Here’s to new beginnings—a new year and new adventures. As 2026 began, I surprised myself by taking things slowly. Hello, this newsletter is dated January 31st! This season of Travel for empty nesters is less about rushing and more about choosing experiences that truly matter. After returning from an absolutely spectacular journey through South America in late December and January, I found myself savoring the afterglow, reflecting on the experiences, and deciding how I wanted to shape this year here on Adventures of Empty Nesters.
Our travels took us to a tiny island you may never have heard of—and might even wonder why anyone would go there. (If you Love discovering lesser-known destinations, you may also enjoy reading about our adventures in Patagonia and other remote regions—links below.) Chiloé Island sits at the very southern tip of Chile, a place that feels wonderfully remote and deeply rooted in tradition. And the natural surroundings are stunning! You’ll hear much more about it next month when we record a podcast episode devoted entirely to this trip. But for now, here’s a bit of the backstory.
More than ten years ago, my husband Craig read about a hotel on a remote island at the far tip of Chile. He was instantly spellbound. At the time, South America felt like a far-off dream—after all, how many people we knew had actually traveled there? And Chiloé? No one we knew had even heard of it. Still, we tucked the idea away on our “someday” list.
That someday finally arrived.
In late 2024, we made our first trip to South America and explored Patagonia—an experience that exceeded every expectation we had.
Read more about Patagonia travel experiences for empty nesters → Here! Patagonia is a place many people recognize, whether they’ve been there, dream of going, or have at least heard its name whispered with awe. Chile itself felt familiar to us thanks to our incredible tour guide, Sol, who generously shared her knowledge of her home country. Between the food, the wine, the dramatic geography, and the warmth of the people, we knew this was the year to finally venture farther south—to Chiloé Island. And it did not disappoint.
As I eased back into daily life, I found myself basking in the memories of this incredible journey while also asking a big question: What do I most want to share with you this year? The answer came easily. We’ll be kicking off the new Travel Connections Podcast season with a special interview with Craig Stavert, where we’ll talk about our extraordinary time in South America and what it meant to finally say yes to a long-held dream.
Looking ahead, 2026 is already shaping up to be another exciting year. We have wonderful travel plans on the calendar: another Family wedding (in Montana!) (yay!), which, of course, includes a road trip from Jackson Hole up through Yellowstone. We will revisit one of our favorite local destinations, Camano Island, WA. We will head to Southern California for our grandson’s first birthday and a family reunion. Sedona, Arizona, is on the Spring list, as is our first Travel Connections Tour to Tuscany. I cannot wait!
I hope you look forward to new adventures this year, and I’m curious—what are your travel plans? One thing is certain: people are traveling in a big way. Popular destinations are crowded, and availability disappears quickly. My best advice? Don’t wait. Make a plan. There’s plenty of inspiration right here on this website—just type a destination into the search bar, and I may very well have been there.
And yes, I have strong opinions about where to go and what to do, so feel free to email me anytime.
This year also marks a meaningful milestone for me: my 13th year writing Adventures of Empty Nesters. What a journey it has been. After all these years, I’ve truly realized what I love most about this adventure—connecting with you, sharing what lights me up about this big, beautiful world, and learning what matters to you, too. If you haven’t yet listened to the podcast, now is the perfect time. This is the fourth season of Travel Connections Podcast! There’s a wealth of valuable information, inspiring stories, and amazing people waiting for you there.
So I’ll leave you with my favorite question: Where are you going this year? And if you’re still deciding, we do have a few spots open on our Fall tour to Tuscany. We would love for you to join us!
Come with us, and let us show you some of our very favorite places in the most beautiful and delicious country in the world! This destination is so special that UNESCO has designated Italian cuisine as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Here’s to 2026—and to making this year one filled with curiosity, connection, and unforgettable adventures.
The post New Beginnings, Travel Adventures & More in 2026 appeared first on Adventures of Empty Nesters.
