I didn’t start travelling solo later in life—it was something I discovered young. Not because I was particularly brave, but because I quickly realized that if I waited for someone to go with me, I might never go at all.
Like so many women, I grew up with dreams of adventure, but I watched as those dreams got tangled in other people’s hesitations. Friends who backed out, partners who weren’t interested, family who thought it was unsafe. And I had a choice: stay put or step out on my own.
So I went.
My first big trip (at 23 years old) wasn’t solo—it was a group trip with Contiki. And that experience changed everything. It was my stepping stone. It gave me the confidence to navigate new cultures, the comfort of knowing I wasn’t completely alone, and the reassurance that I could do this. That trip cracked something open in me. It was proof that travel wasn’t just something I longed for—it was something I was capable of.
From there, I never looked back.
Solo Travel: A Path to Self-Discovery
Over the years, travel has shaped me in ways I never could have predicted. It has challenged me, humbled me, and expanded me.
I’ve stood in places I never imagined I’d see—watching the sunrise over the Himalayas, feeling the pulse of Marrakech’s medina, getting lost (and found) in the winding streets of Rome. I’ve had moments of pure, heart-thumping exhilaration and moments of overwhelming vulnerability. Through it all, I’ve learned that I am resourceful, capable, and strong in ways I never gave myself credit for.
This is why I do what I do now.
This is why I built Grit & Grace Adventures—not just as a way to travel, but as a way to guide women toward the confidence to take that first step.
Group Travel as a Stepping Stone
I know not everyone is ready to just book a ticket and go. That first solo trip can feel huge. And that’s why I believe in the power of group travel.
For many women, travelling alone is something they dream about but don’t feel quite ready for. Maybe they’ve spent years putting others first, or they’re in a transition phase, or they just don’t know where to start. Group travel is that bridge. It’s a way to step outside your comfort zone with support, to explore new places while knowing someone has your back. It’s a chance to experience adventure, connection, and personal growth—without the fear of doing it completely alone.
And here’s what I’ve seen time and time again: women who take that first trip with us? They go home different. They go home knowing they can do more. Some of them go on to travel solo. Some bring a friend next time. But all of them leave feeling braver.
The Call to Adventure
If I had waited for someone to go with me, I might still be waiting. If I had let fear win, I would have missed out on the very experiences that shaped me.
Maybe you feel that pull—the quiet knowing that there’s something out there waiting for you. Maybe you’re scared. Maybe you don’t know where to start.
Join a group. Take the first step. See what happens when you say yes to yourself.
Because the world is waiting for you. But more importantly, you are waiting for you. And I promise, once you start, you’ll never look back.
In adventure, and friendship
Penny
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