I think I was born with itchy feet. For as long as I can remember, my years have been planned around the next adventure. Counting down days, researching hidden gems, stockpiling travel dreams – I always have a few trips in the pipeline.

My first hiking adventure was the Six-foot Track in Australia’s Blue Mountains. It wasn’t until then that I discovered what I’d been missing. Something magical happens when you trade the car window for your own two feet. Suddenly you’re not just passing through landscapes – you’re part of them. You notice things: the way morning mist clings to valley floors, the sound of bird calls echoing across hills, the warmth of a pub fire after a day of walking in the rain.

That first multi-day walk changed everything. The conversations with fellow walkers who stopped to chat on the footpath. The sense of accomplishment after navigating the wilderness with nothing but a map. The deep sleep that comes after a day of fresh air and gentle adventure. I was hooked.

Two and a Half Decades Later

With experience living in four countries, raising kids, and countless walking adventures under my belt, I’ve learned what makes the difference between a good trip and an unforgettable one. It’s not about checking off famous landmarks (though there’s nothing wrong with that!). It’s about creating space for genuine discovery, meaningful connections, and those perfect moments of “I can’t believe I’m really here.”

Every walk teaches me something new – whether it’s how to pack lighter for a week-long trek, the best way to find local accommodation along lesser-known routes, or simply that yes, you really can survive with just two pairs of shoes (most of the time).