ABOUT SALLY

I get it — because I've lived it.

Living with chronic illness doesn't mean you have to give up on meaningful travel. It means you need travel that's thoughtfully designed around your energy, comfort, and safety. That's where I come in.  

I'm Dr. Sally Riggs, a licensed psychologist and travel advisor. I combine 25 years of expertise in mental health with lived experience of Long COVID to craft journeys that expand your world without overwhelming your nervous system.  

I know what it's like to want to see the world but worry about overdoing it, getting PEM, reinfected, or spending the whole trip in bed. I've already done the research, tested the hotels, and walked the airports — and by walk, I mean in a wheelchair, with my mask and stoggles on.  

You don't need to waste your precious spoons figuring it all out — I'll guide you every step of the way.

WHAT I OFFER
Travel planning that puts you first

Every service is designed with chronic illness in mind — because the details that most advisors overlook are the ones that matter most to you.

Custom Travel Planning

Fully personalised itineraries built around your energy envelope, accessibility needs, and health priorities — from Japan to the UK.

Nervous System Support

Polyvagal-informed pacing strategies woven into every trip plan, so you arrive and return without crashing. Standalone travel day nervous system consultations also available for people with their own travel booked.

Safety & Medical Prep

As a Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner, I ensure medical evacuation coverage, accessible hotels, and contingency plans are in place.

Destination Research

I've personally vetted hotels, airports, and routes across Japan, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the UK for chronic illness travellers.

DESTINATIONS 

The world, researched for you 

CHRONIC ILLNESS TRAVEL GUIDES
Written from lived experience.

TRAVEL GUIDES

Not sure where to go next?

Unsure of where you want to go on your next trip? Take a look at the Chronic Illness Travel Guides I've written — each one researched and tested with your energy, safety, and comfort as the top priority.  From accessible ports in the Norwegian Fjords to spoonie friendly itineraries in Oman or Taiwan, these guides cut through the noise so you can plan with confidence.

THE BOOK

Befriend Your Nervous System, Travel Better

One of the biggest keys to traveling with chronic illness is knowing your nervous system—and having go-to strategies that actually work on the road. Without that, it’s easy to end up overstimulated at the airport, ready to turn around instead of board.

In Recover, I break down the role of the nervous system in chronic illness and show you how to befriend it, build capacity, and choose strategies that fit you.

VIDEO RESOURCE

How Do I Know When I’m Ready to Travel Again?

 I get asked this question constantly, so I recorded a full video to answer it.  

In this video, I share:

If you’ve been wondering whether you’re really ready to travel again, this is the place to start.

COURSES & RESOURCES

Learn at your own pace

Self-paced resources designed for the chronic illness community — no rushing, no pressure.

Regulate: Polyvagal Strategies to Calm Your Nervous System

 Living with Long Covid, chronic fatigue, or other post-viral conditions involves damage to the vagus nerve and changes in how the nervous system functions.

Regulate is a 3-step, self-paced course that helps you:  
1) Understand what different nervous system states feel like in your body  
2) Explore 15 gentle polyvagal strategies and notice which ones support you  
3) Practice ways to expand your capacity so more becomes possible over time  

These skills support everyday life — and, when you’re ready, can also help you approach experiences like travel with more steadiness.

STAY CONNECTED

A (mostly) weekly letter for chronic illness travellers
 
Real talk about travelling with chronic illness - pacing strategies, destination research, accessible hotel finds, and honest reflections from someone who lives it. No fluff, no hustle culture. Just useful, spoon-conscious content delivered to your inbox.  

DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

Tools to travel smarter
 
Practical digital resources for chronic illness travellers - researched, tested, and written from lived experience. Find them all in the Etsy store.  


FREE DOWNLOADS

Also in the store: energy decision-making worksheets, chronic fatigue tools, insomnia survival tips, self-criticism assessments, and full toolkit bundles - all written from lived experience.

SAFETY PARTNERSHIP

Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner 

Sally's Safe And Connected Travel is committed to excellence in every aspect of your trip experience, especially when it comes to safety. That’s why we are a Global Rescue Safe Travel Partner. Global Rescue is an industry leader, providing medical and security advisory and evacuation services to travelers around the world. Global Rescue offers field rescue from the point of your injury or illness. With operations centers staffed 24/7/365 by experienced personnel, when you call Global Rescue you speak to a real person on the first call to get you the help you need. Purchase a Global Rescue membership for your next adventure and travel with peace of mind. Single trip, annual and family options are available – just ask us to learn more or click here. 

GET IN TOUCH

Ready to start planning your next adventure?

Whether you're dreaming of cherry blossoms in Kyoto, the souks of Marrakech, or a gentle week in the Cotswolds — let's create a journey that works with your body, not against it.