Unlocking Awe: Your Transformative Travel Guide with Sandy Cohen

Traveling with AAA

Unlocking Awe: Your Transformative Travel Guide with Sandy Cohen

July 17, 2025

Travel often takes us to beautiful beaches, stunning skylines, and historic landmarks. But what if the most important aspect of escaping the ordinary is the feeling it gives us? That spine-tingling, goosebump-raising sensation you feel when you witness something breathtaking provides us with the feeling of awe. Not only is awe good for the soul, it’s also great for your physical and mental health.

Today, host Angie Orth welcomes Sandy Cohen, a health and wellness writer, coach, and educator on a mission to make mindfulness more practical and accessible. She’s the host of the podcast Inner Peace to Go and recently wrote about the science of awe while traveling for Westways and AAA Explorer.

You’ll hear why awe may be the most powerful reason we travel in the first place, how to make room for it on your next trip, and why this fleeting feeling is worth chasing at home or abroad. From dolphin pods to street festivals, you’ll learn why awe is more accessible than you think and how it can truly change the way we experience the world.

What You’ll Learn:

06:22 The surprising health benefits of experiencing awe

08:48 Why it’s easier to find awe when you’re traveling

09:40 Travel experiences most likely to spark feelings of awe

13:16 How to be intentional about seeking these experiences

19:39 How to take the feeling home with you

Connect with Sandy Cohen:

Website: https://www.sandycohenwrites.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesandycohen/

Podcast: https://www.innerpeacetogo.com/

Story: https://www.ace.aaa.com/publications/travel/awe-inspiring-experiences.htmlBook Referenced: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Keltner

CTA: What was your most awe-inspiring travel moment? Tell us in the comments!