Susan Serven

If, like me, you were a bit of a scaredy cat growing up, the idea of “adventure travel” was seen as a direct challenge to my appreciation of all things safe.

But, once you’ve made yourself try One Tiny Thing that scared you and have seen how much fun (and terrifying!) it was, you’re often hooked.

That happened to me when I decided to visit Kitzbühel from my home in Cork, Ireland (I moved to Cork from Connecticut for about 2 years, one of the best experiences of my life).

I needed to learn to ski (everyone else knew how, all my friends back home…) so, rather than take baby steps, I jumped right in with a very serious and determined Austrian ski instructor who was having none of my "babyish" risk aversion and barked orders at me for a week that scared me so much I could do nothing but comply and that’s how I learned to ski.

But Kitzbühel is, of course, one of the world’s premier ski destinations (in addition to being one of the loveliest little towns you’ll ever visit – great apres ski, as well).

So I had a good time, got over a major fear I had, and learned there’s more to life than figuring “I really don’t need to do that.”

So it continued.

I figured if I wanted to travel I might as well do some interesting and (sometimes) slightly dangerous things, as well.

Some other interesting “adventure” exhibitions I’ve been on or have dragged my family or others on include:

A last-minute “modeling” shoot on the rocky coast of West Cork, Ireland (yes, I actually DID have to wade through the water and climb up on some pretty steep rocks in a wedding dress).

A tour that was extended into the night with a small group in Odessa where we were able to see the way the locals lived at that time.

Heading out with a guide and our Egyptologist late at night, driving out for an hour or more to see the darkest, starriest skies you’ll ever see around the desert at Fayoum, Egypt.

Nearly missing our ship after wandering too far into Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi) – worth it however, because I was able to bring home some wonderful things!

White water rafting on the Snake River in Wyoming with a twenty year old guide who was determined to give us all a fantastic time (and encouraged people to jump in to the water and try to catch up to the raft).

Hot air ballooning at dawn in Jackson Hole.

Experiencing a highway road collapse (right after it happened!) during torrential rains in Cagliari, Sardinia.

Riding a 4 person helicopter off the dramatic sea cliffs in Molokai, Maui.

Getting stuck on the ice glaciers at Jasper National Park in Jasper, near Banff, BC.

Touring the 5,000+ year old neolithic passage tombs at dawn at Brú na Bóinne National Park, County Meath, Ireland.

Getting up close with the wild horses at Corolla, OBX (Outer Banks, NC).

Doing a solo climb to the top of the Great Wall of China in Beijing. 

Riding camels for our daughter’s 4th birthday in Tangiers, Morrocco.

Taking the sleeper car from Shanghai to Xi’an China to see the Terracotta Warriors and ride a bike on the 40-foot high Xi’an City Wall.

Racing through sand dunes in a custom Jeep at Wadi el-Hitan (the Valley of the Whales) and up and over crazy sand mountains in Egypt’s Western Desert.

And I’ve learned that, in spite of initially being a bit of a “scaredy cat,” we can all choose to take a step out of our comfort zone and turn each experience into memory-making journeys.

Because I believe it’s not just about getting “off the beaten path.”

It’s about following your heart to see where that path takes you.

And, ultimately, life is all about those immersive experiences and the human connections you make along the way.

I’d be delighted to work with you to help you plan your memory-making journeys, too.