Plan your trips around your passions.
Updated August 19, 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.
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.
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.
You don’t have to do that anymore.
You can go to Paris and never go near the Eiffel Tower because you were there in 1978. What a pleasure.
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, only invite someone if they have the same interests. Remember that this trip is for you and your interests.
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 learned so much and met so many interesting people. 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.
Traveling is good for you. It’s important to take time off from your day to day, family and, friends.
If you can’t go far, because of time or a budget issue, plan for short day trips. Take care of yourself, stay curious and keep moving.
When you travel with a purpose are doing something special for yourself. I don’t think we do enough of that.
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.
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: I love photography and the trip around this fair was the best. And Paris is always Paris.
In 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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