Solo Travel Adventures: Faith-Rooted Intentional Travel for Christian Women Over 50

Are you still waiting for the perfect time to take that dream trip? For many women, travel goals sit quietly on a bucket list year after year. Not because we don’t want them — but because life feels uncertain, responsibilities feel heavy, and fear whispers, “Maybe later.” In this episode, Cheryl invites you to stop postponing yourself and start planning intentionally for 2026. Because life can cha...

Where should you travel in 2026 — especially as a solo woman over 50? Travel trends are shifting. Crowded European hotspots are cooling down. More women are choosing meaningful, less touristy destinations that offer safety, infrastructure, and cultural depth. In this episode, Cheryl shares: Her 2025 travel recap (road trips, Iceland, national parks, cruising) Why “revenge travel” is fading The ris...

Solo travel is beautiful—but it’s not always glamorous. Behind the dreamy photos and bucket-list destinations, there are realities that don’t make the highlight reel. In this episode, Cheryl shares five honest truths about solo travel so you can prepare wisely, manage expectations, and travel with greater peace. Because confidence doesn’t come from pretending travel is perfect.  It comes from know...

Is cruising worth it—especially if you usually prefer independent travel? In this episode, Cheryl shares her first cruise experience sailing out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visiting five Caribbean islands in seven days. She offers an honest look at what surprised her, what she loved, what felt frustrating, and what she learned as a first-time cruiser. If you’re curious about cruising solo—or con...

Packing for an 11-day trip doesn’t have to feel chaotic, heavy, or overwhelming. In this episode, Cheryl shares a simple, repeatable packing system that blends capsule wardrobe principles with the practical 5-4-3-2-1 method—so you can travel light without sacrificing comfort or style. If you’ve ever overpacked “just in case,” this framework will help you simplify your suitcase and feel more confid...

Travel in 2026 isn’t about rushing back to crowded hotspots. It’s about choosing experiences with intention, calm, and clarity. In this episode, Cheryl explores the biggest travel trends shaping 2026—and how women over 50 can turn them into realistic, meaningful plans. If you’re craving depth instead of checklists, restoration instead of exhaustion, and confidence instead of chaos, these trends wi...

Why do you travel? Before choosing a destination, booking a flight, or building an itinerary, this single question can reshape everything. In this episode, Cheryl reflects on 100,000 downloads and three years of Solo Travel Adventures by exploring how intention transforms travel from a checklist experience into something meaningful. Because when your “why” is clear, every decision becomes easier....

What if your travel bucket list wasn’t a scoreboard—but a compass? In this episode, Cheryl shares a fresh approach to creating a travel bucket list that reflects your season of life, your energy, and your deeper purpose. Instead of chasing trends or checking boxes, you’ll learn how to build a list that guides intentional, meaningful decisions. Because dreaming is powerful—but clarity turns dreams...

Should you still travel when the news feels uncertain? From government shutdowns to global conflicts, headlines can create hesitation—especially for solo women travelers. In this episode, Cheryl walks through how to travel with discernment instead of fear, blending practical airport strategies with thoughtful destination research and calm decision-making. Because confidence doesn’t mean ignoring r...

What if travel doesn’t just change your scenery—but actually rewires your brain and body? In this episode, Cheryl explores the science behind awe and why moments of wonder—whether on a mountaintop, in a quiet museum, or walking through an ancient city—can create lasting emotional and physical shifts. Because wonder isn’t indulgent.  It’s transformative. Blending research with years of solo travel...

The holidays can feel heavy when your life doesn’t look the way it used to. If you’re navigating divorce, widowhood, or an empty nest, the stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can bring grief, loneliness, and the ache of changed traditions. In this episode, Cheryl offers a compassionate, practical path forward—one that allows you to design a holiday season that heals instead of hurts. Becau...

Could guided group travel be your next brave step? In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Avery Hale-Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads, to explore how active, guided adventures are changing the way women experience travel around the world. From immersive childhood travel in Ecuador to studying abroad in India, Avery shares how meaningful cultural experiences shaped her view of travel—an...

Overwhelmed by too many travel possibilities? Choosing your next destination can feel exciting—and paralyzing. In this episode, Cheryl shares six distinct approaches to picking your next getaway, from playful spontaneity to deeply intentional planning. Because the right trip isn’t always the trendiest one.  It’s the one that fits your season. In This Episode: Following travel trends—and how to fil...

What if the ground beneath your feet could tell you what kind of trip you need? In this episode, Cheryl shares a powerful metaphor discovered during a solo road trip to West Texas: the terrain you’re walking—sandy, rocky, paved, or steady—mirrors the season you’re living. And each season calls for a different kind of travel. Because the right trip isn’t about escaping your life.  It’s about suppor...

Think you’ve never been a solo traveler? Think again. If you’ve ever run errands alone, taken yourself to lunch, or planned something independently, you’ve already practiced the core skills of solo travel. The only difference is the destination. In this episode, Cheryl reframes what solo travel really means—and why it’s far more accessible than most women believe. Solo travel doesn’t require backp...

What’s really stopping you from taking a solo road trip? For many women, it’s not the desire—it’s the hesitation around safety, logistics, and the unknown. In this episode, Cheryl walks through the essential guide to planning a solo road trip that feels both secure and freeing. Because preparation creates freedom. From nostalgic childhood road trips to the powerful self-reflection that comes from...

Are other people’s fears shaping your decisions? If you’ve hesitated to travel solo because of warnings, doubt, or “what if” conversations, this episode is for you. After six years of intentional solo travel beginning in her 50s, Cheryl shares what she wishes she had known before she ever booked that first ticket. Because the biggest obstacle often isn’t the world.  It’s the voices that have never...

What if your next trip wasn’t about sightseeing—but about slowing down with a good book? A surprising travel trend is rising in 2025: reading retreats. These quiet, intentional getaways are designed for book lovers who crave uninterrupted time to read, reflect, and recharge in beautiful settings. Imagine mornings with coffee and mountain views. Afternoons lost in a novel. Evenings sharing book rec...

The empty nest doesn’t end your relationship with your children—it reshapes it. As summer vacations fade and college drop-offs happen across the country, many parents find themselves wondering how to stay connected to their adult children in meaningful ways. In this episode, Cheryl explores how travel can become powerful neutral ground for reconnection, deeper conversations, and creating new share...

Artificial intelligence is changing how we plan, book, and experience travel—whether we’re ready for it or not. From AI-powered airline pricing to translation apps and itinerary builders, technology is reshaping nearly every step of the travel journey. But is it helping solo women travel smarter… or quietly making travel more complicated? In this episode, Cheryl explores the real benefits and risk...

What if travel could help you process grief in ways familiar places cannot? In this deeply personal episode, Cheryl shares how a trip to Jamaica—just weeks after losing her mother—became an unexpected turning point in her healing journey. Surrounded by new sights, rhythms, and responsibilities, she discovered that stepping outside familiar environments can gently shift how we carry loss. Because h...

You want to travel—but something feels stuck. For many women, the hesitation isn’t logistics. It’s grief, trauma, divorce, or loss that quietly keeps them in survival mode. Even the thought of planning a solo trip can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Cheryl introduces the concept of travel coaching and how it differs from traditional travel planning. This isn’t about booking flights. It’s about...

Trying to save money on travel—but ending up frustrated, exhausted, or uncomfortable? In this episode, Cheryl shares five real budget travel mistakes that actually cost her more in time, energy, comfort, and peace of mind. Because sometimes the cheapest option isn’t the best value. If you want to travel wisely—not just cheaply—this conversation will help you find the balance. In This Episode: When...

What happens when a woman who has felt like a “caged bird” for decades finally steps into freedom? In this powerful conversation, Cheryl speaks with Linda Magoon, who left a controlling marriage in her mid-50s and began rebuilding her life—one mountain summit at a time. Determined to reclaim her voice and identity, Linda set out to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot peaks. What began as a s...

Ever left for a trip and suddenly wondered… Did I unplug the curling iron? Did I lock the door? Pre-trip anxiety can steal your excitement before you even reach the airport. In this episode, Cheryl shares eight essential steps to prepare your home before you travel—so you can leave with peace of mind instead of panic. Because confidence starts before departure day. Whether you’re heading out for a...