About Me – Janice Horton
Hello, I’m Janice Horton, an author and world traveller and probably best known as The Backpacking Housewife.
As a lifelong storyteller and adventurer, I’ve written romantic and uplifting novels that celebrate love, courage, and transformation – often inspired by the extraordinary places I’ve explored all around the world.
For many years, my husband and I travelled full-time together after becoming empty-nesters and deciding to sell everything we owned to embrace a life of freedom and adventure.
Having lost my beloved backpacking husband to cancer early in 2025, when he was only 65 years old and not even officially at retirement age, I now take comfort from our fabulous memories and feel passionate about sharing my message.
“Don’t wait too long or leave it too late to live the life of your dreams.”
I promised my darling husband that – when I was ready – I’d go on and continue to have adventures as a solo traveller and carry him with me in my heart.
During previous travels, I’ve met many wonderful and confident and inspiring solo travellers, which has given me confidence. But I realise I’ll need to learn new skills to travel independently and safely as a woman alone.
My mission for this website and across my social media channels continues to be close to my heart. It is to lead by example and inspire others – especially women in midlife – to find strength in change and to embrace new adventures.
“You don’t have to be fearless – just willing to follow your dreams.”
Through this travel website at The Backpacking Housewife Dotcom and my writing – I want to share with you my own travels and my thoughts on dreamy destinations, travel tips and travel planning, and of course I love to tell you my travel stories!
My books might blend romantic escapism with real-life adventure – but I’m not just selling books or giving out travel tips – I’m offering readers a mindset of reinvention, freedom, and courage.
I hope to be both aspirational and relatable, especially to women 40 plus, who are not particularly looking for a life of luxury travel but of joy in adventures and a second act in life.
My message reflects the emotional tone of my novels. “Love, sunshine, and adventure – wherever the journey leads.”
My travel posts strive to be encouraging. I want to write like a trusted friend who’s cheering you on. “If I can do it, you can too!”
From my own life experiences and travel adventures I want to share authentically with you the lessons I’ve learned. “We sold everything we owned to travel full time. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
I want my tone to be feminine but not fragile, adventurous but not reckless, and romantic but also grounded.
I continue to aspire to be the optimistic and curious about the world person that has always been my personal default.
But, having so recently lost my beloved backpacking husband, I’m often struggling.
I know how hard it is – and how important it is – to rise up again from overwhelming grief and trauma and to somehow find the strength to carry on. To find the strength to focus on new possibilities and to grab onto the second chances in life.
I know that many of you identify emotionally with my journey – I know this because so many of you have kindly reached out to me to empathise – and that makes me feel less alone in my heartbreak and loss.
I also know that while you love to read about exotic travels and amazing experiences, you are actually bravely seeking and imagining your own inspiration, independence, freedom, reinvention and transformation. And, that’s so uplifting!
SO THAT’S WHO i AM – WHO ARE YOU?
I’m guessing you are a person who dreams of travelling more in your midlife. That you’re ready to explore a new found freedom after family or career changes. That you’ve finally had enough of things standing in the way of your dreams.
Like me, you’re prepared to travel solo, but also like to travel with family or friends and you’re willing to explore group travel.
Perhaps you’re planning a midlife sabbatical, or you’re about to retire early, or have already reached retirement age?
And, you are now looking to incorporate more travel and adventure into your life.
So, whether it’s a weekend city break, a well-deserved holiday, a months-long sabbatical, or a meticulously planned grown up gap year, I have the travel experience to offer you destination inspiration, planning suggestions, and lots of helpful tips and advice right here on The Backpacking Housewife Dotcom.
I’d love to hear from you, so please never feel shy about getting in touch. You can comment on any post. You can contact me directly into my inbox. You can message me via social media. I’m always happy to chat and to answer travel questions.
Please bookmark and feel free to share my posts. And do also subscribe to my mailing list and occasional newsletter – the pop up box should be on this page – and I promise I’ll never spam you!
If you’re with the press/radio/TV/ or a podcaster and would like to interview me about midlife travel – I’d also love to hear from you – so please Contact Me directly and also see my Media Page.
Janice xx
