Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love explores simple pleasures and pizza in Italy, devotion in India, and love in Bali, bringing readers with her on a one-year journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Taking the bookshelves by storm in 2006, the book spent more than 200 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, eventually translating into a movie starring Julia Roberts and selling over 10 million copies worldwide.

As a result, readers have been inspired to begin their own soul searching, and perhaps even more noteworthy, to travel more as part of a journey to self-discovery.

After the 10-year anniversary of the book in 2016, Elizabeth Gilbert released Eat, Pray, Love Made Me Do It, which chronicles the stories of more than 50 people who were inspired to make a big change, from taking a solo road trip to chasing their dreams of teaching abroad.

Travel for Self-Discovery

Whether you’re a fan or a critic of the memoir, it has undoubtedly changed the lives of its readers and prompted transformative trips around the globe.

While people may not have a full year, like Gilbert, to immerse themselves in destinations, there are thoughtfully designed itineraries that encompass these cultural and educational experiences in one- to three-week-long itineraries.

Most notable is the Eat, Pray, Love travel Learning Journeys Series which offers immersive, women-focused itineraries across the world. Based on your interests, trips may focus on cooking, dancing, yoga, photography, and more.

You can even travel to Malta, India, or Greece with a group of like-minded adventurers by organizing your own private tour with 10 of your family members, friends, or members from your book club. The trip is entirely customizable based on your group’s interests.

Want to go hiking? Practice knitting techniques? Learn to belly dance? Whatever it is, every traveler will find something that fills their heart and feeds their soul on their own journey to self-discovery and empowerment.

Here are some of my favorite trips for 2019.

Travel to Mystical Malta

For a focus on wellness, gastronomy, and fashion, the Mystical Malta eight-day trip takes place in Gozo, Medina, and Valetta, offering a hands-on cooking class and a trip to a local horse farm.

Travelers will learn the sustainable art of painting, jewelry making, and ceramics from a local artist at her studio and there’s a chance to visit the fashion house of Charles and Ron, renowned international fashion and lifestyle designers who have a distinct Mediterranean flair.

The Greek Goddess Journey

A transformative journey to the birthplace of Western Civilization and the land of muses, gods, and goddesses, the Greek Goddess Journey of Wellness in Creteoffers an eight-day itinerary that includes daily yoga and meditation, a lesson in Greek dancing, and cooking classes with a local figure.

There’s ample time to experience wine tasting and the vibrant culture of the city.

Experience the Land of Happiness

The sacred land of Bhutan, untouched by the modern world, offers sacred temples, ultimate peace and serenity, and a warm local community with the 14-day Sacred Bhutan – The Land of Happiness trip.

The itinerary includes visits to the well-known Tiger’s Nest Monastery and the Kyichu Lhakhang Buddhist temple. Enjoy your meals in the sunshine, explore the museums, and learn traditional Bhutanese weaving.

Take a Trip to India

The 11-day sojourn, Spiritual Northern India, is designed for personal reflection and growth.

In addition to visiting key destinations like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, travelers can shop for sarees at the market with a local fashionista, participate in community service projects including a visit to a girls’ orphanage, take cooking lessons, meet an astrologer, and much more.

Which destination would you like to visit this year and why? Have you been on a trip that has transformed your life? Please share the story below!