The Seasons of Life (and Travel)
We spend so much time talking about the timing of travel. Peak season, shoulder season, off season. All the practical pieces that help us plan a trip.
But there is another rhythm that matters, one that does not begin on a calendar.
There are seasons in our lives that shape how we move through the world. Seasons that change what we hope for when we travel and what we are ready to receive. Seasons that quietly remind us that it may be time to step away, to soften, to explore, to reconnect, to become.
These seasons of life influence every journey we take, often more than we realize. They guide us toward the places we need, the experiences that steady us, and the moments that help us grow into who we are becoming.
The Spring of Travel: Curiosity + Courage
This is the beginning. The season of your firsts.
Maybe it’s your first solo trip. Maybe it’s your first time out of the country. Maybe you just caught the travel bug and suddenly everything feels possible.
You’re collecting moments and figuring things out. Doing things scared. Discovering your traveler identity, maps or meanders? Hostels or boutique hotels?
It’s thrilling. It’s formative.
And you don’t have to do it all at once.
And you don’t have to do it all at once.
Spring teaches us to start.
Trip Ideas:
- Domestic: A solo weekend in Charleston, Santa Fe, or Savannah, walkable, inspiring, and just the right amount of out-of-your-comfort-zone.
- International: Join a beginner-friendly group tour through Portugal, Ireland, or Italy, soft landings, great food, and friendly locals.
- Cruise: A 3–5 night Caribbean cruise from Florida—easy onboarding, sun-soaked fun, and a perfect “training wheels” cruise.
The Summer of Travel: Energy + Expansion
This is the season of movement. Of memories in the making.
You’re planning with purpose now-maybe for your kids, your partner, your friend group. You’re the one who makes the spreadsheet. Who packs the sunscreen. Who books the trip.
This season is about connection. Building new traditions. Replacing “stuff” with shared stories, and making your vacation time count.
Trip Ideas:
- Domestic: A National Parks loop—Yellowstone, Zion, or Acadia—with a rental car, hiking boots, and a cooler full of snacks.
- International: Island-hopping in Greece, a villa stay in Tuscany, or an all-inclusive week in Costa Rica where everyone gets what they need.
- Cruise: A 7-night family-friendly cruise to Alaska or the Mediterranean with excursions that hit history, nature, and pure fun. Bonus if it leaves from a port you can road-trip to.
The Autumn of Travel: Intention + Depth
This is the season where travel becomes more about meaning than movement.
You’ve been a few places. You’ve seen a few things. But now you’re craving something deeper.
Trips that feel more rooted. Places that teach you something. Time that’s slower, more present. Maybe you’re exploring your heritage. Maybe you’re traveling to heal. Maybe you’re just finally giving yourself permission to go somewhere you’ve always dreamed of.
This season is about making it count. And it’s powerful.
Trip Ideas:
- Domestic: A cozy retreat in the Hudson Valley, a writing workshop in Santa Fe, or a fall foliage escape to Vermont or the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- International: A river cruise through France, a slow journey through the Scottish Highlands, or a heritage trip tracing your ancestry.
- Cruise: A wine-themed European river cruise (Rhine or Danube), or a Canada & New England fall foliage cruise—think warm drinks, chilly mornings, and history in every port.
The Winter of Travel: Wisdom + Wonder
And then there’s the quiet season.
It might come in your 60s or 70s or earlier, if life has handed you a few unexpected turns.
This is the season of legacy trips. Of multigenerational travel. Of watching your grandchildren see the ocean for the first time or walking the streets of a city you once knew with new eyes and a little more softness.
It’s also a season of reflection. Of asking yourself, “Where do I still want to go?”
Not because time is running out but because it’s time to go.
Trip Ideas:
- Domestic: A multigenerational Hawaii trip. A scenic rail journey through the Rockies. Or an extended stay in a warm spot during winter (Arizona, Florida Keys).
- International: A small-group trip through Japan, an African safari with top-notch guides, or a long-stay vacation rental in Portugal or Spain.
- Cruise: A luxury cruise through the Norwegian fjords or a world cruise segment—where comfort, service, and the awe of the journey all come together.
Which Season Are You In?
No season is better than another. Each one offers its own kind of magic.
But knowing your season helps you plan smarter. Travel deeper. Choose better.
And if you’re ready for what’s next, whether that’s a perfectly tailored trip or the beginning of your own travel business, I’m here to help you make that leap.
Let’s find your season.
And go from there.
And go from there.
Ever Curious,
Barb
