“What’s with the Breakthrough?” a friend asked me during the week after she read the dossier for my next tour.
I had to think for a minute to work out how best to answer. I decided the best way I can describe what I’m bringing to my tours was to tell her about my own experience.
Going travelling for a year without any plans – simply jumping on a plane and going was something I’d always wanted to do. For a long time, I told myself that I would do it when I was older – to not ‘mess up’ my career. Do it when I was ‘set’. I didn’t. After working ten years with the one company, I simply put a date on it, applied for leave and went for it.
Somewhere along the line, I realised adventure was like an art form and not something you could plan or manufacture. Along with that, I became aware that making a list of the popular tourist attractions and ticking them off (which I was tempted to do) is fairly superficial. On the year away, it became more about the experiences. It was about connecting with the local people, immersing myself in the traditional culture and having a full experience of life itself.
It was in those moments of stepping into adventure, those journeys into the unknown where the breakthroughs happened – where my self awareness increased, where the things that were most important to me became clear and where I broke through old beliefs that were holding me back. All the while experiencing the true freedom that only comes with adventure.
This is what I bring to my tours and what Breakthrough means. Yes we will see some of the major sites but that’s not the focus. Experiences are the focus. Unplanned, spontaneous and potentially life changing experiences. With loads of fun along the way!
The Indian tour later this year runs from the 19th of October until the 2nd of November. It starts off in Kolkata and goes through to Delhi covering Bodhgaya, Varanasi and Agra (amongst other places). To ensure people get the most of the trip, I’ve kept the group size to 8. There are still a few spots left. Please contact me for a copy of the dossier.
Please leave a comment below and share your breakthrough travel experience.
Immersing oneself in the culture of the place you are in makes everything else slip away. It brings a perspective like nothing else can and that is indeed when we can experience life fully. Your story and your life choices since this first stepping off inspire me Nick.
Shannyn, perspective is a wonderful thing to gain and you’re right, I don’t think anything in life brings perspective like experiencing another culture. Thanks for commenting and thanks for your kind words.