Travel Philosophy
Ideas that changed the way I plan, experience, and think about travel.
How Travel Changed the Way I Think.
Travel shouldn't be defined by your budget. It should be shaped by your priorities.
It isn't about spending the most. It's about getting the most from what you have.
The Best Part of Chincoteague Wasn't on the Schedule
The Pony Swim brought us to Chincoteague, but the people we met made the trip unforgettable. From an unexpected act of kindness on a front porch to conversations that inspired future adventures, this article explores why the best travel memories often aren't found on the itinerary.
All-Inclusive—But Not All-Confined
Paying for an all-inclusive package doesn’t mean you have to plan your vacation around getting every meal and drink you’ve already paid for. Our Cancun honeymoon taught us that sometimes sacrificing a little package value leads to a much better trip.
How to Spend Less When You Have to Travel in Peak Season
Sometimes peak season is the whole reason you're going. Learn how to keep the experience you want while finding smarter ways to save on flights, hotels, points, meals and everything around it.
Map First, Book Second: Plan the Experience Before the Reservations
A good airfare or hotel deal should support your vacation—not quietly dictate it. See how we built an unrushed circular route through Ireland by choosing our must-see places, setting limits on drive time and leaving room for local recommendations.
The Most Famous Choice Isn't Always Your Best Choice
Must-see lists are useful, but they don't know what you want your trip to feel like. Sometimes smarter travel means identifying the experience you're actually looking for first, then choosing the attraction, destination or route that delivers it, even when that means leaving the famous name off your itinerary. See how we did this in Ireland.
What Type of Lodging Is Right for Your Trip?
Stop looking for the “best” place to stay and start asking what you need the lodging to do. Location, comfort, character, convenience or simply a good night's sleep can each be the right choice at different points in the same trip.
Capture the Story, Not Just the Photos
Take the picture. Take lots of them. But remember that the photo may only capture a fraction of what happened. From a handwritten clue to a time capsule we never found, to two matching shirts at Red Rocks and a Florida sunset carrying generations of family history, sometimes an ordinary photograph becomes extraordinary because of the story behind it.
Upgrade Your Decisions, Not Your Budget
Better travel doesn't always mean spending more. Sometimes it's paying extra for convenience, choosing a less expensive hotel, or simply removing a stop from your itinerary. The best upgrade isn't necessarily a bigger seat or a fancier room. It's making choices that improve your trip, whatever your budget.
You don't need a passport, an expensive hotel, or a week off work to have an adventure. Sometimes it's a farmers market, a road you've never taken, or an unexpected experience just across town. Discover why exploring what's around you can be just as rewarding as dreaming about somewhere far away.
Traveling With an Aging Parent
Traveling with an older parent isn't about squeezing in one more attraction. It's about planning for the person they are today, removing the friction, and making room for the moments that matter. From Cape Cod to horses, ducks, ice cream and one last family cruise, this is what traveling with my parents taught me about slowing down and making the time count.
Vacation Starts in My Living Room
A stress-free travel day isn’t about getting to the airport as late as possible. It’s about deciding how you want to spend the hours between home and your destination. From building in useful buffers to choosing the comfortable connection over the fastest one, here’s why the vacation can start before you ever leave home.
Ask One More Local: Some of My Best Travel Advice Never Came From a Guidebook
Do the research. Make the plan. Then ask one more local. From a family restaurant in Spain to a floating fish shack in Curaçao and a coffee farm down a rough road in Panama, some of our most memorable travel experiences started with one simple question: “Where would you go?”
Want Better Travel Advice? Ask a Better Travel Question
Travel groups are full of people who genuinely want to help. Give them a little more to work with. Your interests, budget, travel pace and priorities can turn a vague question into advice that actually fits your trip.
When Dining Out, Your Server Is Not Your Servant
Good service is part of a great travel experience, but being a good guest matters, too. From restaurant etiquette and cultural differences to handling problems without losing your cool, a little courtesy can go a long way. After all, the people who make our travels possible deserve more than just our business. They deserve our respect.
The Best Upgrade Happened Before I Booked the Flight.
Planning our bucket-list trip taught us that the biggest travel upgrade isn't always something you can buy.
The Best Upgrade Wasn't My Seat
Why the best travel experiences begin long before boarding.
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Getting Foreign Currency Overseas: Why I Skip the Pre-Order and Use an ATM
After more than 40 years of international travel, my approach to foreign currency has evolved from travelers’ checks and exchange counters to bank ATMs, rewards cards and mobile wallets. Here’s the simple strategy I now use to get cash, avoid unnecessary fees and keep one lost card from disrupting the trip.
Pack for the Trip—Not the Internet
Carry-on only is a useful option, not a measure of travel skill. Choose between carrying on and checking luggage based on your own priorities, budget and itinerary.
The Cheapest Time to Travel Isn’t Always the Best Time
The lowest price on the calendar can come with lousy weather, limited activities, or the wrong version of the trip entirely. Here’s how to find the sweet spot between price, weather, crowds and the experience you actually want.