The WanderList: Where to travel based on your personality type

the must-read Monday ritual for women who dream of purposeful journeys

Jul 28, 2025

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.

This week’s WanderList is rooted in one lesser-talked-about truth. The way we travel is deeply personal.

Some of us crave movement.

Some crave meaning.

Some of us want to feel held by a place.

Others want to feel renewed by it.

I’m passionate about highlighting, and normalizing, how differently we all travel.

There’s no one right way to do it.

No itinerary, packing style, or bucket list that makes you more of a traveler.

And, that’s why I created my travel personality quiz.

To help you understand your unique style so you can plan trips that feel good from the inside out.

Because travel isn’t one-size-fits-all.

And, you shouldn’t have to force yourself into someone else’s version of it.

Today, I’m sharing five destination ideas based on the five core travel personalities I’ve seen again and again as a travel psychologist.

Think of this as a guide to what your inner traveler really wants.

(And, if you don’t know your type yet? The quiz is waiting for you at the end!)

As a travel psychologist with a PhD in psychology and formal training in personality assessment, I’ve spent years studying personality and how who we are shapes how we move about the world.

These types (and the accompanying quiz) are all grounded in that research.

And, designed to help you plan trips that feel good to you.

Let’s get into it.

1. The Free Spirit

Signature Vibe: Spontaneous. Curious. Deeply alive when there's room to roam.
What they need: Freedom, variety, and a touch of chaos to feel grounded.
Where to go: Oaxaca, Mexico
Wander the markets. Follow your nose to the mole. Take a textile workshop on a whim. Stay in a colourful guesthouse with a hammock and no fixed plans. Let the city unfold like a choose-your-own-adventure story.

2. The Cosy Wanderer

Signature Vibe: Soft, grounded, and homebody at heart. But, still drawn to beauty and novelty in gentle doses.
What they need: Familiar comforts, sensory pleasures, and a pace that doesn’t overwhelm.
Where to go: Charleston, South Carolina
Think cobblestone strolls, cosy inns, sun-sprinkled porches, and beautiful breakfasts. Take a historic walking tour, browse pastel bookshops, and come home to a charming room with a clawfoot tub. Romantic, restful, and just the right amount of new.

3. The Social Explorer

Signature Vibe: Energized by connection and discovery. Loves sharing experiences and saying “yes.”
What they need: Vibrant energy, good company (or the chance to meet new people), and a dynamic itinerary.
Where to go: Valparaíso, Chile
A kaleidoscope of street art, poetry, and clinking glasses, this seaside city is buzzing with creative energy and open-hearted people. Hop on a funicular, join a wine tasting, or stumble into a pop-up art show with your new café friends. It’s a playground for the extroverted.

4. The Intentional Adventurer

Signature Vibe: Purposeful, bold, and introspective. She travels with a why.
What they need: Meaningful experiences, soul-moving landscapes, and space to reflect.
Where to go: Sedona, Arizona
Red rocks. Morning hikes. Journaling on a boulder at sunrise. Take a spiritual tour, get a massage in the desert, and end the day under the stars. Sedona offers personal reckoning at every turn (in the best way).

5. The Slow Seeker

Signature Vibe: Present, mindful, and deeply observant. She's not in a rush, and she prefers it that way.
What they need: Stillness, depth, and time to soak in the subtleties.
Where to go: Rosemary Beach, Florida
All cobblestone paths, soft breezes, and pale shutters, Rosemary Beach is a place where even the air feels curated. Wake up slow, bike to the bookshop, sip something citrusy on a shaded balcony, and spend the afternoon doing absolutely nothing (on purpose). For the traveler who craves stillness with style.

Find Your Travel Personality

Not sure which type is most like you?

I made a quiz, rooted in research and my background in assessment design, to help you get the most out of your travels.

You can take it for free now here → http://drkatieblake.com/quiz.

Then, come back and let me know which one is your type and where it might be leading you this season!

Xx,

Cover art by Lana Elanor used under license