Travels With Annita - a Conversation With Travel Radio Host Annita Thomas

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they delve into the world of authentic solo travel experiences for midlife women. 

In this captivating episode, meet Anita Thomas - an award-winning travel show host who has visited an astounding 123 countries over her 13-year career as a Pan-American World Airways purser. Anita shares her journey from aviation professional to acclaimed broadcaster, revealing how she transforms destinations through the eyes and voices of locals who call these places home.

What you'll discover in this episode:

• How to connect authentically with locals while staying safe in unfamiliar places
• Practical travel safety tips specifically for women travelers
• Cultural awareness insights from decades of international exploration
• Budget-friendly travel strategies that maximize experiences
• The evolution of female solo travel and what different generations can learn from each other

Connect with Anita Thomas:

• Instagram: @AnitaAndFriends (Note: Anita spelled with two n's)
• Facebook: Anita Stokes Thomas
• Website: TravelWithAnita.com (with two n's in Anita)

Whether you're planning your first solo adventure or your 50th, Untethered and Wander Wise delivers the perfect blend of practical travel wisdom and inspiring stories that will fuel your wanderlust. Join our community of intrepid women travelers who prove that the best journeys begin when you're brave enough to travel untethered!

Follow Untethered and Wander Wise:

• Instagram: @untetheredwanderwise
• Facebook: Untethered and Wander Wise

Subscribe now to never miss an episode of this empowering travel podcast for midlife women explorers!

#WomenTravel #SoloTravel #MidlifeAdventure #FemaleExplorers #TravelOver45 #AuthenticTravel #WomenEmpowerment #TravelPodcast #CulturalExploration #TravelSafety

Transcript

A Conversation With Travel Radio Host Annita Thomas

[00:00:00] Welcome to Untethered and Wander Wise, where adventure has no age limit. We're your co-host Heidi Brandes and Nikki Mohundro, and we're here to inspire and celebrate women over 45 who are embracing their independence and want to explore the world on their own terms.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Welcome to Untethered and Wander Wise, the podcast where we explore the world through the experiences of intrepid female travelers. I'm Heide Brandes, joined by my co-host Nicky Omohundro, and today we are thrilled to welcome a true veteran of the travel industry and airwaves. Anita Thomas. Anita is an award-winning host of travel with Anita, a travel show that has been inspiring wanderlust for over 11 years, across five states and worldwide through live streaming. Her fascinating human interest stories explore destinations through the eyes and voices of locals who call these places home. [00:01:00] Her work has earned multiple Lowell Thomas travel journalism awards, including two gold and one silver in the travel audio radio category, but Anita's travel credentials go far beyond broadcasting. For 13 years, she has circled the globe as a purser with Pan-American World Airways. She's visited an astounding 123 countries and has explored 49 of the 50 US states. With just Montana left to complete her American journey.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I am on the way.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yay. Yay. also the host of the award-winning podcast, quarter Miles Travel, which explores the United States based on the designs featured on state and commemorative US mint quarters. Then beyond her media work, Anita has contributed to intercultural communications training for the 1996 Olympics and shares her expertise as a [00:02:00] Superhost with Airbnb, helping others navigate the world of short-term rentals. Today we'll dive into Anita's incredible journey as a female traveler, broadcaster, and storyteller. Welcome to Untethered and Wander wise, Anita.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Well, thank you. Thank you. You guys are making me sound pretty good. I forgot about some of those things.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: pretty good.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: So

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I've been out there doing it. Huh?

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: yeah. More than anybody I know. , and Anita and I have met before as Yes. Yes. And we traveled together before We're big fan girls of Anita, but first of all, tell us about yourself and the evolution of your career.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Well, you know, that's, you know, a really interesting, interesting question and some of the things that you guys mentioned kind of takes me back a little bit as well. , I grew up with a father who was in the Army. I. During World War ii. So I said , listening to stories, I, I sat, right at his, at [00:03:00] his foot and, and listened to stories about, you know, Paris and Morocco and just all of these places that he had a chance to go to.

And National Geographic magazines are always on the coffee table. So I grew up with travel kind of all around me and my father's father, my grandfather. Had been one of the first Pullman porters on, on the train. So I like to say that travel's in my blood. And then of course when I could, I, jumped on Pan Am as a, as a career and flew with them for quite a few years and had a chance to see a lot of the rural.

And uh, as you mentioned too, , one of the great things about travel too is the culture and meeting people and, you know, things like that. So, had a really great opportunity to do that. But you mentioned the, um, the Olympics and I. And I hadn't thought about that in a while, but that was a great experience as well.

'cause it gave me a different side of, of travel 'cause I wasn't doing the traveling as much. It was people coming into Atlanta, to, , see the Olympics and even before. And I did a lot of media trips, [00:04:00] not knowing that one, one day down the road I would be doing those same kind kinds of trips as well.

A lot of different experiences that I think have given me, uh, sort of a balanced view of really the whole travel industry.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And I think too, just as a traveler in general, just as soon as you get outside your front door, you get such a rich. Experience with the world and the people around them. How did you get into broadcasting?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Oh, that's an interesting story. I was participating in a program for people that are 50 and older, , to stay involved in the community. Well, that was a couple years ago when I did it, so I'm, I'm now 60 and older as well. But, , but to stay involved in the community and do things with nonprofits and that type of thing.

And one of the people, one of my fellow. Uh, so the folks that was in the program with me was the business development manager for the local radio station, and he'd always wanted a, a travel show and I said, you should definitely do that. And he said, well, [00:05:00] no, you should do that. I was like, oh me, I don't have any broadcast.

, I didn't study that in college or anything like that. , so we just kind of put a show together. , the two of us, he was my producer. And I would do, just tips and, , the top 10 things to do and, , the destination is how I started out with that. And then I started going on trips.

And Heidi, I think, uh, when I first started, I think that was a trip that you and I were on together. From that it just turned into more trips, more opportunities to expand the travel show. Uh, when I first started, as I mentioned, I did more of the. Kind of, you know, check off the list kind of things.

And now I really do enjoy getting those human interest stories and letting people who are from there tell the story of the destination. I think that's a great way to do it.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And I love that because those connections you make with. people who are local to the places you're visiting, give you a whole different impression of travel. , it's not [00:06:00] just about the pretty places you see and things like that. It's about these connections you make. And your show focuses heavily on exploring destinations through the eyes and voices of locals. What inspired that approach and, how has it changed your own perception of travel.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Uh, that's another good question too, Heidi, because, um, what happened during, uh, during Covid, you know, we were all, especially as travel folks, trying to sort out, well, how do I remain as a travel journalist, a blogger, or, , whatever your particular position was in the industry at that time. How do I remain involved with it and nobody's traveling.

Nobody, including myself, I wasn't going anywhere. So I didn't want to just let the show just kind of fade away. Uh, and I then started reaching out to people to tell stories about how they were involved in something in the destination. So I think one of the first people that I had on was a woman that her [00:07:00] father had been invol involved with Waterford Crystal since he was a child, and I believe his.

I don't think it was his father. I think it was maybe my uncle had also been with Waterford, so it was like a third generation person that was involved with Waterford Crystal, and I love Waterford. I love Ireland. So there you go. And I had her on, and her story was just. So interesting to hear just how excited she was to continue a family tradition.

And I thought, well, there's something there. There are people all around in , these destinations where you have generations that have done maybe farming, maybe they've done, , some other type of industry, owned a certain store for several generations, that there's so many stories in the cities that.

We have an opportunity to visit and let's let them tell it. Now you can, of course, still tell the, you must stay here. You must eat here. You get here by, flying or driving or whatever. But then have them tell really the heart and the soul of the destination.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And that's fantastic. And how would do you normally [00:08:00] find and build trust with these locals that you feature on your show?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: You guys answered some really great questions because I think that, well, usually they're recommended, so I have a little help in finding them. But I think one of the things with me, the way I like to interview is to really get people comfortable. I don't jump right into the questions, I don't jump right into things.

So I like to, , just talk a little bit just about things in general. What is the weather like, what's going on there. Talk a little bit about my weather. Sometimes something would've recently happened with me and my dogs. I'm a, I'm a big dog person, so I may start with telling a story about something that's going on, and my thought is those little conversations help to sort of bring down any nervousness or any, well, who is this really interviewing me?

Kind of thoughts that someone may, may have. And then additionally, I know some, , people who are doing the interviews don't want to give out the questions ahead of time, but I'm okay with that. If [00:09:00] someone feels better having the questions ahead of time, I will certainly come up with some questions and, and let them know.

These questions may generate some additional questions, but at least here's an idea of what we're gonna talk about, and I think that helps.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: So can you share a story of when connecting with a local completely transformed your understanding of a destination?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Uh, yeah. Yeah, I can. I spent a lot of time down on the Georgia Coast and I had heard about this guy who plants and grows rice. , but I hadn't met him, and I was always intrigued with that because I knew that someone had told me that his ancestors, when they were enslaved, they were rice growers. So I just found that interesting that he didn't feel some kind of way maybe about rice, but he actually wanted to continue growing it.

So I met him, , and now I have become quite close with he and his wife, but [00:10:00] met him. We had a long conversation. I actually did a show, , with him on it, talking about it. But it really gave me sort of a different insight into how people really want to continue that thread that sometimes can,

sort of move through families and connect them from generation to generation and just how to look at that, that type thing a little differently as well. Just, there may have been not so good things, , with the situation in the past, but here you are bringing a, a different light to it and one where you really enjoy it and, and support it.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Mm-hmm.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: definitely say that was one that made me stop and go, Hmm, , you really can't look at things with a different lens. Than what you would think or what the general public might think too.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Definitely, and , those deeper connections with the locals, it's really important. It really gives you a sense of place and for those people that are looking to maybe research from their family history or just kind of dive down into local history, it's a great [00:11:00] way to do it.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Absolutely, because there's usually so much there. In every in, in every destination, every city, there is some history and you're bound to find someone. You just want to find someone that's really comfortable with sharing it all.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And I find too locals, especially a lot of times when you say, I'm outta town and I'm here for not a tourist destination, they're like, oh, we've got plenty of recommendations. And a lot of times you can just sit down with someone know and hear their story. So it's a lot of fun 

so, for female travelers that maybe aren't as skilled as just talking to a complete stranger like the three of us are, what advice could you give them when they wanna move beyond the travel experiences and talk more with locals?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Oh, Hmm. Well, you know, I've had those situations where I find myself maybe in a coffee shop. Or, maybe, headed to a theatrical performance and we're all standing in line or something like that. Uh, I, I [00:12:00] think just sort of asking them, have you seen the show before? Or, asking, well, have you been to this cafe before?

, so maybe asking some questions that engage them with whatever you are around or whatever you're engaging with. Is a good way to break the ice and then, just kind of gauge to see if they are, if the local person. Is feeling comfortable with it. So I don't, I usually don't try to push those conversations too much, but definitely, asking questions like that.

, another thing too is if you are wanting to really connect with the locals, the hotel or the accommodations where you're staying, there are people there that are really good to also get you to spots maybe where you can go, where the locals usually go. So where's that restaurant?

That the locals usually, like to go to, or maybe there's a bar where you maybe wanna go and grab a drink, or maybe there's a sporting event or a festival or something that's going on. So really depend on also some local people that [00:13:00] you already have a connection with to maybe help guide you in ways that you can find out a little bit more about the culture and the things to do around the area from other locals.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: , and that's great segue to our next question, which is. your experience traveling across 123 different countries, which cultures have been the most surprisingly open to female travelers seeking authentic connections.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Hmm. Well , I had to think a little bit about that one because, um, let me just think for a second. I would say probably I. Maybe some of the countries like the, the European countries, maybe Canada, and, and the reason why I'm, I'm pausing a little bit with that, is because I was just in West Africa and although I felt that.

People were very open. I felt that people, connected very easily. I could still detect that there was a little bit of, , like difference in how someone [00:14:00] might respond to a male versus how they might respond to a female. , but I also think what adds to that, and using West Africa again as an example, that since I'm American, I think that.

There's a little bit more leeway given to having conversations with me than maybe a female that would be from that area. So sometimes I believe, just where you are from, that you are a foreigner, that you are, someone who's visiting a tourist maybe gives you an extra little, a little foot in there.

But yeah, I would say ease in terms of just my culture, my way of doing things. Definitely the European countries. I think are have, for me, have been easier, but the others have not been difficult, but just, yeah, maybe easier.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah. It is funny because in Canada and the places I've traveled to in Europe, they're like, you Americans, you're just so friendly. You talk to everybody,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: . I think as a society we. Have that reputation mm-hmm.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: just being friendly, talkative folks. Anyway, [00:15:00] around

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, because some cultures you have to watch that. There's some cultures where, you know, if you are friendly as a female, it could be taken as, maybe that you are maybe wanting more than just, just a chat, so

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: I,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: you don't

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: that

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: places, um, Turkey, which I absolutely adore the, the country, a Turkey. But yeah, it, you have to be careful because I'm smiling all the

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Me too.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: you can't look directly at a man and smile at him 'cause it implies that you are sexually interested. So that, that was a hard habit to break.

'cause you know, I'm from Oklahoma. I smile at chairs. If I think the chair's pretty, you know.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Exactly. Exactly. And that's where, back to your question about, what countries you, do you feel that's a little bit easier for women? And I think that's why, because I think a lot of times, from the, the Western society, I think a lot of us are more engaging, more friendly, comfortable speaking to, you know, to someone who, who we don't know.

So you don't [00:16:00] have to be careful with that. Yeah. Oh, I keep it in mind at least.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Even in the States, I think there's, depending on which region you're in, Oklahoma, like we just said, we are used to, asking people how they are. Thank you so much. And ask them how their day is. Yeah. I went to make friends in the line. Make friends, yes. At the grocery store New York City.

I remember sitting down in a restaurant and the gentleman that poured my water, I'm like, hi, how are you today? He's like, you're not from around here, are you? And literally turned around and walked off. I was like, oh, okay. Yeah, so, and then I remember being on a cruise in the Mediterranean. There was another woman and her family were from Oklahoma. it was not uncommon for either of us to enter into the other person's conversation

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: and we didn't know each other. They're like, oh, you're from Oklahoma, so we're just gonna chime right in. And it was. It was completely normal. 

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Right. It's fine.

Yeah. You know, and, and the southerners, I mean, we, we, we get the same [00:17:00] thing, because it's that southern hospitality and all of that, that supposedly we have. So I carry that with me. But, , sometimes you do have to think about, well, where am I? Exactly. What's the culture here? , not so much smiling a little bit.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Now you've been in the travel realm for quite a while. How have concerns for female travelers changed from like your earlier days when you were with Pan Am to today? I.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Oh, that's a really good question because I, I would say that when I first started, it was very rare to see solo female travelers. You just didn't see that a lot. Or if you did, it wasn't. It wasn't that frequent. , you might see a mother traveling with a child or something like that, , but you didn't see, , women going by themselves, backpacking or, , going by themselves, you know, on a trip that was more adventurous.

Maybe they may have been going home to see family or something like that, but in terms of like travel and tourism. Type solo travel going on a, on a land [00:18:00] tour or going on a cruise. Definitely, definitely see that more now. And I would say even in the, , the years of my doing my radio show, I see more of that and more focus on it and more, trending, um, uh, opportunities.

I would say that tour companies and cruise lines and things like that are offering. Uh, you'll see that, , we have the solo package, or this tour is, women, , a women's tour, women's screws or that type of thing. So you see more of that. So I would say that one thing is definitely something that I've seen change over the, over the years.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: You're known for traveling solo a lot. what are some of your most rewarding travel experiences you've had as a solo traveler?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, I would say just meeting new people and making some friends, um, and just having a chance to hear other people's experiences. And I, I guess I was more of a. Lover of stories that I realized because [00:19:00] I really do enjoy, sitting down with people. I was on a cruise back in, uh, the end of January, February, and I was a solo traveler on that one, and there were actually quite a few women solo travelers on, on, on that cruise.

I was really a little surprised to see how many, uh, and they arranged for us to, uh, each night we would be invited to sit at a table. And there would be several other solo ladies at the, at the table. And then couples are, , just a little mix up of, of different, different passengers. And it was amazing how everyone got along and then we were planning to do dinner together.

Let's go on the expeditions together. So I really, really found that to be something that. I realized even more from that cruise that I was doing it already, and just how much that I feel like really enhances my experiences when I'm traveling as well. And then the other thing too, that the other side of traveling solo, I do feel very comfortable, being by myself and with myself.

So I do [00:20:00] find that, when I'm solo traveling, I can choose the things that I want to do, the places I want to see. I love going to museums, so I don't feel like I have to rush through it or take longer or whatever the case may be. I can really enjoy it. 

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And I'm curious, what was the cruise you took this year with, with the other female travelers?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I was on, on the part that was going on the coast of West Africa. We started in, in Cape Town and then went all the way up to the Canary Islands, but most of the other people on the cruise had been on for months. It was one of the, it was one of those grand, journey. Ev every, every cruise line has their own name for this.

But it was one of those long, long, long cruises. And actually there were two ladies that I sat and talked with. I think they had been on, what did she tell me? I think it was 136 days or something like that. That she'd been on and she was signed up for another one. So there are people, you hear that, , some people live on cruise, cruise ships, I guess it is [00:21:00] true.

. So these two ladies, they were already signed up for, another cruise that was gonna be about three months.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Oh, well, I know people have said that it's actually cheaper to retire on a

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: than it is in a adult facil, or like adult assisted living. Assisted living facility.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Well, I'll tell you, I, I totally got it because I was one of those people that was like, well, how can you stay on a cruise ship? What are you going to do? Won't you get bored? The room is gonna be too small. You know, all the things that, , hear that you hear about being on cruises and them being on cruises for a long time.

Hey, I totally got it. I mean, my bed was made every day. I would get up and go to breakfast. I had several hours. I think breakfast went from like six 30 till nine 30, something like that. So I had three hours to decide when I wanted to have breakfast at my leisure and on sea days. I could sleep in, I could sit by the pool, I could go get a spot.

, it was like living in luxury. I was like, okay, I get this. I just don't have the, I don't have the money to do it, but I get it. I won't question it anymore. I'm [00:22:00] done questioning why people do it.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: no, I, I learned to really love cruises. 'cause when I first took my first big ship cruise, 'cause I'd done smaller, , I'd been for cruises, I didn't know if I'd like the big floating city cruises. I had such a good time.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: It helped that they gave me the drink package

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I was on Seaborn, so everything was included, including some of the. , some of the excursions, but some of you didn't have to pay extra far. But yeah, everything was included and , we would all get together at the end of the day and they had this little bar that was up top and we'd watch the sunset.

Oh, it was, it was fabulous. I was on for 22 days, so I was on for a long time as well, but I totally get it. So I would not be one of those people saying, why do people cruise for for three months?

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah, I would do it. Yeah, I just, yeah. You mentioned Ireland earlier. I just booked my airline tickets. I'm going back to Ireland and then adding the Netherlands and I'll be there, gone for three [00:23:00] weeks.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Oh wow. I love Ireland

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: jealous. You can come. I kind of wish I was cruising though, 'cause it meant that I would only have to unpack once.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: that

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: of the things I absolutely love.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Me too. Me too. Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: now I'm gonna haul everything around and I'm like, . But it's doable. It's doable. It's

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Hey, you in Ireland. So there you go.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Exactly. I love Ireland. We've been talking about travel safety a lot, on a lot of our podcasts, but I'm curious, what measures do you take now when it comes to safety that weren't available when you began, your extensive world travels.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: , I don't know if I would say not available per se, but something that I pay closer attention to is where my room is in a hotel. , I, I don't wanna be right by the elevator and right by sort of that little busy corridor area that can be around like the stairway or the, or the elevator. But I don't wanna be all the way down at the end of the [00:24:00] hall.

, a couple years ago I met this woman that she was on a business trip and she was actually assaulted in the hallway of her, of her hotel and her hotel room was down the hall. And I sat and talked with her for a long time because she still has a lot of, uh, um, what do you call that? 

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Post traumatic stress.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, post-traumatic, , stress. She still had had quite a bit of that, and she and I just talked about it and I realized that those are little things like that. It doesn't seem like it probably makes a huge amount of difference and a lot of times at the end of the hall it's quieter or , that kind of thing, and you feel like maybe you can just, can get away and maybe sometimes the rooms are larger.

But I thought about it and I was like, yeah, because when you're in the hallway as a single, um, solo traveler or female, if someone enters that hallway and you're there. You are kind of stuck if you're trying to get all the way down the hall. So I would say for safety, where my accommodation is, is probably the one thing that I would [00:25:00] say I pay more attention to than I did in maybe my earlier travels.

, so not, of course, you hear all the time, don't say your room number out loud or that kind of thing, stuff like that. But yeah, definitely where my room is located, I'm very sensitive to that now.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: That's really great advice. I hadn't thought about that. Yeah. 'cause usually I just think about the level of noise.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: But in one of the last hotels I was in, the configuration of the rooms was very odd. You had the elevator in the center of the hallway, and then you had the corridor, but then it shot down, and so you had three rooms and like these little alcoves, and so you wouldn't be able to see anyone that was in the

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: you were walking past.

Wow. That was a little different and they were very narrow. It was hard to pass people.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah. Yeah. So you, you start noticing more things like that, or at least I, I've started noticing more things like that, just configuration. 'cause someone be hiding there and you don't wanna be paranoid. And I, I don't feel that I am, but I just feel that that is one area where I [00:26:00] have a little bit more sensitivity to my environment and kind of looking around and even when I leave the room in the morning, or if I run out to get ice or something like that.

And I still just take a look around. And now that I'm talking about this, I'm also thinking about my airline training. There was a lot around, hotel safety in terms of if there is a fire. So also, with safety, you wanna be in a spot where you can also get to, I. The fire escape in case there is a problem.

I mean, I don't know if you guys have ever been in any type of, , fire emergency or something like that in a hotel. Uh, I, I've been in in two before,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: God.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Thank goodness it wasn't anything major. But still you had to leave the room and, yeah. , you, you wanna be close to that as well, so just, you know, kind of making that balance.

Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah. I've had it once where we had to stand outside for two hours. Um, and it was just a smoke issue, but it was still kind of scary

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: room, you're relaxed, you're like, okay, there's a fire alarm. What do I even do,, with kids, we did the fire alarm in school, but. As adults we're like, I've [00:27:00] gotten no clue

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah. And you're usually tired, you, maybe you've been out, , touring, especially for us, , we've had a full day of touring out around you're face down in the bed, and now all of a sudden, you know, there's a fire alarm and it's like what I do? Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: what, yeah, what do what?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Get dressed. Yep.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: in Oklahoma,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: yeah. A tornado sauce. Yeah. But first put something on, make sure you're dressed,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah. Yes. Put bra on. Put your bra

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: put your bra Oh yes, yes, definitely.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: and a good pair of shoes and grab, yeah, and grab your phone just in case.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, definitely. Grab your phone.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: yeah, and that leads me to technology has really changed dramatically over the years. I grew up in a time where there wasn't an internet and all of us were that way. Or cell phones.

Or cell phones. What technological advances have most improved your experience on the road in that for fellow women experiencing travel, I.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: , I definitely think, you mentioned, , the not having a cell phone. I mean, we didn't grow. We are not of the generation, , where we grew up with cell phones. I would say definitely the [00:28:00] cell phone because you can do so much with your cell phone, but you can get the apps on there.

, you can keep your itinerary on there. I. , you can certainly easily share itineraries and things like that with folks back at home. Or if you have a guide or something like that that you are, kind of traveling with, , you can have their phone number in case you need them later.

So, I would say definitely the, the cell phone has really made a difference in how we as women can travel, uh, and be more efficient with our travel. So not only just around safety, but even just efficient with keeping up with. With everybody's itinerary. And you mentioned about traveling with kids, so yeah, I, I would definitely say the telephone and all that goes with it.

Apps now, ways of tracking things and, and all of those things. Yeah, definitely. I love myself up my cell phone's always with me.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah. And one of the things he said is Share your itinerary. And that's. One thing Nikki has taught me to do, she's

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: proof of life person.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: [00:29:00] I love that.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Each other's proof of life person. Yeah. But that brings up a good question. How do you navigate the balance between staying safe remaining truly open to authentic experiences in places where you're not familiar with?

How do you navigate that?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I think some of it too is a mindset, and I would say for me, I. Having traveled a lot and traveled solo a lot, um, I really just, do a little bit of self-talk as well. But other than just, self-talk and, and saying that, be on the lookout, , stay aware and things like that.

Also, making a, making a plan. Um, when I was younger, I kind of felt like I could. Just lay me in the city and I'll be fine. , I may not have a hotel room. I may not know this and that, but as I've gotten older, I realize now that that's not the real smart way to travel. So having a plan.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Pal.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah. When I was [00:30:00] younger, yeah. It's like, oh, um, my friends and I, let's go to Hong Kong. Okay, well let's go on the plane and go, plus, , where the airline passes and stuff. You could do that kind of thing. But, um, but yeah, then we would just get something, the airport used to have, I don't know if they still do or not, but remember when the airport would have like a board and you could go and you saw the different hotels?

Yeah. So you just call up one and. They don't have a, uh, any vacancies call another one. So yeah. But no, I would not do that now, so I know. So I think just, , learning to travel, travel smart and that means, like what I just mentioned about thi like using your phone to have your itinerary, I.

So that you can keep up with what you're doing as well. Um, and also, uh, even things like, being careful with, where you have your money, where you have your passport and keeping things in your, in your, , room, in the safe if you have that available and just thinking things through, but not having.

, especially if you think things through, I think that helps you to not be so worried, so stressed and things like [00:31:00] that as well. Just prepare and, and leave things in the room. You don't need to take all of your money with you when you go out every day. Don't have to take every credit card and,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Oh, no.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah, not a great idea

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah. Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And I think a lot of, um, women, especially for those that are traveling for the first time, whether they're 20 or 40 or 60, , they're worried about, safety

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: it's not really an issue of travel isn't safe. I , it's. Travel is safe most places these days, but it's just like you said about being situationally aware and just being cognizant of, where you

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: in. To be honest, we have to do that on a daily basis as women anyway. Yeah. Whether you're

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: West Africa or Atlanta or in Oklahoma City, being aware of what's happening around you and just using basic common sense,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: right. That that is, that is so true. , another thing too, uh, I think about with going back to accommodations is when you are planning it, really [00:32:00] look and see where that hotel is located. If it's located at a spot that's like a business area, which might be cheaper. You might get a cheaper rate because it's, located in, a complex where there's lot, lots of offices, but on the weekend it might be very quiet there.

So that may not be the best idea of a place to, , to sort of, , choose that as, as your spot to stay, because then you'll be doing everything from there. So, will you be able to easily get taxi cabs? Uh, how easy will it be to get, Uber or whatever, , things like that. And then you have to travel a lot, maybe to where their attractions are, so maybe more centrally located.

So I think just thinking things through and maybe talking with someone that. Travels a lot to help you sort out those plans if you're just starting out, because usually we have a friend or a family member or someone who, , can help with that. Or even, talking with a, a travel, uh, uh, travel advisor, , it's still, still a good choice.

Perfect.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: great Facebook groups out too.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, that's a good [00:33:00] point.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: the girls who Love Wait, um, girls Who love to travel,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: and girl traveler and wanderlust, they're great. People will put something out and they're like, I'm going here. Give me all of the advice and people will chime in with you.

Do's, don'ts, practical tips, and it's kind of nice to have that community. Yeah. Yeah.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: , tho those Facebook groups too, a lot of them, uh, will have meetups sometimes too, that maybe you can meet someone and that can feel safe because you can look and see how involved they've been on that particular Facebook page. That is not someone that's just kind of popping in here or there too, to maybe try to track people that are.

Or traveling solo. So yeah, that's a good idea. Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: So, are there any places that you've traveled, let's say, decades ago, that you would approach differently now as a female traveler?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I would say I used to go when I was with Pan Am. We used to fly into, , Saudi Arabia. Um, so some of the countries that [00:34:00] are uh, have the very strong Muslim culture, uh, meaning, , you have to dress a certain way or that, that type thing. Um, I think, I think I'm just more aware, so whether I would be going back there or another country where my culture is so different, I think I'm just much more aware.

Of, um, sort of paying more attention to that. Whereas when I was younger it was kind of like, well, I'm going, I mentioned already, how, how I travel. Like, okay, let's go. But, but, but now I think just much more aware. , but I was in Japan last year and I would say, , that was. , probably an incident of, of where I would say before I just kind of went and had fun and it was all about, uh, when I was with Pan Am it was all about, , the shopping and the hanging out with the crew and we would have lots of crew parties.

Uh, Japan was like one of the places where we do that a lot, and now it was much more about. , the culture and I'm standing in, , some of the Japanese accommodations, what do I need to do, with [00:35:00] shoes off and making sure that I, have my, my kimono robe on the correct way. So I would definitely say Japan would be one of those ones that in particular that I

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: look at a little different.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: and it's funny because. Women, younger women are traveling more often than say we did in our generation. But how do you see younger women approaching travel differently than say, our age group did? And what can each generation learn from each other? can we learn from them and what should they listen to when we're talking?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Well, it's funny you mentioned that, Heidi, because my niece and I have traveled together and my niece is 38 now. So there's, about, 30 something years, between us and, um, we do this old school, new school thing and to just kind of pay attention to if, if there are any differences.

And it's kind of interesting, some of the things that we noticed. Now she seems to be much more kind of impatient [00:36:00] with things being done without technology. She's like, this could go so much faster if they would just, , create an app for it and we would just check in, on your phone and just, , go, there's no need to set in line.

And I'm thinking, well, I hadn't thought about that. Yeah, standing in line. Okay. The line's moving kind of fast. They do have computers and they have some technology up there. She's like, no, no, no, no. There could be more technology to just simplify this. And she's wanting to go out and explore everything. I wanna take my days a lot more leisurely, that kind of thing.

But then I end up, when she comes back, 'cause. She'll go off solo herself exploring when she comes back. Then I'm like, well, hmm, I should have done that. That sounds like that was fun. So I think we can, , be ourselves. It's good to travel if you're traveling with, a multi-generational, , sort of group.

I think it's good to sort of be yourself. But I think we can, learn a little bit about maybe just slowing down a little bit. For some of the younger travelers, [00:37:00] you don't have to take a picture of everything being the moments because there's so much to gain from just being there and having it be your experience.

But I will say that I look back at some of my, especially my PanAm colleague friends, and some of the pictures, all the pictures that they took, and I'm wishing that I would've taken more pictures. So definitely get those pictures in. But you don't have to take a, everything doesn't have to be a selfie or, a photo experience or something like that.

Um, but get those pictures, but balance it.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: I had something similar in Botswana, um, because it was a very multi-generational, , group of people. And we were in the Okavango, I think were on a similar

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah. 

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Okay. But yeah, we did the primitive nights

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I know.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: VANGO Delta and some of these kids, their phones died. They didn't have any way to charge 'em, but they noticed me taking notes in an old school journal

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: they're like, that's a great idea. I'm gonna, I can't believe I didn't [00:38:00] think of that. And I'm like, really?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Right, right. Right.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: But in turn, they're the ones that taught me how to take night photography on my iPhone because I didn't know. So yeah, I think there's a lot of exchange of information that can happen between the generations that really enhance everybody's experience. Mm-hmm.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: I, I definitely think so. , the funny thing too, with my niece and I, 'cause we've traveled a couple of times together doing our little research. I, I am doing the air quotes here, doing our little research, we call it old school, new school, uh, travel together. Is that, it seems as though there's less with the generation and more probably just how families struggle.

Just what is your particular style of traveling? Uh, more so than that? Well, the old people do that. The young people do this and the people in the middle do something else. So less of that and more we, we think of just kind of how families, maybe the family style that you picked up from, , throughout your life [00:39:00] of traveling.

Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: True. Mm-hmm. And what do you think seems to be the biggest generational divide when women approach new destinations? I.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Hmm. I dunno. Maybe, um, maybe some of the cultural things,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Okay,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: , because I,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: I'm curious, because you talked about your niece and so she looks at things very differently

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: the tech part and you're looking at the culture. So I'm just curious if you think it, there's a difference.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Um, well, well definitely because I mean, for me, I wasn't necessarily needing to have as much technology and, um, I would say I'm, I, I embrace technology, but I'm not the person who, oh, well what is that app? Well, let me learn that. Or, or that type thing. 'cause even like when you guys telling me about your, your platform that you use for your podcast, now I'm curious about it.

So I, I'll probably go check it out. But if it's more than. So there's some quick little ways to do it. I'll kind of fall off from it. [00:40:00] So I would say that's probably maybe a, a divide. I would say that you probably will, well we already hear about it, that older people can't catch on to the technology.

So I would say probably around technology is probably where there's maybe that generational gap that, , that is there. But it seems like it's not as wide as it was. Was.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: And I notice as I get, as I get older, um, but if I'm traveling with younger people, the party scene, the social scene seems to be more important.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: I was all, girl, you know me, you know, I like having dinner and soda

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: or three or more. But the older I get, the more. I wanna have those hikes and the cultural experiences and like going to nightclubs is not a priority for me, but it is with a lot of people I've traveled with,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah, no, that, that's a really good point. And I've noticed that too, because when I was younger, I was much more interested in that. , [00:41:00] hanging out, , where's where, where are we going? Okay. We've had dinner, but it's too early to go back to the hotel.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: right.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: now, yeah, now I'm, I'm thinking is dinner is wrapping up.

I'm thinking, oh, it's gonna be so great, but I just dive into that bed. That's gonna be wonderful.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Take a nice long, hot bath

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: How nice. And I'll have bath and just, wrap up in my robe and I'm, I'm thinking, I'm actually thinking about that sometimes at the end of dinner. Like, oh, those slippers look so comfy, those big towels.

I can't wait to get back to the room. Yeah. So that, that was also a bit of a difference with my niece because, uh, we were on a cruise ship and she was. Quite happy. , we were on Holland America, who has great, great, great entertainment. So she was, wanting to, well, let's go back down the, the dueling pianos have another session.

I'm like, really? Okay, I'm ready for, I'm ready for that. I'm tired. So I'm glad you brought that up because yes, I definitely think that is definitely one of the generational kind of divides.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Well, kind of getting close to [00:42:00] closing, but do you have any advice for women, you know, over 40 who want to travel, who maybe haven't traveled as extensively as three of us? What is your best advice about traveling and traveling authentically?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Well, I would say that, traveling authentically, I would say to do, if, if you have like a list, a lot of people have what we call a bucket list. So take one or two of those spots off of there and start doing a little bit of research. I. What would you want to see? What is it about that place that makes you have it on your, on your bucket list and top of your bucket list?

And then also, , not only just doing some research with that, but maybe talking with a travel advisor or talking with someone that you know who has been to that destination. Talk with them. And I like the idea too, that, that you all brought up about, um. About Facebook groups or Instagram groups or groups.

There are lots of travel groups out there and maybe joining one of [00:43:00] those so that you can just be around other people who are interested in traveling or already out there traveling, so you can, just get some more advice and more inspiration. And start following some people on, social media as well.

There are a lot of really great, uh, sites and, , and folks who are really doing some unique things that can be inspirational and, and give you some, some advice. And, , there are newsletters out there too, you can sign up for, , yeah, Donna, uh, with some of those newsletters so that you can maybe find the deals.

And I always like to. To also, , if you have a favorite airline, someone who's just starting out may not have one, but make sure you, you join their loyalty programs and, , sign up for their apps as well. Hotels do the same thing. 'cause sometimes they'll have deals that they only post on those, on those sites.

'cause you wanna find those deals. And there are a lot of apps that are out there. I'm, I'm now really into Google Travel. Uh, I go to their site to, , to research, a [00:44:00] flight before I go to the airline site. Um, 'cause I, I just, I just booked a trip where I'm going to Vegas, but I'm gonna meet my niece.

He lives in, in Los Angeles. And Are you gonna Vegas,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: I leave Monday.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: are you going? The Travel Good show?

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: I am. This is the best thing about what we do is we have friends and we don't know we're gonna be traveling

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yes. Oh my gosh. Well then you'll get a chance to meet this niece, the old school, new school niece that I travel with. 

 I was like, , should I just go to Vegas or, , we, we were going back and forth on how we would meet up. So I said, well, let me just look at Google Travel.

So what they did, uh, what I put in for a multi-city, um. Search. So what they did was they had me book each ticket separate, and it was like half price. I would not have even thought about this. I mean, maybe I would've gotten to that, but I think I just would've been So, I can't believe this ticket is this expensive.

You know how we go through that, ah, da da da, back and forth. But here Google solves [00:45:00] it all for me. They were like, okay, you buy this ticket separate. And it really works because when I get to la, um, that's one ticket. Then the ticket to Vegas is one ticket. It's not like they really need to be connected anyway, because I'm, , I'm not needing to have bags checked all the way through or anything like that.

So it's like Google figured all that out and uh, gave me a really, really, really cheap, cheap, cheap ticket. Or maybe I should say inexpensive. Yeah, you did too.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: thing. I'm flying on Frontier for the first time. It's a direct flight from Oklahoma City. It was $78 round trip without bags. Oh, nice. So I paid for bags 'cause I have to, 'cause I've told this travel Good show. Um, the swag is legendary and I'm like, yay.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Um, so I checked a bag both ways, but for less than $200 round trip.

Nonstop flight.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: What? That is good. That is good. Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: travel deal you're talking? Um, I just booked my trip to Ireland yesterday. Travel is just a newsletter that I sign up [00:46:00] for and it's free. They alerted me that Oklahoma City to Dublin was 5 91

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm, that's a good price.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: So I went and I looked on Google flights and then did a multi-city, 'cause I wanna go to Amsterdam after Ireland. And so I was kind of doing it. I'm like, okay, so Delta's the cheapest, which is my preferred. There's a travel deal, points, round trip, main cabin, and the fees were $120. like, I'm so proud. So I booked three weeks,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Wow.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: stay.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Right. That's right. And that's, that is a really good point too. When you look for these deals, it really does help you, if not extend with days. You can extend with things that you do while you're there. So de you gotta get the deals and nowadays everything is so expensive. I mean, talk about, , talk about how things have changed.

I mean, I can remember when it was considered expensive. It was like four, $500 to fly, , to Europe.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Mm-hmm.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: it's like, you hope you can find,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Four or 500.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: a [00:47:00] 500 ticket to Europe. It's like I, I hope and pray.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Great. Yeah. I mean, I paid less in points than I have used points to go to Houston for spring break last year. Yeah.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: It was like 30,000 points each way for each, all three of us

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Wow.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: for. but it was also spring break, so tickets for

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: so it was crazy.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: but I don't mind saving money.

No. By staying in a hostel.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: that in Chicago in my three roommates we're all over 40,

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah,

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: a great time and shared different things and it was good. I think that's a good point that what we traditionally think of young people doing, like

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: that's a good point. Yeah.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: They're seeing more and more women our age, you

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: over 50 and over

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: that. So don't be afraid of doing quote the young person stuff

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: , you're absolutely right with that because I, I know for me, I've always kind of looked like, hmm, I don't know about a hustle.

But, but yeah, I mean, more and more women [00:48:00] our age are traveling, solo and looking at those opportunities to, to stay somewhere where they can expand their vacation, expand their trip, and like we said, not necessarily just for days, but. Also with things that you do while you're there. Maybe you can have a fancier dinner one night and , really try something or that extra tour, one day or something like that.

So, absolutely.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yeah, I hate the term girl math, like I saved all this money so I can do it twice as long. I don't like the idea of it, but it's true. , you have your set budget, so if you can save a little bit over here, it just means more money for the experiences over

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Yeah. Yep. Exactly. Exactly.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: It was perfect.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Mm-hmm.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: So, but that really brings us to the end of today's inspiring conversation with Anita Thomas, she's had an incredible jour journey, and I thank you so much for sharing it with us.

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Well, thanks for having me. This was fun. I enjoyed it. I look forward to hanging out with you in [00:49:00] Vegas.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Yes, I think we can all agree that your approach to experiencing destinations through local voices offers a powerful blueprint for more meaningful travel. And again, thank you so much for joining us on Untethered and Wander wise. Your stories and insights are truly inspiring, especially for women looking to explore the world.

With confidence and purpose. And if you'd like to follow Anita's continuing adventures or tune into her shows, Anita, can you tell our listeners where to find you?

annita_1_03-21-2025_130417: Absolutely. Yeah. Well, on social media, on Instagram, I am Anita and friends, and my name Anita does have, have two ends in it. And Facebook is my, my, my full name Anita Stokes Thomas, and I'm actually probably a little bit more active on. Facebook, um, at Anita Stokes Thomas, and then my website is Travel with Anita.

And then again, that's Anita with two Ns. Travel with anita.com.

nicky---heide--she-her-_1_03-21-2025_120417: Travel with Anita with [00:50:00] two ends, and as for us here at Untethered and Wonder Wise, you can find all our episodes on your favorite podcast platform and follow our social media for behind the scenes content in upcoming guest announcements. at untethered, wander wise on Instagram. That's just untethered, wander wise and untethered and wander wise on Facebook. Yeah, we really need to con that, but that's where you can find us. So before we go, we'd love to ask our listeners a favor. If you know someone who's dreaming of travel that hasn't taken the first leap, a friend who's looking for more meaningful connections on their journeys, please share this episode with them. Anita's wisdom spans generations and might just be the inspiration they need to pack their bags and experience the world through new eyes. Until next time, this is Heide Brandes. And I'm Nicky Omohundro [00:51:00] reminding you to stay curious and embrace the journey with an open heart. Safe travels everyone.

Okay. Thanks for joining us on another adventure with Untethered and wander wise. We hope today's episode has inspired you to pack your bags, step out of your comfort zone, and explore the world with confidence. Remember, it's never too late to start your next great journey until our paths cross again.

Keep dreaming big and traveling bold. This is Heidi Brandis and Nikki Alejandro signing off.