Travel Differently and Deliberately – The Shirleyfest Method

Week of June 20, 2026

Part I: Travel Differently and Deliberately—First, Let’s Find Your Pillars

This week Shirley will lead you on an enjoyable four part journey of traveling in a way you may have never thought possible. Before diving into the secret tips that Shirley has honed through decades of traveling the world, this first session starts at the beginning.  She is always asked how Shirleyfest started all those years ago.  It started by embracing life’s transitions and deciding to organize her life around her most valued pillars. Deliberate travel is one of her 5 pillars. She will share her other pillars and show you how you can develop your own unique pillars to frame your deliberate life.  Whether it’s an evolution from a demanding career to retirement, a busy parent to empty nester, partnered-up to single, we are always changing. Sometimes the change is voluntarily and sometime change is foisted upon us. It is through transitions that we have the opportunity to step back and decide what will constitute our life. While many guests will have travel as one of their pillars and want to learn more about deliberate travel in  Parts II, II, and IV of this workshop, even if you are not a traveler, using this one session to develop your life pillars will be one of the most valuable take aways from your time at the Ranch this week.

 

Part II: Choosing Wisely-Your City, Neighborhood and Home

In Berlin, Melbourne, Montréal, Lyon, Rome, Kyoto and cities around the world, Shirley carefully picks a host city and then embraces an intentional way of travel. She’s thrown dinner parties for new friends, volunteered in her host city, perfected the art of eating out alone and unlocked the essence of the cities.  Although this sounds spontaneous, there are concrete steps she takes while planning and executing each Shirleyfest. Whether you are single, or just want to travel alone, or envision doing a fest with a partner or friend, you will learn that optimizing your travel means mastering three basic concepts.

 

Part III:  How to Live Like a Local Anywhere in the World

One of the secrets of Shirleyfest is being part of the community you have chosen. Learn how to “put lines in the water” in order to seek out the right people to meet. Shirley will show you how to increase the odds that those “lines” will pay off.  You will learn why it is important to establish a “first thing in the morning” and “last thing at night” place. In short—you’ll learn how to live like a local.

 

Part IV: The Shirleyfest Toolkit—Apps, Packing and Technology

Many of us love that we are unplugged when we come to the Ranch. Yet we find ourselves plugging in the minute we cross the border for home. When we travel, and especially when we travel solo, technology can be a double-edged sword. Learn what specific apps, web sites and technology are critical aids and what you can leave at home. Also, spoiler alert…..Shirley only packs 6 outfits for months away. Come and find out how this is possible. It will change how you think about packing.

 

Shirley Buccieri is the creator of Shirleyfest: living two months every year in a different city in the world.  She goes to her new city alone, rents an apartment and fully embraces the city as a local. Everyone who learns of the concept loves the idea, but most have no idea where to begin.  Her acclaimed blog, shirleyfest.com, has been read in 91 countries and featured on various radio stations across the globe.  Shirley is uniquely qualified to provide insights, tips, and enthusiasm to those interested in traveling differently and deliberately.