Beyond the Brochures

Written By terri laki

The harbor in the small village town of Sala Comacino on Lago di Como

 

Travel Stories That Set Us Free

Maybe it started with a plane ticket—and a lump in your throat. Or maybe it started in your kitchen, staring at a calendar and thinking: If not now, when?

Welcome to Solo Travel, Expats & Freedom—a gathering space for women over 55 who’ve stepped outside their zip codes to discover what’s inside themselves.

Whether you’re a lifelong nomad, an accidental expat, or planning your first solo trip with a suitcase full of curiosity and courage, your story matters. Not the polished, picture-perfect version. The real one. The one with the culture shock, the loneliness that surprised you, the strangers who became soul friends, and the moment you realized—you can handle more than you ever gave yourself credit for.

Here's the thing: when you share, another woman says, "Wait... maybe I can do this too."

That’s the power of this space. It’s not just about where you go. It’s about what shifts inside you—and how your words can light the path for someone else.

Sala Comacino, Lago di Como

Let’s Spark a Conversation:

  • What was your most unexpected “turning point” moment while traveling or living abroad?

  • What did you discover about yourself when you left your comfort zone?

  • What’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had given you before your journey began?

Practical tips, passport mishaps, jaw-dropping sunsets, language fails, and soul-deep awakenings—bring it all. Because your experience could be the exact story another woman needs to hear before she books the trip… or begins her own.

 

Let’s build a map made of shared courage—and go further, together. Share your experiences in the comments!

terri laki