I didn’t think I’d ever get good at surfing. I still can’t stand on a board for more than a few seconds, but I will never forget the first time I caught a wave in Sri Lanka.
It was right after a rainstorm, but the air was still a thick, warm embrace. The water felt like revival. I had finally admitted that I was never going to get good at surfing without a lesson, so I hired an instructor. Within a few tries, I felt the wave and my board find harmony and propel me forward.
I was so excited I almost forgot to stand, but I quickly engaged the lesson he’d just taught me, bent my knee toward the outside of the board, and hopped up.
I couldn’t believe it.
I was standing.
I was riding a wave, and I was actually standing. And it was the best feeling. The feeling of being alive.
I can pull up a memory like this from every country I’ve ever been to: trying something new, tasting something foreign, connecting with an amazing human who lives a life like me in a completely different part of the world.
The more I travel, the more I learn that I have so much to learn, and that has been my favourite lesson.
But, I began to realize that women face some real barriers to travel. The more women I share my stories with, the more reasons I hear for why they don’t get out and explore the world, even though they deeply want to.
Listening to these women share what keeps them from experiencing the world made me want to host a guided trip to eliminate some of those barriers.
So I asked myself, as so many people ask me: What’s my favourite country I’ve ever been to? Which one would I want to see all over again?
I always say Portugal.
For me, it’s the terracotta roofs and views of the sea. The bridges. The yellow trolley rides. The castles with Moorish and Gothic architectural influence, all enjoyed while devouring Portuguese custard tarts, pastéis de nata (seriously, you’ll dream about these for the rest of your life).
Yes, these cities are exactly where I want to take a group of women.
But can we also embrace the Algarve, kayak at sunset to the Benagil caves, and spot some dolphins on the way back?
Yes, let’s do that too.
Oh, and can we do a little wine tour in the stunning Douro Valley?
Only if we also visit a bookstore so beautiful you need to buy tickets just to get in.
Done.
This trip is for women who are out of their party-travel phase but still want a great adventure.
It’s for women who grind hard and don’t have time to do the hours of research it takes to plan a 10-day itinerary.
It’s for the women who know they want to travel but struggle to decide where to go and what to do - let me take care of that for you.
This trip is also for women who can’t find the right person to travel with.
I recently spoke with a woman who earns more than many of her friends but still longs for that classic girls’ trip experience.
This trip is for women seeking adventure, travelling solo, but still wanting connection, and the safety that comes from travelling with a group.
Hi! It’s me, Juliana.
Middle school teacher, wifey, mama to three boys, content creator @thiswildpassport, travel journalist, scuba diver, and lover of horses… who is also slightly terrified of them.
I love hanging out in airports, swimming with whale sharks, and reading Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
Romantasy is my escapism. Geology is a lesser-known nerdy love of mine. And I’m a huge sucker for alliteration anywhere, anytime, always.
I’ve been to around 50 countries, lived in Abu Dhabi, and tend to see everything new with childlike wonder.
Let’s go to Portugal together and see if we become friends.
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You can read through the full itinerary and find more information at www.thiswildpassport.ca.
• July 2–11
• Flying in and out of Lisbon (flights are booked on your own, but I’m happy to help!)
• This trip will be capped at 10 amazing women
• All accommodations are 5-star, because we want adventure and comfort
• We’ll visit four of Portugal’s most iconic destinations: Lisbon, Sintra, the Algarve, and Porto
If you’re new to travel, or even if you’re not, we’d love for you to join our travel tribe and experience the world.
Find out more at @wildpassportjourneys and www.thiswildpassport.ca to book your spot.
