About
About Next on the List
Travel may begin with a destination, but it's really about the people we meet along the way.
Welcome to Next on the List.
I'm Heidi Barnes—traveler, Army Brat, wife, mom, and lifelong believer that the world is better connected than divided.
Growing up in a military family taught me something at an early age: home isn't always a place. Sometimes it's a feeling. Sometimes it's a friendship. Sometimes it's a shared meal with someone whose language you don't speak but whose smile you understand perfectly.
That lesson has stayed with me throughout a lifetime of travel.
After visiting over 60 countries, 46 states, and six continents, I've discovered that while every destination is unique, people everywhere share the same desire to belong, be seen, and have their stories heard.
Why I Created Next on the List
I created Next on the List to help everyday travelers explore the world with confidence.
Here you’ll find practical DIY travel tools, planning resources, tips, and lessons learned from decades of adventures around the globe.
But this site is about more than travel logistics.
It’s about connection.
It’s about discovering that the world often feels much smaller—and much kinder—once you’ve experienced it firsthand.
It’s about replacing assumptions with understanding, strangers with neighbors, and fear with curiosity.
Because the best souvenir I’ve ever brought home wasn’t something I bought. It was perspective.
Another thing I’ve discovered along the way is that music travels just as well as people do. A song can transport us back to a favorite destination, introduce us to a different culture, or remind us of a moment that changed us.
Throughout this site, you’ll occasionally find Soundtracks of the Story—songs that capture the spirit of a place, a memory, or a meaningful connection made along the journey.
Whether it’s listening to radio stations from around the world, discovering local artists, or sharing songs tied to meaningful memories, I believe music has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures, borders, and generations.
Travel With Purpose
One of my goals for Next on the List is to turn travel inspiration into positive impact.
Through the Connection Wear merchandise collection, a portion of proceeds will be donated through GlobalGiving to support projects that help communities around the world.
Every purchase becomes a small way to give back while celebrating the connections that make travel meaningful.
When we travel thoughtfully, we don’t just see the world. We become part of it.
What You'll Find Here
- ✈️ DIY travel planning resources
- 🌎 Destination inspiration and travel stories
- 🎒 Practical tips, tools, and travel hacks
- 📸 Photo journals and adventures from around the globe
- 🤝 Community connections and shared experiences
- 👕 Connection Wear merchandise that helps support charitable projects
The Bigger Picture
My favorite travel lesson is simple:
The message is never “Look where I went.” The message is “Look who I met.”
Travel has a way of turning strangers into neighbors and reminding us that we have far more in common than we often realize.
Whether you’re planning your first adventure, your fiftieth, or simply traveling from your favorite chair at home, I’m glad you’re here.
The world is full of amazing places. More importantly, it’s full of amazing people.
And wherever you’re headed next, I hope you’ll come along for the journey.
Hope to see you down the road,
Heidi
Founder, Next on the List
Travel has a way of turning strangers into neighbors.