OUR JOURNAL & BLOG

2024 was an absolutely epic year for Explorer X — in fact, it was our best year ever in terms of revenue, number of travel experiences planned, engagement, impact, and connecting people with mindful travel experiences. The following 5 trends emerged – or truly blossomed — in 2024, and we have already seen their continued presence so far in the travel experiences we are planning for 2025 and beyond.

In September, I spent 8 days exploring Iceland with my friend and mentor, Dr. Don Mankin. Having had the opportunity to explore Iceland a bit back in 2019, I was excited to revisit some of the locations I previously visited and check out regions and properties that I had missed the first time around. Here are 5 things I learned about Iceland on my adventure.

Embarking on a solo journey as a woman can be daunting. The thought of navigating unfamiliar lands, languages, and cultures alone is enough to keep anyone tethered to their comfort zone. But there's an undeniable magic that comes with stepping into the unknown, embracing vulnerability, and allowing yourself to be open to the world. Read Mikayla Templeton's reflections from her solo adventure to Ecuador.

Our newly launched HERO Travel Fund is an opportunity for changemakers to immerse themselves in new cultures, ideas, and places—an experience that opens their minds and hearts, sparking new ideas and energy for their work back home. Read more about the why behind the HTF.

Explorer X Travel Designer Robyn DeVoe recently returned from her second journey to Tanzania where she connected with the local people – including the Maasai tribe – learned a ton about the pros and potential cons of conservation efforts, and – of course – saw amazing wildlife. Here are her takeaways.

Explorer X co-founder Michael Bennett recently returned from a 10-day adventure to Norway. In this blog, he shares some of his thoughts about this travels there as well as 5 of his biggest takeaways from his journey.

Robyn is a Travel Designer with Explorer X as well as a Functional Medicine Health Coach for Autoimmune Recovery. She helps people design the trips and lives of their dreams. Here are her thoughts on the intersection of travel and health as she prepares to embark on another international adventure.

Explorer X Travel Designer Robyn DeVoe spent 3 weeks exploring Japan in December 2023. Here are 6 things she learned on her Journey through Japan.

One of the core concepts behind the work we do at Explorer X is that we are all always on a journey of learning and growth, whether we know it or not. Our team took some well-deserved reflective time to consider the key lessons we learned from the past year. Here are our thoughts.

2023 was an absolutely epic year for Explorer X — in fact, it was our best year ever in terms of revenue, number of travel experiences planned, community engagement, and more. The following 5 trends emerged in 2023 – and we expect them to continue to grow in 2024 and beyond!

Is there a better feeling than shaking off the winter boots and coat and feeling the sun on your face in a new and exciting place? The holidays might be occupying your mind now, but this is actually the best time to start planning your spring getaway. If you would like to get someplace a little warmer and more expansive come March, April, or May, here is our list of favorite spring destinations for our explorers.

Explorer X co-founder Michael Bennett recently returned from a week-long adventure to the Faroe Islands. Here are some of his thoughts and lessons learned from his journey there.

Whether your style of winter travel is cozying up by the crackling fire after a day of dog-sledding, or you’re more inclined to kayak under the blazing sun, these destinations are sure to delight you during the winter doldrums. It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling to shake off the winter chill or you’re ready to dive into the snow with both feet, what matters is that you find a destination that challenges you as you begin a new year.

For those of you about to head out on your next great adventure — whether you worked with Explorer X on it or not! — we invite/challenge you to answer the questions below as a way to mark the official beginning of your Journey. These questions have been handpicked by Explorer X to guide you as you embark on your Inner and Outer Journeys of travel.

Fall is a cozy and colorful time of year: We rake leaves, we carve pumpkins, we watch football, and, of course, pumpkin spice lattes are back! But it can also be the perfect time of year for those of you looking to travel without the crowds, slow down the pace a bit, get more bang for your buck, and/or simply extend your summer a few more days (or weeks). Check out 5 of our favorite destinations to travel to this fall.

One of the questions we get asked most often is: What is your favorite experience that you've ever planned? Of course, while almost impossible to answer — they’re all thoughtfully designed and beloved! — we wanted to share a handful of our travelers’ best moments and favorite experiences ... and the impacts these experiences had on these travelers.

For Explorer X, “luxury travel” does not mean ultra-fancy hotels, insulated experiences, and having every meal at a Michelin-rated restaurant. Far from it. For us, the “luxury” can be found in the moments you finally have to reconnect with yourself and with your loved ones …

Everyone hits a point in their life where everything feels predictable. The workdays go by like clockwork, the weekends are spent hitting up the same spots, the same hikes, and the same conversations … escaping the predictability seems almost impossible. How does one go about breaking the monotonous cycle? Enter Destination: Unknown.

When warmer weather ushers everyone out of their homes, it can seem impossible to find a place that’s not overrun with travelers. If you’re looking to escape the hordes of selfie-snapping tourists, we have a few favorite far-flung destinations for explorers in need of a little nature therapy and cultural immersion. Find your peace and restoration in these destinations this summer.