40 Travel Tips For My 40th Birthday

Today is my 40th birthday! It's wild to think I started Ketanga in my 20s... and so much of what inspired me to build the company is still true today. From a desire to share unique experiences with like-minded people, to exploring the world while staying active, I have enjoyed so many memories while constantly learning. And I've come up with some helpful tips and reminders that I thought I'd share with you as a party favor on this milestone birthday! (This is updated from a post on my 34th birthday!)

By the way, I'm Stacy, the founder of Ketanga Fitness Retreats! Feel free to learn a little more about me here including why I quit may job to travel for 100 day before starting this company. 

Travel Inspiration

1. Travel solo! You’ll learn so much about yourself and grow in ways you never expected. If the idea of hopping on a plane and going to a new place alone feels too scary at the. moment, start with taking yourself out to a new restaurant or going on a day trip to nearby town. Or, sign up for a group trip where you can attend solo without ever being alone! Insert shameless plug for Ketanga Fitness Retreats here :)
   
   
2. Visit during a festival or exciting national event! I have been to Sevilla during Feria, their annual week-long celebration, and I met the most amazing people and got to see such a special part of their culture.
   
   A few years ago we hosted a retreat in Iceland to coincide with the Reykjavik marathon so guests could participate in the Fun Run and it was such a blast, we're doing it again in 2026!
   
   ​And a third example, my brother plans travel around big sporting events like golf tournaments, World Cup and the Olympics. While tickets can be scarce for some of these, travel and sports are his passions, so he does what he can to make it work.

It's me, Stacy!

Favorite Places to Visit

1. Ireland: I'm an avid horseback rider, so visiting Ireland and riding an Irish sport horse has always been on my bucket list. I finally had a chance to do that in 2014, and I have been back again and again! This is another example of an amazing combination of kind, friendly people, gorgeous surroundings, and lots to do. We've hosted a few equestrian and yoga retreats here, and have a yoga retreat coming up in late 2026.
   
   
2. Costa Rica: If you know me, or if you've been following Ketanga for a while, you've noticed that we host a lot of retreats in Costa Rica. To me, it is the perfect combo of welcoming people, delicious food, incredible weather, and so much to do! It's an easy flight from the US, and you can be on the beach, in a national park or hiking a volcano within a few hours of landing.
   ​
3. Turkey: Such a beautiful country with so many unique and distinct areas. I traveled from Istanbul to Cappadocia to Antalya so I was able to experience city + mountains + beach in one trip. The food is incredible and Cappadocia, in particular, is unreal when it comes to accommodations (cave hotels), activities (hot air ballooning) and natural wonders (incredible rock formations)!

Cappadocia, Turkey

Travel Planning Tips

1. Leverage your social media network for their travel recommendations - I always get some amazing tips this way. People will come out of the woodwork to offer helpful suggestions from their travel memories (and I love to do the same!).
   
   
2. Join Facebook travel groups! I may be showing my age, but I still go straight to Facebook groups when looking for advice or information about new destinations. There are tons of active niche groups, such as the women-only Girls Love Travel, where you can ask your honest questions, talk to people who live all over the world, and share your own travel tips.
   
   
3. Use the right credit cards! When your everyday purchases turn into double or triple points when redeemed for travel, it makes a huge difference on the actual cost of a trip, so be sure to sign up for a card that rewards the categories you spend on.
   
   
4. Be sure to download and log into the apps for all the airlines and hotels you'll be using on your trip. There's nothing worse than having to redownload an app with limited wifi to get a confirmation number or boarding pass!
   
   
5. Also be sure to download the local rideshare app in the place you're going and set up an account (Uber isn't everywhere, do your research so you don't get stuck somewhere!).
   ​
6. If you don't already use TSA Precheck or Clear, I highly recommend signing up for one or both to make security at the airport a breeze! SO worth it, and many credit cards reimburse the fee to join.

The Booking Process

1. Look at your credit card points balance and your airline miles to see what the best value is for purchasing flights. Sometimes cash is king, and sometimes miles or points take your money further. Sites like Point.me can help you compare!
   
   
2. The inconsistency of airfare pricing is pretty annoying, let's be real. However, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally the most cost-effective days to book travel as well as to fly.
   
   
3. SkyScanner allows you to search flight prices for all destinations or regions in a certain time frame, so if you are looking for somewhere to go, it could be a fun way to pick a new spot!
   ​
4. Travel during the shoulder seasons to avoid crowds and save money, especially in more popular destinations. Shoulder seasons are those few magical weeks or months between peak travel time when everyone tends to go to a place (like the Caribbean during Jan/Feb) and off peak when the weather is not ideal or it's just not a great time to visit a location.

My brother and I on a recent visit to Nashville planning future trips!

Prepping & Packing

1. Teach yourself a few words in the local language before you leave! Duolingo is a great app for picking up a new language or try Preply, an app where you can have live video lessons with native speakers from around the world!
   
   
2. Your carry on is also your life preserver if your checked bag gets lost. Be sure to pack your meds, chargers, underwear, and anything else you can’t live without.
   
   
3. If you’re an over-packer, invest in a luggage scale to make sure your bag doesn’t exceed 50lbs before you even leave the house. There’s nothing worse than being charged extra for a 51lb bag or holding up a bag check line while you take shoes and books out of your checked bag and try to stuff them into your carry on to stay within the limit!
   
   
4. Ziploc bags or packing cubes can be really helpful for keeping your clothes organized and saving space in your suitcase.
   
   
5. Instead of purchasing travel-sized everything for your trip, just invest in one set of travel-sized empty containers, and add your favorite products to them. Save money, use the products you know you like, and you can refill easily for your next trip!
   ​
   
6. Check out my go-to packing list for travel including some fun Amazon products I've come across over the years like a water bottle AND coffee holder that slips onto the handle of your suitcase!

Taste something new!

Things To Do While Traveling

1. Talk to strangers (in safe public places) to get their suggestions of places to go and things to see. My favorite place to meet locals is at a coffee shop or local fitness class. 
   
   
2. Do that thing you love while you travel! For me, that's horseback riding. I always try to find a place to ride while I travel. It's a great way of seeing different areas I wouldn't see on foot, and it is also a good way to meet like-minded people.
   
   
3. Taste something new! Every region has something special to eat or drink, so this is a great way to be a little adventurous and experience something unique.
   
   
4. Tourist attractions may cause some to roll their eyes, but they are notable for a reason. If you are in a place you likely will not visit again, go see the famous 'thing' and enjoy it!
   
   
5. Cheer on the home team at a sports game! There's nothing like being surrounded by locals and experiencing their passion for the local sports team! I find this such a great way to get to know the culture, and participate in something really fun - especially when you get to see something for the first time (like when I saw cricket played in Barbados!).
   
   
6. Don't overdo it. Especially if you're planning a longer trip, make sure you don't overexert yourself and try to do everything without taking a break. The last thing you want is to feel run down or too tired to enjoy something you have been dreaming about for so long. My favorite way to relax is to cozy up in a local coffee shop or relax in a park, depending on the weather.
   ​
   
7. Don't stress about getting gifts for others, anyone you care about enough to buy a gift likely cares enough about you to prefer you spend your time and money enjoying your trip. However, don't underestimate the surprise and appreciation of someone receiving a post card. Who even does that anymore?? Such an easy, thoughtful and inexpensive way to show someone you are thinking of them!

Do that thing you love while you travel!

Stay Active While Traveling

1. Get your fitness on by visiting a fitness studio, just like you would back home. It's yet another way to step away from typical tourism and meet new people while also working off the delicious new foods you may be enjoying! Plus, it's so much fun to see how different instructors in different parts of the world teach! I try and stop into a boxing class wherever I go.
   
   
2. Opt for bike tours or walking tours when you can, especially when visiting new cities! They can be such a fun (and active) way to explore while learning about the place you are visiting and getting your bearings.
   ​
   
3. Go for a run in a local park or neighborhood instead of the hotel gym. You'll get to see places I guarantee you'd never go to otherwise!

Pre-boxing class in London

Money & Spending

1. Taking out local currency from an ATM in that country will usually get you the best exchange rate. 
   
   
2. If you're a big traveler, you MUST use a card that gives you travel perks such as a credit towards dining or travel, points bonuses when spending on travel purchases, access to airport lounges, and complimentary TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry. I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve all the time (the lower-priced Sapphire Preferred card is also great) and am rewarded when I spend on travel as well as when I redeem their points for travel. For business, I love my AMEX Business Platinum for its slew of travel perks as well. ​Plus, both of these cards, and many others, offer the amazing perk of no foreign transaction fees that can otherwise add up quickly.
   
   
3. Splurging and indulging can be ok! Regardless of your budget, if you have saved money to go on this trip, you should be able to treat yourself to something special that you love like a massage, a night at a fancy hotel, a special restaurant, or a beautiful souvenir.
   
   
4. Don’t keep all your money and cards in the same place, such as your wallet, just in case you get pickpocketed or lose your bag. If your hotel room has a safe, it’s always a good idea to leave some cash in there. 
   ​
5. Be sure to notify your bank and credit cards that you will be traveling so they don't put a lock on your account when you're trying to make a purchase somewhere!

Safety

1. Common sense, common sense, common sense! When you travel, don’t let your normal safety measures disappear. Lots of people feel carefree on vacation and ignore their instincts and common sense. 
   
   
2. Download a Google map of where you will be traveling so that you can navigate any time during your trip - even without an Internet connection.
   
   
3. Have a photo of your ID/passport and a credit card (front and back) on your phone. It's also good to have a copy of your passport printed and kept with you when you're out and about so you can keep the real thing back at the hotel.
   ​
   
4. Travel insurance! It's really not that expensive, and it can pay off big time. I like to visit InsureMyTrip.com to explore different policies and find one that works for my specific trip and needs.

---

Have a travel tip you'd like to share? Please tell us in the comments below!