Lettie Goes Travelling

I used to think travel was about seeing as much as possible.

Ticking off destinations. Packing every day full. Making sure I’d “made the most of it.”

Even that trip to Switzerland — I did a lot.

These days, it looks very different.

I still travel alone — solo, independent, however you want to label it — but now I travel with intention.

And that’s something I’ve learned over time.

Because like most things in life, the more you experience, the clearer your preferences become.

A bit like food.

I love Italian and Greek. I also enjoy Indian, Chinese and Mexican.

But burgers and fries? Not really my thing.

I know that because I’ve tried them all.

Travel works the same way.

Over time, you learn what matters to you and what doesn’t.

You discover your own rhythm.

Are you a morning person or a late starter?

Does a long airport transfer bother you?

Is a sea view worth paying extra for?

Do you want peace and quiet — or energy and buzz?

These aren’t things you can Google.

You learn them by doing.

A real turning point for me came after the pandemic.

I’d booked a small-ship sailing trip around the Greek islands — something I’d wanted to do for years.

It was cancelled. Then cancelled again.

Eventually I booked with a different company. I arrived in Corfu, met the group, and we were taken to the boat… which turned out to be out of service.

We were moved to a hotel for the night.

Then another hotel the next day.

Then told the boat wouldn’t be fixed and this would be our base for the week, with day trips instead.

And that’s when I realised something important.

This wasn’t what I’d signed up for.

And more importantly — it wasn’t how I wanted to travel.

So I checked out.

I spoke to the rep, got a refund, asked a local where they’d send their favourite auntie on holiday, booked myself a different hotel and arranged my own transport.

And I had a wonderful week.

When I later heard how the rest of the trip unfolded, I knew I’d made the right decision.

Some people might have seen that as being difficult or demanding.

I saw it differently.

I knew what I wanted.

And just as importantly, I knew what I didn’t.

That’s what experience gives you.

These days I don’t travel to tick places off a list.

I travel to enjoy them.

I travel with intention.

With clarity.

With confidence.

And honestly?

I think that’s one of the quiet benefits of having lived a little.

You stop chasing experiences —

and start choosing them.

I share more of these reflections and travel experiences over on Instagram, if you’d like to follow along @lettiegoestravelling