The WanderList: 7 places to go when you don't want to plan
the must-read Monday ritual for women who dream of purposeful journeys
Hi! I’m Katie, a cultural and social psychologist—but you can think of me as your BFF with a PhD. I’m also a travel curator, and I explore the magic that happens when you step out and into the world. Here, I unpack the psychology of travel—how it can heal, reveal, and transform us. If you’re craving more meaning, more beauty, or simply a shift in perspective, you’re in the right place. Thank you so much for being here.
We’re officially in summer now, and it’s that time when you start feeling like you’re not going to go on vacation if you don’t do it soon.
Good news. You don’t have to be like your Type A friends who planned their summer getaway back in January to make it meaningful.
Just don’t let August (or July, in this case) slip away like a bottle of wine.
Book something before the season ends.
It doesn’t have to be complicated or fussy or overplanned.
It can be a relief in choosing a trip that doesn’t ask you to choreograph every detail.
Please. Miss me with your spreadsheets.
No elaborate checklists.
No color-coded calendars.
Just a bag, a loose idea, and enough curiosity to see where the day takes you.
Psychologists call this self-expansion. Unstructured experiences can stretch your sense of what’s possible and remind you you’re alive to more than your routines.
A 2020 study found that novelty-rich, spontaneous travel boosts mood and memory far more than rigidly scheduled getaways.
And, if that’s not enough, a 2019 study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that these spontaneous experiences often feel more authentic and satisfying because they’re driven by intrinsic motivation. Moving about the world intrinsically is all about doing things simply because they feels good, not because they were on a to-do list.
If you’re craving room to breathe, the below places welcome a little aimlessness.
And they don’t require endless hours of Googling and research ad nauseam.
I’ve made the list with half that are easy to reach in the US and the other half accessible to most places in Europe/the UK.
1. Hudson Valley, New York
Just a short train ride or drive from the city. Antique barns, farm stands, small-town bookstores, river walks. Follow whatever catches your eye, be it a roadside cider sign, a hidden trail, a vintage shop.
2. Ojai, California
A golden valley tucked between mountains and citrus groves. Mornings at the farmers’ market, afternoons with a book under an oak tree, evenings drinking local wine. No agenda necessary. Bonus: Ojai is absolute perfection this time of year. This will always be on my list of favourites for summer.
3. Taos, New Mexico
Adobe galleries, high desert light, endless open roads, mountain views. Stop for turquoise jewelry or chile ristras, then keep driving. Leave space for detours. It’s still untouched enough to not be overly marketed or overly crowded. Yet, has enough mystique and options that you could wander for hours and not see all it has to offer.
4. Marfa, Texas
A tiny town where time feels slower. Drift between minimalist art spaces, coffee shops, and the quiet of the desert at dusk. The perfect weekend solo getaway, I might add.
5. Norfolk Coast, England
Long stretches of sand, pastel cottages, salty wind. Pick any village, walk until your thoughts feel clear, and end the day with fish and chips on the beach.
6. Bologna, Italy
Porticos, trattorias, old bookstores, markets full of fresh pasta. Walk without a map. Stop when something looks good.
7. Edinburgh, Scotland
Stone lanes, hidden gardens, secondhand bookshops. Climb up Arthur’s Seat on a whim. Let the city unfold at your pace. It’s the perfect destination for a last-minute getaway with its endless options for boutique and unique accommodation. You can experience it beautifully without much of a plan, fully embracing that romantic, slow-travel feel.
If you’re tempted to slip away soon, I’d love to help you sort out the details. I’m waiving all planning fees for my psychologie subscribers for the summer. So, right now is a great time to head out. Just fill out my travel inquiry form or send a DM to get started.
Xx,
Cover art by Lana Elanor used under license
I love this!!! I love learning about new terms like "self-expansion". Visiting Hudson Valley is something I really, really want to do. One of my favorite trips ever was an overnight in Ojai -- I dream of going back!!!
Love this list! I'm excited to check out Bologna soon!