When it comes to travel, there’s something powerful about balancing the iconic with the unexpected. That’s what Lauren Scala—TV host, travel expert, and our Adventurer in Residence—found on her recent journey with Exodus. Over the course of several trips through Europe, she explored world-famous regions and tiny towns she’d never heard of, often on the same day. The mix, she said, is what made the experience feel so rich.
“I like to see the major sites,” Lauren shared, “but I don’t love big groups, which can make it harder to connect and feel present. One day you’re seeing a landmark, and the next you’re somewhere that doesn’t even show up in a guidebook.”
For someone used to traveling solo, the small-group format was something new—but a welcome shift. “You become family with everyone on the trip,” she said. “You know everyone’s names and stories. Anytime a big coach bus pulled up, we all held our breath. That’s just not the experience I’m looking for.”
Rethinking the Familiar
Part of what surprised Lauren most was how these trips redefined destinations she thought she already understood. “When you close your eyes and think about sipping Prosecco in Italy, or the beach towns of the French Riviera, adventure may not be the first thing that comes to mind,” she said. “But I got to experience these places in such unexpected ways.”
In the Prosecco Hills, she found herself hiking vineyard trails under the sun, stumbling across a tiny family-run restaurant for a mid-walk sip and snack. “There was even a Prosecco vending machine in Valdobbiadene,” she laughed. “It was just us—no line, no crowd. One of those weird, wonderful moments you don’t forget.”
Andalucía brought a different pace. She stayed at a cortijo tucked into the countryside, where home-cooked dinners were served after long days of exploring both cities and remote trails. “Paella night was probably my favorite,” she said. “The women who cooked for us took so much pride in making their local dishes. It really did feel like home.”
Traveling Solo, Together
Though Lauren had mostly traveled on her own in the past, being part of a small group didn’t just feel comfortable—it made everything more memorable. “There were so many solo travelers on each trip,” she said. “You’re all in the same boat, and everyone’s friendly and wants to get to know you.”
Having a group also changed how she moved through each place. “I really don’t hike much on my own in unfamiliar areas,” she admitted. “But doing it with a group was awesome. You feel safe, everything’s mapped out, and you can just enjoy it. I liked that we were all taking it in together—lots of ooh-ing and ahh-ing.”
The People Who Make the Place
While the landscapes and towns left a mark, it was the guides who helped bring it all to life. “Vania is the queen of the Prosecco Hills,” Lauren said with a grin. “She’s so knowledgeable and fun—just a great personality.”
In Andalucía, she traveled with Mike, who led the trip with warmth and deep local insight. “He knows everything about everything there. And the guides who were shadowing—Ale and Dan—added so much too. They were hilarious and smart and just made every day better.”
It wasn’t just about the logistics; it was about the storytelling. The guides helped create a sense of connection—not just to the group, but to the places themselves.
A Different Way of Seeing
Walking through vineyards, olive groves, coastal trails, and historic towns reshaped Lauren’s relationship with travel. “I particularly loved hiking in Andalucía and Crete,” she said. “In Andalucía, we followed the Camino de la Frontera, one of the longest roads in Europe. We stopped for lunch at an abandoned convent. If we’d been dropped off there in a car, it wouldn’t have felt as special.”
In Crete, each day on the trail brought a new perspective. “Hiking along the cliffs and coastlines never got old. And you don’t see other tourists out there—just locals. You know you’re seeing something most visitors never will.”
Space to Slow Down
Not every day was filled with activity. Built into the trips were slower moments—afternoons spent lounging by the pool, or wandering a village at her own pace. “It’s nice to have a little breathing room,” she said. “You can be with the group when you want to, or take time for yourself. And you never feel like you’ve missed anything—they pack in so much, but it never feels overwhelming.”
Some of her favorite surprises came during these quieter stretches. “I stayed in this village in the Prosecco Hills—Pieve di Soligo—and I swear I had the best gelato of my life there,” she laughed.
The Shift
Reflecting on the experience, Lauren said the biggest change was in how she now thinks about travel.
“I used to love planning every little detail,” she admitted. “But Exodus spoiled me. The freedom is still there—there are days where you can choose your own adventure—but it’s so nice to have the heavy lifting taken care of.”
More than anything, the trips made her want to keep going—not just to new places, but in a new way. “I’ve always looked for meaningful travel, but this just deepened that craving. I want more of it now—more walking, more learning, more of those little places you can’t find on a map. These guides, these local communities, these moments you’d never find on your own—they’ve changed how I’ll travel forever.”
