About Enjoy Travel Life

Hi, I’m Jackie Gately from Enjoy Travel Life

I’m an empty-nester embarking on new adventures. Travel-lover, writer, photographer, designer…basically I’m a creative adventuress sharing the journey here at my blog, Enjoy Travel Life.

Here’s my truth: I am happiest when I’m traveling. I am humbled by the beauty of the world, and so grateful for the opportunity to capture it on camera and share my stories.

I always have my camera in hand to capture great memories. My travel notebook waits for me to recollect and reflect on my experiences when I get back from the day’s travels.

Sure, I’ll hit the must-see tourist attractions. But you’re more likely to find me off the beaten path, floating peacefully in crystal clear water, enjoying local, wholesome flavors, or chasing a sunset like I love to do, perhaps with a regional drink in hand.

It’s experiential learning at it’s best, and I thrive on it!

I love to travel solo, with a companion, my girlfriends, and on multi-generational trips, too.

Recent Travels, Domestic and Abroad

I’ve always loved travel—with my family as a child to Nova Scotia; to California, Aruba, and Greece in my twenties; and trips to Cape Cod and beyond with kids and then-significant other as a blended family.

I celebrated my 50th birthday on Cat Island (betcha never heard of it), Bahamas with a special someone…and that was a fantastic off-the-beaten-path trip. I felt like I was really getting to learn important tips about traveling.

But it was a trip to Italy that really inspired me to become a travel blogger. A girlfriend and I went to visit her daughter, studying abroad in Tuscany. Afterwards, I continued on solo, crossing the countryside by rail and car on a heritage trip. I knew I wanted to share everything I saw and learned!

When my daughter, Alison, went to college and moved out to Southern California, I loved discovering the hidden gems in Los Angeles and continue to explore the coastal O.C. (Orange County) today when I visit her. (Spoiler: Destination wedding in Dana Point, CA coming up!)

And now that my son, James, lives in Brooklyn, New York, I’m learning more about the “City that Never Sleeps,” one weekend at a time. I just love NYC.

Internationally, my trip to Southern Spain connected me with other professional travel bloggers, many solo, like me. It was one of the best travel experiences of my life.

So much so, we met up in the Peloponneses, Greece the following year. This was my second time to Greece, and also the second time mourning the end of a relationship…As it turns out, there’s no better place for soul-searching.

I’ve enjoyed countless travel experiences, weekend road trips, and day trips I’ve yet to write about. I have traveled throughout Boston and New England over the past fifteen years with and without kids, as a couple, and now solo. No matter where or when I go, I always find something new in the familiar.

I even took a road-trip to Nova Scotia with my senior mom, twice—most recently on the heels of a hurricane, no less. (That part, we did not plan!) What great memory-making, and one of many trips that I will treasure.

Enjoy Travel Life: Award-Winning Travel Blog

I’m loving this travel lifestyle and feel blessed to turn it into my livelihood. It’s even better that I can help other travelers find their way. Imagine my surprise and delight to gain recognition for Enjoy Travel Life!

Upcoming Bucket List Destinations

I’m not a perpetual traveler, but as an empty-nester, I am perpetually thinking about traveling.

I’ve fully embraced this next phase of my life, wherever it takes me, and I’m so glad you are here to share it. My aim is to entertain, inspire, encourage, and empower you to enjoy travel life, too!

Each year, I have a long list of destinations on my travel radar. Those topping my bucket list right now include:

• Dana Point, California (for my daughter’s wedding in June! 🎉)
• Alaska to see the Northern Lights (trip booked for September!)
• New England & New York (ongoing, short trips)
• Washington, D.C.
• Scotland and the UK
• Paris and the South of France

So, welcome along! If you want to create your own bucket list, you can download my free, fillable Bucket List Planner to get started.

I would love to know what destinations or travel topics you’d like to learn more about. Go ahead and drop me a comment below and I’ll get it on my radar. I’m always happy to help a fellow travel-lover!

Warmly,
Jackie

p.s. If you’re looking to collaborate, here is information about working together.

And if you’re looking for additional guidance, sign-up for access to my resource library, below. It’s free!