One thing my years in the airline and travel industry have taught me is this a smooth trip doesn't start at the airport. It starts with the decisions you make weeks before you ever pack your suitcase. I've seen people miss cruises because they flew in the same day. I've seen vacations ruined because someone didn't check their passport expiration date. And I've seen cheap flights end up costing more because of baggage fees, change fees, or impossible connections. These days, I'd rather pay a little more for peace of mind than save a few dollars and spend my vacation stressed out. Travel is supposed to give us a break from everyday life, not create more headaches. What's one travel lesson you've learned over the years that you'll never forget?

42 of us in here and I know there are some incredible travel stories hiding in the shadows. What's the most "I can't believe that actually happened" moment from a trip you've taken? Doesn't have to be dramatic — just the one you still tell people about.

You joined for real travel guidance, now here it is. I'm opening up 45-minute 1:1 Trip Planning Sessions exclusively for club members. $75 (regularly $150) Bring your destination wish list, your questions, or your "I don't even know where to start." We'll map it out together. 👉🏾Grab your spot Peace & 1-Love

If I created a FREE mini course for our community, which topic would interest you most?

Look at that board. Ghana. Tokyo. Madrid. Bali. The Maldives. Dubai. South Africa. Greece. Morocco. Switzerland. Every single one of them is calling your name and every single one of them is on time. 2026 is not the year to sit it out. This is the year you finally book the trip you've been saving in your head. The one you screenshot and said "one day." One day is here. And I want to take you there. Gen X Travel Journeys exists for exactly this moment. Not just to sell you a trip but to curate an experience that actually fits who you are right now. Where you are in your life. What you need from travel. What you deserve to feel when you finally get there. We are talking culture, food, luxury, adventure, hidden gems, beach escapes, and wildlife journeys. Whatever your 2026 travel personality looks like, there is a destination on that board with your name on it. And if you want to travel with a community of like-minded Gen X travelers who get it, I have two group experiences this year that deserve your full attention. Dominican Daze on the Scarlet Lady Virgin Voyages | November 14, 2026! Adults only. All dining included. Good music, good people, and the Dominican Republic waiting on the other side. Virgin Voyages does cruising differently and once you experience it, you will understand why people never go back to traditional cruise lines. No kids, no chaos, just your people and a ship that actually has taste. This one is giving everything it is supposed to give. Spots are limited so if you have been curious about Virgin Voyages, this is your sign. Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles Soulful Experience AmaWaterways | December 15, 2026! This one is something special. Seven nights sailing the Rhine River from Basel to Amsterdam, with Kwanzaa celebrations woven into the itinerary and Black cultural connections honored at every stop along the way. Think fairy tale castles rising from the riverbanks, France's oldest Christmas Market in Strasbourg, open-air wine gardens, and two nights post-cruise in Amsterdam with a cultural tour included. River cruising is an entirely different experience from ocean cruising and this particular sailing was designed with us in mind. If Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands at Christmastime sound like exactly where you need to be, come with me.