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Hello Reader,

I'm home! And it's lovely. This is the first time I'm home for more than two weeks since January. I used to love to be gone all the time, but my attitude towards that has changed in the past few years. In fact - I'm trying to travel less each year. I know that sounds weird - but remember - travel for me is work - really fun work - but it's still work.

When you travel as much as I do it's hard to maintain friendships and connections back home - so I always find this time at home really important. Plus...time at home means foster kittens which is something I absolutely love!

I've found that as I've gotten older a lot of my desires have changed - and that's ok. In fact, I have thought about taking a year off from traveling all together just to slow down a bit and enjoy being still. But I'm not quite ready for that yet, as I still love traveling, and taking groups out to new, exciting destinations off the beaten path (see more on that below - new tour alert!).

My Canada train trip with my parents wrapped up a couple of weeks ago with a bout of COVID for everyone. It was a real bummer - but the main thing is that everyone is ok, and now that we are all feeling better - we can look back on the trip and realize how great it was. The COVID scare was a great eye opener to realize that it's still here - and it can still put you in the hospital. So be careful out there and get the updated vaccines!

Traveling with my parents was really special, albeit hard. As a primarily solo traveler, being responsible for people is always a shock to me, and I find it quite challenging to remain relaxed about it. But there were some great memories made during the trip that I can add to the multitude of memories I have with my parents when I was a kid.

My 89 year old mother walked on a glacier! But my best moments were always the simple ones...or bonding over a shared interest. I feel really thankful that I was able to have this 'later-in-life" experience with them.

If you have any questions about multi-gen travel or you want to do a trip like this with your parents/family - feel free to ask me any questions! And if you are on the fence about traveling with your parents...I say do it now...you won't regret it.

New Ottsworld Ireland Tour!

I’ve hiked all over the world — from Patagonia to Nepal — but there’s one wild corner of Ireland that’s always been calling my name: Donegal. It’s rugged, remote, untamed, and often skipped by tourists… which makes it exactly my kind of place.

So here’s the news I’m beyond excited to share: in May 2026, I’m offering an Ottsworld Tour hiking through Donegal’s wild landscapes — and you’re invited.

See more info on it below in the Tour Section!

Where Next

My next BIG trip is the Nepal women's hiking trip with World Expeditions! I'm busy trying to get organized for it as well as trying to get miles in on the trail while breaking in new hiking boots! I'm in good cycling shape, but not very good hiking shape...yikes! If you are a super last-minute traveler, I believe we still have a few spots available for this trip!

Believe it or not - I also have a non-work travel trip coming up! I'm really excited to visit Mexico City for the first time. It's a short little trip with friends and I can't wait to experience the city I've heard so much about finally. It's been on my travel wishlist for a while. My goal is to enjoy all the food - but if you have any recommendations, please let me know!

Finally - thanks to all of you who registered for the Go Explore Ireland Giveaway - I wish you all could have won it. However, we do have a winner, congrats John S!! He and his wife won a fabulous prize package from some of my favorite brands!

Happy Travels!

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Seen & Heard

I had the honor of recently being on the JUMP Podcast with my good friend Jackie Nourse! I was there talking about my Capitol to Capitol project and becoming a new cyclist at 51! We had some great conversations about fear, how to get over it, challenges, and the ups/downs of trying new things. Take a listen or watch the whole interaction on YouTube here! If you haven't listened to one of Jackie's podcasts yet, then you are missing out. She was recently named Best Travel Podcast in the I ❤️ Radio Podcast Awards.

Here's a fun excerpt:

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I also recently wrote this guest post for JourneyWoman website about my brush with death and blood clots while traveling. You can read it all here. And JourneyWoman.com is another great resource to take a peek around as it's an entire community and site for women over 50 travelers!

Ottsworld Tours

NEW!!! Ireland Hiking Tour Through Donegal​
Dates: May 16 - 26, 2026
Cost: 3800€ (aprox. $4434 USD) ( 400€ Deposit)

We’ll hike along shimmering lakes and quiet moorlands, climb Donegal’s highest peak, stand atop some of Europe’s tallest sea cliffs, and even ferry out to Ireland’s most remote inhabited island. Along the way, we’ll meet locals who carry on centuries-old traditions — like tweed weaving and sheep farming — and soak up stories of myth, music, and history that make this region so unforgettable. We will also likely share a few pints of Guinness! Sláinte!

​See the Itinerary​

And here’s the best part — this will be my first time hiking these trails too. We’ll discover Donegal together, guided by my trusted partners at Ireland Walk Hike Bike, who know every path, pub, and hidden corner of this landscape because they are from Donegal. You’ll get the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and camaraderie with a small group of like-minded travelers who crave something beyond the typical “tourist Ireland.”

Spots are limited — and once they’re gone, they’re gone. So if hiking Ireland has been calling your name (or you’re just ready for a truly unique Irish hiking adventure), now’s the time.

Let’s lace up our boots and explore Ireland’s wildest corner together.

Current Ottsworld Tour Openings:

Panama Surf & Yoga Camp - Women Only
Dates: January 10-17, 2026
Cost: $3195 ( $800 Deposit)

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Ottsworld Blog Posts

When I redesigned my travel website last winter, I selected a few destinations where I felt I had a lot of expertise to focus the content. Two of the regions were Nova Scotia and Ireland. Check out the content I have on these two destinations, as well as a new blog post on Ireland itineraries!

Gear Corner

Have you got your Go Explore compression socks yet? I co-designed these socks with VIM&VIGR to help prevent others from contracting DVT while they fly on long-distance flights. This deadly condition can happen to anyone - it happened to me - and that's why I'm such an advocate of compression socks when you travel! See my best tips for prevention​

Get my Go Explore Compression socks from VIM&VIGR and use code OTTSWORLD to get 15% off your entire order! So pick up a couple of pair!!

I love seeing people wear the Go Explore Socks while traveling. If you have any photos or videos of yourself wearing the socks on the go, please send them my way!

Other Gear Updates: I am getting a bunch of new hiking boots and trail shoes to test recently, so I 'll provide an update on that soon. And I'm working on an article about my favorite travel clothing brands...coming soon!

I recently had someone ask me what my favorite compression packing cubes were and I told them how much I LOVE my Thule packing cubes! They are my favorite out of everything I've tried (and I've tested many). Sure, you can get cheaper ones, but they won't last as long. The Thule cubes are high-quality, featuring strong zippers for effective compression. See all of my favorite travel gear here. ​

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.

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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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