I've been traveling non-stop since 2006, inspiring others to get out and see the unique corners of the world. Check out my newsletters below that are full of travel tips, unique tours, gear recommendations and travel discounts. I focus on outdoor adventure travel for women and will help you get out to see the world in an active way with the best gear. I also run active adventure tours in places like Ireland, Alaska, and El Salvador. Wether you are a newbie to outdoor adventure travel or a seasoned expert - my newsletters are a great way to join my community of other women who are looking to live their best lives.
Big adventures that will challenge you and build your confidence this year, plus an Ireland opening...
Hello Reader,
Happy 2024!
I love a challenge - in fact you could consider me a challenge junkie. Travel, in general, challenges us not only to adapt to and explore new surroundings but also to engage with different people and to embrace experiences as they come. Over the years, I've done a number of travel adventures that challenged me physically and mentally - and they were also incredible travel experiences.
This year I'm challenging myself by doing 3 or 4 capitol biking routes in 2024 - all over 500 miles each. I'm also doing a 120-mile hike in Ireland and leading a trip to Bhutan - a place I've never been (More info on how you can join me in Bhutan coming shortly). And I'm kicking off this year by returning to a surfboard and challenging myself to catch waves in El Salvador.
To give you some of your own travel challenge ideas, here are a few of my favorite travel challenges I've done that are fabulous adventures for 2024:
Walk the Camino de Santiago Saint James Way This 500 mile pilgrimage across Spain is a big challenge that takes 4 to 5 weeks, but the benefits of being outdoors walking every day make it worth it!
Dog Sledding Expedition. Anyone can ride or mush for a couple of miles, but why not try a real multi-day expedition with a dog sled team. Read about my experience in Denali National Park on a 2 day 40 mile expedition. This was one of the best adventure experiences I’ve been on all around the world.
Hike the rugged East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. Not only is the hiking incredible, the people you meet along the way are pretty great too - Eh!
Bike across Prince Edward Island this summer. Travel slow through PEI and experience their incredible biking trails and parks. Great for new bikers!
Drive a Rickshaw Across India. This is actually a bit of a crazy adventure - and not for the timid. There were so many challenges to this trip I don't even know where to start; Driving in India, rickshaw limitations, female travel in India, and much more. But it was so worth it in the end!
Hike the Dolomites Alta Via One hut to hut route. Hiking, incredible pasta, and wine don't get much better. The hiking isn't easy, but these views are absolutely worth it.
Or - if you want a more generic challenge - plan to travel somewhere in 2024 solo! I know so many women who are intimidated to travel alone - but you can conquer that challenge in 2024 with some of my best solo travel tips!
Where Next?
I'm pretty busy all year - but here's how my first 3 months look! In January, I'm traveling to El Salvador for my Ottsworld Surf & Yoga Retreat next week, then I'm doing a project in Beaver Creek, Colorado. I'll travel to Nova Scotia in February to cover their Lobster Crawl Festival...nom, nom, nom!
The 2nd half of February has me attempting my first Capitol ride of the year from Austin, Texas, to Little Rock, Arkansas! If you or any of your friends are located in either of these places or along the way between them - let me know- I can use all the help I can get!
And finally, in March, I'll be headed to Tahiti for a project with Windstar Cruises.
I hope your 2024 is off to a great start and that you have some great trips planned! Let me know if you have any travel challenges you are tackling this year by replying to this email!
If you missed my year end video - you can see it here 2023 Year in Numbers Video
Happy New Year!
Ottsworld Tour Opening!
I have a rare opening on my County Mayo Hiking and Cultural Tour in Ireland Dates: April 20 – 27, 2024
Cost: €2,780 (€450 single supplement)
This is not your run-of-the-mill Ireland tour. This is an exclusive customized Ottsworld tour in the company of me as your host, accompanied by our professional local Irish guide – Rachel. Our small group of 7 people will get to visit some of Ireland’s best-kept secrets, hike on remote trails, stay in boutique lodging, meet locals, experience unique Irish culture, and enjoy the lush green of the Ireland landscape in the spring.
If you are interested in this opening - email me at info@Ottsworld.com - first come, first serve.
Webinars
If you missed my Where to Go in 2024 Webinar this week, you can still watch the recording and get great ideas on where to go for each month of the year in 2024! Watch the recording here.
And if you do have some big travel adventures planned for 2024, make sure you attend my friend Becki Rupp's upcoming webinar:
“Fitting in Fitness to Prepare for Your Adventure Trip” on Jan. 25th. She'll be covering:
- How to make your fitness more efficient
- What to do when you’re short on time
- Strategies for various situations – work travel, crazy schedule, caring for others (kids, parents, pets)
Becki is a personal trainer and adventure coach with Trailblazer Wellness. Register here.
Travel News
Have you heard the news that Americans will need a visa to travel to Europe? The new rules were set to go into effect in 2024 but the EU said they would postpone the rollout until 2025. Learn more
Why Northern Lights Viewing Will Be Stellar Over the Next Few Years. This is great news as I plan to run my Alaska trip in 2025 again!
The World's Coolest Travel Jobs and How to Get Them. I was excited to read this - but it seems like not much has changed in this realm since 2010.
Ottsworld Blog Posts
It's that time of year for winter travel and northern lights! If you are traveling somewhere to experience real winter adventures and possibly aurora chasing - here's a couple of my best posts to get you prepared!
Don't forget to follow me on social media - I'm putting up some year-end posts there this week!
If you've been finding value in these newsletters and the info I've been sharing, please forward this along to any travel-loving friends whom you think might find them useful!
Use these helpful links to book your next trip:
- Get my Free ebook Where to Go & When
- Read through my 99 Travel Tips before you go
- Don't forget the insurance! Book your travel insurance with the company I use, Allianz Travel Insurance
- Book your accommodation with Booking.com
- Check out my Gear Shop on my Amazon Store
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I've been traveling non-stop since 2006, inspiring others to get out and see the unique corners of the world. Check out my newsletters below that are full of travel tips, unique tours, gear recommendations and travel discounts. I focus on outdoor adventure travel for women and will help you get out to see the world in an active way with the best gear. I also run active adventure tours in places like Ireland, Alaska, and El Salvador. Wether you are a newbie to outdoor adventure travel or a seasoned expert - my newsletters are a great way to join my community of other women who are looking to live their best lives.
Hello Reader, Hello from Ireland! I just finished up my Ireland County Mayo tour with a fabulous group of 7 travelers! We hiked, biked, baked, drank whiskey, cuddled lambs (watch the video!), visited ruins, and took a cold dip in the Wild Atlantic Ocean! This was the first time I was in Ireland in the Spring and it is beautiful - and it helped that we had epic weather! After a very short break I'm starting my next Ottsworld Ireland tour tomorrow. A group of us will be taking on the 130 mile...
Hello Reader, Experience Torres del Paine Like Never Before! If Patagonia has been on your wish list for adventure travel, I have the perfect tour for you! In 2023, I took this trip as a trial run to work out the kinks and to promote it as a new way to see Patagonia. It ended up being one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken. It spoke to me in so many ways – through culture, adventure, challenge, wildlife, friendships, food, and remote landscapes – all wrapped up in a great journey to get to...
Hello Reader, Greetings from Tahiti! I just stepped off a long flight and landed in Papeete excited to explore Tahiti for a week! No - I'm not honeymooning - instead I'm determined to see if Tahiti can also be for single travelers! I'm traveling around the islands with Windstar on a small ship cruise - a great way to enjoy Tahiti when you aren't a couple! Follow along on my social channels all week! March is Blood Clot Awareness Month Wondering why I'm talking about blood clots? Because they...