Why the Best Trips Often Start With Just One Experience

(come on baby) Light Your Fire!

Hot take incoming….

The internet hasn't made planning a trip easier. It's made it harder.

First it's a restaurant from Instagram. Then a hotel saved on TikTok. A hidden gem from a blog. A town your friend insists you can't miss. Before long, you've got 47 things you're convinced you need to see, all because a stranger online told you to.

And in working with clients, I've noticed something interesting: after a little digging,

sometimes they aren't even that interested in the destination they think they want. It's just been shaped by everyone else's opinions.

So before you open another tab, try starting here instead:

What do you always find yourself wanting to learn more about? Maybe you're fascinated by traditional crafts and artisan techniques. Maybe you'll happily spend hours reading about food, wine, history, architecture, wildlife, or astronomy. Whatever consistently captures your attention, there's a good chance there's a destination that does it exceptionally well.

When did you last feel genuinely absorbed by something on a trip? Fun fact: the Mona Lisa has been called “the world's most disappointing masterpiece”. Popular doesn't mean worthwhile for you. Your itinerary should be built around what you actually enjoy. (On my husband’s firs trip to Paris last year, we skipped the Louvre totally)

Does the destination you think you want actually match either of those first two answers? Or are you about to spend a lot of money (and PTO) going somewhere that doesn't really light you up?

Need a few examples of what building a trip around one obsession can look like? Scroll to find yours ↓

Dark Skies & Stargazing

ATACAMA DESERT, CHILE

At over 7,000 feet elevation with almost zero humidity and virtually no light pollution, the Atacama offers some of the clearest skies on earth. Just make sure you plan around the new moon!

Ceramics & Crafts

KYOTO, JAPAN

Most people visit Kyoto and zip through the temples. But for crafters, it's a completely different city — ceramic studios in the Gojo-zaka district, silk weaving workshops tucked into the streets of Nishijin, and lacquerware and fan makers that have been at it for centuries.

Food & Culinary Traditions

BOLOGNA, ITALY

A quick Google of “what is Bologna famous for” will quickly show you that it's simple: food. An itinerary built around fresh pasta and markets is perfect for a foodie who's obsessed with the process behind the plate.

Nature & Wildlife

THE GALÁPAGOS, ECUADOR

The animals here have no concept of personal space — sea lions on the beach, iguanas on the path, a blue-footed booby doing its thing three feet from your face. It's not like any wildlife experience you've had before.

When you're ready to plan your next trip, don't zoom in on a destination. Focus on your latest fixation or interest first, and go from there.

Thinking of obsessions…

New Pickleball itinerary is coming out in the next few days, see a preview of the courts below, where do you think it is?

A great itinerary isn't built by trying to do everything a friend shared. It's built by choosing what matters most to you and letting that guide the rest!

Miraval Spa Getaway with Mahjong!