Traveling alone can be liberating, but it also brings moments when silence weighs more heavily than the sound of the sea or the hustle and bustle of the city. It was with these moments in mind that I introduce you to ASK, a unique deck of cards designed to create connections between people.

I was invited to try this game, designed and produced in Portugal, and since then, it has become a regular fixture in my suitcase.

What is ASK?

ASK is a card game that, instead of challenging you to earn points or reach a finish line first, invites you to talk. Yes, talking, imagine that! Away from screens, imagine that. 🙂

Each card poses a question—some simple, others surprisingly profound—that helps break the ice and better understand the person you’re with, whether it’s a friend, someone you just met at a hostel, or even yourself on a solo trip. It’s a game that doesn’t require a board or complex rules and adapts to different contexts, such as when you’re on a plane, at the beach, around the dinner table, or during long airport waits.

Why ASK is perfect for travelers

There’s always a moment in the journey when stories come to life when shared, and ASK acts as a catalyst, fostering connections and making these moments even more memorable.

I remember a trip I took to the Mentawai, where this game would have been perfect for late afternoons after surfing, while we drank Bintangs and watched the sunset, or during the surf trip I took to the Maldives, where I didn’t know any of the girls I was traveling with. It would have been wonderful to have it with me to break down that initial barrier and start right at the point where friendship is built.

How it works in practice

Each player takes a card and reads the question aloud. You can answer first or pass the word to someone else. There are no right or wrong answers; the goal is to truly engage in conversation. Some cards are light, like “What is the biggest adventure on your bucket list?” Others can be more in-depth, like “What does home mean to you?”

The ASK box contains over 130 cards, but if you find it too overwhelming, you can always choose which ones you want to take with you. For example, on the group trips I lead, I take Level 1 cards, whose questions are simpler and more fun and not as introspective as Level 3, which could become too personal for people just getting to know each other at the time. The game is available in Portuguese and English, making it perfect for groups of travelers of various nationalities.

Traveling is more than just crossing destinations off your list; it’s about the encounters and conversations that stick with you and stay in your memory. What attracts me to ASK is that it’s not just a game, but an open door to getting to know the people we’re traveling with or encounter, deepening relationships, or even better understanding who we are when we’re out of our element.

If you enjoy carrying small but impactful objects, this one might very well deserve space in your suitcase.

And you, would you play ASK on a trip? I’d love to hear what you think about this game, so feel free to share your thoughts with me and other fellow travelers.

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