7 Keys to Successful, Soulful Travel

by Teresa Rodriguez Williamson

With a big, brave world unfurling before us, planning an adventure as a woman can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. But with these handy steps, you're sure to have a great time trekking the globe with confidence.

#1 Be Brave: Traveling can sometimes be daunting, but don't let fear slow you down. Give yourself credit for living a big, beautiful life, and reward yourself with an adventure that you've always wanted to take.

Teresa in Iceland

#2 Be Faithful: You know what you love to do and what makes you happy, so plan a trip that celebrates your desires. Do you want to go somewhere where you will learn and explore? Or do you just want to read trashy novels and sleep in? Do you want a place with great weather? Or are you more interested in culture and history? Is physical activity important to you, like hiking, rafting, or biking? Or do you long to lounge on a beach with a strawberry daiquiri? What to join a tour or visit a destination, or are you all about setting your own course? Take some time to think about what you want, so then you can plan the ideal itinerary.

#3 Be Wise: Once you know what you want to experience, find that oh-so-perfect destination that will fulfill your dreamy desires. Research places based on your needs and not on what others tell you – this is your trip! The only way you will truly know if a place is what you want is to research a few different destinations and keep an open mind. You'll have to be flexible and many times you will have to compromise – no place will ever the perfect.

#4 Be Light: The best trips are the ones where we travel light, and before you depart on your great adventure, you might want to leave some baggage at home. When traveling, fear, laziness, and pride can really weigh you down. Leave fear at home by researching your destination's culture and traditions, so you know what to expect when you arrive. Don't bother bringing laziness, because travel does take some time and preparation. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and do a bit of sleuthing to ensure a fabulous trip. Once you arrive, then you'll be ready to relax and laze round. Of all the pieces of baggage to leave, pride is number one. Pride says, “I can do this on my own.” But when you travel, you really can't, it takes the kindness and support of others to ensure a happy, safe trip. Being grateful is much more effective than being prideful when traveling–and in life.

Teresa in Budapest

#5 Be Beautiful: Be confident and positive when traveling. When you are confident, the world knows you are present in your space. There is less chance of getting hassled when you are confident because you look like you belong. Being positive is a great way to live life, and it's the only way to travel. A positive attitude is needed when traveling, because something is bound to happen–late trains, delayed planes, rude people, etc. And when you go into a situation with a positive attitude, you are ready to look for the good in others and in situations. Things won't bug you as much. Keep a smile on your face and the world will smile with you.

#6 Be Generous. So many times we scrimp and save for that “dream vacation” and we don't think much about the others who work hard to give us a great experience. Be kind to them and make sure to tip appropriately and thank others who assist you. Keep the global energy of life moving by sharing your wealth with others. That wealth is not always money; it can be your time, your smile, a kind word, or an extra moment to help someone.

#7 Be Soulful: Spend time listening to your spirit speak when you are alone and in a foreign land. We tend to get so caught up in our busy lives that we forget to take time to listen. When traveling, make it a priority to spend a few minutes a day alone, meditating on your trip and your new experiences. Then when you get home, incorporate your new perspectives into your daily lives. Spend more time enjoying late evenings with friends like they do in Europe. Take a nap in the middle of the afternoon like they do in Mexico. Cook big afternoon lunches with your family, like they do in Italy.

If we all took the time to appreciate, and experience other places and people, our view of the world would be one of understanding and excitement. We would want to learn more, go farther, and meet others.

Teresa in Brussels

Teresa is the founder of TangoDiva.com, the premier online travel magazine for women travelers. She is the author of the upcoming book "FLY SOLO: The 50 Best Places on Earth for a Girl to Go Alone".