A Moment of Rediscovery: I Found Myself Again in Croatia

I’m back from the trip of a lifetime in Croatia where we embarked on our very first Ambitious Women Travel group vacation, and

I don't know the last time I felt so alive.

I started Ambitious Women Travel because I realized I'm not the only one who has been burning the candle at both ends, forgetting to nurture myself, and having no idea when the last time was that I laughed so hard that my face hurt (outside of when I travel, that is).

We live in a world that demands more of us each day, and with the responsibilities we carry, it’s easy to lose touch with the vibrant, ambitious version of ourselves — the women we once were before we took on the world and became everything to everyone else. So often, we get caught up in the routine, filling our lives with endless to-do lists, only to realize that somewhere along the way, we’ve lost the connection to ourselves. The joyful, spontaneous, fun-making, smiling, laughing, effervescent, FEELING woman we were has become a flat, muted version of our true self.

This is about remembering what it feels like to be fully alive; to be intentional about getting back to who we REALLY are at our core.

I travel extensively for work, and I notice that the laughter comes easier, a calming quality envelops me, a fiery passion for exploration and discovery emblazons me, and a lighter-natured Angie emerges when I travel. I wanted other women to experience this exhilarating, empowering feeling, and I knew that traveling with like-minded women could deepen the experience and prolong the impact of a trip. Creating a group for ambitious women travelers would foster a sense of accountability to ourselves.

I needed to create a sisterhood of badass women.

Curating the first trip was a little tricky. I needed a destination that would draw the women away from work and their families, one that maybe wasn’t on their radar or family vacation bucket list, one that would be easy to get to, with relatively quick travel, and something that would appeal to many of us. The trip had to offer fun, sun, and sand, and it had to have an incomparable wow factor.

Croatia understood the assignment.

Croatia is a destination that invites you to slow down and embrace the present, much like our own journey to balance ambition and self-care. I worked with a preferred supplier partner to offer a small yacht experience along the Dalmatian Coast. We began in Dubrovnik and ended in Split with some jaw-dropping stops along the way.

The freeing feeling of jumping off the yacht into the salty waters of the Adriatic Sea, the moonlit dinners where we howled with laughter until our whole bodies hurt, the nighttime strolls through picturesque villages that gave way to our deep conversations about how we should be living our life with the good things: the things that make us truly remarkable, the experiences that energize and inspire us, the things that fuel our flames and make us happier, healthier, and more successful in both our personal and professional lives.

Croatia delivered just what was needed to feel alive, connected with our true selves, happy, carefree (if just for a moment), and a serious dose of wow moments exploring her coastal towns.

You deserve this.

It wasn’t hard to embrace the slow down and to settle back into who we are at our core:

growth oriented, curious women who are intentional about how we want to love our life and nurture our ambitious spirit.

Taking care of our well-being and reigniting our inner fire isn’t selfish—it’s a necessity. Ambitious Women Travel is more than just a getaway; it’s a commitment to ourselves, a chance to break free from the grind, and to reconnect with the bold, powerful woman who knows no limits but has put herself in a box. It’s time to let her out!

Join my Ambitious Women Travel Group and find your tribe.

Ways To Connect

1. Sign up for my Ambitious Women Travel Group Newsletter to be the first to hear about my specially-curated trips

2. Join my private Facebook Group

3. Follow me on Facebook

4. Connect on LinkedIn

About Us

Both Worlds Travel is a boutique Travel Agency based in Raleigh, North Carolina USA that provides thoughtfully curated, highly elevated travel experiences for affluent travelers. Owner Angie Brandt is an expert at crafting tailor-made itineraries and specializes in small ship cruises and adventure travel.

Journey To Joy: Cultivating Happiness, The Transformative Power Of Travel, And Finding Your Tribe

As 2023 is coming to a rapid close, my kids are getting older, and my own age is staring me down, I've noticed a stark change in my mindset:

I’m reflecting more on the here and now, less on what happened yesterday, and have a voracious hunger to manifest the future that I want.

I am on a journey to joy where I’m making happiness a habit – something that takes commitment, time, and practice. I invite you to join me.

There are benefits to making happiness a habit:

1. The Law of Attraction means you'll surround yourself with other happy people

2. Say hello to a healthier you: studies have shown that those who adopt positivity have improved health

3. Smiling and laughing increase endorphins release

I noticed that I laugh more frequently and more deeply when I travel;

it’s an exhilarating feeling!

Let me ask you, when is the last time you disconnected and recharged so you could tackle the next day, the next project, or the next big moment with your family with a renewed vigor and a glimmer of your old self?

We carry the weight of a thousand worlds on our shoulders and we know that when our candle is burning at both ends, that wick is more smoke than flame. Sometimes we need more than a couple hours a week to recharge. And sometimes. Sometimes we look in the mirror and don’t recognize ourselves; we wonder, 'where did you go?'

Sometimes the way to find ourselves again is by stepping outside of our comfort zone.

I’m thrilled to introduce my “Ambitious Women Travel Group” as a solution to help break the habits of over-extending ourselves, of burning the candle at both ends, of putting ourselves last, and of forgetting the last time we laughed so hard our faces hurt because it was THAT LONG AGO.

Join my Ambitious Women Travel

Group and find your tribe.

No matter how big, robust, or healthy our inner circles are, something powerfully transformative happens when we expand our circle, experience new things, and see the world through a new lens. The benefits of this, when brought back to our everyday lives are significant:

• Increased resilience: helping us better cope with our day-to-day life and challenges

• Better relationships: having recharged emotional and mental resources to continue nurturing healthy relationships with others

• Greater productivity: mental rejuvenation can lead to increased productivity and creativity

• Better mood: needs no further explanation ; )

Travel is a great connector and sometimes it can be the best medicine. I'm on a mission to pave the pathway to a well-balanced, success-fueled life for hard-working, ambitious women through the power of small group travel.

Join me on my journey to joy.

1. Sign up for my Ambitious Women Travel Group Newsletter to be the first to hear about my specially-curated trips

2. Join my private Facebook Group

3. Come with me to Croatia

The Future of Travel: Six Travel Trend Predictions for 2024 That You Can't Miss

It's August 2023 and, here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are in the throes of peak travel season. Few people are dreaming up their plans for 2024 and even fewer have taken the first steps to finalize their plans. Here, we share our travel trend predictions for 2024 and why you should start planning now.

Believe it or not, the travel and tourism industry has yet to fully recover from the Pandemic.

It is true that the pandemic reminded people of the joy and privilege of travel, the freedom of movement, the profound impact cultural exchange has on us, the beauty of the world, our diversity, and the change that overcomes us when we experience new things. However, the pandemic had severe financial repercussions for many travel-related businesses, such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators who continue, still today, to recover.

Travel changes us, but travel itself has changed.

Here are our 6 travel predictions for 2024 and beyond .

Prediction #1 - People will continue to (willingly) spend more.

The Vacation Confidence Index 2023 by Allianz says summer 2023 spending by American travelers is expected to exceed $200billion. With increased travel appreciation came the valuation of travel as an investment. People will continue to prioritize travel in 2024 and beyond.

Prediction #2 - Last minute planning is out, planning ahead is in.

Before the pandemic, consumers were accustomed to waiting for last minute deals and discounts on goods, services, and travel. Want to travel to London in July with your spouse and two teenagers? As the #1 destination for most Americans, you will be jockeying to secure space in a limited inventory market. Booking early means a greater chance of finding the type of room(s) you need, in your price point, and desired area within the city. Supply will continue to struggle to keep up with demand in 2024 as travel companies build capacity.

Service providers and tourism inventory will continue to struggle to keep up with demand in 2024 as travel companies rebuild capacity.

Prediction #3 - ETIAS will be the name of the game.

As shared in my previous blog, US travelers heading to Europe will have one more hoop to jump through in 2024: ETIAS. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization system for visitors to Schengen Agreement countries. Visit my blog for details and stay tuned to apply for your ETIAS travel authorization on the official ETIAS website.

Prediction #4 - Sustainability will be an essential part of the future.

Travelers have become more conscious of the environmental impact of their trips and show a continued, growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly travel options. Sustainability is no longer a buzzword but an a concept that is important to consumers. Companies are on board with this and consumers will be more likely to choose ones that prioritize sustainability in their operations. Sustainability isn't a hype word - it's an essential part of our future.

Prediction #5 - Experiential travel will be the norm.

Travelers crave the escape offered by travel, but, in 2024 and beyond, travelers will seek out opportunities to immerse themselves in their travel experience. Cultural exchange, meaningful moments of connection with their travel companions and the world around them, and deeply moving experiences will drive traveler decision making.

Prediction #6 - Group experiences will be key for solo travelers.

More and more women are seeking the comfort and camaraderie of traveling with others who have similar destination and experience interests. The desire to explore new places, meet new people, and have a unique shared experience will override the solo traveler experience of the past. With the rise in demand for group travel, there are now more options than ever for travelers looking to get away as part of a larger group.

Stay tuned - Both Worlds Travel is launching our group travel initiative next month!

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