Many of us are carrying quiet exhaustion as we navigate a world that feels fractured — economically, emotionally, and spiritually. And yet, spring arrives all the same. So do the sacred rhythms of Easter and Passover, each in their way offering a promise of renewal, release, and return.
In moments like this, I’m reminded why I fell in love with travel in the first place: not just for the glamour or escape, but for the way it restores us to ourselves, and for how it stirs awe, invites connection, and expands our sense of what’s possible.
If you’re not quite ready to board a plane, that’s okay. There are still ways to cultivate what we love about travel—right here at home. Visit a tulip farm like Burnside Farms just outside D.C. and feel spring’s quiet unfolding.
Step into a museum or a local gallery and let beauty move you. I’m keen to get over to the Hirshhorn to see Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Hickeys Too, painted by Flora Yukhnovich. Doesn’t it look like a Fragonard painting? I’m also feeling a pull to revisit the Holocaust museum after recently rewatching all of The Winds of War and War and Remembrance while I was down with the flu.
See a play. Uncle Vanya, a Chekhov play that captures the quiet accumulation of longing, regret, and resignation, starring Hugh Bonneville, is currently on stage in DC. It’s about the pain of recognizing that life hasn’t turned out the way you hoped—and the quiet dignity of continuing anyway. Chekhov captures the tender flicker of endurance. For this raw season, this story feels resonant.
Book afternoon tea at a historic hotel with your friends – the Waldorf Astoria, the Willard and the St. Regis all offer a beautiful tea experience. Or host your own tea party — with fresh flowers and dear friends. It’s a thing. Really.
These are not small things. They are soul-sustaining.
And when the time feels right to go farther, I’ll be here to help you craft something meaningful—whether that’s a solo sabbatical, a multigenerational celebration, or a soft landing for a delicate, vulnerable time. Below, I share 10 ways travel, near or far, can offer healing, joy, and restoration during times of uncertainty. While working with me, I’ll ensure your investment of precious time and money is maximized and support you every step of the way.
May they inspire you to care for yourself with beauty and intention, wherever you are.
1 || Spring Is a Season of Rebirth
Spring awakens the earth with color, fragrance, and movement. It reminds us that renewal is always possible, even after the darkest winters. Like Easter and Passover, it invites us to step into a new chapter of vitality.
Travel Idea: Consider wellness retreats or nature-immersive stays that prioritize recovery over rush—think wildflower season in the Dolomites, forest bathing in Japan, or a sunrise hike in Patagonia.
2 || Space Is Sacred
Passover’s story of freedom from confinement feels especially poignant now. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, fatigue, or decision overwhelm, stepping away—even briefly—can feel like a profound act of liberation.
Travel Idea: Choose destinations that give you space—private villas, remote sanctuaries, or places where silence and solitude are part of the design. A solo trip or retreat can be restful and rejuvenating for you. Certain resorts specialize in biophilic design, which brings the healing aspects of nature indoors.
3 || Soft Landings Matter
When life feels sharp, your travels can offer a sense of softness. Gentle beauty. Deep rest. Nourishment. Not escapism, but a safe, nurturing pause.
Travel Idea: Seek properties that emphasize sleep wellness, in-room rituals, sleep support, spa therapies, or curated experiences designed to soothe your nervous system. Several domestic locations can provide all this and more, such as Mii Amo in Sedona, Shou Sugi Ban in the Hamptons, or the Equinox Hotel in New York City.
4 || Awe Is Not a Luxury
Scientific studies have shown that moments of awe—whether in response to nature, art, architecture, or music—lower stress, reduce inflammation, and foster connection. It’s not indulgent; it’s essential.
Travel Idea: Visit destinations that stir the soul: the Northern Lights in Iceland, the mosaics of Ravenna, the opera in Vienna, hiking in the Alps, or skiing in Japan.
5 || Reconnect with Community
Both Easter and Passover are celebrated in community—around tables, with stories and rituals. When we feel estranged or burdened, reconnecting with others is an act of courage and care.
Travel Idea: Plan multigenerational escapes, join a small-group tour, or organize hosted journeys that bring you into meaningful connection with others, without the overwhelm, and with the help of an advisor. A cruise is a great way to gather family or friends, as the plethora of options provides something for everyone to enjoy. Gathering for meals is then great way to share your various adventures and fun.
6 || Shift from Scarcity to Savoring
In difficult times, it’s easy to contract, to wait, to postpone. But savoring beauty, food, music, sleep—these are quiet acts of resistance. They remind us we’re alive, and that life still holds sweetness.Travel Idea: Indulge your senses in destinations renowned for slow travel, such as the lavender fields of Provence, a culinary tour through Puglia, a vineyard stay in Napa, a train ride through Italy or Great Britain.
7 || Heal the Inner Landscape
Spring renews the earth; travel can renew your spirit. When the noise of life grows loud, choosing intentional travel is an act of inner restoration.
Travel Idea: Consider solo retreats, wellness sanctuaries, writers’ workshops, or artist-in-residence stays, where you can reconnect with your thoughts, rhythms, and dreams. I’m aware of a terrific creativity workshop in Paris that you might find interesting.
8 || Embrace the Sacred Pause
Holy Saturday and the quiet of the desert before Passover remind us that rest is a sacred act. Travel can serve as your sabbath—a time apart from productivity, pressure, and the pace of daily life.
Travel Idea: Choose serene destinations known for their contemplative ambiance—abbeys in the countryside of Wales, cliffside resorts in Cornwall with no schedule, or even a silent retreat in Vermont.
9 || Anticipation Is Its Own Kind of Hope
Booking something now—for next winter, or even 2026—doesn’t mean ignoring today’s realities. It means planting a seed of joy. The joy of anticipation is a genuine, measurable mood booster. Plus, we always recommend travel insurance.
Travel Idea: Let yourself dream forward. I don’t call my wish list a bucket list but a f*ck it list. Hope is a luxury, and in these times, it is also a willful act of defiance. And rather than just destinations, I focus on experiences. Mine include seeing all the Empress Sisi sites in Vienna, taking the scenic ride on the Glacier Express, and touring the Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte on the outskirts of Paris. Yours could be mastering wildlife photography while on a safari in Botswana, learning about Italian Easter traditions in Florence, or tasting wines in the vineyards in Mendoza.
10 || Travel as Pilgrimage
At their core, Easter and Passover are both journeys from suffering to joy, from bondage to freedom. Your travel doesn’t have to be grand—it just has to be meaningful.
Travel Idea: Create your modern pilgrimage: one that honors where you’ve been and gently leads you to where you long to go. I once did a pilgrimage to the medieval Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk, England. I had a profound religious experience not there, but in a small crypt in the church in a village aptly called Lastingham in North Yorkshire, which is a story for another time!
As we navigate this season of uncertainty, allow yourself to seek what restores you. Whether that’s a quiet weekend nearby or a journey across the world, travel can still be a sacred act of care, creativity, and reconnection. When you’re ready, I’m here to help you shape something that feels aligned with your spirit, your season, and your desires. Let’s create beauty that nourishes you deeply.
