Sometimes solo, sometimes with a deal (and that's okay)
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to travel—sometimes going “basic” just makes sense.
We often romanticize the idea of the perfect trip: the handpicked stays, the off-the-beaten-path discoveries, the carefully curated itinerary. And don’t get me wrong—I love that. I love crafting my trips. Picking the right place to stay, deciding when to move and where to go next. I enjoy the freedom of doing things at my own pace, not being tied to anyone else’s timeline or checklist. Most of the time, that’s exactly how I travel.
But travel isn’t always about the aesthetics or the “story.” Sometimes, it’s about being practical. Sometimes it’s about looking at the numbers, seizing the opportunity, and making something good out of what looks, at first, a bit… uninspiring.
Because every now and then, I take a package deal.
And honestly? I have no regrets.
Keep reading—I promise it’s not what you think.
The Deal That Got Me There
Let me tell you about Natal, in the northeast of Brazil.
I was casually browsing flights, not even sure if I was really going to go, when I stumbled upon something unexpected: a last-minute combo deal. Flight and hotel—for less than the flight alone. I double-checked, thinking there had to be a catch. But nope, it was legit. Wild.
Now, the hotel? One of those big, standard, all-inclusive resorts. The kind with wristbands, buffet lines, and organized activities I would never join. Not really my scene. In fact, I knew from the start I wouldn’t actually stay there. But I booked it anyway.
I landed, checked in, slept one night (fine—two), and then… I was out. Off to do my own thing.
I rented a car, met local guides who took me to places no package tour would ever include. I spent the days exploring endless dunes, walking along quiet beaches, driving into tiny fishing villages where time seemed to move slower. I followed my own rhythm, not the one printed on an itinerary.
In the end, the deal was just a gateway. It got me there. And the rest? I shaped it to fit me.
Because that’s the beauty of travel—you don’t have to follow someone else’s script. You can take the shortcut and write your own story.
When “Doing It Right” Doesn’t Matter
It wasn’t about doing it “the right way.”
It was about doing what made sense—for me, in that moment.
There’s this idea floating around that real travel has to be wild, unpredictable, rugged. That it only counts if you’re off-grid, offbeat, or somehow breaking all the rules. But that’s just another box. Another version of a checklist.
The truth is: traveling doesn’t always have to look adventurous on paper to be meaningful.
Sometimes, the smartest choice—the one that gives you the freedom to explore, to rest, to stretch your days how you want—is the one that looks the most conventional. A flight deal. A package. A resort you won’t even stay in. Who cares?
The adventure isn’t in how it starts. It’s in what you do with it once you get there.
You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Not with the way you travel, not with how “cool” it looks from the outside. If it works for you, if it lets you move through the world in a way that feels good—you’re doing it right.
Travel smart. Travel your way.
That’s the only real rule.
Solo Travel, But Make It Work
Let’s be real: solo travel can be expensive. Sometimes, deals like this are the only way to make a trip doable. Maybe the package wasn’t designed with you in mind—but that doesn’t mean you can’t flip it, twist it, and make it fit.
I didn’t need the all-inclusive wristband. I needed the plane ticket and a starting point. The rest? I’d figure it out. And that’s where the freedom kicked in.
You can accept the structure—and still rewrite the story. Booking a package doesn’t mean following a script. It just means saying yes to an opportunity, even if you’re planning to remix it completely.
There’s something empowering about showing up, knowing you won’t follow the plan—and being totally okay with that. It’s the kind of freedom that doesn’t need permission. You get to shape the journey on your terms.
Travel Smart. Travel Your Way
So, what’s the moral of the story?
Sometimes, doing what looks “less adventurous” on paper is actually the smartest move.
Sometimes it’s okay to book the package, even if you won’t follow the whole plan.
You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.
Your trip doesn’t need to impress anyone. It just needs to feel like yours.
Travel smart. Travel your way. That’s the only real rule.
Have You Ever Done This?
Booked a package just because it made sense—even if you had zero plans of following it through?
Tell me your version of “I’ll take the deal, but do it my way.”
Photo by @lucieltont
More Travel Inspiration & Unique Stays
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Stay curious. Stay kind. Keep exploring.