January 2026 - Newsletter

It’s been a minute since my last newsletter, but my travels in October, November, and December were amazing and well worth it and left me with incredible memories (and of course content!)

A new year always feels like an open map, full of possibilities, curiosity, and a little wanderlust tugging at the heart. As we leave December and step into January, I’m reflecting on journeys that shaped me and looking ahead to what’s still waiting out there.

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If last year taught us anything, it’s this: adventure doesn’t have an age limit, and it has a mindset. The world is big, and my time is growing shorter each year that passes, so I need to see what I can while I can.

🥾✨👉 Watch the December Show

If you’ve missed my last few blogs, here’s some quick links!

👉 Read My Full Camino Blog!

If you’ve ever thought, “Could I really do something like that?” this one’s for you. This is a long read, but from my heart. It is a deeper dive than the show.

👉 Read My Morocco Blog!

How about a camel ride at sunset in the desert? Fun, fun, fun.

I added a few videos on Instagram Cats in Morocco Doors In Morocco

Following me on Instagram would be extremely helpful.

From Cobblestones to Icebergs: Antarctica Is Awesome ❄️🐧

👉 Read My Antarctica Blog!

Wow, I had no idea how this trip would be life changing!

The January episode featuring Antarctica in both pictures and video, isn’t quite fully baked yet, so I put together a few short videos from my Antarctica adventure as a teaser of what’s to come and several posts from the trip on Instagram.

👉 Watch the Antarctica Short – Penguins are the Best!

👉 Watch a short video on my Whale Encounter

Note: I really need YOUR help. Please click that subscribe button on YouTube and Instagram!

Let’s Leave 2025 - Looking Ahead: 2026 Travel Inspiration & Smart Planning

✈️📆 January is the sweet spot for dreaming and quietly planning your future adventures. If traveling in 2026 is on your radar (even in the “someday” category), here are a few tips to get you started without pressure.

If you’ve ever opened 27 tabs trying to plan a trip to Europe, only to feel more confused than when you started, you’re not alone. I’m so excited to share this:

The DIY Trip Summit: Europe Beyond the Crowds is a free 3-day online event (Jan 13–15) featuring 30+ travel experts ready to help you cut through the noise and feel confident about your next adventure.

I’ll be speaking as part of the virtual panel on Day 2 and you’ll get sessions on flights, itineraries, budgeting, and insider destination tips.

👉 Grab your free ticket!

You’ll get:

• Expert-led sessions to help you plan confidently and avoid rookie mistakes

• Practical guidance for finding hidden gems and creating meaningful itineraries

• Daily live Q&A calls with seasoned travelers

• Access to a pop-up Facebook group for connection and support

• A free virtual gift bag filled with travel tools, resources, and exclusive discounts

It’s completely free to attend, and you can watch every session from the comfort of home.

The Million Dollar Question - When Should You Buy Airfare?

• Domestic flights: About 1–3 months out

• International flights: 3–6 months ahead is often the sweet spot

• Traveling in shoulder seasons can mean fewer crowds and better prices

How to Watch for Deals

• Use Google Flights to track prices for routes you’re considering

• Don’t panic-buy, watch trends and book when prices dip

Points & Miles Insider Tips

• Sign up for airline and credit card emails announcing point sales

• Only buy points when there’s a bonus (30–100%)

• Points shine brightest for long-haul or premium cabin flights

• Sign up for newsletters such as Pointhound, The Daily Drop to name a few. They are focused on using points and finding deals – and it works – personal experience!

💡 Pro tip: Even if you’re not ready to book, start watching prices now. Information is power and savings.

A Little 2026 Inspiration ✨

You don’t have to decide everything today. Sometimes the first step is just allowing yourself to imagine what’s possible.

A slower walk.
A new country.
A return to somewhere you loved.

Ageless adventures aren’t about doing more; they’re about doing what lights you up.

You can also join me on the Danube Christmas Market River Cruise. I have already booked this trip for December 2026, so if you are interested, there are still a few spots left! Click Here for more details.

Contact Lisa Watson (travel advisor) at 613.530.6270 for questions and reservations.

Other places on my 2026 Radar

Camino Portuguese: Yes, I am considering another Camino trek - but this time inviting YOU to join me! If you are interested, let me know. I am putting the trip together now for either late May or early September with just a small group of women. Email me at debbie@seniortraveladventures.net to express interest.

Dubai, Japan or ? I want to add my 6th continent in 2026. I added #5 in 2025 and will add #7 in 2027 for my 7 Continents by Age 70 goal visiting Australia and New Zealand (My birthday is in May). I am going in late April 2027 with Gate 1 and there is room still available for a great price!

Let’s Stay Connected!

Follow along for travel tips, real stories, and encouragement for traveling with confidence at every age.

And if you feel like it, send me an email and tell me: Where are you dreaming of going next?

Wishing You a Curious & Courageous New Year 💫

Thank you for being part of this amazing community and your continued support of my content. It’s been two years of volunteering my time and effort to provide education, encouragement, and empowerment to my very slowly growing audience, as a labor of love. Covering expenses would be nice, but it isn’t a driving force behind any of this. How can you help? Subscribing to my social media accounts and this newsletter, and by sharing it with others will help more than you know. I will be moving to a new newsletter platform shortly. I've been trying a few!

Here’s to new paths, bold plans, and adventures that meet you exactly where you are.

Debbie, Chief Exploration Officer at Senior Travel Adventures

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OCTOBER 2025

October is exciting - Starting with my Camino Frances final stage pilgrimage, to Morocco on a tour, to London for the World Travel Market, I am truly putting the “adventure” into my days!

I am very excited to be part of an event in London, hosted by Greether, where I will be a Brand Ambassador. Vanessa Karel who founded Greether was just on the Mexico version of Shark Tank. She is a go-getter for sure and a talented young woman. I used a Greether guide in Montreal and will also have one in Marrakech. The premise is one on one interactions that you customize with a local female-based guide. You can go for as little as 2.5 hours just to get started in an unfamiliar place or more. Here’s a link to read more about Greether. Here’s a link to a short video with my experience with my Montreal Greether!

The World Travel Market (WTM) is going to be quite an experience. I have 12 meetings booked with tourism boards, destinations and more. My goal is to find places to visit that are not only fun for solo travelers, but safe and truly respectful of the mature traveler. Stay tuned for more on that topic!

My October Senior Travel Adventures episode features Jeremy Perrin, from Camino Ways. We discuss some of the basics of considering a Camino journey. They are providing me with support along the way, booking my nightly accommodations and moving my luggage daily, for a discounted rate in exchange for an honest review and collaboration with them.

The show also features Part 2 with Lisa Watson in Africa, and her visit to the Masai Mara. Her visit to Zanzibar will be Part 3 and conclude that adventure in Africa (she went back since then!).

Click here to watch the October episode.

I have been blogging about my Camino training over the past few months, and Part 5 is on my website. My next big blog will be about actual adventure of course! I will be posting regularly on my Facebook pages - so be sure you follow me on https://www.facebook.com/seniortraveladventures

Click here to read my blog

Speaking of Taking a Trip

I'm always talking about trips, so if you don’t already have plans for the rest of the year, here’s a few ideas for you to consider:

1. Cozy, Not Crowded
November and December are made for travelers who love calm over chaos. Cooler temps, smaller crowds, and prices that finally make sense. Grab your favorite jacket and go claim your quiet adventure.

2. Europe in Winter Glow
The crowds go home, and the lights come on. Wander cobbled streets in Paris, sip mulled wine in Germany, or find yourself humming carols in a centuries-old square. Europe knows how to do cozy.

3. Chasing the Sun
If “sweater weather” sounds overrated, head south. Morocco’s golden deserts, the beaches of the Canary Islands, or a Caribbean island or two will warm your spirit and your bones.

4. Nature’s Private Showing
This is the quiet season for America’s national parks. No shuttle lines, no crowds—just the echo of your footsteps and the crunch of frost underfoot. Bring a camera. And maybe some cocoa.

5. The Gift That Travels
Forget the wrapping paper. Give a getaway—whether it’s a train trip, a guided tour, or a simple flight credit. Shared memories outlast any holiday sale.

6. Year-End Reset
December has a way of whispering, “start fresh.” Walk the Camino, join a wellness retreat, or just unplug for a weekend and let yourself breathe before the calendar flips.

7. Markets, Music, and Magic
Europe’s Christmas markets sparkle from late November through Christmas Eve - Vienna, Prague, Strasbourg, you name it. Handcrafted gifts, glowing streets, and enough hot chocolate to melt your heart.

NOTE: There is a group of travelers headed to the Danube December 5, 2026. Click here for more information. I am already booked and have several others about to put their $200 deposit down. Join us!

Top Travel Safety Tips for Solo Mature Travelers

Share Your Itinerary (With Someone You Trust)
Keep your circle in the loop and share your flight details, hotel info, and a rough daily plan with a family member or friend. It’s peace of mind for them, and a smart backup for you if anything goes sideways.

Use Share My location with family on your phone You can also use a tracker like an AirTag, Tile, or my new favorite, Spotminders! Have the family member set it up with you before you leave and then can “find” you anywhere in the world!

Keep Copies of Everything
Scan your passport, travel insurance, and key documents. Store them digitally (cloud or email) and print a copy or two. If your bag takes its own adventure without you, you’ll still have what you need.

Blend In, Don’t Broadcast
Skip the flashy jewelry and expensive-looking gear. Confidence and calm demeanor do more for safety than any hidden money belt ever could.

Trust Your Gut, Not Just the Map
If a street, situation, or person doesn’t feel right, just move on. Instinct sharpens with age; use it. Safety first, sightseeing second.

Stay Connected, Even Offline
Download offline maps, translation apps, and emergency contacts before you go. A local SIM or eSIM helps you stay reachable, but it’s your preparation that really keeps you grounded.

**My webinar on The Basics of eSIM is on YouTube - click here to watch**

Sip of the Season

Travel and wine go hand in hand for me, both tell stories about place, patience, and people who pour their hearts into what they create. This time of year, I like to slow down, raise a glass, and let the memories breathe a little.

Emmolo Merlot (Napa Valley, California)
If you’ve ever doubted Merlot, this bottle will change your mind. Jenny Wagner (yes, of the Caymus family) crafts a Merlot that’s rich and velvety without being showy. Think black cherry, cocoa, and a little nostalgia for Napa before it got too polished. I tried it last night at a Wine Tasting event, and I was sold.

Daou Chardonnay (Paso Robles, California)
Then there’s Daou, a sunshine-in-a-glass kind of Chardonnay. Grown on a mountaintop overlooking the Pacific, Daou Winery’s location is something that needs to be experienced. One of my favorites in California. The Chardonnay is bright, layered, and beautifully balanced. Creamy but not heavy, with notes of pear and toasted vanilla. AND under $15 a bottle at Total Wine it’s a perfect day to day favorite.

So whether you’re wrapping up travel plans or just unwrapping cheese, these two wines are perfect company. A little Napa soul, a little Paso sunshine, and maybe a toast to adventures yet to come.

Adventure in the Oven

Olive oil, rosemary, and the faint sound of me pretending I’m in Tuscany…

When I’m not on the road, I still like to wander, just through my kitchen. A glass of wine, a bit of music, and something that smells like Italy in the oven does the trick. This easy focaccia brings that golden Italy feeling right to your table. Crisp edges, olive oil shine, Sea Salt and the kind of comfort that pairs perfectly with a good story and a better glass of wine like I just shared.

Easy Olive Oil Focaccia
(Prep: 10 min active, plus rising + baking)

Ingredients:

• 2¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast

• 1¾ cups warm water

• 2 tsp honey or sugar

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp salt

• ¼ cup good olive oil (plus more for drizzling)

• Toppings: flaky salt, rosemary, sliced olives, shaved parmesan,or cherry tomatoes

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk warm water, yeast, and honey. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until bubbly.

2. Stir in flour, salt, and olive oil until a shaggy dough forms.

3. Cover and let rise 1–2 hours, until doubled. (You can refrigerate overnight if life gets busy.)

4. Drizzle a little oil into a baking pan, then stretch the dough to fit. Poke dimples all over with your fingers—therapeutic bonus.

5. Top with herbs, olives, or whatever reminds you of the Mediterranean.

6. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 20–25 minutes, until golden and crisp at the edges.

Drizzle more olive oil when it’s warm, slice, and serve with wine, maybe that Emmolo Merlot you were just reading about.

In Memory

Sad to hear of the passing of Dr. Jane Goodall at 91.

Dr. Goodall transformed our understanding of the natural world. Her pioneering work in Tanzania revealed the rich emotional lives of chimpanzees. Beyond her research, she devoted her life to protecting wildlife, advocating for conservation, and inspiring young people to care for our planet through her Roots & Shoots program and the Jane Goodall Institute.

Her legacy is not in what she left behind alone, but in what she set in motion: a generation empowered to act, to care, and to hope. She blazed the trail for us – we must keep up her work and travel with respect to the environment.

Thank you, and rest in peace, Dr. Goodall.

A bit of help, please?

I need YOUR help. I am trying to gain traction on Instagram – just short travel tips or motivation. But until I gain more followers and views of my content, they toss my work aside. If you are an IG user – if you can please click the follow button for my account I would be grateful!

https://www.instagram.com/seniortraveladventures/

Here’s my post about Senior Travel Adventures too.

But enough about me – I would love to hear from you! I am seeking stories to share both on my show and in print. I can’t do it without YOU! Interviews are done via Zoom, and it is easy – just like we are having a friendly conversation. If you are interested in sharing please email me at debbie@seniortraveladventures.net with a brief summary of what you would like to share related to travel experiences.

Next Month’s Newsletter - topics to be determined by my travels!! Expect the November issue to arrive around 11/20/2025 so that I can include my visit to the World Travel Market in London!

Take care everyone - travel safe!

Debbie D.

SEPTEMBER 2025