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It’s the start of summer and you are wondering how to spend the next few months. Maybe you and your friends want a little girl's getaway, or you and your significant other are finally talking about taking a trip, without the kids. When I think about travel, I look forward to learning about new cultures, trying new food and seeing new and amazing landscapes. America is an amazing land to explore, which is why I committed to seeing all 50 states before I started traveling abroad. To travel outside your borders, you need a passport… but when I think about a passport, I think about so much than just a travel document.
A passport is the doorway to adventure and discovery and invites me and you the chance to explore the diverse tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and experiences that await beyond our borders. Armed with this small but mighty booklet, the world becomes our playground, summoning us to embark on journeys that will shape our perspectives and enrich our lives in ways we never imagined.
What I love about adventuring with my passport is the doors it opens to new perspectives both literal and metaphorical. From the bustling streets of Rome to the serene beaches of the Algarve coast of Portugal, each destination offers a unique tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors waiting to be experienced. With a passport in hand, you and I have the freedom take small trips, or jump in with both feet and take longer trips, weaving together memories along the way we can share with each other, our families and most importantly, share in our hearts each time it beats to the desire of adventure.
This fall I am hosting a cultural immersion retreat in Portugal and what I am most looking forward to is creating and opportunity for likeminded people to grow individually, share experiences with others, and make dreams come true. When I started traveling on retreats my mind opened to so much more than what I see around me every day. I felt so empowered, and I want to provide that experience to others. Beyond the thrill of exploring exotic sites, adventuring with a passport fostered in me a sense of personal growth and cultural understanding I could not witness by reading a book. Have you ever immersed yourself in an unfamiliar culture? When I do it challenges me to step outside of my comfort zone, fostering empathy, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the different cultures and their beliefs. I loved navigating the bustling markets in Florence Italy, where I bought one of my very straw hats, and each time I wear that hat I picture myself back in Florence exploring the botanical garden. There is so much out there to explore and at the same time we discover more about ourselves.
Planning a trip takes time, resources and energy so include your passport as part of your to-do's. First, plan on needing a passport whenever traveling outside the borders of your home country. Also make sure your passport is current too. Note the 'Six-Month Rule' that stipulates that your passport should have at least six months of validity remaining from the date of your entry or departure to or from the international destination. If your passport expiration date is sooner than six months from your date of arrival, you may not be admitted.
Regardless of your level of adventure, with a passport we are reminded of the boundless potential that lies within each of us. With each stamp in our passport, we are reminded of the vitality life offers if we take those steps to explore! Whether you embark on a solo backpacking trip or setting off on a family vacation, the experiences you will gather along the way become the building blocks of a life well-lived, infused with the spirit of exploration and wonder.
The minute you start planning your trip your heart comes alive. When you return from your adventures your life will never be the same. Let's adventure together!
If you are interested in joining me and some amazing ladies for six days on the Algarve coasts of Portugal explore the retreat details at www.candobycandice.com/retreats.
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