Dream, Plan, and Go Review A Travel Guide to inspire your adventure

How many of us are afraid to walk into a new city alone? Or go to a movie or restaurant without someone next to us? What would other people think? If that is all that is holding you back, get over it.

There is a world filled with fun and adventure if you are only willing to go out and try. The book, Dream, Plan, and Go – A Travel Guide to inspire your independent adventure encourages you to let go of those fears and go for it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This post contained Affiliate Links. By making purchases from these links, I earn a small commission.

A Travel Guide to inspire your independent adventure

Rachel McMillian is a popular writer of Murder Mystery books but has always had a passion for travel. She spent her high school days waiting for the day she’d get to travel the world with someone.

Then she decided she didn’t want to wait for a companion and set off on her own adventure. Throughout her travels, McMillian found people that are waiting for the perfect time to go someplace.

The dream trip someone was planning to take but never executive it. At some point, you have to stop dreaming and start going.

The book takes readers on a journey through the popular excuses for why people don’t go and ways to combat things like, fear of flying. Or budgetary concerns. But one thing is for sure, a travel company should never be the reason why you don’t go.

The Confidence Effect

The book is written for single females in mind, but everyone can take these lessons and incorporate them into their own travel. The stigma for women is that “it’s not safe for a woman to be in a big city alone”.

While I’m sure the statistics are slightly higher for women, men can equally be susceptible to safety issues. The key is confidence and planning.

During my recent trip to Washington DC, my husband found out he’d be stuck in a conference most of the trip. I did not want to spend my days hidden in the hotel room, with all of the city right outside my window.

So, I went off on my own, seeing all the sites. I’d never had so much fun before enjoying museums and history, like the White House without worry about if my husband was having fun. It was the most fun I’ve had.

My First Independent Adventure

There was a time in Middle school that I got a brilliant idea of going to a Camp in the BWCA. A week of roughing it like never before. I couldn’t convince anyone to go with me, so I decided to go on my own.

There were plenty of other campers there, but everyone had gone up with a friend. I was the only person to go without anyone else.

I melded into the group as needed, but for the most part, I was a loner and loving every minute of it. Not only was I socially isolated, but most times it was just the noise of the North woods.

After that my sister decided to join me the following year and has joined me on many other crazy adventures.

Favorite Parts

The book strikes a good balance of personal stories and guidance on how to have your own adventure. Most of us know exactly where we want to go but may not have the means to get there.

Or aren’t ready for that big of a trip yet. That is where exploring your backyard and be a tourist in your hometown is perfect. It’s where my first adventures started and where I built up the confidence to travel the country.  

I thrive off an impromptu trip all the time. Whenever I see a roadside stop, I pull over and see what it’s all about. There are some duds along the way, but most often, I find a lot of gems, like the Fagan World War II Air Museum.

My husband decided we needed a weekend off and made a reservation at a campground a couple of hours east of the Twin Cities.

We knew nothing about the area, but after a quick search, we found an amazing town that housed the museum. Before we left, they were even getting the planes in the air and doing their own show.

Inspiration

Throughout Dream Plan and Go, McMillon shares her own journey of exploration and what sparked their interest. For her, it’s the books. She wants to live the adventure she reads about.

Often, my trips are a mix of reruns of past trips and areas I heard friends talk about in Facebook Groups. One a year, I try and share a trip from my past with my family, because of how much I loved them.

The thing I’m most guilty of is going back to the same destinations because they are like home. If we keep going back to the same places, what are we missing out on?

That is where the book helps provide the inspiration to go out and find something new.

Get the Physical book

I only have one criticism and its that the digital version of Dream, Plan and Go doesn’t work as well the paperback version.

The book is very well written and has excellent imagery to show off its fun quirks, that get lost in digital. You also miss out on getting to write in journal prompts at the end of every chapter.

McMillian has also created a companion to the book, a travel journal.

No More Excuses

Dream, Plan, and Go was a fun read that I‘d go through again and again. Especially when I’m feeling like I a little inspiration. After finishing the book, it reminds me to quit making excuses.

We like to think things will always be there, and that we will have time later. But sometimes that doesn’t happen. You have to get out and do things when you get the chance. No more excuses!