Sunrises, Cannoli & a Little Laundry Wisdom in Sicily

#25

I’ve finally landed in a place I’ve dreamed of for a very long time.
At 54, I’m standing on the island of Sicily — another dream destination fulfilled.

We’ll be here for nearly two weeks, split between two towns, one seaside and one inland, beginning in the charming village of Letojanni. It sits on the eastern coast, just north of Taormina, where the mountains meet the sea and life slows down to a beautiful rhythm.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
The Kindness of Strangers: From Tuscan Hot Springs to Seaside Hills

#24

Already this slow travel journey has exceeded my joy and expectations a thousandfold over our last six months of travel. Italy is my heart, and at times I have to remind myself to receive the Love this country gives to me. It’s stretching me to open my heart more expansively — to remember that life is here to be enjoyed, appreciated, and lived with excitement and wonder, even in the midst of chaos, breakdowns, and growth.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
Among the Vines of Tuscany

#23

Slow travel has its own kind of rhythm — one that asks you to listen to life’s natural pace instead of your to-do list. After our exciting few days together in Rome (and a very happy reunion!), we’ve now settled into a slower heartbeat in a small town called Sarteano, Tuscany.

I’ve never experienced Italy in October, and here in the countryside, where grapevines fade from green to gold, it feels like time itself is exhaling.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
Edges, Awe & Aperol Spritzes in the Eternal City

#22

It’s Sunday morning in Rome, and I’ve been here for two full days now. It’s been a lot to navigate on my own, and there have definitely been edges in living this new reality, but I couldn’t be happier.

Isn’t that life? We’re excited to experience something new, we give it a go, and it rarely turns out exactly how we planned or imagined. But following our desires, and that inner nudge of the soul calling us into something greater, is always a gift.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
Chosen Family, Cosmic Signs & A Costco Run

#21

My nomadic lifestyle has fully taken over. After wrapping up a few final appointments in Portland, squeezing in one more lunch with my parents, and visiting some beloved friends I hadn’t seen yet, I drove to Eastern Washington. There, I’ve been sleeping on the sofa in my son’s apartment for four nights — and loving every minute of it.

It’s been such a joy to spend this precious time with him and his girlfriend as he fits me into his busy life of work and school. A Costco run to stock up their fridge and the smiles on their faces? My heart is so happy! My kids are my heart wherever they go, and as an empty nester, any time together is priceless.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
From Lake Life to Suitcase Living

#20

I’m back on the road — slow-traveling through Europe and Asia for the next five months. Travels with Spirit shares real stories of freedom, growth, and soul-led adventure — told in real time from the journey.

There’s something that happens when you move from one stasis to the next. The energy it takes to shift from a stable home environment into a nomadic lifestyle is not always as I expect. I like to think of myself as adaptable, able to pivot when needed — and yet I also love my world to be neat and orderly. Living out of a suitcase again took more adjustment than I anticipated.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
Packing, Planning, and 100+ Hours of Preparation

#19

The seasons are shifting. The days are shorter, mornings and evenings are cooler here on the lake, and the final details are falling into place.

I’ve easily spent over 100 hours planning this journey, and most of the time I absolutely love it. As Tim often says (and I fully embrace): this is my superpower. Researching, booking, flights, details — it lights me up. We literally have the entire world at our fingertips. It’s simply a question of where we want to explore next.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
Joy in the Everyday To-Dos

#18

Six months on the road teaches you a lot about planning, but here’s the surprising part: it also teaches you how to find joy in doing the every day.

Sure, there are endless to-dos: where we’ll stay, what shoes will work, how to use up everything in the freezer before we leave. But I’m realizing each of those tasks can either feel like a weight - or an invitation to play.

Read More
Dianna Hanken
The Journey Begins Before You Leave

#17

So much to do and plan!

It’s been a slow process starting to prepare for the next on-the-road experience. Partly because life at home has been full — in the best of ways — and partly because I’ve learned to trust the timing and flow of what life offers in the moment.

Time feels like it’s speeding up, so I’ve been practicing pacing myself, breathing, and being present right here.

Read More
Dianna Hanken