Adventures in Travel: A Journey Worth Sharing

Growing up with an adventurous dad, my sister and I were spoiled by the opportunity to explore much of the U.S. and several other countries long before we finished college. To him, travel wasn’t just a leisure activity; it was a vital part of our education. We wrote book reports on the places we visited, went on historical walking tours, and explored every museum from Kentucky to Cornwall. The world was our classroom.

The Family Dynamics

With no other siblings besides my sister, and both our parents being only children themselves, our family consisted solely of the four of us. This unique dynamic shaped our experiences; it was just us against the world. My mom, a reluctant traveler, occasionally opted out of our trips, but my dad ensured we still had rich exposure to different cultures and histories.

When our parents passed away, I found myself living a different life: married, with two children, and working part-time while also being the primary caregiver. My sister lived across the country in California, while I was in Connecticut. Despite the distance, she often visited us, enriching our lives with her adventures.

My sister, who doesn’t have children, would regularly come to see us. I had my kids later in life, at 40 and 41. Together, my sister and I had previously shared thrilling adventures—encountering leopards on a South African safari, paragliding over Key West, and pogoing at a Ramones concert in Brixton. However, as the years wore on, our adventures morphed from tapas bar hopping in Barcelona to navigating toddler tantrums at local playgrounds. Interruptions became the norm, and conversations often felt like trying to finish a race with no finish line.

A 50th Birthday Adventure

For my 50th birthday, I resolved to rekindle that sense of adventure. I convinced my husband to take a week off to watch the kids during their spring break, arguing that all he needed to worry about was feeding, while I and my sister enjoyed a long-awaited trip together. Initially hesitant about exploring the Middle East, my sister took some convincing, but I secured a captivating travel package covering eight countries in one go—seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates plus Oman.

For around $1,100, I booked airfare and four nights in Dubai. The additional stops, along with a rental car and seven more hotel nights, brought our total to roughly $2,900—an investment that promised countless memories and experiences.

The Quest for 100 Countries

Having ticked off all 50 U.S. states by my 30th birthday, I set my sights even higher: visiting 100 countries. I’ve taken guidance from the Traveler’s Century Club, which recognizes a total of 330 countries and territories. This goal isn’t just personal; it’s a passion that drives me to explore, learn, and grow.

A well-planned route through the Gulf included Oman, of course, allowing me to check off another country from my list. The thrill of working towards that 100-country milestone continues to invigorate my travels.

Kid-free Travel Bliss

One of the most liberating aspects of this trip was the freedom to explore without my children. As a travel professional, two standout experiences became highlights: touring the luxurious Burj Al Arab, renowned for its opulent gold décor and spectacular architecture, and the sheer delight of having a tiny penguin hop across my lap during a memorable visit to a local wildlife sanctuary.

Additionally, skiing indoors at Dubai’s renowned ski area, nestled within a bustling mall, provided an utterly bizarre yet fascinating contrast to the arid climates outside. Other remarkable moments included a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, a stroll through the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and a cocktail celebration at the top of the Burj Khalifa, where we toasted my 50th birthday with breathtaking views of the city below.

The Importance of Personal Time

“Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others,” they say in airplanes, and I whole-heartedly agree. Women often invest a great deal of themselves in family and relationships, often forgetting to carve out that essential time for their own recharging. I’ve taken my children on numerous trips, instilling in them the same love for adventure that my father nurtured in me.

Now, at 57 and newly divorced, I continue to pursue my traveling passions. This past year, my sister, my children, and I explored my 72nd country together. Looking ahead, the boundless possibilities that await my sister and me once my kids are grown excite me.

I have an ambitious plan: to revisit my 100th country with my sister by my side. It only seems fitting, as she has been an essential part of my journey through life, sharing pivotal moments with me along the way.