DNA: Plan Future Travel Based on Past Lifetimes

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Have you ever thought about letting your DNA guide your next travel adventure, uncovering hidden gems of your ancestry to map out an entirely new journey? This innovative approach to travel planning merges the past with the present in a deeply personal way, inviting avid travelers to go beyond their bucket list destinations by using genealogy and DNA testing. It promises a unique method to unearth your lineage and inspires a travel itinerary where every destination holds a piece of your history. In this article, we explore how genealogy-related tours can offer a personal and enriching travel experience, guiding you to places you’re inherently connected to but might never have considered visiting. We also share stories of individuals who have found profound connections by following their ancestral map.

_{This post is sponsored and/or contains affiliate links, from which I earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader. I appreciate your support and know that all the views expressed are my own.}

1. Plan Future Travel Based on Past Lifetimes Using DNA to Plan Your Vacation
2. Exposing the Travel Gene
3. How to Select the Right Kit Based on Your Needs
4. Past Lifetimes Inspire Future Travel
5. Genealogy Experts Explore Your Past

DNA: Plan Future Travel Based on Past Lifetimes

Travel further to Find Yourself

Transformational travel has gone viral. And a lot of people want more from their next vacation than a few great IG posts. While spinning the globe or throwing darts are viable, if not, unpredictable ways to plan your next getaway. I think DNA is a unique way to leverage what you know, what you don’t know, and what you can learn during your travels. In essence, you travel further to find your gene tribe and yourself. It might also be a lot of fun. There are quite a few DNA kits that will do the job. So pick one and begin your trip into your past.

I ran into Emma at a cafe in St. Louis, and she told me about how a DNA test led her to find out she’s got Scottish ancestors. So, she went to Scotland to see the places they came from. She visited old castles and small villages and even found out she had an ancestor who made cloth for a living. This trip connected her to her Scottish roots, and she learned how to weave like her ancestors.

My DNA Report

According to my AncestryDNA.com, these 12 world regions are where my ancestors come from:

Choosing an Ancestry Kit
Exposing the Travel Gene

Have you had your DNA tested recently? I have. And although I can’t say for sure, I have the travel gene. That test has fueled a desire to explore destinations found in my genealogy report. My report indicated ancestry in Togo, Benin, and Scandinavia. Yup, Scandinavia. I’ve always wanted to explore the African continent, and now I know exactly where I want to start.

Some other great benefits of DNA research might help you gain access to multiple passports or help you claim a hereditary advantage for business or education.

What Test is Right for You?

23andMe, Ancestry DNA, My Heritage DNA, and CR Genetics

DNA testing, while functional, could be better. Each service uses different algorithms and databases to complete DNA analysis. This means you will most likely see differences in the review if you have your DNA analyzed by more than one lab.

It usually boils down to the database the testing service utilizes. Make sure you select a kit that’s accurate and precise, with an extensive, quality database. Finding your tribe is a matter of comparing your markers and ancestry timelines to locate where and when your ancestors traveled.

The Available DNA Tests

23 And Me

23 And Me test kits analyze autosomal, mitochondrial (maternal), and Y-DNA (paternal) genetic material. The database has more than 5 million customers and 1 billion data points to assists analysis. And if you are interested in health concerns, select 23andMe. The 23AndMe app and reports are accessible by smartphone or tablet.

AncestryDNA

If you’d like the ability to create online family trees and, for a fee, access public records and book heritage travel, you might select AncestryDNA. With 10 million customers, it has the most extensive database. It comes with a color-coded map (see above), and tracks travel that was spot on as far as I can tell. AncestryDNA uses collected saliva to extract DNA for analysis. I love that I can share results via my cell phone.

I was chatting with Raj at a winery before I knew I’d be interested in DNA testing. He told me his test pointed him to Rajasthan, India. Raj was initially unsure but ended up visiting. And he was glad he did. This trip changed how he saw himself, connecting him to his Indian heritage in a way he hadn’t expected. He mentioned he went with Ancestry.com for his DNA test because it’s really popular, and he thought it would give him the best results. And this encounter ended up shaping my test decision.

My Heritage DNA

MyHeritage DNA uses a cheek swab to test autosomal DNA. The company offers a rich data set of populations that have lived in the same area for a long time, which helps identify more ethnicities. MyHeritage’s portable app is handy.

CRI Genetics

And CRI Genetics tests Autosomal, maternal and paternal chromosomes. All the above services have relatively large databases and offer consistent results (from cheek swabs). CRI Genetics compares your DNA against 642,824 genetic markers for a picture of your health and wellness currently available.

Family Trees

DNA Testing, Ancestry, and Finding Your Gene Tribe 

Unfortunately, neither 23andMe nor AncestryDNA alone is enough to guide you through the soup that is your DNA and family history. So you’ll need to follow up on your test with some research.

Several courses teach you how to research your ancestors yourself. They all start by telling you to create a family tree with the information you can gather from your family. The most valuable documents include marriage, divorce, and birth certificates. Look for newspaper clippings, weddings, divorces, decrees, and birth announcements.

Genealogy Self Guided Tours & Genealogy Experts 

Alternative Trip Planning Approaches With Lasting Effects

My girlfriend Robyn is just as passionate about social justice as I am. She is Ghanaian and knows many of her relatives. But she wanted to know more about her Ghanaian background on the ground. Her DNA results linked her to the Ashanti Kingdom in Ghana. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but from the moment she arrived in Ghana, she felt a warm welcome. After spending an extended holiday there, she gained firsthand insights into Ghana’s traditions, food, festivals, and everyday life—a depth of experience she couldn’t have found living in America. She also learned about her ancestors’ roles in resisting colonialism. Sophie came back feeling a strong pride in her Ashanti heritage.

Conclusions

You can always take a take trip based on the information you find in your DNA reports. Unfortunately, neither 23andMe nor AncestryDNA alone is enough to guide you through the soup that is your DNA and gene tribe.

That’s when genealogy experts come in. The first genealogy company to embrace this trend also happens to be the world’s largest: Ancestry.com. Experts review and analyze your AncestryDNA results and walk you through your family history. EF GoAhead Tours started with two itineraries to Ireland. They also offer Germany, two options in Italy, and one for Scotland.

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