Untethered & Wanderwise: Female Travel Over 45

What happens when you celebrate your 50th birthday by eating guinea pig and conquering one of the world's seven wonders?

Join hosts Heide and Nicky on Untethered and Wander Wise as they share their incredible Machu Picchu journey – proving your most epic adventures happen AFTER 45, not before.

Why This Episode Will Change How You Think About Travel:

🏔️ The emotional moment that brought tears at 8,000 feet above sea level

Ready to trade crowded tourist traps for authentic cultural connections? In this episode, we sit down with Diana Ditto, VP of Product Marketing and Growth Strategies at Collette Tours—North America's longest-running tour operator with 107 years of experience—to discover why small group travel is revolutionizing how women over 45 explore the world.

Diana reveals the hottest destinations for 2025 and 2026, from the dramatic deser...

Join host Nicky Omohundro as she welcomes travel expert Jenn Coleman of Coleman Concierge to the Untethered and Wanderwise podcast. In this episode, Jenn shares how she and Nicky transformed a recent business trip to Las Vegas into an unforgettable girls' getaway packed with extraordinary experiences. Discover the inside scoop on seeing Dead and Company at the revolutionary Sphere venue (with tips from Jenn's popular MSN ...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they discuss why America's National Parks offer the perfect adventure for women in midlife. This episode covers trending parks for 2025, practical tips for planning visits during off-seasons, and insights on accommodations ranging from traditional camping to luxury glamping. 

The hosts share their personal favorite parks—from Yosemite's majestic waterfalls to Grand Teton&apos...

Join hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heide Brandes as they interview Andrew Jernigan, co-founder and CEO of Insured Nomads, about navigating international travel in today's complex political landscape. Andrew shares crucial safety tips for travelers in 2025, from digital privacy precautions and insurance essentials to managing cross-border tensions. 

Learn about innovative travel protection technology, the importance of sharing your ...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they delve into the world of authentic solo travel experiences for midlife women. 

In this captivating episode, meet Anita Thomas - an award-winning travel show host who has visited an astounding 123 countries over her 13-year career as a Pan-American World Airways purser. Anita shares her journey from aviation professional to acclaimed broadcaster, revealing how she transforms de...

Join hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro as they explore an unexpected winter wonderland on this episode of Untethered and Wanderwise. Most travelers picture New Mexico as a desert landscape with adobe architecture, but our special guest Nicole Barker reveals the state's spectacular winter offerings that make it truly the Land of Enchantment during the colder months.

Nicole, a former photojournalist whose adventures have ta...

This introspective journey with travel expert Pauline Frommer, President of Frommer Media, and Editorial Director of Frommer's Guidebooks, explores the transformative power of meaningful travel for women in their prime. Through personal stories, expert insights, and practical wisdom, Pauline shares how women over 45 can create profound travel experiences that honor their accumulated wisdom while opening new chapters of discove...

Think winter travel in British Columbia is just for the young and adventurous? Think again! Join host Heide Brandes as she discovers why British Columbia's Cariboo region is becoming the ultimate winter destination for women travelers over 45. From ice fishing for mysterious burbot to following lynx tracks through pristine wilderness, this episode breaks down the barriers of cold-weather adventure travel.

Discover how to:

• Ex...

In this heartfelt episode of Untethered and Wanderwise, hosts Nicky Omohundro and Heidi Brandes share their personal journeys of embracing adventure after major life changes. After both experiencing the end of 28-year relationships, they discuss how travel became not just an escape but a path to rediscovery and transformation.

From conquering driving anxiety to exploring the Amazon with one pair of underwear, Nicky and Heide offer p...

Join hosts Heide and Nikki as they explore five incredible weekend road trips perfect for women over 45. From the magical Buffalo National River in Arkansas with its stunning bluffs and waterfalls, to the spiritual vortexes of Sedona, Arizona, to Mississippi's hidden coastal gems, the waterfall-rich Finger Lakes region of New York, and Wisconsin's scenic Great River Road along the Mississippi. Along the way, they share in...

Uncover a fresh perspective on New York City in this savvy traveler's guide to the Big Apple! Join hosts Heide and Nicky as they reveal how to navigate NYC like a seasoned pro, from mastering the modernized subway system with simple phone taps to scoring amazing deals on Broadway shows and TV tapings.

Dive into the city's hidden treasures as we explore the transformed Industry City in Brooklyn, the peaceful medieval world ...

Join hosts Heide and Nicky as they dive into the unique experience of cruising three continents aboard Celestyal Cruises.  on the Celestyal Journey, Nicky shares insider tips and highlights from this extraordinary Mediterranean adventure aboard the Celestyal Journey. 

From standing before the Great Pyramids of Giza to exploring the mythological Palace of Knossos and walking the marble-paved streets of ancient Ephesus, disc...

Calgary surprises as more than just a gateway to the Rockies in this adventure-packed episode. We start at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, where rescued wolfdogs roam vast enclosures, offering an intimate glimpse into these magnificent creatures' lives. The experience continues with an adrenaline rush at the summer dog carting trails, where teams of energetic dogs pull specially designed carts through scenic paths – provi...

Say goodbye to GPS mishaps and hello to effortless exploration! In this illuminating episode, we dive into why organized bus tours are becoming the go-to choice for adventurous women traveling solo after 45. From an African safari to the cloud forest in Costa Rica, discover how these structured journeys offer the perfect blend of independence and community.

Our seasoned travelers share their firsthand experiences of forming lasting ...

 Join seasoned travelers Heide and Nicky as they break down actionable travel resolutions for 2025. From mastering minimalist packing techniques to building genuine connections through solo female travel, this podcast delivers practical strategies for transforming your travel dreams into reality. 
Learn budget-savvy tips for growing your travel fund, essential language hacks for authentic local experiences, and expert insights ...

Ready to move beyond the typical gift cards and trinkets? In this episode of Untethered & Wanderwise, we're diving deep into the world of travel-inspired experiences that will make her heart soar. Whether she's a seasoned globe-trotter or dreams of her first big adventure, we'll explore thoughtfully curated experiences that create lasting memories.

From walking food tours and photography sessions in NYC to wild sa...