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.
Forget Bucket Lists: Start a Life-Changing Travel Project Instead
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Hello Reader, Much like my dad, I like big projects. They consume me and keep me focused on living in the present, rather than just repeating the same old routine day after day. Travel projects have a long-term, purposeful feel, like a bigger mission beyond just “go on a trip.” They make me look at my travels differently than simply roaming around to sights, I travel deeper, slower, and more introspectively when on a travel project. My latest travel project is taking over my dad's old Capitol to Capitol project - biking to all of the Capitol buildings in the US. I just finished my 9th capitol route from Tallahassee, FL to Atlanta, GA! I biked 300 miles in 7 days and had a few close calls with traffic, but I made it - and that's all that matters. See the highlights (and some lowlights) of the ride below! However - before I was biking to the capitols, I had another big travel project - it was called the Niece Project. When I stopped buying gifts for my nieces, I didn’t know it would turn into one of the most meaningful travel projects of my life. Instead of more toys and gadgets, I wanted to give them something they’d never outgrow — something that would shape how they see the world. So I made them a promise: when they turned 16, I would take each of them anywhere they wanted to go. What started as a simple idea became years of dreaming, planning, and unforgettable adventures — for them and for me. This project didn’t just change their lives. It changed mine too. I finished that project in 2018, and I can't believe how these teenage girls have turned into amazing adults! All graduated college, have incredible careers, two are married, one of them has just had her THIRD child, and another is getting married next month. In fact, I'm helping them plan their honeymoon in Japan! It's been so fun to work with them on an itinerary I know they'll love! It has also inspired a number of other aunts and uncles to do their own niece or nephew projects - something I'm incredibly proud of! 5 Other Travel Project Ideas
Where NextI'm heading to Europe in a couple of weeks for another incredible bike trip! I'll be traveling with Experience Plus Cycling - a longtime leader in European bike travel. I'll be cycling for 10 days through the South of France and into the Pyrenees - so there will be some climbing involved. I'm frantically trying to train before I leave! You can follow along on my upcoming trip on my social channels as I share the beautiful landscapes, wine, history, and more! Happy Travels! Plan Less, Travel MorePERSONALIZED TRAVEL CONSULTING Not only am I helping my niece plan her honeymoon in Japan, but I've also been assisting others in planning their hiking trips, providing ideas for off-the-beaten-path destinations, and offering some travel business consulting. I’m here to help YOU ditch the overwhelm, avoid the cookie-cutter tourist traps, and craft travel experiences that inspire and energize you. Whether you’re planning your first big adventure, dreaming of a career break, or just need someone to help make sense of all of the travel options and questions, I’ve got your back. After two decades of wandering the globe, living nomadically, and sharing my stories on Ottsworld - I'm now offering travel planning and consulting services!
Ottsworld ToursHiking Japan's MCT Trail - the Ultimate Fall Adventure! Move over Maine...and get ready for the ultimate fall adventure! In Fall 2025, join me for an epic hiking tour along Japan’s stunning Michinoku Coastal Trail. We’ll trek through Tohoku’s rugged landscapes, surrounded by vibrant autumn colors that make this region one of Japan’s best-kept secrets for leaf peeping. Hiking through this untouched beauty, from towering cliffs to peaceful forests, is the perfect way to immerse yourself in Japan’s culture and nature. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable journey through Tohoku’s wild heart! If you’re intrigued but unsure—let’s chat! I’d love to tell you why this adventure is so special.
The Ultimate Cat Lover’s Tour of Japan Small Group Tour
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Panama Surf & Yoga Camp - Women Only
Dates: January 10-17, 2026
Cost: $3195 ( $800 Deposit)
The surf-focused itinerary designed by our instructors - Surf Sisters - is sure to get you stoked on surfing and give you the skills and confidence you need to get into the water on your own. Each day will be complemented by daily yoga practice, stretching sessions, and camaraderie. If you've been watching me and my excellent girl gang take on surfing every January and have always wondered if you could surf, this is the time to pull the trigger!
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Nepal Women's Hiking Adventure
Dates: September 16 - 29, 2025
Cost: $2790 ( $400 Deposit)
Hike among these peaks in the Everest region with me and a group of other hike-loving women. This trip offers a perfect mix of outdoor exploration and cultural immersion. You'll enjoy the company of like-minded female trekkers as we journey through the world's highest and most breathtaking landscapes. It promises awe-inspiring 360-degree mountain views and the chance to interact with the people of the Khumbu Valley.
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Travel News
The 17 Oddest Shaped Countries In The World & How They Came To Be
What to Do If You’re Anxious About Flying Right Now
Have you ever considered working remotely from a European country? Digital Nomad Visas In Europe With Low Monthly Income Requirements
Ottsworld Blog Posts
Here are a couple of my favorite travel stories from the Niece Project! We had so many crazy times - altitude sickness, vomiting, hotels with rats, bungee jumps, spiders, and more!
Ottsworld Travel Discounts
If you want to experience Ireland but couldn't make one of my tours this year - check out Ireland Walk Hike Bike - they do custom tours, group tours, and self-guided itineraries through the west coast of Ireland! Use code OttsWorld2023 for 5% off their offerings.
Get $100 off at Adventure Life on your next custom trip anywhere in the world. Just tell them Ottsworld sent you!
Get 5% off your Patagonia travels with my friends at Chile Nativo! They will be running my Patagonia ebiking trip and I love them! Use code Ottsworld for 5% off ANY of their regular, non-custom programs (including W hiking and puma tracking).
If you plan a trip to Japan, check out OKU Japan for its incredible multiday hikes and cultural activities in lesser-known areas. Get a 5% Discount for people using code OTTSWORLD5.
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
- Book your travel insurance with the company I use, Allianz Travel Insurance
- Check out my Gear Shop on my Amazon Store
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Are you a 40+ woman looking to travel more?
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, As we watched the low clouds slowly lift, revealing the famous Towers of Torres del Paine, Lauren said, "I don't want this trip to end." I just nodded my head. Earlier, as I was biking down the last bit of our route through the park, I thought the same thing. But strangely, this was the second time I felt this in the previous 2 years...in nearly the exact same place. When I finished the Estancias & Ebikes tour the first time, I knew it was one of the best trips I had ever taken....
Hello Reader, I recently returned home from 2 weeks in Alaska - it was full of dancing aurora, cat mayors, sled dog puppies, a tappa and dog party, glacier hiking, and I was introduced to the new sport of outhouse racing! I hope you followed along on my social media as my group and I had a wonderful time, and I'm thrilled that everyone fell in love with Alaska in the winter! I'm not exactly sure when I'll run this trip again - 2026 or 2027...but I will run it again so let me know if you are...
Hello Reader, If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably know that Japan has completely stolen my heart. It’s a country that somehow makes me reflect on my own culture and upbringing—yeah, I know, sounds a bit odd, but stick with me. Just being there gets my brain buzzing about everything from relationships to capitalism to how the world works. Japan makes me think. Lately, Japan has been the hot travel spot—and honestly, I get it. It’s ridiculously cool. I’ve been writing a ton...