2025
Munich, Germany
Winter in deutschland
What was meant to be a trial run for life in Munich ended with Germany stamping me out before I could even unpack. The visa rejection stung, sure, but the detour turned into one of the best holiday seasons of my life — spent with my closest friends and my son on his first trip outside the United States.
2024
Prague, Czech Republic
Trains, mull wine, and more trains
My friends surprised me with a train ride to Prague. It was never on my list, but now it is firmly on my return list. The city is packed with character and stories you rarely hear about, and it deserves more than a passing visit. Next time I will stay longer and dig deeper.
2023
Thessaloniki, Greece
Macedonian history overload
This was a snap decision to see parts of Greece that most people blow past. I was not interested in sticking to Athens or the Peloponnese. I wanted the stuff the tour buses do not bother with. After one long train ride I found myself standing in the ruins of the city where Alexander the Great was born and walking across ancient aqueducts. Hands down one of the best trips I have ever taken.
2023
Athens, Greece
Spur of the moment break up travel
What do you do when your girlfriend dumps you nine days before a vacation? I booked a two week trip to Greece with no plan at all. It was pure delight. Easiest breakup I ever had. I should thank her, but that would mean wanting to see her again.
2019
Oahu, Molokai, Big Island, Hawaii
When it starts as work and ends as vacation
One perk of my old job as Director of Training was visiting all 80 plus company locations. Lucky for me one of them was on Oahu, and every trip I added a week of vacation on the back end. Every island is gorgeous, but flying over an active volcano and getting lost on the rural backroads of Molokai should be on everyone’s list. That was pure bliss.
2018
Madrid, Spain
Sevilla’s dirty big sister
Madrid was the last stop on a three week study abroad trip for my MBA. The highlight was standing in the Reina Sofia in front of Picasso’s Guernica. Maybe it was because I had already been gone so long, but Madrid did not move me the way Seville did. It felt dirtier, a little more dysfunctional. Still, the museums alone make the city worth the trip.
2018
Seville, Spain
My favorite city in the world to date
Seville caught me completely off guard. Having my friend Marco as a guide did not hurt since he grew up there. The museums, the history, a Roman colosseum, olive farm tours, tapas, siestas, it all blends together to create what I believe is the perfect city. I would move here in a heartbeat and hope to make that happen when I retire.
2018
Tangier, Morocco
First solo trip
Tangier was my way of stretching my study abroad program and finding out what solo travel really felt like. It was my first time in a Muslim country and the first time I landed somewhere I knew absolutely nothing about. From the endless green tea to the dinner I am fairly sure was served in some guy’s living room, Tangier gave me a wild four day trip. I plan to go back and stay longer next time.
2017
Mexico, Riviera Maya
1 woman, mucho tequila, muy bad decisions
I had always wanted to see Chichen Itza, and I was due for a vacation where I didn’t have to think. I was in the middle of my MBA and mixed up with a woman I should have run away from like she was on fire. Live and learn.
2016
Europe – Top Gear Style
One jaguar, 5 countries, 1 train and 10 days
This started as a trip with my best friend and turned into a story I will tell for the rest of my life. Pizza on the edge of Lake Como, a visit to the Ferrari museum, tearing up the Stelvio Pass, a lap around the Nürburgring, and a drunken blur at Oktoberfest. Then a train to Paris for three more days at the Orsay, the Louvre, and Versailles. If you have never taken a wild trip like this, I highly recommend it. You will never see travel the same way again.
