Picture yourself standing on your private balcony as massive chunks of ice crash into the bay at Hubbard Glacier—seven miles wide and 76 miles long. The crisp Alaska air fills your lungs while eagles soar overhead and whales breach in the distance.

As the year winds down, many of us start thinking about what we want more of in the year ahead—more calm, more clarity, more connection, and meaningful experiences to look forward to. For so many people, that includes travel. But if you've ever found yourself ready to go while your friends can't take time off… or your partner prefers to stay home… or the thought of traveling completely solo feels equal parts exciting and overwhelming—you're not alone. I've been there too. And

Salzburg, Austria My first real vacation as an adult was a trip to Michigan with friends.  The realization was simple: You have a job now. You get vacation time. Go somewhere. We hiked, found little local restaurants, and took a ferry to Mackinac Island, a place that felt unique. It was simple, but I remember thinking, " I should do this more often." A few years later, a group trip to Italy fell through. A friend and I decided to go anyway. I worked with a travel advisor to f