Explorer X

03/18/2024

It's not every day that you meet someone you consider a kindred spirit, but that's exactly what happened when I was recently introduced to Ben Katt.

Ben recently spoke at a local bookstore in Seattle, and while I was not able to attend the event in-person, Ben and I had a chance to connect afterward to begin our conversation. I was immediately drawn to him, his work, and, of course, his new book: The Way Home: Discovering the Hero's Journey to Wholeness at Midlife.

The Way Home is a guidebook to help you courageously travel on your unique path through the universal journey of Leaving the Familiar, Falling into the Unknown, and Rising to Wholeness. Weaving together personal experience, spiritual wisdom, ancient and modern mythologies, practical tools, and rituals, The Way Home will inspire and equip you to step beyond the life you’ve outgrown ... and into the wholehearted life you’re meant to live!

Put simply, The Way Home is a book that I could have (and probably should have) written, but kudos to Ben for taking the initiative and bringing this much-needed book to life! With so much alignment and similarities on our outlook and approach to life, I know Ben is a person who will become not only a friend but a collaborator with me and Explorer X for a very long time, and we look forward to being on this Journey with him.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Heroically – Michael

10/19/2023

I recently returned from an 8-day scouting trip to the Faroe Islands. In short: The Faroes are an unfathomably beautiful and culturally rich destination that you need to add to your future travel plans with Explorer X.

My experiences there were fantastic, profound, and insightful. Visit our Journal to read 5 of my biggest takeaways from my time there.

(explorer-x.com/journal)

Michael Bennett (Co-Founder, Explorer X)

04/24/2023

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.

In potentially not knowing where you’re going and the excitement and anticipation of heading off into the unknown!

The luxury, ultimately, is in simply having the opportunity to step outside of your normal world into a new place, a new culture, a new worldview through travel.

To shift, in subtle or dramatic ways, how you see yourself in the world. And to feel that spark of inspiration and insight that will propel you forward in creating a better life for yourself and for those around you.

That, my fellow explorers, is the “luxury” of travel.

03/08/2023

Next Step: GREECE!

Join us next Wednesday, March 16, 5:00PM Pacific to learn more about our upcoming Culinary Adventure in Greece with celebrity Chef Casey Corn! Register on Eventbrite.

A Culinary Adventure with Celebrity Chef Casey Corn - Information Session

03/01/2023

We're so excited and honored to be featured in this month's Adventure Champion Spotlight by Adventure Travel Trade Association.

Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) Adventure Champions are the vanguards of the adventure travel industry, having...

02/15/2023

Join us Thursday, February 16th at 5:00 PM Pacific to learn more about this unique destination.

REGISTER HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wisdom-wanderlust-destination-mongolia-tickets-506345562207?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR3GOL8GPKzfbkSaPDJMgQbHhLvHbGlNBTCKgMj5WMiM4rGbvg2lcJw9PTQ

This past September–October, Explorer X Travel Designer Robyn DeVoe traveled with her new husband, Jesse, on their honeymoon to Mongolia for 3 weeks. Here is their story. — We zoomed freely across what felt like the moon, in search of our nomadic hosts. I peered out the window at distant

02/01/2023

“We loved our time in Portugal”

More love from our Happy Travelers below.

“The private tours with passionate locals really allowed us to dive into the culture and get a sense of day-to-day life, which was our goal. The boutique hotels at each location were all so uniquely designed with high-class service and amenities. Michael and his team did a great job of balancing packed mornings with open afternoons that afforded us the chance to do some exploring on our own. He also helped us hone in on what we wanted from the experience, encouraging thought exercises before the trip and daily journaling throughout the trip, which allowed for a more fulfilling experience, one we highly recommend!”

Thank you Ben & Lindsey for sharing your beautiful photos and story with us. It was so fun to work with you!

01/28/2023

REGISTER for our Wisdom & Wanderlust Destination MONGOLIA event February 16th, 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

Want to learn more now? Check out our blog as travel designer Robyn shares her recent epic adventure across the vast Mongolian wilderness.

This past September–October, Explorer X Travel Designer Robyn DeVoe traveled with her new husband, Jesse, on their honeymoon to Mongolia for 3 weeks. Here is their story. — We zoomed freely across what felt like the moon, in search of our nomadic hosts. I peered out the window at distant

08/03/2022

Why so we travel? Among other reasons, to meet and learn from the hard-earned wisdom of others — others who share different perspectives, experiences, and beliefs about how to live a good life. The more we can stay open to these lessons — as uncomfortable and confounding as they may be — the more we grow.

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07/28/2022

You’ve been thinking about that in East Africa for years — the Serengeti, the Masai, the big 5, the sense of timelessness, the sense of space and place. The time is now. Call us to start planning your next great adventure to and .

06/16/2022

Unscripted and unabashedly bold, you will not leave South Africa the same person you arrived.

Where would you call home base while you explore the landscape, sample global cuisine, and get to know your hosts?

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06/14/2022

If South Africa is not already at the top of your travel list, then grab a pen and move it up! Located at the southernmost point of the massive continent of Africa, this is an incredibly diverse, magical, and inimitable country. Hosting eleven national languages, South Africa is a fascinating melting pot of people, cultures, and traditions with eleven national languages and a complex history (one that calls for legwork on our part as travelers to educate ourselves and understand). Consider visiting Nelson Mandela’s cell on Robben Island, exploring an Apartheid museum, or engaging with locals.

In addition to the country’s demographic diversity, South Africa boasts magnificent geographic variety as well. From deserts and bush to mountains and subtropical forests, the landscape provides travelers with fantastic natural beauty.

Nature enthusiasts: visit Kruger National Park or spend a day hiking (and climbing the chain ladders!) in the Drakensburg Mountains.

Other iconic sites: Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Blyde River Canyon, and the plethora of sandy beaches that wrap around this coastal country.

Drive the coast while stopping at smaller seaside towns to devour fresh-caught fish n’ chips. Go cage diving with great white sharks and waddling with penguins. Head inland for a game drive through a herd of elephants and zebras, enjoy a wine tasting in the famous Stellenbosch region, or explore the bustling city of Johannesburg.

South Africa is an enchanting country filled to the brim with adventures waiting to happen, so grab your bags and get ready for a trip of a lifetime!

🌍 : South Africa
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05/30/2022

Italy is an absolute dreamscape, with its ancient structures, colorful cliffside towns, golden rolling hills, towering snow-capped peaks, and rich azure waters. Dive into the fascinating history of the region and admire the vast collection of art that exists on practically every street corner.

Despite the country's popularity as a travel destination, Italy retains many hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Climb a volcano, attend a concert in an ancient Greek theatre, hike to alpine lakes, cook a traditional Italian meal with a local, cheer on a horse race, or hunt for truffles - the opportunities for cultural immersion and adventure in this country are indeed endless!

While Rome is iconic and the dazzling hillside towns of the Amalfi Coast are not to miss, there is so much more of Italy to experience.

The beautiful limestone peaks, rich green valleys, and pristine lakes of the Dolomites are not to miss on your Italian adventure. Hike, climb, and trek this stunning region of northeastern Italy, soaking in the views and the uniqueness of the South Tyrol area.

Truffles - a true hidden delicacy! Tuscany is the perfect location to try out your skills at truffle hunting. Get ready to get your hands a little dirty as you dig up these gourmet treats.

Many conjure up the image of Tuscan hillsides when envisioning an Italian wine, though Sicily is home to vast vineyards and hosts the perfect conditions for growing grapes. Don't miss the opportunity to taste marvelous wines while basking in the views of both the Mediterranean Sea and the active Mount Etna volcano.

Ready to work with one of our expert Travel Designers on crafting your life-changing adventure to Italy? Contact us now to begin your Journey! Link in bio!

🌍 : Italy
📸 : Image 1 - PromoTurismoFVG / Sappada Friuli-Venezia Giulia / Open Library ENIT /
Image 2 - Alessio Mingiardi / Open Library ENIT /
Image 4 - Fabio Duma / Open Library ENIT /
Image 5 - Luca Rondini / The Riolo Terme Spa / Open Library ENIT /
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Image 10 - Dal Pescatore Santini

05/05/2022

"We travel as seekers after answers we cannot find at home, and soon find that a change of climate is easier than a change of heart." -

Do you travel as a tourist, for an escape? Or do you travel for the journey -- for the deep connections you get to forge with others around the world, for the experiences that change you and change who you ARE for the world?

📸 : Vadim Nefedov

05/02/2022

“There are places on this planet that instinctively connect us with nature and ancient wisdom and the deep, dark, hidden places in the human heart … places that speak volumes about the world and call to our souls, all without saying a word. Greenland is one of those places.”

Lykke Geisler Yakaboylu, our Explorer X partner in Greenland, has it right.

Greenland is stunning. Full stop.

With massive icebergs, strikingly barren landscapes, dramatic mountains, and stunning views of the Northern Lights, it’s one of those few places that invites us to take stock of all we think we know about ourselves and the world.

As you’re warmed by the hospitality of Greenland’s Pioneering People, you’ll get to know its fascinating culture, food, history, and traditions.

For those of us who grew up in a small town, we know what it’s like to measure how long it takes to get somewhere, instead of measuring by miles or kilometers. In Greenland, it’s the same!

In Igaliku of southern Greenland, the scenery offers compelling contrasts of polar ice caps and lush green fjords. With only about 20 people living in Igaliku year-round, it's a place of peace, a glimpse into an old-school way of life, and a reimmersion into nature.

And then, there are the glaciers.

The fjords and water inlets create the perfect equation for massive ice sheets to flow into surrounding bodies of water.

And it’s all ready for you to explore.

To hear directly from our Explorer X team members in Greenland, head to the link in our bio!

If you’re ready to customize your trip to Greenland, you can reach out to a travel designer to get started!

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1, 2: Rebecca Gustaffson
3: Peter Lindstrom
4: Lisa Germany

🌏 : Greenland

04/29/2022

"If you think adventures are dangerous, try routine; it kills you far more quickly." - Paulo Coelho.

There's a marked difference between having routines in our lives and letting routines RUN our lives.

It's another age-old reason for experiencing life in a more mindful way.

And what better way to get into the moment than to get out of your routine, and into an adventure?

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🌏 : The French Alps

04/26/2022

With ancient sun-bleached ruins piercing blue skies, the balmy Aegean lapping an endless coastline, and a culture alive with passionate music, wonderful cuisine, and thrill-seeking activities, Greece lives up to its reputation.

Even the roots of Western culture are here in Greece. Step into the ring where Olympians first competed, or climb steps hewn out of stone to Meteora’s monasteries, perched atop towering rocks.

Contemplate the oracle’s insights from the grandeur of Delphi, take in a starlit drama at an ancient outdoor theater, and be stunned by massive marble sculptures dredged up from the Aegean.

While Athens, Santorini, and Crete are Greece’s main draws for many travelers — and understandably so! — there are countless other hidden gems for you to consider!

Spend a day in the Peloponnese, the mythical heart of Greece.

Learn how to cook four traditional Greek recipes on Naxos with a local Greek family. Fun fact: Anthony Bourdain dined here!

Explore the sandstone pinnacles of Meteora, built by monks 600 years ago.

To customize your trip to Greece, head to the link in our bio!

📸 : .africa .pantazis
Image 4: - G. Fillippini

🌏 : Greece

04/22/2022

Happy Mother Earth Day!

As we begin reconnecting with the world and one another through travel again, we have a responsibility to ensure we are having a positive impact on the world!

At Explorer X, we use the following framework for positive impact (we call it the 4 Ps).

🌏 Personal (changes in our own life)

🌎 Places (cultural & economic sustainability of destinations)

🌍 People (benefits to people in our local and host communities)

🌏 Planet (mindfully, consciously protecting Mother Earth)

As Joseph Campbell said:

"We're not on our journey to save the world, but to save ourselves ... and in doing that, you save the world."

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🌏 : Faroe Islands
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