Travel for Mindful Adventurers
Come with an open-mind, and the world will open to you.
These trips focus on connections with locals, fellow travelers, self, the natural world, and fun.
Life is short—isn’t it time to act like it?
Let’s get out there together.
ADVENTURE AWAITS
UPCOMING TRIPS
A TRIP TO HAVANA: CUBA EN VIVO!
January 23 - 28, 2025
Shaped by colonialism, communism, isolating U.S. policy, hardship, incredible arts, culture, an environment of astounding Caribbean beauty, and an ethic of human connection, this island is unlike anything else. Know it for yourself.
We’ll see sights of Old Havana, etc—but our largest focus is understanding Cuban life through meaningful exchange with Cubans themselves.
Past trips have included visiting farms and schools, learning about the Orishas (spirits that play a key role in the Yoruban religion), enjoying music & meals with locals in their homes.
This trip offers similar delights along with new ones. Includes: all breakfasts, welcome party and at least two other meals; costs of most group activities; transportation to activities; expertise of local guides/partners; guidance/walk-through on flight booking & visa.
$2720 double occup | $2900 single occup.
TUSCON: HIKING, FUN & DESERT SOLITUDE
March 12-17, 2025
A mix of Sonoran Desert hiking and simple enjoyments--Mexican food, perhaps a scenic horseback ride, watching road runners from our spacious ranch near the Santa Catalinas.
Trip includes 5 nights casita lodging, all breakfasts, lunches (we pack ‘em before we hit the trail), a dinner or two; transportation to and from ranch to trail heads w/ park fees; expertise of local guides/partners.
Additional activities may be added according to group interest (Rodeo family farm visit? Country line dancing?).
Price: $2250 double occup | $2500 single occup.
PAST TRIPS
Vedado, Havana, Cuba.
What people are saying...
Lory Timmer
Cuba Trip Participant, 2024
"—everything was just right."
I just so appreciated the way we were welcomed into the lives of the people we encountered.
Although economically poor, Cuba is so rich in many societal/communal assets that the U.S. seems to lack these days.
I went to Ireland with a Rick Steve’s tour group. This Cuba itinerary was as well organized as that planned by a huge company. The variety of activities, the planned time/on your own time ratio.
Marian Krizman
Cuba Trip Participant, 2024
"Fabulouso!!"
I would recommend this trip to others. Bridget prepared us amazingly well. I felt at home in Cuba and safe.
This trip was amazing for me and Dominic and Luke [grown sons]. Sharing time and experiences together, with a group of people we don't know, who may or may not be different from us…I enjoyed listening and learning from conversations that I was and wasn't involved in.
In Cuba, I experienced something that I've been tapping for a number of years....the essence of human nature is love and peace. The harmonious feeling from the organic farm confirms the connectedness and need for respect of all life forms.
Cuban culture embodies this energy. That feeling resides in my spirit and will continue to manifest in my communities at home.
Mary Beth Dickey
Tucson Trip Participant, 2022
"WONDERFUL!"
The trip was WONDERFUL! I had a great time and want to say THANK YOU to our guides and all my fellow travelers for the big and fast desert adventure.
I loved hearing the coyotes every night; seeing the dark sky brilliant with stars; walking around outside the ranch looking at cactus and birds; listening to the Mariachi band; feeding the horses with Kalvin and Liz; sharing food, laughs, stories, and some morning thoughts with the group.
Nicole Thomson
Tucson Trip Participant, 2022
"--she takes good care of you"
I had so much fun. So glad we went and that Kalvin [my son] and I got to see the desert for the first time together! I have already told people that if Bridget plans another trip they should go--she takes good care of you and knows how to put positive-vibes people together.
Sue Ushela
Gorgeous Goshen Bike Ride Participant
"I loved the ride…"
Thoroughly enjoyed having locals as our tour guides and providing great insight to how they fought to get bike trails incorporated to the city and surrounding the city, as well as the history of Goshen.
SIGN-UP FOR A TRIP!
Midwestern Activities
Explore the best activities the Midwest has to offer, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences.
Join us for a journey through scenic landscapes, vibrant communities, and unique experiences.
Gorgeous Goshen—Biking Day Trip
Sunday, June 9, 2024
Bike about with stops for brew, lunch, and novel things to learn about/gaze upon with our guide Evan “the Am-Bad-Ass-Ador” Bontrager, a Goshen pedestrian activist who knows bikes, trails & drinks as well as the fine folks of his fair city.
Must have bike & legs suitable to go 21 miles; broken into four sections of 6 miles or less. You’ll bring water and appropriate clothing, but route, lunch (and one brew), leadership, and entertaining Goshen anecdotes provided.
10 AM-2 PM (end time estimate only). Price: $70
The Self-Designed Experience of Your Dreams: Anytime, Anyplace
Got a group or big fam you want to do something special with? Or just want to talk through some ideas to get the most out of a solo trip? Day trips, long adventures, an afternoon of respite or raucousness…let’s customize.
A great experience is often only as great as the planning and thoughtfulness behind it.
Irish Music Fest/Lake Time
September 12-14, 2025, Muskegon, MI
The Michigan Irish Music Festival is a world-class celebration of Irish culture & heritage:
6 stages of live music, culture, dance, and more-- and a large portion of festival proceeds benefit local non-profits.
This pilot adventure includes: Airbnb lodging with other fun folks (rooms private; common space shared) for Friday & Saturday; festival passes. Sunday we'll enjoy optional Lake Time or more festival.
Price: $590 single occupancy; $490 double occupancy.
About Hardyness Trips
Travel can be a foundational tool for fun, restoration, transformation, and education. It brings us in contact with the kind of people, cultures, and natural wonders that puts our own experience on a spectrum of global life, often with heightened love, awareness, and humility. We keep these objectives in mind in the planning of all trips and activities.
Trip locations emerge, not because of great sights to see necessarily, but because of the likelihood to connect with people or get a more local perspective. The enjoyment of nature or an environment that might encourage connecting with self is also one of our top objectives.
Although Hardyness trips may have clear aspects of a traditional “vacation” about them, we prioritize feeling the wonder of a place, usually with others--fellow travelers or locals. We’re looking for open-minded and flexible global citizens willing to look out for and connect with the folks they’ll be traveling with, meet new things with curiosity, and understand that a good experience is not so much about what we’re doing (although very important), but how we’re doing it. We actively seek mindful, community-oriented folks to sign-up for everything.
Our trip alums likely stay in touch with each other and are often messaging with a local long after they arrive home—a guide, someone from a dinner in a family home, the grandma with the machete cutting the bananas down who we met at the farm we visited... Sometimes people we meet on a trip end up visiting us.
About Bridget
I’m a personal trainer, wellness coach, Latin dance teacher, fitness instructor, and more. As a trip leader, I’ve taken groups to Havana, Tucson, and lots of Midwestern regional spots.
I make my home in South Bend, Indiana, with a 17-year-old son, the son of a Cuban friend (just got his green card!), and lots of friends and fellow travelers who are always up for an impromptu potluck or walk or laugh or cry, or a joke so bad it’s good.
Courses/Education/Certifications:
- Graduate of Oberlin College (B.A.), the University of Arizona (M.F.A.), first class of AmeriCorps (’94), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course (John Hopkins curriculum from Jon Kabat-Zinn)
- Balanced-Body Pilates Trained in Mat, Reformer I & II, Chair, & Cadillac
- AFAA Personal Trainer
- NASM Personal Trainer
- AFAA Group Exercise Instructor
- Wellcoaches Health Coach
- Healthcare Provider CPR/1st Aid
About Hardyness
How can we enjoy this life fully and meet it with strength and wisdom? Taking care of ourselves and savoring the beauty around us is no small answer in the mission we’re all on together to get the most out of the years we’re given.
This website is primarily about Hardyness trips, but we also do lots of other things, from fitness classes to date nights or group runs to the Lake. Founded in 2017, we promote health, fun, adventure, community, and connection generally.
We’re up for dance parties, explosions of fun in the workplace, pop-up Pilates in public parks, and anything that makes folks feel good about their bodies, their souls, nature, or other people, from logistics to the lesser-defined magic necessary to feel and appreciate an experience fully. It’s a wonderfully broad mission that leaves us a lot of room to move and breathe and be still.