Solo Travel Adventures: Safe Travel for Women, Preparing for a Trip, Overcoming Fear, Travel Tips

Cheryl Esch-Solo Travel Advocate/Certified Travel Coach/Freedom Traveler
  • 4.6 (40)
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Faith-Rooted Solo Travel for Christian Women Over 50 Have you found yourself in a season you didn’t choose? Maybe your marriage ended.Maybe you lost your spouse.Maybe the house is suddenly quiet after years of raising a family. And now you’re asking the question many Christian women over 50 quietly carry: “Who am I now?” Solo Travel Adventures is a podcast for Christian women navigating life after divorce, widowhood, empty nest, or unexpected transition — and who feel a quiet pull toward something new. Hosted by solo travel coach Cheryl Esch, this show explores how solo travel can become a catalyst for renewed identity, restored confidence, and deeper trust in Christ. Each week Cheryl shares faith-centered encouragement, practical solo travel guidance, and honest conversations about what it means to rebuild your life in midlife. Inside this podcast you’ll discover: • How to rebuild confidence after 50 and major life changes• How solo travel and faith can help you hear God more clearly• Practical steps to plan your first solo trip after 50• Encouragement for Christian women navigating divorce, loss, or empty nest• Stories and insights about reinventing yourself after 50 as a Christian woman This isn’t just about travel. It’s about becoming. If you’re a Christian woman over 50 navigating life transition who feels the stirring for something more — a new chapter, a renewed sense of purpose, and the courage to step forward — you’re in the right place. So pack your bags, open your heart, and come discover what God might do when you say yes to the journey. https://www.cherylbeckesch.com Instagram: @solotraveladventures50

  1. 2D AGO

    How to Choose Your Next Solo Trip in Midlife: Let Your Travel Dreams Reflect Who You’re Becoming // 178

    When life suddenly grows quieter—when the schedule opens up, the house is still, and a new season begins—it can leave you wondering what comes next. In this reflective solo episode, Cheryl invites you to dust off the travel dreams you once tucked away while raising families, caring for others, or simply navigating a busy life. Those destinations you’ve always imagined visiting may hold more meaning than you realize. Cheryl shares a simple but powerful way to evaluate your travel dreams so you can choose the right solo trip for this season of life—one that reflects who you are becoming, not just who you used to be. What You’ll Hear Why your travel dreams may change in midlifeHow to create a meaningful “dream destination” listThree questions to ask before choosing your next tripWhy some destinations speak to specific seasons of lifeHow solo travel can help you rediscover who you are becoming Key Takeaways Travel dreams often reflect deeper desires for growth, reflection, and renewal.Not every dream destination fits every season of life.Asking why you want to visit a place can reveal what your heart is truly seeking.Solo travel can create space to listen, reflect, and grow into your next chapter. Resources & Links Apply for 1:1 travel coaching with Cheryl: https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Coaching Invitation If you’re feeling drawn toward solo travel but unsure where to begin, this is something I support women with through 1:1 coaching. Together we can explore what kind of travel experience fits your season of life and create a thoughtful plan that reflects the woman you are becoming. https://cherylbeckesch.com/workwithme/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    15 min

  2. MAR 10

    Freedom, Community, And The Rise Of The Solo Woman Traveler with Tracey Nesbitt // 177

    Ever wondered how to travel solo without paying more for the privilege—or feeling alone on the road? We welcome Tracey Nesbitt, cofounder and editor at Solo Traveler, for a lively, practical deep dive into the rise of solo travel among women 50+ and the smarter, cheaper ways to make it happen. Tracy shares how a rocky first duo trip nudged her toward independence, then relives the nerve-wracking paper map moment in Paris that transformed fear into hard-earned confidence. We get honest about the numbers driving this shift—more single-person households, later-life independence, and a generation refusing to “gear down.” Tracy breaks down how modern tours and river cruises now work for solos, with flexible days, activity choices, and easy-to-explore city docks. If you’ve ever bristled at the single supplement, you’ll love the inside look at Tracy’s List: a curated monthly email of vetted tours and cruises that now all carry zero single supplements. Expect distinctive itineraries, not cookie-cutter routes, plus options like roommate matching for travelers who prefer to share. The conversation turns personal when Tracey describes a powerful moment on the Rocky Mountaineer, watching Canada’s landscapes roll by from an open-air platform and feeling an unexpected surge of belonging. We unpack how solo trips can strengthen relationships, model healthy independence for kids, and refill your energy in ways that last long after you unpack. New to going alone? You’ll get concrete starting points: try a staycation, choose an English-speaking destination, observe local norms, and ask questions early and often. Ready to feel braver and spend smarter while you explore? Tap play, then subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to help more solo-curious travelers find us. Apply for 1-on-1 travel coaching with me: https://cherylbeckesch.com/work-with-me/ Find Solo Traveler and Tracey Nesbitt: https://solotravelerworld.com/ Tracey's List: https://solotravelerworld.com/subscribe-to-traceys-shortlist/ https://www.facebook.com/SoloTravelSociety https://www.instagram.com/solotraveler/ Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    38 min

  3. MAR 3

    From Divorce To Discovery Through Travel // 176

    The hardest part of divorce isn’t the paperwork. It’s waking up to a life that no longer feels familiar. Your name. Your routines. Your identity. And the question that whispers in the quiet: Who am I now? In this episode, we talk honestly about the emotional weight many women carry after divorce — guilt, shame, exhaustion, and the fear of starting over. And we explore a simple starting point: Not a bucket list. Not a long-haul flight. But small, intentional travel that meets you where you are. Inside This Episode: • Moving through guilt and “failure” narratives • Using nearby travel as healthy disruption • Why new environments shift perspective • Designing affordable, low-pressure reset trips • Creating space to hear your own voice again This isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about rebuilding it. Travel can become a container — a place to think clearly, breathe deeply, and remember who you are becoming in this next season. You don’t have to leap across the world. Sometimes healing starts with a sunrise walk in a new place. If you’re rebuilding after divorce and craving direction, you don’t have to figure this out alone. In 1:1 coaching, we build: • Emotional readiness • Safe, realistic travel plans • Confidence in your next chapter • Structure during transition This isn’t just about taking a trip. It’s about becoming confident again. 👉 Ready to become the woman who books the trip? Apply for 1:1 coaching here https://calendly.com/solotraveladventures/book-a-call Your next chapter doesn’t start someday. It starts with one decision. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    15 min

  4. FEB 24

    What’s Really Stopping You From Booking That Solo Trip? (5 Identity Blocks) // 175

    You feel the pull to travel alone. But something inside says, “That’s not me.” Not because you can’t. Because it feels unfamiliar. If you’ve ever thought: “It feels selfish to leave.” “I’m the responsible one.” “That kind of travel isn’t me.” “Isn’t solo travel for younger women?” “What will people think?” “Who even am I without my roles?” You are not alone. In this episode, Cheryl unpacks the identity blocks that quietly keep women over 50 from booking the trip they can’t stop thinking about. What’s Inside: • The caregiver identity and guilt • Why solo travel doesn’t require risk-taking • The “too late” myth • Handling other people’s reactions • Rediscovering who you are in this season This isn’t just about travel. It’s about confidence. It’s about permission. It’s about becoming. If solo travel feels like part of your next chapter — but hesitation keeps slowing you down — that’s exactly what 1:1 coaching is for. We build safety, clarity, and confidence so you can move forward peacefully. 👉 Apply for coaching at cherylbeckesch.com You don’t have to navigate this alone. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    9 min

  5. FEB 17

    How Solo Travel Builds Confidence After 50: Reclaim Your Courage One Trip at a Time // 174

    What if confidence isn’t something you wait for—but something you build? In this episode, Cheryl explores how solo travel becomes a practical path to steady, grounded confidence for women over 50. From small starter trips to bigger adventures, each experience becomes a layer of self-trust that carries into everyday life. Confidence isn’t a personality trait.  It’s a muscle built through action. In This Episode: Why confidence grows through small, consistent solo outingsStarter trips that compound into bigger travel goalsPlanning wisely without slipping into overplanningSituational awareness and simple rideshare safety habitsNavigation tips, map pins, and power bank essentialsReframing solo dining and showing up confidently in publicCelebrating wins—and learning from travel misstepsHandling homesickness, fatigue, and moments of doubtWhy midlife travel becomes identity reclamationBringing hard-earned confidence back homeSolo travel after 50 isn’t about proving anything.  It’s about reclaiming independence, courage, and clarity in this season of life. If you want structured support building confidence and designing a safe, meaningful solo trip aligned with who you’re becoming, Cheryl works with women in 1:1 coaching to create realistic, confidence-building travel plans. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com Travel bravely. Travel wisely. Travel confidently. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    17 min

  6. FEB 10

    12 Solo Date Ideas to Build Confidence Before Your First Solo Trip // 173

    What if confidence for solo travel doesn’t start at the airport—but in your own town? In this episode, Cheryl shares 12 simple solo date ideas designed to build self-trust, independence, and ease in public spaces—so future solo travel feels natural instead of intimidating. These aren’t consolation outings. They’re confidence reps. From cozy café visits to museum afternoons, from farmers markets to nature trails, each idea strengthens your ability to listen to yourself, choose your pace, and enjoy your own company without apology. In This Episode: Why solo dates build the confidence muscleCafé and bookstore outings that increase comfort in public spacesMuseums and galleries for curiosity without compromisePlayful “inner child” activities that restore lightnessNature walks and new parks that build resilienceClasses and workshops that stretch your comfort zoneBeing a tourist in your own town to practice travel logisticsVision board nights that turn travel dreams into actionSolo travel confidence doesn’t appear overnight.  t grows in layers. When you practice choosing yourself locally, booking that future trip becomes far less intimidating. If you want structured support building confidence and designing your first (or next) solo trip safely and intentionally, Cheryl works with women in 1:1 coaching to create realistic, meaningful travel plans aligned with this season of life. Apply for 1:1 coaching at: https://cherylbeckesch.com Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    14 min

  7. FEB 3

    Solo Travel or Traveling with Friends? How Women Over 50 Can Choose What’s Right // 172

    Should you travel solo—or invite a friend along? If you’ve ever shared a dream trip idea only to have someone invite themselves, this episode will help you decide what truly fits your season, your personality, and your purpose. In this conversation, Cheryl walks through the real tradeoffs between solo travel and traveling with friends—covering freedom, safety, budget, compromise, and the emotional impact of each choice. Because the right decision isn’t about what’s popular. It’s about what serves you best right now. In This Episode: The freedom and growth that solo travel offersThe joy and shared memories that come with group travelHow splitting costs impacts comfort and budget decisionsCompatibility questions to ask before booking with someoneTravel style differences: pace, food, sleep, stress responseHow to protect both the itinerary and the friendshipGraceful ways to say no when someone invites themselvesHow to anchor your decision to purpose—not pressureIf you need decompression, clarity, and reflection, solo travel may serve you best.  If you’re celebrating or easing into new experiences, traveling with a friend might be the perfect fit. The key is choosing intentionally—so you return with clarity instead of resentment. If you’re unsure which mode of travel aligns with your personality, comfort level, and season of life, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 coaching to design trips that feel safe, meaningful, and confidence-building. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    15 min

  8. JAN 27

    Can Purposeful Travel Change You More Than Therapy? Why Solo Trips Spark Real Life Shifts // 171

    Have you ever come home from a trip feeling clearer, lighter, or suddenly certain about what needs to change? In this episode, Cheryl explores why purposeful travel often creates powerful life shifts—and why stepping into a new environment can move the needle in ways that simply thinking about change sometimes can’t. Blending personal experience with psychological insight, Cheryl shares how walking the Camino reshaped her priorities, strengthened her boundaries, and helped her return home with a slower, more intentional pace. This conversation isn’t about replacing therapy. It’s about understanding how lived experience accelerates clarity. In This Episode: Why major life clarity often follows travelHow new environments break autopilot thinkingThe brain science behind novelty, movement, and presenceWhy stepping outside familiar roles reveals your true desiresHow insight gained on the road integrates back homePractical ways to use intentional travel for reflection and renewalTravel works through lived experience.  It interrupts old patterns.  It creates space to hear yourself again. Purposeful travel isn’t escape—it’s intentional disruption that helps you see what’s no longer aligned. If you’re feeling stuck, restless, or quietly longing for change, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 coaching to design intentional, confidence-building trips that create space for clarity and renewal. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    14 min
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4.6
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Faith-Rooted Solo Travel for Christian Women Over 50 Have you found yourself in a season you didn’t choose? Maybe your marriage ended.Maybe you lost your spouse.Maybe the house is suddenly quiet after years of raising a family. And now you’re asking the question many Christian women over 50 quietly carry: “Who am I now?” Solo Travel Adventures is a podcast for Christian women navigating life after divorce, widowhood, empty nest, or unexpected transition — and who feel a quiet pull toward something new. Hosted by solo travel coach Cheryl Esch, this show explores how solo travel can become a catalyst for renewed identity, restored confidence, and deeper trust in Christ. Each week Cheryl shares faith-centered encouragement, practical solo travel guidance, and honest conversations about what it means to rebuild your life in midlife. Inside this podcast you’ll discover: • How to rebuild confidence after 50 and major life changes• How solo travel and faith can help you hear God more clearly• Practical steps to plan your first solo trip after 50• Encouragement for Christian women navigating divorce, loss, or empty nest• Stories and insights about reinventing yourself after 50 as a Christian woman This isn’t just about travel. It’s about becoming. If you’re a Christian woman over 50 navigating life transition who feels the stirring for something more — a new chapter, a renewed sense of purpose, and the courage to step forward — you’re in the right place. So pack your bags, open your heart, and come discover what God might do when you say yes to the journey. https://www.cherylbeckesch.com Instagram: @solotraveladventures50

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