We design customised travel experiences and personal development programmes that result in a fulfilling life full of happiness, connection and adventure.
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25/09/2020
Travel Shaming - is it happening here?
Is it irresponsible and selfish to travel during the COVID pandemic if it's done legally and safely? This is an interesting article that highlights a growing trend of Travel Shaming.
What are your thoughts? https://www.dmarge.com/2020/09/travel-shaming-australia.html
Travelling used to be an Australians' coolest currency. In 2021 it could drive a wedge between you and your friends, or even ruin a date...
24/09/2020
Why don't young Australians want to travel in Australia?
There have been a couple of interesting surveys in the last week asking why some people prefer not to travel domestically.
Some of the reasons cited were, cost of travel in Australia, lack of interesting activities and the desire for a culturally rich 'rite of passage' type of experience.
We'd love to hear your opinion about this. https://www.traveller.com.au/australia-tourism-why-dont-young-australians-want-to-see-their-own-country-h1qqj9
For Australian tourism providers, it must be the most frustrating thing in the world.
24/09/2020
Missing travel?
You can now have your very own fully stocked Qantas 747 bar cart at home for under $1500.
Sign me up!! I love those little wine bottles. https://wine.qantas.com/l/747-bar-carts
23/09/2020
We made this for you, our community, to use during covid. We hope you love it.
More fun, more connection, more fulfilment during this challenging time. https://www.thecustompath.com/copy-of-deeper-travel-kit
Troy and Jody
21/09/2020
Verified Designer
We are proud to announce that we have been verified by the Transformational Travel Council as a Transformational Travel Designer.
To celebrate we are offering our community a FREE Deeper Micro Adventures Kit.
We designed this kit as a contribution to our community during covid. We hope you love it.
Here is the link: https://www.thecustompath.com/copy-of-deeper-travel-kit
21/09/2020
We created this FREE Micro Adventures Kit as a contribution to our community during the pandemic.
Micro-adventures are small trips that can last half a day to a couple of days. The beauty of micro-adventures is that you can even do them while you are at home in isolation.
This kit will show you how to get more out of this pandemic, to connect meaningfully to your family and community, to grow as a person and to increase your sense of life fulfilment. We hope you love it. https://www.thecustompath.com/copy-of-deeper-travel-kit
Love this area. So much fun to explore the rock pools.
12/08/2020
Che Guevara was a Deep Traveller!
The slow times brought on by the corona virus shutdowns
have allowed me to indulge in watching some travel related movies from my watch list.
I have just finished the Motorcycle Diaries from back in 2004 about Che Guevara's travels through South America.
I love the clear message (in our (pre covid) age of mass tourism) that travel can enlarge the soul, and even change the world. The movie highlights that Che's travel experiences inspired new perspectives about social justice and is one of the catalysts for the development of his political consciousness.
I'm admit that I'm probably biased - I love most 'travel-as-transformation' movies - but I particularly liked this movie. It made me appreciate the large extent that new experiences and new perspectives coming from genuinely connecting with people while I travel has led to changes in my perspective and values.
In a similar way that I do when I'm travelling, I set an intention prior to starting this movie to focus on any travel as transformation message and to reflect on my own changes through travel.
Unlike Che, I didn't go on to start a revolution but I do feel that travelling deeper and connecting with people, place and culture has led me to my community development and teaching careers and has shaped my values as a person.
I really liked this movie. Let me know what you think.
Troy thecustompath.com
10/08/2020
I tried a Deeper Micro-Trip with my 16 year old son. I'm blown away by what happened.
It wasn't that difficult. I set an intention to be totally present with him with no expectations. We picked an unfamiliar location (walking distance) and spent the afternoon together on a small walk and a surf.
It felt fantastic. I wasn't trying to 'fix him' or give advice. I didn't have to fill the silence with talking. I wasn't focused on past or future but just the now.
And... he was so different - talkative, engaged, interested, even supportive... he put his arm around my shoulders. I felt like a good father.
Deeper travel is awesome.
Troy thecustompath.com
photo is Tairua NZ
07/08/2020
Do you think travel changes who you are?
Here is a good podcast that touches on some of the concepts in our Deeper Travel Kit.
, Flip Burns and Rob McFarlane talk about how identifying and pushing your personal comfort zones and connecting meaningfully not only adds pleasure to travelling but also changes you as a person.
COVID19 is leading me to re-focus on what's really important to me. Health, learning, meaningful relationships and the small beautiful things around me.
This is leading to a shift in how I travel - a shift to Deeper Travel.
I'm mindful of how my choices of location, accommodation, activities, effect local communities. I choose small operators so I know my money stays in the communities. I seek opportunities to connect with people and the environment. And I reflect on how I can be the best version of myself.
Slowly, our world will reconnect and open up. And yet, returning to how it was before should not be our metric for success, because mass global tourism had some very ugly side effects. We must resist the inevitable mass market advertising and government encouragement and stop looking to “recover” the tourist industry but rather, work to transition travel and tourism to a truly sustainable level.
What's your view of the future of travel?
Troy from thecustompath.com
05/08/2020
30% Discount on Deeper Travel Kit
Covid-19 has led to a new way to travel. People are obviously travelling closer to home but with more focus on connecting with family and friends, more appreciation of the smaller things and more appreciation of the beauty of local nature.
To help you get the most out of your domestic short trips we have a local 30% discount for the Deeper Travel Kit.
thecustompath.com
Yamba Lighthouse
02/08/2020
Freedom in Yamba.
Deeper local travel. Feel the joy, savour the moment, be present.
Visit thecustompath.com to learn how to travel deeper.
30/07/2020
Travel redefined - check out our blog for the latest changes in deeper travel.
Bald Rock Tenterfield. Deeper Travel - the new trend in travel. Covid-19 has accelerated deeper travel. Domestic travel is back but not just weekend getaways. This pandemic has encouraged people to focus on deepening relationships with friends and family and seeing their local area with fresh eyes.
11/06/2020
We are proud to announce that we have been accepted as an Ally of the Transformational Travel Council (TTC).
Transformational Travel is a new way to travel which has significant benefits for both the traveller and also the destination people, culture and environment.
thecustompath.com
transformational.travel
31/05/2020
We are proud to be leading the way in renewal tourism. Deeper travel with authenticity, sustainability, and community support.
Travel's hungry, hungry caterpillar went into its cocoon. Will what emerges have legs?
25/05/2020
Interesting article - Planning a trip is good for you especially during a pandemic
Many people are thinking differently about travel now. There's more intention towards sustainable travel and money going to local communities not larger international companies. There's more intention towards transformational travel in which people grow and learn to achieve more fulfilling lives.
Undertourism vs. Overtourism - can we find a balance
"I hope people will begin to travel in a more considered and responsible way and embrace slow travel. Initially, we will move in an expanding ring of concentric circles, first, in our own backyards, travelling domestically, allowing us to discover what we took for granted, but also supporting our nearest communities."
"We must broaden our global view, seek to understand how everything is connected, and make decisions that are informed, thoughtful and effective, not just for ourselves but for the greater world we love to explore. “Once we visit a beautiful place, we become its stewards. We have a responsibility to support the people and places after we return home.” And it is in this sentiment that I see our biggest opportunity to effect positive change—as travellers, as world citizens, as humans."
The era of Fast Travel may be over, but its demise comes with new challenges and the potential for undertourism, says Indagare CEO Melissa Biggs Bradley.
17/05/2020
Pick an unfamiliar location
Set an intention
Be present
Enjoy
Reflect
Learn
11/05/2020
Micro-adventures
Deeper travel is available to us all - even through micro-adventures close to home - it's our mindset that makes it special.
In the past I have travelled for different reasons: to take a break from stress and work burnout, reconnect with myself and people I love. I travelled to meet new people, learn new ways of living life. I travelled to revel in novelty, beautiful environments, and to challenge myself physically and mentally.
We have been experimenting with different ways to get the benefits of travel without actually travelling.
Micro-adventures are adventures that are close to home, short, and often inexpensive.
A good micro-adventure can be just as beneficial and transformative as longer travel. Transformative travel helps you figure out who you are, what you believe in, and what is meaningful to you - it has helped me lead a more fulfilling life.
I have found that any activity that has the following characteristics can achieve the benefits of transformational travel.
Firstly by entering a new or novel environment. I try to walk in neighbourhoods or bush tracks that I haven't experienced before. The second way is to feel cognitively and emotionally away from the stresses, expectations, and norms of home and work. This pandemic has made it easier for me to achieve this without travelling - my whole world has been turned upside down and I feel disconnected to my old worries (which are feeling much smaller).
Micro-adventures are possible for almost everyone during this time of Covid-19 they are easily tailored to fit your specific needs, situation and location.
What really matters is an element of novelty and being intentional abut allowing myself to be mentally away.
Some of our home-based micro-adventures have included taking an online tango class, cooking and virtually sharing a meal with some new friends, online travel tours in Costa Rica and Prague, and a laugh therapy session with a comedian in Portugal.
Now that restrictions are easing our next plan is to equip ourselves with an adventure mindset and set off on a spontaneous exploration to discover new aspects of our local town. And then our local region.
It's not how far you travel it's the mindset that makes the difference - Deeper travel is available to us all. Find out how at thecustompath.com.
Warmly,
04/05/2020
Salty Lakes, Evans Head.
I'm getting excited!! International travel might still be on the backburner but relaxing of the restrictions means that it's likely that we will be able to do some domestic travel or a trip to NZ pretty soon.
For many of us this pandemic has been an opportunity to re-focus away from consumption and onto the important things that make us happy. Things like nature sounds, a hug from a family member, small connections with others - like a 'where in this together' smile from a stranger in the supermarket.
Let's continue this increased mindfulness as our restrictions are relaxed and we start travelling again.
Deeper travel isn't hard and it makes for a much happier and satisfying experience.
Here are just a couple of tips to level-up your weekend trips:
• Enjoy the planning / reminiscing
A surprising amount (up to 85%!!!!) of the happiness we get from travel comes from the planning and reminiscing so plan and research your local travels in the same way you would for a longer trip. And when you get back talk about your trip with others, share those photos and maybe make a photo book.
• Be intentional
Take a couple of moments each morning to think about how you want be during the day - you might focus on being in the present moment and savouring your experience, you might focus on joy, appreciating nature, being patient, being generous, being loving. Just pick one or two things and find moments during the day to bring them into your day.
• Be kind
Doing something for someone else. A random or planned act of kindness or some kind words of appreciation makes everyone feel good.
• Reflect
Take a couple of moments in the evening to reflect on your day, find three things to be grateful for, what was your best moment? how did you go with your morning intention? Be kind to yourself.
As soon as we can we plan to travel to some inland NSW communities that are within about 3 hours drive from us. The first place will be Nundle (I just love the name).
Where will you go first?
28/04/2020
The Future of Travel? It's Deeper.
The current crisis is forcing me to think differently about the future of travel... I'm actually quite positive about the possibilities for change.
Mass tourism has some really ugly side effects - one international flight can be equal to several months of my usual entire carbon emissions. We have all seen those amazing photos of the now pristine canals of Venice, smog free LA, wildlife recovering in national parks. The effect that I'm having on the environment is even more undeniable now.
Up to 80% of the money I spend on a resort holiday goes to large off-shore international corporations instead of benefiting the local economy and there is very little positive impact from cruise ship visits.
Tourism industry advertising often doesn't live up to its advertised promises. I've discovered, on arrival, that the paradise I paid to visit is in fact, full of selfie snapping tour groups, adjacent to an ugly new shopping centre just like the one at home, or hidden for two years by scaffolding, or scattered with discarded plastic rubbish. Or I find the elephants are in small enclosures, the orangutans’ habitat destroyed, the local cuisine displaced by global chains and the artisanal crafts replaced by plastic junk manufactured elsewhere.
The COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation has forced me to re-think the importance of things I must admit I have been taking for granted in recent years. I have a greater appreciation of human connection, freedom and adventure. I'm craving the chance to express this through travel - but I know I need to do it differently.
Travelling can show us the magic of the world, and it can teach us the truth of staggering human inequality and a planet in peril.
How I choose to travel can have permanent repercussions.
That's why when I do get to travel again (probably some local trips before international borders open up again) I'll be travelling deeper.
That means that I'll be mindful of how my choices of location, accommodation, activities, effect local communities. I'll be choosing small operators so I know my money stays in the communities. I'll be seeking opportunities to connect with people and the environment. And I'll be reflecting on how I can be the best version of myself.
Slowly, our world will reconnect — border by border — and open up. And yet, returning to how it was before should not be our metric for success, because mass global tourism had some very ugly side effects. We must resist the inevitable mass market advertising and government encouragement and stop looking to “recover” the tourist industry but rather, work to transition travel and tourism to a truly sustainable level.
Brightly...
26/04/2020
Barcelona... virtually
This weekend we chose to do some virtual travel in Barcelona.
Before we jump into the activities I'd like to share a travel tip... Savouring. It's a simple travel practice that I've also been doing during social isolation. A couple of times a day I close my eyes and take a couple of breaths. I focus on what I'm doing, where I am, who I'm with, what I'm eating. I try to take a mental picture of all my senses and really feel the gratitude. Often I'm thinking about the future, plans, things I have to do, worries, dreams - but by savouring I bring myself more into the present and I feel way more fulfilled. Give it a try, I'd love to hear if it works for you.
Our first virtual activity for the weekend was another Airbnb virtual experience - learn to dance the tango. This one hour experience is hosted by two professional dancers located in Barcelona and cost about A$34 per couple. I'm not much of a dancer but I do love the intimacy of dancing with Jody. This was actually a great activity to do at home - we felt really safe and at ease. There was no pressure to get it right or look good - we felt like we could just relax and have fun. The time went really fast and at the end we had learnt about five basic steps - like all of the dancing we do I was clunky and awkward and Jody was gorgeous and graceful. Instructors Ana and Jorge were fun and supportive and very friendly. They sent a short clip of what we learnt after the lesson so we could keep practising.
The future of travel? We at The Custom Path believe the travel industry needs to change.
This is a great article about how to do it better.
"We will get back to travelling, but when we do, we have to do it right."
"Above all, we as travellers... have to make better decisions. We must ask... how can I make sure my adventure benefits the individuals, communities, cultures, and natural spaces I encounter? How can I support small and medium social enterprises? How can I help empower women around the world? How can I help protect the wildest bits of our planet and make sure they survive this century?”
The virus should force us to rethink an industry that was hurting local communities, wildlife and our world heritage — as well as disappointing tourists.
23/04/2020
Earth Day 2020
Yesterday was earth day. We took a moment to appreciate nature and the effect we are having on the environment which is even more obvious during this crisis. It's amazing how nature springs back when we give it a rest.
When we travel, we are very conscious of the effect we have on the places we visit and try to be as carbon neutral as possible.
The photo is during a rafting trip in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
21/04/2020
This is the photo contest winner.
One of the fun things we do on each holiday is have a daily photo contest - different themes everyday. Nature shot, person shot, candid shot, cheesy tourist shot, etc.
This photo is from one of our recent holidays in the Netherlands. We were pushbiking in the countryside. Photo credit Jennie Armstrong (taken just before she fell off!!)
20/04/2020
Virtual Travel Itinerary - Prague
Are you dreaming about travel?
Being socially isolated at home doesn't mean we cant still enjoy the pleasure of travel. Up to 50% of the joy of travel is in the planning and anticipation so, to give ourselves a kick of happiness, we have been virtual travelling. This weekend we focused on Prague - here are our recommendations:
1. Follow a Plague Doctor Through Prague
AirBNB have created a some really cool online experiences - to support people during the COVID-19 crisis AirBNB don't take a commission so all the money goes to the operator. I think this is great and shows a level of integrity that I really relate to. We tried this one on the weekend. The host, David, had taken a video of his tour route during the crisis - It was amazing to see Prague without all the tourists! He showed the video and talked all about Prague and the plague for over 1.5 hours. There were lots of opportunities for interaction and question asking. It was interesting to see the similarities between the plague of several centuries ago and what we are experiencing now. Grab a glass of wine, sit back and relax and enjoy. The cost was less than A$18.
2. Prague The Honest Guide
A heap of YouTube clips from a local's perspective. Find some lesser known areas off the tourist trail and some great local hints and tricks to help you avoid scams. Search Prague the honest guide on YouTube.
3. Cook some international food
Well we actually didn't cook traditional Czech food we tried some Turkish Gozleme and pretended it was part of the theme - this is the beauty of designing your own virtual travel experience! It was easy and super yummy. woknstroll.com.sg.
We hope you enjoy these ideas.
We'd love to hear about your virtual travels during this crisis.
Brightly...
17/04/2020
Did you know that up to 50% of the joy of travel comes before the trip.
Up to 50% of the joy of travel comes through the planning and anticipation. About 15% on the actual trip and the remaining 35% is reminiscing afterwards.
That's great news for me!! So right now I'm savouring the joy of past trips. Looking through photos and having a zoom party with some of our travel partners.
This photo is from a sea kayak and bicycle trip off the Croatian coast. Sigh... good times.
I'm also planning some virtual travel - I'll share these with you in the next few days after I have tested them out.
The Five (Six) Stages of Grief - How many have you been through during this pandemic?
Over the past few weeks I have noticed myself going through stages similar to the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance).
Everyone is dealing with this situation in their own way - I like to deal with my stuff by researching and finding models - if I can name it, it's easier for me to feel it. I think the grief model fits pretty well with how I have been feeling.
In a way, I have been mourning the loss of my life as it was before the pandemic - the loss of normal, the physical connection, the routine of work, meeting with friends for coffee or a meal. I didn't really appreciate what I had until it was going. I know that this crisis will end but in the mean time the grief model is helping me to acknowledge and feel my own feelings and emotions.
Researcher David Kessler suggested that there is a sixth stage of grief - finding meaning. I really like this concept. For me, the meaning is what I can create during the pandemic, how I can remain connected and appreciate moments. It's also what I'll do after it's all over, how I can celebrate the changes and become more resilient.
We are all going through our own process of coping through this crisis. Let's try not to be judgemental about how others are dealing with it. Everyone's process is different and it's not linear. Let's be kind to each other, accept that each others process is perfect for them. Let's be compassionate.
The photo is from a Buddhist Monastery in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. I feel calm when I look at it.
01/04/2020
What makes you happier - experiences or things?
Like many of you, we just cancelled our holiday planned for this year :(
Will I be happier if I plan another holiday or should we spend the money renovating our back deck?
I did some investigation and research has a clear answer on what will make me happier. Drum roll.... The holiday. Here’s why:
Tangible things, like our renovations, stay the same so we get used to them. The happiness that we felt when they were new quickly reduces - called hedonic adaptation.
Experiences, on the other hand, make you happier because there is less hedonic adaptation. Compared to purchasing ‘things’, ‘experiences’ make you happier during the anticipation phase, during the experience and even after the experience.
The anticipation of an experience makes you happier because there are more unknowns. If we are looking forward to a new car for example, we know what the car looks like, smells like and probably have even been for a test drive. But with travel we don’t know many of these things - it’s the excitement of the unknown that makes us happier.
During the experience we are also happier - have you ever been away for a three week holiday and it has felt like you have been away for a couple of months? This is because time seems to go slower when our brain is processing and learning new things.
After the purchase - we are also happier with experiences compared to things. Our memories are heightened, we remember the exciting moments, we reminisce.
One surprising thing is that even our friends like us better when we are relaying our experiences compared to our new ‘things’. People prefer to hear about your experiences and not your stuff.
So I’m choosing travel for later this year - it will make me happier and more likeable now and in the future - the back deck can wait.
The picture is Jody on the back of a motorbike near DaLat, Vietnam
30/03/2020
How I'm bringing joy into my life during this crisis.
I think of joy in a couple of ways. The first way is spontaneous joy - like when my son cracks up over a fart joke. The second way is intentional joy and savouring. Every day I choose something to be joyous about during my day. Today it was going for an afternoon surf with my son, tomorrow it's going to be going into town to get some takeaway coffee. The idea is that I choose something to look forward to and this anticipation makes me happy. Then when the thing happens I focus on savouring the moment. I try to notice and amplify the feelings and sensations and bring them into my memory. It's amazing how much simple things can bring me so much joy. This is also one of the travel coaching techniques I use with my clients - it deepens the most simple travel experience.
The photo is from an awesome street art and bar area of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
love
29/03/2020
Does anyone else find it a little uncomfortable to just sit?
Every day I go into our back yard and just sit for about 20 minutes. I don't do anything, just sit, look, listen and think.
At first it was a bit difficult - my automatic reaction was to grab my phone. Now it's getting easier - my big realisation... I like being with myself, I'm actually a nice guy!!
When I travel I try to do the same thing - go to a spot and just sit - often something magical happens.
The photo is from Rovinj Croatia - I just love wandering through the residential alleyways.
25/03/2020
I’m not sleeping well - here’s how I’m dealing with it
When I feel anxious just before bed I don’t sleep well and this makes me tired the next day which makes me feel more anxious. I’m really trying to break this unhelpful loop. Here’s how:
Notice that I’m in the loop - I’m really being ulta aware of my emotions at the moment
No screens 30 minutes before bed and definitely no news before bed
Hugging my wife and looking into her eyes and looking into her eyes for 30 seconds - really connecting
When I get into bed I do a body scan. This is a mindfulness technique. I lay on my back and breathe deeply several times feeling my body sinking deeper into the bed. Then I notice any feelings in my toes - sometimes I have to wiggle them a little to get the sensation - are they cool, hot, tingly? Then I slowly notice each part of my body up to the top of my head. Just noticing. The more I practice, the more of my body I can notice. If I wake up at night and notice my mind racing to doom and gloom I do another scan - often I don’t reach the top of my head before I’m asleep again.
Give it a try.
Spread positivity - it catches.
The photo is Zadar Croatia - awesome karaoke night with the locals.
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Travel Deeper
We believe that travel is a great opportunity to both explore a new destination but also to explore ourselves.
We started travelling over 30 years ago. Initially our travel was focused around going to several countries, looking at the big sites and moving on as fast as possible to the next location.
We felt that because Australia was so far away we had to cram everything into a short time. We had fun but as we became more experienced we felt that we could have better experiences by taking a little more time, finding a regular coffee shop or bar and connecting with people. We also started becoming more aware and reflecting inwardly about our attitudes, beliefs and emotions. We came to some wonderful realisations that resulted in us both growing as people and leading more fulfilled lives.
We wholeheartedly believe that the current mass market style of travel needs to change to something more sustainable and that benefits local communities rather than big international businesses.
Transformational Travel is right for you if...
you want deeper travel experiences
you care about sustainable travel
you refer smaller local accommodation
you appreciate connecting meaningfully with people
you care about positive impact of your travel on the environment, the local communities
you prefer that as much money as possible goes to benefit local communities
you want to create habits that will lead to a more fulfilling life you love
you are open to thinking about your inner journey in the context of travel
We look forward to supporting you to deepen your travel experiences and your overall fulfilment in life. Check us out at thecustompath.com.
