Review: Dream, Plan, and Go

Dream, Plan, and Go

by Rachel McMillan

About the Book

 A Great Big World is Waiting for You Out There—Go Find It!

 
Have you been putting off that trip of a lifetime hoping for a special someone to accompany you? Do you find yourself getting bored with the same old girls’ weekends? Are you hesitant to step out of your comfort zone, plan a solo vacation, pack your bags, and just go?
 
From pastries in Vienna to becoming a tourist in your own town and all points in between, this travel memoir and guidebook will inspire you to seek romance and adventure on your own terms. You will also get practical advice on how to stay safe while traveling single, create a budget, prepare and pack efficiently, and much more.
 
Chapter by chapter, you’ll encounter creative ideas for excursions as well as historical insights into some of the most fascinating destinations around the globe, smart tips for savvy sojourning, and journal jumpstarts to encourage deeper reflection. 
 
Grab with both hands the confidence you need to embrace new experiences both home and abroad. You deserve the chance to discover the joy of being your own best company—this book will show you how!  

My Thoughts

From a well-traveled author with a charming voice comes a book for women seeking independent adventure, both near and far, with a call to pursue our dreams at any stage in life.

I’ve been a big fan of McMillan’s for a few years now. I love her historical mysteries and her contemporary romances with her unique voice that breathes new life into intriguing eras and gilded settings. Having read of her passion for travel, I knew this book would be filled with fantastic travel stories that would have me itching to pack my bags and set off for some foreign and alluring city. I was not disappointed. Dream, Plan, and Go recounts several of McMillan’s personal trips about the world, detailing fabulous locations from her unique point of view. Her loving prose makes the reader feel as though they’ve been to these places even if they’ve never set foot in them. Dispersed throughout the book are tips on solo travel that would come in handy for anyone planning a trip.

And while the anecdotes of traipsing through places like Vienna, Brussels, and Paris will have you reaching for your passport, Dream, Plan, and Go delves deeper than planning out travels. It’s about learning to enjoy yourself and to find adventure wherever you are–whether you travel to the other side of the world or spend an afternoon in your own neighborhood.

Romance can be found in a concert by a local orchestra, in the first bite of dessert at a bakery, or in an evening ramble along the boardwalk during a summer fair.

Many of the messages conveyed throughout the book can be applied to not only travel, but to just about anything in life. The idea that as women, we should never feel we have to shelve our dreams can apply to so many things; whether it’s travel, pursuing a degree in a field we love, taking up a hobby that has been calling our name, going for our dream-job, or starting over in a new city we feel our heart belongs in, we can do these things–and should do these things! A consistent theme throughout the book is that if romance happens, great; if it doesn’t happen, great. You can live your life with or without someone. This is a personal philosophy of mine and I love seeing it portrayed in books.

Dream, Plan, and Go is a book that I think every woman should read. It’s the perfect book for those looking for travel inspiration, or someone just looking for a light, fun read to while away an afternoon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harvest House through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.