I changed how I travel many years ago. I am done with the travel guide and now I am my own guide. But it’s not what you think. I plan my trips around my passions.
September 2, 2026
This is when you travel to do things you want.
For example, is there an author that always writes about a certain area and you have always wanted to know what it really looks like? Go there. Find out what made the author choose the village.
Are you crazy about the King Arthur mythology? Then you must visit Glastonbury where you will find out more about his stories.
Is fly fishing a hobby? Make your next trip all about fly fishing in Scotland.
Maybe you love to cook Italian food from a specific spot, go there. Take cooking classes. Spend a few weeks learning all about the secrets of that cuisine.
Are you interested in knitting? Go to England or a nordic country and join a knitting week retreat. Meet other knitters and learn about their wool and how they process it.
Is there something you want to learn about or try out? Join a course in another country. Live in the city where you are taking the course, learn the culture and meet locals while you are there.
Traveling with a purpose is all about you.
If you are over 50, chances are that you have done many touristic trips and saw all the things you were told you had to see.
And, if you are like me, you probably stuck in a few tourist traps as well.
Don’t!
Life is too short.
Plan your trip around your interests.
Travel solo and dive into your passions with no guilt.
If you don’t like to travel alone you can always go solo for a week or so and meet a friend in a different place later on.
My frist trip with a purpose was to Glastonbury in search of King Arthur. That’s why I mentioned him at the beginning of this article.
I traveled alone and took my paintbrushes, paper and camera to keep me company.
I never thought I would chase a mythological figure and I loved it. I ended up staying in Glastonbury for a month.
From then on it was easy to plan trips around my interests.
I am a hobby illustrator, self taught, and took a few classes here and there. One of my dreams has been to go to the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
I went to the fair every day, studied all the artist, went to a few artist chats and met a few interesting people. I came home feeling so good about everything I saw and made a note that I would like to repeat that sometime.
Bologna is an interesting city with so much to see and learn so I ended up making the trip about tortellini and gelato as well. I can’t believe that I didn’t gain an ounce. I guess it was all that walking.
It’s important to take time off from your day to day, family and, friends, and do something just for you.
If you can’t go far, because of time or a budget issue, plan for short day trips.
Stay curious and keep moving.
I just met a person that signs up to do volunteer work at archeological sites. That sounded so interesting and so different from anything I have done. It’s a lot of physical work but imagine finding a clay pot, a ring or a piece of something mysterious. A piece of an old story.
Megalithic stones is one of my interests here in Portugal and I have done many road trips in search of them.
Below are some of my past trips:
Walking and photographing in Porto Covo It’s a small village on the western coast of Portugal, in the Alentejo.
Photo Paris Fair: I love photography and I traveled just to see this fair an the surrounding exhibits. And Paris is always Paris.
My search of Tin Tin’s Black Island and amazing megalithic stones took me to the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
And I made one of my trips to Edinburgh, Scotland all about water colours!
Start with clarity. Are you fascinated by ancient history, megalithic stones, or a specific culture? Define what you want to learn or experience so you can tailor your trip accordingly.
For megalithic stones, look into sites like Stonehenge in England, Carnac in France, or Almendres Cromlech in Portugal. Understanding their history and cultural significance adds depth to your journey.
Make your interest the focus of your itinerary. If you’re exploring megalithic sites, include local museums, lectures, or guided tours to enrich your understanding.
Seek out local archaeologists, historians, or tour guides who specialize in your area of interest. They can provide insights that are often missing from guidebooks.
Deepen your connection by participating in activities related to your purpose.
Pair your purpose with cultural experiences. Visit nearby villages, taste local cuisine, and attend traditional events to fully appreciate the context of the sites you visit.
Document your trip through photography, writing, or sketching.
While it’s great to have a focus, allow room for serendipity.
Respect the heritage and environment of the sites you visit, ensuring they’re preserved for future generations.
After your trip, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned. Share your experience!
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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