Main Street News

Caryl Dolinko, author of A Woman’s Guide to World Travel, shares her motivation to begin traveling, offering practical travel advice in her workshops and courses, and encouraging women of all ages to travel the world. 

What was your biggest motivation to start traveling? Has it changed throughout the years?

My biggest motivation to start traveling was the decision to go based on what a woman told me in a Polynesian lounge one night… Talking to a friend from high school, we had just graduated, he asked if I was planning on travelling like my sister and I wasn’t sure. A woman beside us overheard the conversation and leaned in and said “Go. You’re young and you need to explore the world while you can.” 

So, I found a travel companion, but she cancelled just days before our departure, and I had a choice: stay home or travel alone. I chose to go. It didn’t feel dramatic at the time, but it was the moment I learned to trust myself. What was meant to be a four-month trip turned into eight years, and eventually a lifetime of travel.

In the beginning, travel was about just following the path that my older sister had taken, but then, curiosity, independence, and discovering what was possible kicked in. I learned as I went, often without guidance or examples for women traveling solo, and built confidence through experience.

Over the years, my motivation has evolved. As I moved through different stages of life and witnessed how the world and travel itself changed, I became more aware of the impact we have as travelers. What once felt carefree became more intentional. Today, I travel with purpose, mindful of safety, responsibility, and the power of my presence. The how and why I travel has changed, but the core motivation remains the same: choosing to step into the world, learn from it, and let it shape who I am.

What is your background in writing? Has it been a lifelong passion or did your interest in writing develop more recently? In other words, how would you say it fits into your life? 

I don’t come from a traditional writing background, and I’ve never studied writing academically. I have taken writing classes over the years, but my relationship with writing has always been practical and intuitive rather than formal. I also read a great deal, and reading has been just as influential in shaping my voice and sense of story as writing itself.

My writing began with journaling while I was travelling. It became a way to process experiences, ground myself, and make sense of the world around me. When I returned home after eight years of travel, I began teaching travel through continuing education classes and created a handout for my students. That handout kept expanding over time as I added more insights and lived experience.

Eventually, I reconnected with a travel friend and co-authored a book based on that material and much more. Looking back, I realize that writing has always been part of my life, I just never thought of it as a passion. It was simply something I did. Now, having written four books, with one soon to be in print, I see writing as my medium. I have stories worth telling, and this is how I tell them.

Tell me about the inspiration to write A Woman’s Guide to World Travel? 

The inspiration to write A Woman’s Guide to World Travel came from what was missing when I first began travelling. When I started travelling in 1982, there was very little information available, especially for women. Travel guides were written with men in mind and focused on destinations and logistics, not on what it was actually like to travel as a woman. I was unprepared for many of the realities I encountered, and I often wished there had been a book that explained what to expect and how to handle difficult situations specifically for women.

Over the years, I learned by experience, by observing, listening, talking to other travellers and locals, and figuring things out as I went. The lessons I learned took years to accumulate. This book is my way of sharing those lessons. It’s written for women of all ages and travel styles, and it acknowledges the realities women face—especially around safety and confidence, so they can travel more prepared, aware, and at ease.

What does your writing process look like? Did anything about your process stand out or change when writing this book? 

My writing process is both reflective and structured, and for A Woman’s Guide to World Travel, it naturally followed the rhythm of travel itself. I started with my journals and decades of experiences, reflecting on what I’d learned, but I also leaned heavily on the material I had developed and shared in my travel classes over the years.

The book follows a logical travel journey, from the dream of going, to planning, departure, arrival, finding accommodation, and navigating new places, mirroring the way anyone experiences a trip. This structure allowed me to weave practical advice with personal stories, showing readers not just what to expect, but how to approach each stage of travel with confidence.

What stood out for me in writing this book was how closely the process mirrored actual travel: it wasn’t just about telling stories, but about guiding someone step by step, helping them prepare for challenges, embrace the unknown, and make the most of their journey.

How has your background in academia impacted your approach to travel and writing? 

My Master’s in global leadership and intercultural communications has shaped how I travel and write by teaching me to see the world and the people in it within broader social, cultural, historical, and economic contexts. It encouraged self-awareness, adaptability, and thoughtful communication across differences in the world, skills I use both on the road and on the page.

My education helped me understand how culture operates in daily life and in larger systems, which allows me to write about travel in a way that goes beyond logistics or personal experience. My academic background has given me the tools to observe thoughtfully, reflect critically, and share stories with depth, context, and sensitivity to diverse perspectives.

How did you get into teaching travel? What is your approach when teaching workshops? 

I got into teaching travel almost naturally. When I returned from years of travelling, people kept asking me to share my experiences, and I realized that I could offer practical advice that wasn’t really available in books or through travel agencies. When I was invited to teach through the continuing education programs at the Vancouver School Board, I jumped at the opportunity. I taught three full-day courses; Travel the Safe Way, Travel for the First Time, and Travel for Women, and was able to talk for hours and answer nearly any question. 

My approach is interactive and practical: I focus on giving experience-based guidance while creating space for discussion and questions, helping people feel confident, prepared, and inspired. These classes grew into my handbook and eventually my books. I’m now also preparing to offer these courses online, so people anywhere can log in and learn.

Have you had any travel experiences that stand out in particular that you’d like to share? 

I’ve had so many travel experiences that stand out, it’s hard to choose just a few! I’ve included about 50 of my favorite stories in A Woman’s Guide to World Travel, so the best way to really enjoy them is to pick up the book, or the audiobook, where you can hear me share the stories in my own voice. Each one captures a unique moment, lesson, or encounter from my travels that I hope will inspire and entertain readers.

What do you hope readers will take away from this book? 

I hope readers will come away from A Woman’s Guide to World Travel feeling confident, prepared, and inspired to explore the world on their own terms. The book is written for all women—whether travelling alone, with a partner, or with friends, whether young or older, seasoned or first-time travellers, and addresses the unique challenges women face, from safety and unwanted attention to navigating unfamiliar cultures.

I want readers to know what to expect at every stage of travel, from dreaming and planning, to departure, arrival, and settling into a new place, so they can move through their journeys with skill, ease, and enjoyment. Beyond practical advice, the book encourages women to embrace the empowerment and growth that come from travelling independently.

Ultimately, I hope readers take away the message that travel is accessible to any woman who wants to go. With preparation, awareness, and an open mind, the world is waiting—and by stepping into it, you can discover not just new places, but your own strength, potential, and capacity to connect with the world in meaningful ways.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers that we haven’t already covered? 

I’d just like to share that travel is as much about personal growth as it is about seeing new places. Every journey has the potential to challenge you, teach you, and change you in ways you might not expect. It’s about testing your limits, embracing the unknown, and discovering your own resourcefulness and resilience.

I also want readers to know that travel doesn’t have to be intimidating. Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, with preparation, awareness, and an open mind, it can be incredibly rewarding. Most importantly, the world is full of people, experiences, and moments that are waiting to surprise you, inspire you, and show you something new about yourself. So just go!  Dream it, live it, and do it!

To learn more about Caryl Dolinko and her book, A Woman’s Guide to World Travel, visit her website womansguidetoworldtravel.com or email her at awomansguidetoworldtravel@gmail.com.