One’s destination is never a place, but rather a new way of seeing things.
– Henry Miller
Mindful Travel
At Explorer X, our philosophy is simple: When we Travel Better, we Live Better. We refer to this as Mindful Travel.
We believe that when we travel more mindfully, our experiences can inspire us to change our own lives and empower us to create positive change in the world around us. To support you on this Mindful Travel Journey, we not only design an epic travel experience for you but also provide you with a series of carefully curated tools and resources that help catalyze learning, growth, and change.
Whether you are going on a Custom Travel Experience or a Destination: Unknown Adventure, we’ll encourage and support you as you …
Prepare for the Journey
Taking time to learn more about your destination — the language, the history, the cultural nuances, the arts — before you head out can open up opportunities for more meaningful engagement and deeper conversations while you explore. We’ll also encourage you to …
Use the Mindful Travel Toolkit & Guide
As your travel experience gets closer, The Mindful Travel Toolkit & Guide will be your go-to for preparing for the Journey ahead. This Toolkit is a carefully curated collection of materials designed to guide you in making the most of your adventures.
+ Our best practices for Mindful Travel
+ Articles, poems, and other readings to inspire you
+ Tools for helping you to prepare for your Inner Journey
+ A list of reflection questions and exciting challenges
+ Resources for taking action when you get home
While many people choose to go through the Mindful Travel Toolkit & Guide on their own, your Travel Designer is always available if you have any questions.
Slow Down
To truly explore, we must first slow down. Speed is, after all, the enemy of attention. Our itineraries are meticulously crafted yet allow time for the surprisingly unpredictable. Let your senses guide you. Wander and explore with curiosity. Allow the spontaneity of the adventure to unfold. And discover something less scripted but, perhaps, more true.
Immerse & Connect
As you explore with us, we’ll connect you with the people, places, and experiences that truly bring a destination to life: A cooking class with an award-winning chef, a private walking tour with a local historian, a craft workshop with a local artisan, and small, local, charming accommodations all give our trips a warm and intimate yet sophisticated feel.
Travel like a HERO
As you explore, remember to travel like a HERO and be:
+ Humble: Be respectful; you are a guest in another land
+ Engaged: Practice curiosity and push your comfort zones
+ Resilient: Go with the flow; have patience; be resourceful
+ Open-Minded: To the people, ideas, and beliefs you encounter
(Shout out to the Transformational Travel Council for that ^ gem!)
Take Action & Make a Positive Impact
None of this really matters unless we use all that we learn and experience to create change in our own lives, in the community around us, and in the world. A nice framework for this Positive Impact are the 4 Ps:
Personal (changes in our own life)
Places (cultural & economic sustainability of destinations)
People (benefits to people in our local communities)
Planet (mindfully, consciously protecting Mother Earth)
Our Energy—Work—Love Worksheet (found in the Travel Better > Live Better Toolkit) is a handy little tool for identifying 1–2 small actions you can take when you get home that will have a BIG impact on your life and those around you!
Continue Your Learning Journey
For those looking for additional support on your Journey of learning and growth, we’ve partnered with a diverse team of life, career, and relationship coaches and experts to give you the opportunity to work 1:1 with them before, during, and/or after your Journey. From helping you get into shape for your adventure ahead to working with you to implement small but powerful changes in your life once you get home, these coaches can help you turn a great trip into a truly life-changing travel experience!