My Travel Life
Don't just dream it, do it!
Welcome to The Worldly Travels! Just a woman exploring the world, one country at a time.
Travel is the great escape. No more routine, no more stress, no more worry. The fog clears and every day becomes a ‘you’ day. You can design your travel and do whatever you like, see whatever you want. Spontaneity, strategy and the energy and excitement created by unfamiliar places, spaces, activities and people become your norm. Travel demands that you lean into your own resourcefulness. Comfort zone? Ha! Not so much, but voila! I am still here, I have survived, smile on my face and yearning for more! I have learned that your comfort zone is limiting and that travel gets easier with each successful foray into the world. I often feel productive, excited, educated, confident and worldly.
After exploring over 55 countries and 6 continents there are places and experiences that are so unique, unpolished, transformative, breathtaking and impossible to forget.
Exploring this world from Africa to the Americas, Albania to Jordan, Fiji to the Galapagos: hiking, diving, camel riding, hosteling, local bus maneuvering, getting lost, getting found, trying exotic food, and interacting with locals, one country at a time.
The world is waiting for you to explore. Through personal stories, insights, misadventures and practical info, I hope to inspire you to embark on your own rewarding journey and find that travel is the greatest education and investment in yourself.
It is never too late…
Not all who wander are lost; some are just finding themselves...
Hallo Hola Konnichiwa Ciao Bonjour Hello Namaste Jambo…
I'm Brenda, seeking out joy in life through travel
Is It ever too late for A Life of Adventure?
The Worldly Travels—is a blog born from a lifelong love of adventure, photography, storytelling, and genuine human connection.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the magic of discovering new places and cultures. My dream is simple: to explore this incredible world then share and repeat. There are many young and carefree travelers living this dream full time. If they can do it, why can’t I? I have lived through many of life’s conventional chapters including: childhood, college, marriage, children, career, caregiving, health challenges and situationships. Now that my kids are grown, I am ready to pursue my dreams and step into travel mode, with a suitcase in hand and the world to explore. It’s finally my time. Maybe it’s yours too.
If you’ve ever dreamed of something more—welcome. You’re not alone. No matter your age, your past, or your path, adventure is still waiting for you.
Let this blog be your invitation to dream, to explore and to believe in new beginnings. Amazing things can happen—sometimes when you least expect it.
According to Rick Steves, one is a tourist (travel for fun), a traveler (travel to learn about places and people) and/or a Pilgram (travel to learn about oneself). After visiting over 55 countries, I have progressed through each phase. I have experienced all of the above and through these journeys I have learned and earned…
I share my travel stories, solo travel strategies, tips for saving money, useful travel blogs and websites, and insights on travel when you’re the oldest in the hostel. I hope to show you that it’s about more then the destination – it’s about the incredible journey you’re on!
Please check out the About Me tab to find out what my journey has been. My hope is that by following my travel adventures you will be inspired to make your own travel memories! -Brenda Landau
“There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it”
Charlotte Eriksson
latest from the blog...
Traveling - destinations.experiences.stories.tips
U.S. National Parks: Best of the Best
You cannot go wrong exploring our National Park System. What an amazing way to begin your travel journey! Get to a National Parks for: hiking, rock climbing, rafting, camping, off roading, breathing fresh air, getting outside, exploring, star gazing, animal watching, fishing or just reading and relaxing. We are fortunate to have protected National Parks throughout the United States. Having these preserved wilderness areas help the environment but also help us find our wild. These parks are accessible to everyone and are great places to begin your first road trip or mini adventure.
The idea of protecting our natural resources and creating public lands in the United States started with Abraham Lincoln in 1864 when he signed the Yosemite Grant Act to protect and preserve the ancient giant sequoias, a tree found only in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. These trees have survived for thousands of years and are often hundreds of feet tall and lead to the creation of Yosemite National Park, arguably one of the most stunning parks with it’s famous granite cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, ancient forests and breathtaking vistas. Currently the National Park System boasts 63 preserved and protected wilderness areas with Yosemite National Park in California being the first. It is also the first National Park I visited and the one I visited most often. Check out the National Park Website for some excellent information and resources on planning your trip to one or more of these treasured wilderness areas. I have only visited a handful of our national parks and I am curious. Please let me know in the comments what your favorite National Parks are and why. Pro Tip: Download the NPS app for all the features at your fingertips. Check out my blog posts on GLACIER, YOSEMITE and ARCHES NP
Camp Moab
Grand Teton Hike
Mt Whitney Hike
Sand Dunes National Park
Adventure - Activities .places . solo .tips
On the road: a simple way to begin
There is no better way to escape life’s daily grind then jumping in the car and driving. I have taken some amazing roadtrips in my life and it is an easy way to create adventure. Luckily for us we currently have some of the most stunning parks and public lands in the world. According to ProtectOurWinters, roughly 30% of US land (thats 640 million acres) is owned by us – the American Public. These lands include national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and BLM lands and provide clean water, store carbon and sustain wildlife – not to mention give us beautiful spaces to explore and recharge. The United States’ topography is so varied one can spend many a year exploring. Forests, deserts, oceans, mountains: we’ve got cha. From sea to shining sea, we must protect these things that make us free…
Note: This section on U.S. National Parks and road trips was written before the current take over and dismantling of the amazing system of parks here in the United States. Read here if you would like an update. Hopefully the blog as is will remain relevant and accurate in the future.
A Solo Roadtrip: Glacier National Park
My roadtrip began towards the end of September to try and miss the crowds. I was surprised at the number of visitors and campsites were full. I still was able to pull over at all of the turnouts and park when I needed to, was not sitting in traffic, and some hikes did not have many people. Going in September is cooler so plan accordingly. A light puffy and a long sleeve wool top did the trick for me, keeping me warm when I was out hiking and exploring.
When I drove to Glacier I car camped. Car camping is an easy alternative to tent camping or rv camping and since I was alone I felt safe sleeping in my locked SUV. The camp zones and lodges in Glacier fill up fast. Check the NPS website for the latest. Here are my top things to do and see in GNP presented in a photo gallery. The Going to the Sun Road is the main artery, with stunning vistas and mind blowing roadside stops, that takes you through the entire park. Pay attention as you drive this road because you will see modest pullover signs like ‘Emerald Lake’ or ‘Rainbow Bridge’. Each of the stops that I checked out are epic with stunning features. Spend the day exploring all the marked turnouts on Going to the Sun Road, you will not be disappointed.
photo chronicles
Nestled in the rugged Rocky Mountains of northern Montana, Glacier National Park is a breathtaking expanse of pristine wilderness that showcases the
Join me in this colorful exploration of street art across the globe!
Highlights from around the Globe
From top left: Padar Island, Egypt, San Juan Del Sur, Narok, Sumatra, Formentara
From top and l-r: Cinque Terre, Ha Giang, Sumatra, Kenya, Derinkuyu, Watamu