!
If there’s any common thread between my decisions over the past seven years — it’s the fulfillment I get through sharing my transformative experiences and learnings, whether through my travel stories and advice, or by bringing people with me…
(And believe me, you don’t HAVE to travel with me! I’d be happy to help you plan, whether solo, with your friends or family, or with your own group — but I also want to welcome you to my traveling tribe!)
Because…
If there’s something you want to do or see or experience — that thing that’s been on your bucket list — that place that makes you ooh and ahh — don’t wait for the perfect moment, or for a person to join you, or to have just a little more money in your pocket.
You can make more money, but you can’t make more time… and I’d rather be rich in experiences and transformative moments, than marvel at the money I have left in the bank.
Take a mini-sabbatical with me! Who should join my group trips
If you are a person that sometimes:
- Feels intimidated to go somewhere completely alone, and would rather go with someone they know (or several people they know)
- Needs a little added push and empowerment to travel
- Isn’t motivated enough to search for a trip, decide on an itinerary, and sign up for a trip (unless someone makes it easier for them)
- Doesn’t have the time to research and plan out an itinerary when the stakes are high
- Appreciates having an itinerary that’s already planned out and doesn’t need to be researched, the safety and security of a group, and the logistics that are already handled
- Wants to nurture quality friendships and create memories, and is perhaps having a hard time finding like-minded people at home, at work, or elsewhere in their busy life
- Doesn’t fully utilize their vacation and recreation time to the fullest, and feels that their life needs a burst of excitement
- Just hasn’t gotten around to making those bucket lists happen (life has gotten away!)
- Wants to come away with a life changing experience, in a part of the world that will open up their eyes and stretch their horizons — but something, ANYTHING?! — has been in the way of that?!
I encourage you… to sign up for one of my upcoming trips. (Click here to see what’s coming up!)
What my group trips are like
How big are your groups? My group trips are SMALL and usually CO-ED, sometimes WOMEN-ONLY. They’re typically 8 to 16 people, but the average is 12 (including me).
What will we do? You’re not hopping on a crowded tour bus here, or confined to a strict schedule. I’ve handpicked the itinerary and activities, which are the types of things you’re used to seeing from me on my social media feeds: the must-dos and must-sees, off-the-beaten path hidden gems, the quirky and the sophisticated, all the while striving for authentic experiences and immersion in the local community, while staying conscious to practice sustainable tourism.
Will there be alone time? The tours include GROUP ACTIVITIES so we (me included!) can bond and share amazing moments, but also SOLO or FREE TIME so that you can flex some of the solo travel muscles you’re building. (Feel free to go off in pairs or small groups with the other folks on the trip!)
I am not the tour guide; I leave this to the experts. I work with vetted, preferred, respected, and beloved suppliers. My group trips are led by professionally trained and accredited local guides in all the destinations we travel to — and they are the ones responsible for communicating, navigating, and getting us where we need to go on time. I’m a traveler on the trip, just like you!! (There are a million travel and tourism companies in the world, I only travel with ones I trust!)
Ok, then what is your role exactly? I am your resource (AND HOPEFULLY — you wanna hang out too)!
Travelers receive communication, milestone reminders, administrative support, and other guidance from me in all aspects of their travel. You’ll be given lots of information on how to best prepare for the trip and destination, and you’ll be invited to virtual group coaching meetings leading up to the trip, in order to build connections and a support system prior to your arrival. Maybe I’m also a little bit of a mother hen and social butterfly while on the trip, making sure everybody is taken care of and has what they need.
I take the guesswork out of what to expect, what’s required, and when it is all due. All you have to do is sign up, pay the deposit, and open my emails!
I don’t take your money. Your deposits and final payments are either taken directly by the tour operator I’ve selected, or the agency I’m affiliated with — your financials are safe and secure with them. (Please note that each operator may offer different payment terms; please review carefully.)
Who’s a good fit on one of your trips? Group trips are perfect for beginner to intermediate travelers, who appreciate the built-in friendships on a group trip. The ideal participant is open-minded, curious, interested in, and motivated to try and experience new things — and won’t get derailed or grouchy when things don’t go exactly according to plan (as they inevitably sometimes do!). My trips are also typically suited for more energetic travelers, while other itineraries are for “active” travelers.
What’s the average age on your trips? Age is but an ATTITUDE; all are welcome! But if you’d like to have a ballpark, the guests on my trips typically range from their 30s to 70s, and are a mix of solo travelers, small friend groups, couples, or multi-generational (for example, a mother and daughter). There tends to be a spread — the average age for participants on my next two upcoming trips are 41 and 53, respectively.
What do your trips cost? I believe in making amazing trips as attainable as possible, and I offer several trips per year of various durations and of several price ranges. The group trips you’ll see me select are between $2,000 and $7,000 a person, with a duration of 1-2 weeks, with accommodations ranging from 3-5 stars as noted. These trips are HIGH-VALUE, offering cost-cutting options like shared accommodations.
My next trip with availability: Join us for 13 DAYS, 12 NIGHTS in KENYA, Jan. 3 – 15, 2025!! [Get the adventure guide]
During this all-inclusive trip, you’ll:
🦒 Meet baby elephants at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and feed giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
🇰🇪 Be immersed in the Maasai culture in a tribal village, and discover the indigenous Mijikenda Tribe
🛖 Explore Mombasa, historic Fort Jesus, and stroll the Old Town
⛵️ Sail to Wasini Island, watch dolphins frolic, and snorkel at Kisite Marine National Park
🦏 Experience the thrill of a wildlife safari at Lake Nakuru National Park, capturing views of thousands of flamingos, rhinos, birds, baboons, and other animals
🐆 Seek sightings of the Big 5 during game drives at Masai Mara National Reserve
The world is big, beautiful, and just waiting to be explored — an experience even richer when shared with old and new friends. If I’ve done ANYTHING right over the past seven years… hopefully, I’ve inspired you to incorporate more travel, culture, and adventure in your life. The ball’s in your court… join us. ❤️
