My Global Travel Diary: The Custom Route I’ll Never Forget
My Global Travel Diary: The Custom Route I’ll Never Forget
Forget the bucket list—this was my soul map. A custom travel route that connected the dots between wonder, growth, and once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Hey curious wanderers! When I first started mapping out this trip, I didn’t want the usual tourist route—I wanted meaning, surprises, and places that spoke to something deeper in me. So I created my own route: a blend of culture, nature, flavor, and soul. What unfolded was more than just a vacation—it was a personal evolution. I’m sharing the highlights from each country I visited, why I chose it, and what I learned along the way. Maybe you’ll find inspiration for your own path. Let’s take the scenic route together.
Table of Contents
1. Starting in Bali – Healing, Beaches & Barefoot Mornings
I began my journey in Bali, chasing peace more than adventure. Ubud’s rice fields, yoga shalas, and sound baths slowed my mind down in ways I didn’t know I needed. I surfed at Canggu, watched sunsets in Uluwatu, and ate plant-based bowls that felt like art. Bali wasn’t just beautiful—it was the reset button my soul craved.
2. Istanbul – Where East and West Collide
Next stop: Istanbul, a city that held layers of history and flavor in every step. I wandered through the Grand Bazaar like it was a treasure map, drank strong tea with strangers, and watched the call to prayer echo off centuries-old stone. Istanbul was vibrant, intense, and full of opposites—and it made me feel alive.
| Experience | What Made It Special |
|---|---|
| Spice Bazaar stroll | The smell of cinnamon and the colors of dried hibiscus |
| Hagia Sophia visit | Goosebumps from walking through living history |
| Sunset ferry ride | Watching continents pass by as seagulls soared |
3. Morocco – Magic, Medinas, and Mint Tea
Morocco shook up everything I thought I knew about travel. The medinas were mazes, the Sahara felt eternal, and the hospitality? Next-level. I rode camels at sunrise, got lost in Fes, and learned that a simple glass of mint tea could be an act of love.
- Stargazing from a desert tent near Merzouga
- Cooking tagine with locals in Marrakech
- Bargaining (badly) for leather slippers in the souk
4. Norway – Solitude in the Fjords
Norway was where I learned to enjoy silence. I rented a tiny cabin overlooking a fjord, and for days I barely spoke a word—just hiked, read, journaled, and watched the weather move across the water. The air was so clean it felt like a cleanse. Sometimes the most powerful moments in travel are the quietest.
| Highlight | What It Taught Me |
|---|---|
| Solo hike to Trolltunga | The thrill of pushing myself alone |
| Morning coffee on a wooden deck | Slowness is sacred |
| Train ride from Oslo to Bergen | Beauty doesn’t need words |
5. Mexico – Soulful Colors and Spicy Lessons
Mexico was a burst of life. I danced in Oaxaca, learned about Day of the Dead traditions in Mexico City, and swam in cenotes under the Yucatán sun. The food? Unmatched. But what stuck with me most was the joy—there’s a rhythm to life there that made every moment feel celebratory.
- Mole tasting in Puebla with a local abuela
- Visiting Frida Kahlo’s house in Coyoacán
- Floating through Xochimilco on a mariachi boat
6. What This Custom Route Taught Me About Life
This journey wasn’t about ticking off destinations—it was about finding parts of myself in each place. Bali gave me breath, Istanbul gave me edge, Morocco gave me magic, Norway gave me quiet, and Mexico gave me color. The custom route didn’t just take me around the world—it brought me back home to who I really am.
I started with themes—what I needed emotionally, not just geographically. Then I pieced together countries that matched those moods and energy shifts.
A bit of both! I booked my first two stops and left the rest flexible. This gave me freedom while still having a soft landing at the start.
Patience and curiosity. I used Google Translate when needed, but body language and smiles did a lot of the talking too.
Maps.me for offline maps, Google Translate, Hostelworld for last-minute bookings, and Rome2Rio for travel logistics between cities.
Morocco. I expected beautiful landscapes, but it was the warmth of the people and the deep spiritual vibe that caught me off guard—in the best way.
In a heartbeat. Once you travel from the inside out, there’s no going back to pre-planned packages. Custom means meaningful—and that’s the magic.
Creating my own route wasn't just about travel—it was about trusting my gut, saying yes to what felt right, and allowing space for transformation. I didn’t just collect passport stamps; I collected moments that shifted something inside me. If you’ve ever felt the pull to go off the beaten path, listen to it. There’s a version of you waiting in each place you haven’t been yet.
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