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
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Equipping Women over 50 to Safely Travel in Confidence Is fear holding you back from traveling because you don’t have anyone to go with? Are you concerned about being a woman traveling alone? Not sure how to prepare for a solo trip? Do family and friends think you are crazy for even considering solo travel in this day and age? In this podcast, you will become equipped to travel safely by yourself. You’ll learn things like tactical travel tips and how to prepare for a trip, and how to overcome the fear so you can discover the transformation that travel can bring. My mission is to see more women over 50, empty-nesters, discover how travel can empower them. If you want to enjoy your next travel adventure solo, then start your journey here. Hi Sister Travelers, I’m Cheryl, solo travel advocate and coach. I spent nearly 20 years putting my family/children first and felt guilty about even considering solo travel at the time. After my divorce and transitioning to an empty nest, I began to rediscover my passion for travel, built confidence in myself, and started to explore again. I have experienced life-changing adventures through travel and I want the same for you. If you are ready to find freedom through travel and build your confidence while safely navigating new places, then this podcast is for you! Pack your bags, grab your plane tickets and check one more time for that passport. It’s time to explore the world.

  1. 3D AGO

    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

  2. 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.  It 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://cherylbeck.com Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    14 min

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. JAN 20

    How Solo Travel Becomes a Turning Point: Real Stories of Courage, Healing, and Renewal // 170

    Have you ever heard another woman’s story and thought, If she can do that, maybe I can too? In this episode, Cheryl revisits four powerful stories from women who discovered that solo travel can become more than a trip—it can become a turning point. From a first international journey to New Zealand…  To rebuilding life during divorce in Kuwait…  To hiking mountains that quiet anxious thoughts…  To finding healing and clarity halfway around the world… Each story reveals how ordinary women stepped into the unfamiliar and rediscovered courage, confidence, and self-trust. In This Episode: Why travel stories inspire action long after the trip endsLee’s first solo international trip to New ZealandDanielle’s bold move during divorce and healingLinda’s rediscovery of strength through hikingTess’s journey of faith, healing, and decision-making through travelHow intentional solo travel supports emotional and spiritual renewalThese women didn’t wait until they felt fearless.  They took one imperfect step—and let the experience shape them. Solo travel isn’t about having all the answers.  It’s about becoming the woman who trusts herself enough to begin. If you’re in a season of transition and wondering whether travel could be part of your next chapter, Cheryl supports women through 1:1 coaching to design intentional, confidence-building trips aligned with who they’re becoming. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    18 min

  6. JAN 13

    Empty Nest After 50: How Solo Travel Helps You Rediscover Your Next Chapter // 169

    What happens when the house grows quiet — and you’re left wondering who you are now? The empty nest season can feel freeing… and disorienting. After decades of caregiving, coordinating, and putting others first, many women find themselves asking: What’s next for me? In this episode, Cheryl invites you to see your life as a story still being written — and to explore how solo travel can become a meaningful part of your next chapter. In This Episode: Why the empty nest season often brings both grief and possibilityA powerful reflection exercise reconnecting you with your younger selfHow to rediscover hobbies and creative desires that got buriedA simple 20-activity list to spark joy and curiosityHow solo travel creates space for clarity and renewalThis Season Isn’t an Ending. It’s a Turning Point. You are not behind.  You are not too old.  Your story is not finished. Intentional reflection helps you reclaim who you were — and clarify who you are becoming. Solo travel becomes powerful in this season not because you’re escaping… but because you’re creating space to remember yourself. Travel With Purpose begins long before departure day. Ready for Support in This Transition? If you’re navigating empty nest, menopause, or a season of transition and feel unsure what your next chapter holds, this is exactly what Cheryl supports women with in 1:1 coaching. Together, you will: Clarify what this season is asking of youDesign a solo trip aligned with your energy and comfort levelBuild the confidence to move forward intentionallyCreate space for renewal and rediscoveryYou don’t have to rewrite this chapter alone. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    22 min

  7. JAN 6

    Healing Through Solo Travel: Rebuilding Confidence After Divorce or Loss // 168

    What if your next solo trip wasn’t just a vacation — but part of your healing? In this deeply personal episode, Cheryl shares how a two-week solo journey after divorce became the beginning of something far bigger than she expected. What started as space to breathe became clarity, confidence, and a calling to help Christian women over 50 walk through life transitions with intention. If you’re navigating divorce, grief, or a difficult season and wondering whether travel could support your healing, this conversation explores how solo trips can become a meaningful part of restoration — without pretending they are a quick fix. In This Episode: How Cheryl’s first solo trip after divorce shifted her identityWhy travel supports healing — but isn’t a magic solutionLessons from walking the Camino after traumaThe difference between loneliness and solitudeWhy “why-cations” are rising in 2026How intentional travel creates space to grieve and rediscover yourselfTravel Is Not Escape. It’s Space. Healing doesn’t happen on a rigid timeline. But stepping outside your daily environment can create space for: ReflectionEmotional processingReclaiming confidenceRediscovering who you are beyond your rolesSolo travel becomes powerful when it’s intentional. This is where travel moves from distraction to transformation. You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone If you’re walking through divorce, grief, or a major life transition and feel drawn to travel — but unsure how to do it safely, meaningfully, and without overwhelm — this is exactly what Cheryl supports women with in 1:1 coaching. Together, you’ll: Clarify what this next trip represents in your season of lifeBuild realistic safety and planning frameworksDesign a restorative experience aligned with your comfort levelStrengthen confidence before you ever board the planeThis isn’t therapy.  It’s structured confidence-building through intentional travel. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com You don’t have to walk this season alone. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    14 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    How to Plan Your Dream Trip in 2026 (Stop Waiting for the “Right Time”) // 167

    Are you still waiting for the perfect time to take that dream trip? For many women, travel goals sit quietly on a bucket list year after year. Not because we don’t want them — but because life feels uncertain, responsibilities feel heavy, and fear whispers, “Maybe later.” In this episode, Cheryl invites you to stop postponing yourself and start planning intentionally for 2026. Because life can change in an instant. And your dreams deserve movement — not someday. In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why waiting for “someday” slowly erodes confidenceHow health scares and life transitions shift perspectiveThe Japanese concept of Masogi and how bold goals grow courageCheryl’s personal framework for setting meaningful travel goalsHow to save gradually and plan without going into debtSimple flight tools that reduce overwhelmWhy urgency can be clarity — not pressureWhether your goal is visiting national parks, traveling internationally, or finally taking that solo trip you’ve talked about for years, this episode will help you move from dreaming to designing. This Is Bigger Than a Trip This isn’t just about crossing destinations off a list. It’s about becoming the woman who stops postponing herself. When you plan with intention, you build confidence long before departure day. Preparation reduces fear. Clarity replaces hesitation. And small steps build momentum. Travel With Purpose starts before the flight is booked. Ready for Structured Support? If you’ve been carrying a dream trip in your heart but feel overwhelmed, unsure where to begin, or hesitant to commit, this is exactly what Cheryl helps women navigate in 1:1 coaching. Together, you will: Clarify what this trip represents in this season of your lifeBuild a realistic, safe, intentional planCreate a savings and preparation frameworkStrengthen the confidence to follow throughYou don’t need more inspiration. You need structured support. Apply for 1:1 coaching at:  https://cherylbeck.com Your dream trip doesn’t need to stay a dream. Support the show https://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

    11 min
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4.6
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

Equipping Women over 50 to Safely Travel in Confidence Is fear holding you back from traveling because you don’t have anyone to go with? Are you concerned about being a woman traveling alone? Not sure how to prepare for a solo trip? Do family and friends think you are crazy for even considering solo travel in this day and age? In this podcast, you will become equipped to travel safely by yourself. You’ll learn things like tactical travel tips and how to prepare for a trip, and how to overcome the fear so you can discover the transformation that travel can bring. My mission is to see more women over 50, empty-nesters, discover how travel can empower them. If you want to enjoy your next travel adventure solo, then start your journey here. Hi Sister Travelers, I’m Cheryl, solo travel advocate and coach. I spent nearly 20 years putting my family/children first and felt guilty about even considering solo travel at the time. After my divorce and transitioning to an empty nest, I began to rediscover my passion for travel, built confidence in myself, and started to explore again. I have experienced life-changing adventures through travel and I want the same for you. If you are ready to find freedom through travel and build your confidence while safely navigating new places, then this podcast is for you! Pack your bags, grab your plane tickets and check one more time for that passport. It’s time to explore the world.

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