What if your next vacation could change more than your scenery?
In this episode of The Real Dish, Mareya explores why travel in midlife is not just about seeing the world — it is about rediscovering yourself. Whether you are dreaming of your first solo trip, considering a self-guided adventure, or curious about the connection and ease of small group travel, this episode will help you choose the experience that is right for your next chapter.
Drawing from her own transformational journeys — from exploring Portugal at her own pace on a self-guided walking adventure to the profound connections she has made through small-group travel — Mareya shares why stepping outside your comfort zone can be one of the most powerful investments you make in your health, confidence, and personal growth.
Listen to Episode 166
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music
"The best souvenir you will ever bring home is not something you can fit in your suitcase — it is the person you become along the way."
— Mareya Ibrahim, EP 166
In This Episode, You Will Discover
- Why midlife is the ideal season for transformational travel
- The pros and cons of solo travel, self-guided travel, and small-group adventures
- Lessons from Mareya's self-guided Portugal journey and why it changed the way she travels
- How to choose a travel experience that aligns with your goals, fitness level, and budget
- What to look for in a hosted retreat or guided tour before you book
- Why the right journey can transform your confidence, perspective, and outlook on life
Why Midlife Is the Perfect Time to Travel Boldly
There is a particular kind of freedom that comes with this season of life. The kids may be grown. The career may be more settled. The relentless pressure to prove yourself has softened into something quieter and more intentional. And for many women, that creates space — real space — to finally say yes to the adventures they have been putting off.
Mareya makes the case that travel is not a luxury for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond — it is a form of self-investment. Moving through new places, navigating unfamiliar situations, and connecting with people outside your usual world builds exactly the kind of confidence and resilience that makes every other area of your life richer.
Three Ways to Travel — and How to Choose
Solo travel is the ultimate act of self-trust. You set the pace, follow your curiosity, and answer to no one. It can feel intimidating at first — but Mareya and guests like Renee Landers (Episode 160) have shown that the women who take that first solo trip rarely regret it. The confidence it builds is unlike anything else.
Self-guided travel offers a middle path: the freedom of solo exploration with the safety net of pre-arranged logistics. Think walking routes through Portugal with accommodations booked in advance, maps in hand, and the flexibility to linger wherever calls to you. Mareya shares how this format gave her both independence and ease on her own Portuguese adventure.
Small-group hosted travel is for women who want the depth of connection that comes from sharing an experience with others. The right group — curated around shared values and interests — can create friendships that last long after the trip ends. And a skilled host takes care of the logistics so you can be fully present.
Coming Soon: A Journey to Egypt
Mareya closes this episode with a preview that had us genuinely excited: an upcoming hosted wellness and cultural retreat to Egypt — her birthplace — where food, history, culture, and meaningful connection come together in what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Stay tuned to The Real Dish and TheRealDish.com for details as they unfold. If Egypt has ever called to you, this may be your moment.
Ready for Your Next Chapter?
FOUNDATIONS: Write Your Next Best Chapter
Travel is one way to reinvent yourself. Mareya's six-week coaching experience is another. Join FOUNDATIONS to gain clarity, create a vision, and build a roadmap for your most vibrant season yet.