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• Relationships

Love and Travel

Strengthening your relationship through shared travel experiences..

Posted February 18, 2023 | Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

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• Vacationing with your partner can help create lasting memories and escape everyday stressors.
• Couples' vacations may enhance communication and decision-making skills.
• Traveling together and removing yourselves from stressful responsibilities affords you to focus on one another without distractions.

Tickets booked! You and your partner finally scheduled that trip you had been talking about and are going to get away for a week; no work, no responsibilities, just the two of you and the beauty of the exciting travel locale. Whether it’s an active trip involving hiking, skiing, touring a new city, or a vacation focusing on rest and relaxation, such as a tropical island or spa, travel can boost your relationship and strengthen the connection between you and your partner.

Before getting into the benefits, it is important to note that planning a vacation, especially if you and your partner have different ideas of the best vacation spot, can be stressful . However, if you can find a place that allows you to enjoy the activities you love (such as a beach spot with a downtown area where you can mix the sunshine and rest with nightlife and shopping), you are setting yourselves up for vacation success.

Shared Experiences/Lasting Memories

Traveling together allows you and your partner to share new and exciting experiences and make memories that will last a lifetime. Researchers Shaw, Havitz, and Delemere (2008) conducted interviews with Canadian families to examine the meanings associated with family vacations of school-aged children and found that people see vacations as a way to escape everyday life and provide the family with the opportunity for togetherness and the ability to create long-term positive memories.

Enhanced Communication and Decision-Making Skills

As previously mentioned, planning a vacation can sometimes be difficult, especially if couples have different interests. This challenge continues when on the trip, as in an unfamiliar area, you are tasked with booking daily excursions, events, meals, and tours. Each person wanting to get to their “must-see” spots will need to clearly articulate what they want to visit and why they want to go. As you and your partner work out your itinerary, you will benefit from the teamwork of deciding on a plan and will need to communicate your wishes for the experience clearly. If successful, the lessons you learn in planning your trip can hopefully be brought back home to facilitate the ease with which you make household decisions.

Escaping Everyday Stressors

Traveling together and removing yourselves from the stress of work and responsibilities affords you and your partner the time to be present and focus on one another without any distractions. This may not be reality, but it gives you the opportunity to solidify your connection and let the sparks fly, and it may even enhance the intimacy between you and your partner.

Shaw, S. M., Havitz, M. E., & Delemere, F. M. (2008). “I decided to invest in my kids’ memories”: Family vacations, memories, and the social construction of the family. Tourism Culture & Communication, 8 (1), 13-26.

Marisa T. Cohen, Ph.D. , is a psychology professor, relationship researcher, and author of From First Kiss to Forever: A Scientific Approach to Love .

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How Travel Leads to Stronger Romantic Relationships

By Tyler Moss

Last year, a flight delay almost ended my marriage.

My wife and I were en route to a West Coast wedding when a storm diverted us from our layover in D.C. to an unexpected landing in Richmond, Virginia. Ever easygoing, my wife embraced the situation, securing us a flight out the next morning and reserving a room at a boutique hotel. Prone to panic, I soon broke the serenity when I realized our bags were still on the original flight. To save our orphaned luggage, I forced us back on the plane to our nation's capital—headed to an airport we no longer had tickets out of. Tensions were high; regrets were immediate. As we approached, the pilot announced that another squall had us rerouted, once again, to Richmond. We submitted to fate, and ended the evening sharing laughs, Korean tacos, and one-too-many craft brews in the historic Virginia capital.

Though the stakes may be exaggerated, the point is sound: Travel is a test kitchen for a committed relationship. When a couple spends uninterrupted time together for an extended period in an unfamiliar setting, the challenges that arise truly test their mettle. But for those who endure through adversity, the rewards of a travel-centric relationship are bounteous—and research backs this up.

When a couple spends uninterrupted time together for an extended period in an unfamiliar setting, the challenges that arise truly test their mettle.

A 2012 survey by the U.S. Travel Association revealed that couples that took regular trips reported higher levels of satisfaction with their relationships, and considered their vacations an important venue for romance. Similarly, a 2013 Journal of Travel Research article by experts at Texas A&M found that partners who traveled together experienced improved communication, and that connectivity extended into their life back home—with one important caveat. For a couple to reap such benefits, they must want the same thing out of the vacation, and that experience must include shared activities that nurture the relationship.

“Vacation experiences are made up of seeking and escaping motives. Some are seeking adventure; others are escaping and want to relax. The dyad has to match up,” says Dr. James Petrick, professor of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences and co-author of the Texas A&M review. “Outside of your usual environment, you have to process much more and evaluate situations in an in-depth manner. Vacations awaken all your senses. You’re more in tune with each other, with the environment around you.”

Cincinnati residents Jocelyn Gibson, 34, and Justin Leach, 33, were married last October after dating since 2014. Part of what drew them together was a mutual love of travel—the pair have already flexed their compatibility on excursions to Madrid , Copenhagen , Marseille and Berlin in that three-year span. While they cop to the occasional argument—Justin likes to plot things out, while Jocelyn prefers to wander—they have similar interests, leaving much to bond over.

“We are constantly noticing the historic architecture, street life, public spaces,” Gibson says. “We both love food, so our meals are satisfying and memorable. On countless occasions we will be doing something ordinary, and we’ll recall a specific memory from one of our trips and be struck by nostalgia.”

The guidance to “keep your relationship fresh” has been prescribed by every advice columnist from Ann Landers to Dear Sugar , but it’s an adage proven by science. A 2000 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that long-term couples who participated in new, exciting activities together—like regular travel—experienced boosts in relationship quality. Study subjects ranged in age from young couples to seniors, and relationships varied in length, but the effects of regularly engaging in new things on overall relationship happiness remained consistent across both generation and duration.

“It promotes novelty,”says Dr. Jaime Kurtz, associate professor of psychology at James Madison University and author of the book The Happy Traveler: Unpacking the Secrets of Better Vacations . “If you normally see one another as partners in child-rearing and housework, this isn't always so romantic. Breaking out of those roles can give you the chance to rekindle romance and see one another in new ways.”

Other activities can provoke this same positive impact, of course—say, taking a cooking class together. But, travel facilitates a specific kind of intimacy. Shared exploration—whether through the halls of the Louvre, the cobbled streets of San Sebastian , or the historic ward of Richmond, Virginia—breeds special shared memories that no other enterprise can replicate.

When you travel together, you both get to understand other cultures and, in a way, understand each other.

In fact, not only are couples who travel together happier, but travel itself can help rehabilitate relationships on the ropes. Petrick cites the Second Honeymoon Programme, which the Malaysian government instituted in 2010 to help revive relationships on the brink of divorce. Participants are whisked off to a tropical island, where they are granted private time to reconnect. A 2016 article in the Malaysian newspaper The Star reported that the program had a whopping 99 percent success rate.

Vacation is no secret salve—it’s important to note that the Second Honeymoon Programme included time spent with a marriage counselor. But even so, the evidence that travel indeed enhances a relationship—for pairs with at least some overlapping interests—is undeniable. A 2010 survey by UK travel company sunshine.co.uk found that out of 1,927 participants, most couples reported having more intimate relations after a one week vacation than during a full two months at home.

Take Jim and Gail Nelson, for example, who have been married since 1973 and together ventured to more than 40 countries across Europe , South America , and Asia . From those many journeys, what they’ve come to value most is the intimacy of joint experience—fond mental snapshots of a night in an Italian pensione or of a home-cooked meal in Shanghai.

“We together have a better understanding of the rest of the world,” Gail says. “If only one of us traveled, the other wouldn’t understand those experiences. When you travel together, you both get to understand other cultures and, in a way, understand each other.”

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What is the Role of Public Relations in the Travel and Tourism Industry?

What are the benefits of public relations in travel and tourism, tips and tricks for creating an effective pr campaign, 1. have a strong social media strategy, 2. bet on local, personalized messages, 3. partner with important travelers and influencers, 4. focus on mobile devices, 5. create video content, 6. participate in and organize events, 7. look to the future of vr technology, 8. interact with prospects and customers, 9. monitor social media mentions of your brand, 10. measure the results of your efforts, final thoughts , public relations in travel and tourism: how to do it right.

Kinga Edwards

Dec, 17, 2021

Reading time

Travel and tourism public relations play a key role in helping your company remain visible in its field. Without proper PR, most people won’t even know who your brand is or what it does.

💡 Read Digital PR Explained: Best Strategies and Tools

Here are some ways you can create great PR yourself, even without hiring a professional agency.

People travel further and more frequently than ever before. So your brand has no choice but to try harder and harder to stand out in this competitive market.

Public Relations (PR) is one of the big things that affect tourism. It refers to getting information out there to the public about an entity, offering them something exciting and newsworthy.

Public relations covers traditional media relations, content creation, and social media initiatives. It’s a long-term strategy – a consistent, ongoing presence generates awareness and exposure and helps companies reach revenue goals.

Despite its importance, public relations is still viewed as a less important part of the marketing mix by many brands. 

There is nothing more false than that – PR, no matter the industry, should be treated seriously and with the right strategy.

It’s essential to portray your brand well to increase bookings, engage customers, and build a positive reputation that will impact your whole brand’s performance.

• Travel PR brings valuable media connections. The media regularly release, for example, lists of the top hotels to visit – use it to your advantage and make sure that your business is in it. Such positive publicity builds credibility and helps create a positive image.
• PR can be a useful promotional tool. Blog reviews and press releases are a great way to tell your company’s story in an engaging, opinionated tone. It doesn’t have to be too pushy to be successful. They can help you build credibility and exposure for the brand.
• PR streamlines the process of creating your brand’s awareness. By supporting charities or organizing special events, you can easily promote your brand and build awareness. Whether launching a new product or just running a promotional campaign, you can easily promote your business through these PR activities.
• PR provides a greater connection with the audience. All actions will not stay irrelevant for your target audience. It will pay off in the future.
• PR can help you communicate with the stakeholders. Public relations activities can help you maintain a good relationship with all the stakeholders, e.g., the investors or even engage your employees .

Read: PR Automation: Best Tools Which Do The Work For You

Tourism and travel is a slightly different industry than others (but one where you have lots of room for action). The following tips are helpful in general, but you can also find some that work particularly well in your field.

To succeed in this hugely competitive market – take a look at some actions that can help you leverage your business objectives.

It may not surprise you at all – but pay close attention to your social media strategy. The Internet has become the most popular channel for travelers to book their trips – more than ever before travelers are online and mobile-savvy.

83% of US adults now prefer to book their travel online. From general data, reviews to exciting photos of resorts and hotels – every detail matters to encourage them to purchase.

Experiment with different strategies to see what works best for you. Be creative, gather your data, look at what others do, and develop a plan that suits your business model best.

This is easy to say but often hard to actually do. We are all so used to our own social media platforms that it is tough to look outside of your comfort zone. 

It’s no use just posting on Facebook or Instagram – if you want actionable results, you have to take a closer look at each platform and see what opportunities they offer you. For instance, you can work on a theme-based design for your Instagram profile. It is important you  change background in photo  so your posted pictures match the overall theme of your profile.

You can’t be everywhere at the same time. So don’t try to market your company in every corner of the world – focus on specific areas and people who live there . 

The personal touch goes a long way, especially when trying to increase your brand awareness among travelers. Keep in mind that word-of-mouth marketing is quite popular in the tourism industry.

Understand your target audience, and customer needs clearly to know how to create a message that will convince them.

Explore influencers and brands associated with the demographic you’re aiming for, and figure out how you can partner with and gain exposure through them.

There are many influencers explicitly connected with the travel industry (from nano influencers to top ones). Most of them work within Instagram but very often extend their activity to other platforms as well.

Bringing in partners to help with your tourism campaign can be a great idea. But before you start, make sure you approach the right person who will bring in more traffic and increase brand awareness.

70% of travelers research trips on their smartphones . Even if you’re used to targeting desktop users, it makes sense to create a couple of versions of your site – one specifically designed for the small screen.

Having a mobile version of your website will keep you ahead of the competition and ensure that users can find everything they may need on the go.

Videos are an excellent way to catch consumers’ attention and help them picture what it would be like to vacation on the beach, ski in fresh powder, or cruise among Norwegian fiords.

All PR activities can be strengthened by engaging, creative content. Create a video using the best quality equipment you have available. It doesn’t need to be professional-level editing or animation, but it does need to look good. 

The video’s production value is a massive factor in terms of the return on investment it will generate for you, simply because viewers will be far more likely to engage with your work if it looks appealing.

That’s why we recommend using FlexClip , an excellent tool for creating high-quality travel video content that will captivate your audience and showcase the beauty and excitement of your destination.

Public relations events are your chance to show off your company or offers and services to the general public. Organizing and participating in PR events allows you to create a positive image of your company and highlight its social benefits.

Take part in events organized by third parties, such as fairs and exhibitions, to gain significant opportunities to reach customers directly and gain lasting business relationships. Promoting your brand during major travel events is a great way to call attention to your company. You can also research virtual events for this purpose.

The development of VR technology can change the world of tourism (and already does).

As a growing number of enterprises start using VR as a sales tool, such experience has become an important part of marketing strategies used by businesses that deal with the travel and tourism industry – from hotels to airlines companies . 

Companies must offer their customers tailored services and products – from developing a custom virtual reality app for mobile devices to unique virtual tours.

The technology can, for example, be used to present hotel interiors in detail or to show what tourists can expect at a particular place on the spot.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase 360-degree imagery of a destination with high resolution, allowing the user to imagine themselves at the travel destination.

PR is not only about events, taking care of the overall image of your company, etc. You can’t forget about one of the most critical factors – your audience. It’s not enough to give them engaging content and experience .

To take care of your positive online image, you have to interact with your audience. Respond to the reviews (both positive and negative), and remember that you should answer all the questions your prospects have.

Thus, you can create a positive customer experience and retain loyal clients.

We know that it’s hard to track all the mentions and react as quickly as possible. However, consider testing out a social monitoring tool if it’s too much for you and you want to make your work easier.

It’s a solution that will notify you as soon as somebody mentions your brand and automatically detect the mentions’ sentiment. It also provides ready-made reports, full of valuable data that you can generate in a matter of a minute.

Such real-time tracking helps you to manage your online presence and the whole PR campaign more effectively.

What happens if you’re running a PR campaign for your travel company and all of a sudden, you notice that the conversion rate has gone down? Or that there was no improvement whatsoever?

Before making any changes, it’s important to measure the results of your efforts . Otherwise, you can lose a lot of money unnecessarily.

Having metrics in place is the key to understanding if you’re doing a good job, and it will tell you what needs to be done. 

You should set up measurements to track your efforts. It can be as simple as creating a spreadsheet and adding columns such as:

• Type of PR (for example, press release, blog article)
• Metrics (e.g. sales leads)
• Result (was there any improvement?)

You can then dig into deeper data that will help you pinpoint the action items that need fixing. Ultimately, it enables you to understand whether or not your PR campaign is successful and if there are any areas for improvement.

Read: PR Measurement: What Is the Right Way to Prove PR Effectiveness?

Public relations in the travel and tourism industry is not just about adding hype to your product, getting online visibility, and so on. Instead, PR helps provide value that goes beyond just the promotion of your company or business.

In the travel industry, the benefits of PR are huge. It helps companies gain more market penetration, create awareness about their business, build loyalty with existing customers and potential prospects, and raise the conversion rate.

If you want to set up a successful PR campaign, then consider all the tips that we mentioned here. Good luck!

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The PRSA Travel and Tourism Section provides the tips, tactics and connectivity needed to take travel, tourism and hospitality professionals to the next level in their careers. We provide members continuing education, networking and media access via our industry-leading annual conference, webinars, online resources and social forums @PRSATravel.

Engage with the nation’s top travel media, thought leaders and strategists at the PRSA Travel and Tourism annual conference. In addition to building a nationwide network of travel and tourism colleagues, conference attendees gather trends, forecasts and fresh perspectives while tracking the evolving media landscape and refining their craft as strategic communicators.

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Unforgettable experiences, wonderful memories, and once-in-lifetime adventures — that’s what travelers seek, and it’s what travel brands and destinations deliver. As a renowned travel PR and marketing agency, FINN Partners makes meaningful connections between your hospitality brand and the media you want to be taking notice. We do that by leveraging a worldwide network of media relationships and industry contacts, and by telling creative stories about your brand that hit the mark, make a difference, generate compelling column inches, and directly impacting your bottom line.

The beauty of our diverse team is that we work with boutique hotels, tour operators, luxury hotel brands, in-demand destinations, cruise lines, airlines, travel products and more, which help ensure that our programs are customized to your unique needs. We believe deeply in productive purpose, and we partner with like-minded travel businesses motivated to meet sustainable goals. FINN is powered by people driven by their passion for travel, at the top of their game, who feel that travel and tourism should be a force for good in the 21st Century.

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Our award-winning work in luxury travel ranges from independent boutique hotels to private islands, from safari operators to highly ranked cruise companies, private aviation to world-class wellness spas. We have a talented team of publicists who customize high-performing plans and manage A-list media campaigns to drive awareness and business to our clients. We also work with travel adjacent brands such as tech products, luggage, real estate, entertainment, etc.

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We have the distinction to work with some of the world’s most desirable destinations around the globe. FINN is hired by countries, states and cities to showcase their exceptional offerings to drive tourism and lead economic impact campaigns. The media know that FINN work tirelessly with tourism ministers and DMCs to effectively increase visibility.

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Our team is deeply verse and rooted in the hospitality industry therefore uniquely able to work alongside and for some of the world’s best and most visible hotel and wellness brands. We speak the language of a hotelier and strive to not just promote a property or brand but to amplify its reputation and enhance its business. Our senior team regularly attend industry events and conference, keeping in front of industry trends and ultimately informing client campaigns.

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Travelling Without a Passport

Relationship Goals: Couples Who Travel Together Stay Together

They say that travelling is the only thing you buy that makes you richer. Well, I’m pleased to tell you that it’s true! Whether it’s solo travellers exploring the world on their own, or couples who travel together because of their mutual desire to discover new cultures (and one another), travelling changes lives.

That’s why we’ve asked a few of our favourite nomadic couples to share insights into their lives and reveal how you and yours can become experts at travelling together. Pull a chair and grab hold of the one you love as these travel bloggers describe how exploring the world in two’s impacted them, what they’ve learnt about each other and how they conquered the stressful moments.

Collette and Scott, Roamaroo

Traveling together as a couple has strengthened our friendship, deepened our trust for one another, and built a solid foundation of mutual respect. We rely on one another, we confide in one another – we are each other’s best friends and one true love. While we both love travelling far away, we’ve realized that our happy place is anywhere with family.

When you’re travelling in close quarters and living out of a suitcase for 18+ months, disagreements and hiccups are bound to happen. Along with our travels, we’ve had food poisoning, we’ve gotten robbed, we’ve had flights cancelled, endured 10+ hour delays and 14+ hour plane rides, but we did it all with a sense of humour.

We try not take these little (or big) hiccups too seriously because after all, we’re grateful for the opportunity to be travelling together. In the big picture, as long as we have each other, those little “problems” seem even more minuscule.

Amy and Andrew, Our Big Fat Travel Adventure

Travelling together has definitely made our relationship stronger; in fact we just celebrated four years of travel by getting married here in Thailand ! When we lived in London we were so busy working that we saw each other for just a few hours each evening and on the weekends.

Now, we’re together practically 24/7 since we both work online and travel together full time. Since leaving the UK in 2013 we’ve figured out that to be happy we both need to do work we enjoy, have the freedom to live in different parts of the world and just be together.

There are always stressful moments when we travel though. Andrew is prone to getting food poisoning and I struggle when I don’t get enough sleep. We tend to argue when we’re hot, tired and lost, but we always move on from our fights quickly and never hold a grudge. When we were both teaching in Vietnam I’d regularly come home in despair after another disastrous lesson with 50 screaming grade one kids. Andrew was always there to calm me down though and he even took over some of my worst classes!

Petra and Shaun, The Global Couple

Travelling together as a couple has made our relationship so much stronger. When you’re with your other half 24/7 in challenging situations, you learn to help and rely on each other. Our travels have helped us to mature and be more respectful of people from all walks of life, something that can be quite difficult to do if you never leave home. It’s also made us capable of being in small spaces together, so much so that we’ve recently built a tiny house!

We’ve learnt that we are so lucky to love travelling together as a couple. Some couples can’t travel together, but we thrive on it. When one of us gets grumpy and goes silent, food is usually the problem! We’ve learnt to not let ourselves get hungry (or hangry!) on our travels by always having snacks in our bags and stopping regularly for food.

We’re pretty lucky in that we hardly ever have disagreements, but if we do then we try to reach a solution together.

See Also: 12 Reasons Everyone Loves Italy (and why you will too)

Alex and Sebastian, Lost with Purpose

After being on the road together for more than a year, we’ve learned that being attuned to each other’s needs is the most important thing we can do as a couple. In the beginning, we were each too preoccupied with our own needs to notice the other’s, and it led to exasperated bickering over everything from our itinerary to what kind of chips we should buy.

These days, when those moments arrive, we either go separate ways until we can cool off, or we force ourselves to be patient and consider each other’s needs. If I’m too hot and want to get ice cream, Sebastian will come with me and get one too, even if he’s not hungry.

If Sebastian wants to take a nap in the middle of the day, I’ll sit and read or work on our blog until he’s rested and ready. We’ve become much more understanding of each other, and it’s much better than arguing over nothing!

Alex and Bell, Wanderlust Marriage

We met in a hostel in Brugge, Belgium while travelling solo just after college in 2002. Our first planned trip together was a rendezvous in Thailand in 2004, and we ended up getting engaged there. We then got married in Bell’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia in 2005.

If we didn’t plan that trip to Thailand together, maybe we wouldn’t be where we are today. We definitely owe nearly 12 years of marriage to travel because that’s how we met, and it’s still a common passion. We’ve even lived in Europe together for 6 years, between Amsterdam and Dublin, which we may not have otherwise done on our own.

Bell is generally more adventurous in an outdoorsy way. But we both push each other to do different things. I’m more comfortable making last minutes plans and bookings, whereas Bell prefers to plan in advance (she’s become way more flexible over the years).

We do argue sometimes when we travel, some of which stems from long travel days. It’s a good idea to take a timeout from each other when things heat up in a negative way. With a little time apart, it can be easier to resolve the situation later. Don’t be afraid to split up for an afternoon if you each have something different that you want to experience.

Jack and Jen, Who Needs Maps

One of the biggest reasons we are together is actually because we travelled. In fact, travel has saved our relationship. We were a long distance couple for about 4 years and would travel to meet in the middle. Together we have travelled to about 22 countries, learning about each other, pushing each other beyond our fears, and exploring new places in the world together. It has made us a stronger, more adventurous, and understanding couple.

Patience and compromise. We both have different travel styles and try to accomplish different things while we travel. So we have to be patient with each other (because now you’re with each other 24/7 and almost everything can turn into an argument) and listen to what they want to accomplish on the journey. Then we compromise.

When you go from not seeing each other for 6 months to being with them every second of the day, adjusting becomes difficult. Everything from the way they chewed their gum to being too hot to sharing a bed would set us off. But it comes back down to taking a step back, understanding where you are (travelling with your other half), and compromising.

There will be arguments along the road and if you don’t stop and talk about it, the rest of your travels will be on eggshells. In the worst case, you can just sleep in another bed and rest it off!

See Also: The 17 Most Affordable Places to Travel in 2017

Sandeepa and Chetan, SandeepaChetan’s Travel Blog

When you are travelling for months at a stretch, you are the only friend and companion of each other. We tend to rely on each other more than we would at home, in familiar situations. There is great comfort in knowing there’s always someone to watch your back. We get a chance to communicate a lot more with each other.

We go through so many experiences together, see so many new things, meet so many people. It’s a privilege to have someone to share all of this with. We know for sure that we can trust each other with our lives. Even in the remote corners of the world, if one of us falls sick, we know we will be taken care of.

Traveling as a couple means being together all the time! This does present its own challenges. We had reached Mendoza, supposed to be the “most romantic” city in Argentina , wine capital and all. We had just finished a super fast travel through Patagonia. We were totally on a stimulation overdose. And then we did our finances. Traveling to the far corner of the earth is not easy on the pocket, we realized we had gone a lot over budget. That and just the fatigue of continuous travel got to us. We had a huge fight.

So much so, that we even said, let’s forget all of this and go back home. But this is always temporary. We just took it slow, did normal, routine things. After a week, we were ready to hit the road again!

Stefan and Sebastien, Nomadic Boys

Travelling has brought us closer together. We are almost always together 24/7, whereas before in our 9-5 jobs in London there’d be some separation during the day. As a result we have learnt more about each other than ever before and definitely made our relationship more intense.

The main thing is to learn when to step back and let the other have some alone time – usually caused as a result of fatigue. Travelling definitely takes its toll on you, pushing you to your limits in some cases and it’s easy to snap out on your other half when feeling really tired without meaning to. We’ve learnt when this moment arises in each other and know when is a good time to just take a step back.

When you have that 5am flight to take, which is delayed for X number of hours and you’ve nothing to do other than hang around and wait, you start to feel so fed up that it’s easy to lash out on your other half without intending to.

This sort of scenario happens all the time and we have learnt when to expect it, what causes it and how to deal with it.

The most successful method of coping we’ve found is to try to maintain a positive attitude at all times, at least one of us. It’s the best way to deal with such scenarios especially if you can laugh them off together later.

Drew and Julie, Drive on the Left

The biggest and impactful change occurred after taking a 6-week trip through Asia in 2011. We had never travelled for that long together. We weren’t sure if we would enjoy being away from home for so long and being around each other all the time. Needless to say, the trip went smoothly, and we both began to make changes immediately upon our return.

It may sound silly, but we both get “hangry” easily and with horrible results. We discovered soon after we started travelling together that looking for food, while we were both starving, usually just led to an argument, then a period of bitter silence.

All in all, a quick way to needlessly ruin an afternoon when travelling. Luckily, we recognize when the “hangry” symptoms are on the horizon now, so we know to find a solution swiftly and efficiently. Everyone is happier on a full stomach, right?

From getting lost on back roads, to missed flights, or being stuck in terrible weather, things never go perfectly. So we always try to stress patience and communication with each other. We try to be open about what we want (or don’t want) to do, and try to come to a solution that works for both of us. And in the case of don’t agree on something, we exercise patience because getting angry at each other never solves anything.

See Also: How to Photograph Iceland’s Northern Lights

Jennifer and Tim, Luxe Adventure Traveler

We quickly learned that we can’t read each other’s minds and it is really important to speak up. Letting things stew usually leads to a blow-up over the most minute things. Strong communication with each other helps us manage stressful situations when travelling and two minds are always better than one when solving a problem, like dealing with a cancelled flight or even just getting lost in a new city.

Brock and Tangerine, Wandering Hearts – A Travelogue by Brock and Tanj

Traveling has become part of our lives and definitely changed us a couple. It gave us a profound sense that we are just a tiny part of this big world. Traveling taught us the value of investing in experiences – sharing moments and making memorable experiences rather than buying material things. We would much rather save to go on a trip than to get a new piece of furniture or something.

Traveling made us a little restless. While most people look for consistency in their life, we always feel the need for change and yearn for the feeling of excitement you get when you enter a new place.

There is no one else that we would want to be with but each other. Traveling is fun but it’s by no means easy, and since we can make it work, our relationship must be strong. While travelling and living abroad, it transcended our marriage/bond to a deeper level.

Living and travelling abroad forces us to be together a lot. Sometimes we go weeks without having a good conversation with someone other than two of us. So, yes we fight and get sick of each other. The best thing to do in those situations is to vent and quickly move on. Letting things fester will just prolong the inevitable and ruin more of your trip.

See Also: 13 Places in Europe To Propose To Your Partner (That Aren’t the Eiffel Tower)

Bryan and Andrea, Best of World Yet

We’ve been traveling together for almost 8 years – this shared passion is part of what brought us together. For the past 2 years, however, we have been traveling nonstop. Living out of a suitcase, encountering new cultures, languages and uncomfortable situations with your partner can make or break a relationship. Travel always comes with a bit of stress but when you find the right person, dealing with this stress together will strengthen bonds.

With so much shared experience, sometimes it feels as if we are the only people in the world that can relate and understand each other. Travel changes you as an individual. It’s impossible to expand your horizons and return the same person, but when you travel as a couple, you change and grow together.

We’ve learned to focus on each other’s strengths and be aware of our individual weaknesses. Learning to do this has made us a dynamic team who can conquer nearly any situation. Bryan is very organized, logical and thorough in planning each event, thinking through every situation and various outcomes that may arise. He keeps us safe and structured. Andrea is a passionate dreamer, with the kind of determination that has made many of our adventures possible.

We’ve learned to provide space when the other needs it – sometimes a few moments of peace is enough to center your mind and reevaluate situations. It’s important that you can read your travel partner’s moods and are considerate of their needs. It’s also vital to be flexible with your plans – if one of you isn’t happy in your current environment, neither will be. We also discuss our feelings regularly to make sure this lifestyle is one that continues to make us happy.

These very honest conversations are essential in making sure we are both enjoying our time together, and living a life that we both love.

Share your stories of travelling as a couple in the comments below!

Antonia is a passionate writer and an avid reader. Eat well, travel often - are some of the words she lives by. When she's not writing or reading, she loves getting out in nature, hiking or losing herself in unknown cities.

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Travelers may find it difficult to empathize with locals, according to experts. Here, tourists in 2016 buy fruit juice at a market stall in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Travel is said to increase cultural understanding. Does it?

While researchers say travel does affect the brain’s neural pathways, true empathy remains an elusive destination.

Empathy is commonly defined as “putting yourself in another person’s shoes” or “feeling the emotional states of others.” It’s a critical social tool that creates social bridges by promoting shared experiences and producing compassionate behavior. But can empathy be learned? And can travel help facilitate this learning? The answer is complicated. “Research has shown that empathy is not simply inborn, but can actually be taught,” writes psychotherapist F. Diane Barth in Psychology Today . While past research has indicated that empathy is an unteachable trait, newer research—including a 2017 Harvard study —suggests that the “neurobiologically based competency” of empathy is mutable and can be taught under the right circumstances. Whether seeing the world actually opens travelers’ minds—that it makes travelers more empathetic—is up for debate. In a 2018 Harris Poll of 1,300 business travelers, 87 percent said that business trips helped them to be more empathetic to others, reports Quartz . And in a 2010 study , Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky found that travel “increases awareness of underlying connections and associations” with other cultures. While self-defined empathy and awareness are unreliable measurements, it stands to reason that cross-cultural exposure through travel would at least create conditions for checking conscious and unconscious biases. “If we are to move in the direction of a more empathic society and a more compassionate world, it is clear that working to enhance our native capacities to empathize is critical to strengthening individual, community, national, and international bonds,” writes Helen Riess, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the 2017 report.

But the coronavirus pandemic and, more recently, the global Black Lives Matter protests have forced an uncomfortable reckoning—that all the travel in the world might not be enough to engender the deep cross-cultural awareness people need now.

“There’s this false adage that travel opens minds, but that’s not [a built-in] fact about what travel does,” says Travis Levius, a Black travel journalist and hospitality consultant based in London and Atlanta. “Travel does not automatically make you a better person,” nor does it clue you into “what’s going on in terms of race relations.”

Black Travel Alliance founder Martina Jones-Johnson agrees, noting that tourism boards have made it “overwhelmingly clear that travel doesn’t necessarily build empathy.”

The lack of diversity within the travel industry itself suggests that there’s much work to be done to make the industry as inclusive as the world of travel consumers. According to a 2019 annual report by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the leisure and hospitality industry were overwhelmingly white. Consumers, meanwhile, say they want to spend their money on travel companies whose employees reflect the world they work in, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council .

Additionally, companies that embrace inclusivity may have a better chance of avoiding tone-deaf messages , such as using “free at last”—the line is from Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Dream” speech—to caption a billboard depicting white children jumping into the Florida Keys. The advertisement, which has since been taken down, launched in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis that sparked worldwide protests against police brutality.

(Related: Learn why it’s important to have diverse perspectives in travel.)

Karfa Diallo leads a tour of sites related to the trans-Atlantic slave trade in Bordeaux, France, in June 2020. Participating in activities that amplify marginalized voices and experiences can go a long way toward developing empathy, say experts.

A road paved with good intentions

Interestingly, modern tourism has fairly empathic origins. In the 1850s, Thomas Cook used new railway systems to develop short-haul leisure travel as respites for hard-working British laborers, according to Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, a senior lecturer on tourism management at the University of South Australia.

A hundred years later the United Nations declared reasonable working hours, paid holidays, and “rest and leisure” as human rights . By the 1960s, spurred by related movements to increase holiday time, the leisure sector had coalesced into a full-fledged professional industry.

Since then, the World Tourism Organization and international aid groups have championed tourism as both “a vital force for world peace [that] can provide the moral and intellectual basis for international understanding and interdependence,” as well as an economic development strategy for poorer nations.

But not everyone agrees that the travel industry has lived up to these lofty goals. In recent decades, it has been accused of doing just the opposite. As Stephen Wearing wrote nearly 20 years ago : “tourism perpetuates inequality” because multinational corporations from capitalist countries hold all the economic and resource power over developing nations.

(Related: This is how national parks are fighting racism.)

These days, inequality is baked into the very process of traveling, says veteran Time magazine foreign correspondent and Roads & Kingdoms co-founder Nathan Thornburgh. “Your frequent flier status, the stupid little cordon separating the boarding lines, the way you take an Uber or cab from the airport after you land, not a bus or colectivo or matatu —those all reinforce divisions, not empathy,” he writes in an email. “And that’s just getting to a place.”

Empathy’s downsides

Experts say developing empathy isn’t easy and comes with a host of problems. Joseph M. Cheer, a professor at Wakayama University’s Center for Tourism Research in Japan, notes that empathy inherently “others” another person.

In his 2019 study of westerners on a bike tour in Cambodia, Cheer found that despite the prosocial aspects of the experience—visiting local non-governmental organizations, interacting with local Cambodians—post-tour interviews revealed that the tourists didn’t understand the cultural context of the outing. The visitors leaned into problematic tropes like “happy,” “lovely,” and “generous” when describing locals or simply saw Cambodians as service providers.

This “othering” bias, Cheer says, becomes more noticeable the greater the distance between tourists and locals, and especially so in strictly transactional encounters, such as in hotels.

A worker at a resort in Bali. Researchers say visitors should make a commitment to understand local cultures by moving past transactional interactions.

Our individual travel experiences oppose our best intentions, says travel writer Bani Amor, who has written extensively on race, place, and power.

“The stated [positive] intentions are completely contradictive to what happens in the tourism industry and how oppressive it is to BIPOC [Black, indigenous, and people of color] around the world, how tourism laborers are being treated, and how they’re being dispossessed, not having a right to their own land and to enjoy our own places,” says Amor, who has worked in the tourism industry in their ancestral home of Ecuador.

“You can only really know your own experience,” adds Anu Taranath, a racial equity professor at the University of Washington Seattle and a second-generation immigrant.

“I think we can develop empathetic feelings and sort of crack open our sense of self to include other people’s experiences in it. We can only deepen our own understanding of who we are in an unequal world and how that makes us feel and how that motivates us to shift our life in some way or another.”

I think in its purest form, empathy is basically impossible. I can weep for you, but I can’t weep as you. Nathan Thornburgh , founder, Roads & Kingdoms

Or as Thornburgh puts it: “I think in its purest form, empathy is basically impossible. I can weep for you, but I can’t weep as you.”

Traveling deeper

While experts conclude that travel may not inspire enough empathy to turn tourists into social justice activists, the alternative—not traveling at all—may actually be worse.

“[B]ecause travel produces encounters between strangers, it is likely to prompt empathetic-type imaginings, which simply wouldn’t be there without the proximity created by travel,” says Hazel Tucker in a 2016 study published in the Annals of Tourism. It’s also one reason why it’s important to expose children to travel at an early age.

Yet truly transformational experiences require more than just showing up with a suitcase. It requires energy, effort, and commitment on the part of tourists, as well as specific conditions, says Higgins-Desbiolles. “Visitors need to be prepped for the interaction so that they are ready to engage with the people on an equal level,” she notes.

Taranath’s book Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World may provide some starting points. “It’s an invitation to think more carefully about our good intentions and where they really need to be challenged,” Taranath explains. “How do you think about identity and difference in an unequal world? What does it actually look like?”

Additionally, Tucker suggests embracing what she calls “unsettled empathy”: learning about the cultures you’re planning to visit and sitting with uncomfortable legacies of colonialism, slavery, genocide, and displacement from which no destinations are exempt.

Barbara Manigault, a Gullah sweet grass basket weaver, practices her craft in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. American tourists with limited travel opportunities can find many places in the U.S. to learn more about other cultures.

That background can be the basis for meaningful conversations, which Cheer found are “the key element that prompted empathy.” Thornburgh adds that travelers should seek out places where there is “an equal and humanistic exchange, or something approaching it, between the visitors and the visited.”

(Related: The E.U. has banned American travelers. So where can they go? )

Toward that end, experts generally ruled out cruises. Instead, immersive experiences like Black Heritage Tours that amplify historically marginalized voices provide better opportunities for meaningful connections.

Fortunately for would-be travelers, those opportunities can be found even in these pandemic times, when many countries are restricting international travel, especially for Americans.

“We are so lucky in this country that the whole world has come here to build their lives, in big cities and small, and that we have Black and [Native American] communities throughout,” says Thornburgh. “Go to their restaurants, lend your talents to their schools, help them raise money for their playgrounds.

“You want travel? You want to experience different cultures? Start at home. Start now.”

Related Topics

• CULTURAL TOURISM
• PEOPLE AND CULTURE

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4 Reasons Why Traveling Strengthens Your Relationship

It’s not rocket science: relationships can be hard. And I don’t have to tell you, vacations are exciting. So why not use one to enhance the other. In my own experiences, frequent traveling has been a huge contributor to my successful and happy marriage. When we go longer than a few months without taking a trip (even just to the mountains an hour away for one night), we become disconnected. Here are reasons why every relationship can benefit from spending a little quality time away.

4 Ways Traveling Strengthens Your Relationship:

1. taking a vacation, near or far, allows you to take a break from reality..

The stressors of everyday life can definitely take a toll on your relationship. Whether its household duties, work, or family matters, the “day-to-day grind” gets in the way of putting in the quality time and attention your spouse deserves. Removing yourself from this atmosphere, even for a weekend, can allow you to focus on your relationship and spend quality time as a couple. They are called “getaways” for a reason. So limit your phone usage, be present, and take a break from life. This makes you feel better as an individual, and a happy YOU makes a happy spouse TOO!

2. Adventures create lasting memories to carry you through tough times.

No matter the destination or length of trip, you WILL have experiences that you will remember forever. Even the adventures that go wrong end up making the best stories! The laughs you share, new sights you see, pictures you take, and activities you enjoy will become a part of you as a couple. You will find yourself talking about these memories all the time. Reminiscing about something only the two of you experienced or having inside jokes definitely bring you closer. Experiences together are priceless.

We “blew” our down payment on our first home savings account on a trip to Europe . But, after spending an entire night laughing and remembering fun times from our journeys through Central America , we realized that traveling is more of an investment than a home. We always remind each other that when we are old and gray, we will still be talking about our memories and sharing them with our grandchildren. We probably won’t be talking about the cars or properties we owned.

3. Traveling teaches you a lot about yourself, but imagine what you learn about your significant other too.

Being out of your comfort zone and trying new things truly brings out new traits and interests you didn’t even know you had. Seeing different sides of your significant other makes the cliché idea of “falling in love all over again” possible! Learning new things about yourself and each other will strengthen your bond more than you realize.

4. New experiences through traveling force you to depend on each other and build trust in your relationship.

I’ve never felt more protected by my husband than I did traveling through a foreign country. This requires me to be vulnerable and allows him to step up as my man and my leader. This is extremely important but also a rare occurrence in your everyday life. Traveling also presents you with many problems and challenges that you wouldn’t experience in your typical day. Whether it’s navigating unknown land, plans that go awry, missing transportation, etc. you lean on each other for comfort, support, and advice.

Being a team in a committed relationship is key, and there is no better way to practice this than through traveling. Your different skills and strengths can complement each other as you work in this partnership. And of course, traveling will require constant open communication. When you’re solving such problems, when you are feeling homesick or uncomfortable, you will talk through it and provide each other with the encouragement you need. These important relationship tools will come home with you and you will have them to access during the difficult times there, too.

We now travel as a couple full-time in our RV and have never been happier! If you want to learn more about full-time RVing, check out our RV travels , read our RV life blog posts , and check out our RV resources page. We love helping other couples achieve full-time travel!

Want some couples travel destination suggestions? Read our list of bucket list destinations for couples, here !

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Lindsay McKenzie

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Meet The Team

Travel industry expertise  .

Travel Relations LLC was created by two travel industry experts. 

Scott Whitley CEO & Co-founder

Scott began travel agent database management, mining and email marketing in the late 90s when he developed multiple successful travel agent platforms.

He then took it a step further in 2001 when he co-founded a database marketing & media company called Performance Media Group (PMG is now known as TravAlliancemedia). Scott's role was VP Sales & Marketing and Product Development, Integration & Implementation.

The engine of PMG was its database. Having and maintaining a fine-tuned, up-to-date and engaged database with multiple data points was essential and a priority for Scott. With this as his goal, Scott was able to successfully launch ground-breaking platforms such as: ModernAgent.com, TravelPulse.com, American Express Trave Agent Rewards program, Targeted Virtual Training Programs/Seminars, targeted Virtual Trade Shows, two targeted print magazine and more than 25 targeted regional tradeshows per year.

In 2009, Scott sold his interests in Performance Media Group. After a long non-compete, he finally returns to the travel trade industry by co-founding Travel Relations, a B2B Travel Technology Company. .

He resides in New Jersey with his lovely wife, Tara, and three young boys, Bobby, Christian and Jude.

He can be reached at  [email protected] TEL: +1-856-444-5288

Shaun T Whitley Chief Revenue Officer & Co-founder

Shaun brings more than a decade of sales & marketing success in travel, B2B and B2C media. 

Fortunate to have grown up in the travel industry, Shaun was exposed early in life to the world of travel by his late father, Bob Whitley, past president of the United States Tour Operators Association. Throughout the course of his life, Shaun has developed deep and trusted relationships in the leisure travel industry, an in-depth knowledge of the travel agent distribution channel and is a specialist in consumer travel sales & marketing.

In 2003, Shaun was one of the first employees to join Performance Media Group, (now known as TravAlliancemedia), a B2B travel media publisher. He held a variety of sales positions, building brand identities from inception, and he greatly contributed to the development and execution of the company’s product portfolio (digital, print, events). Shaun was a key contributor to helping the company grow sales revenues by 900% over seven years. He departed the company in 2010 as Associate Publisher.

Shaun then moved over to consumer media and worked for several leading travel brands, such as SAVEUR, AFAR and Condé Nast Traveler. He developed and sold integrated consumer marketing programs to some of the world's largest travel companies, including Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Emirates, Mexico Tourism Board, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and Delta Airlines. In 2013, Shaun departed the consumer media business as the Travel Advertising Director at Condé Nast Traveler.

In late 2013, Shaun returned to B2B by co-founding Travel Relations, a B2B Travel Technology Company. He resides in Colorado.

He can be reached at  [email protected] .

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How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel

I 've always considered myself a fiercely independent traveler. I've navigated more than 50 countries on my own, and while I have sometimes booked short excursions, usually for a day, it had never occurred to me to book a group tour. That changed when I decided to take two of my children on a family tour with Intrepid Travel . 

I had planned on spending our winter break in the Middle East but changed my mind at the last minute due to safety concerns . Because of the abrupt change, I knew I wouldn't have time to plan an itinerary, book hotels and arrange transportation before our departure date. However, I didn’t want to let that stop me from having an adventure. I'm glad I took a chance on a group tour because it changed the way I travel. Here's how.

BEST OF THE BEST: 15 Best Group Travel Companies for Guided Tours

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The trip planning was stress-free

I spent a little time comparing tour companies but quickly honed in on Intrepid. The company offers a variety of itineraries for families at different price points, and a few of my friends had been on its tours and had a good experience. I also liked that Intrepid offers specialized tours for different types of travelers, including family tours . 

At first I planned on an "original" style family tour but upgraded to a "comfort" tour, which included more activities and meals along with upgraded accommodations. Although it cost more, the company's 10-day Morocco Family Holiday tour was still within my budget and looked like a good value. 

BEFORE YOU GO: The 5 most important questions to ask yourself before booking a tour  

Once I committed to a tour, my planning was essentially done. That was a huge relief. I normally spend hours searching for hotels , figuring out some must-do activities in every location along with some off-the-beaten-track attractions, researching transportation options, and gathering restaurant recommendations. Although I often find it's fun, it’s also time-consuming and can become draining for trips that involve several stops.

Even though a group tour was not exactly what I would have planned on my own, Intrepid's Morocco itinerary was fairly close. I thought giving up some control was well worth the trade-off of not having to do all the planning on my own. Because Intrepid uses local teams based at its tour destinations to plan trips, I also hoped having a local involved would bring me to places I never would have found on my own. 

SAVE MONEY: Kids stay free at these 10 all-inclusive family resorts

Instead of reading hotel reviews and booking entry tickets, I spent the weeks leading up to my family vacation learning more about Moroccan culture. I knew this would enrich my experience more than figuring out all of the details for a trip abroad to run smoothly. I'm usually a mix of excited and stressed in the week or two leading up to a big trip. This time I was mostly excited, and my stress was at a minimum. 

Though I won’t stick exclusively to group tours in the future, this trip taught me to not sweat the small stuff so much. I don’t need to spend so much time finding the perfect hotel or restaurant to have a great trip.

Group trips are fantastic for solo travelers and parents traveling on their own

Before I had a family, I often traveled on my own. Though I enjoyed solo travel , it was lonely at times, even more so when I stopped staying at youth hostels and lost access to the fantastic communities they provide. Now I frequently travel with my two younger children. They are fantastic travel companions, but on longer trips I sometimes find myself longing for adult interaction or an extra pair of hands. Additionally, even though my kids usually get along well, they sometimes get sick of each other in the absence of any other playmates. 

TRAVEL WITH TEENS: 10 best vacation ideas for families with teenagers

On my Intrepid trip, I had other adults to talk to throughout the day. That was a refreshing change from my usual experience of going a week or more without speaking to another adult for more than five minutes, usually for transactional matters like checking into a hotel. My kids also quickly made friends with the other children on the trip. Not surprisingly, all of the families on the trip had similar interests and an adventurous spirit. My children and I were the only Americans in the group, and it was interesting learning more about life in New Zealand, Canada and Australia from the other families.

The parents in the group quickly started leaning on one another for support. One mom, also traveling alone with her children, asked me to take one of her daughters on an outing so she could get some one-on-one time with her other child. I asked a different mom to keep an eye on my son while I packed our things for the next day. It was nice not feeling as if I was on my own. 

UNIQUE TRIPS: Hate bus tours? These 7 unique guided tours were made for you

This "it takes a village" spirit is something I want to bring with me in my future travels. Although it’s not possible to replicate the experience of traveling with other families, it is possible to seek out connections away from home. For example, on a recent trip, my son wanted to play soccer with local children who lived near our hotel. Instead of rushing him away so we could squeeze in another activity, I let him play. He wound up meeting up with the other kids every night we were there, sharing candy and communicating with an app. The nights playing soccer were a highlight of that trip for him and something I probably would not have let him do before my experience with a group tour.  

I appreciated a slower pace

I have serious FOMO and often pack too much into my days when I travel. When I first reviewed the itinerary, I noted right away that it had downtime and even an entire free afternoon built into the trip. Though I know many people enjoy that balance, I was worried I would feel bored and come away feeling as if I had traveled halfway around the world and missed seeing all there is to do. 

TRIP REVIEW: Adventures by Disney’s Peru tour is a riveting family adventure

The reality is it’s impossible to do everything. Trying is exhausting and impossible. There is always something left on the to-do list at the end of the trip. It was refreshing to go into a trip not trying to see an entire country in two weeks and being OK with that from the outset. 

Though there were a couple of other things I would have liked to have squeezed in, I was very happy with the balance of activities and downtime. Other than all-inclusive family vacations and trips to family resorts , I normally don’t schedule time to just relax while I am traveling. It was really nice to have time to read and play UNO with my kids. I also liked that Intrepid had a couple of optional activities for those of us who didn’t want quite as much downtime as others. 

MONEY MATTERS: How much should you tip on a guided tour? All your gratuity questions answered  

I do still feel pressure to see and do everything when I travel, but going on a group trip helped me see the value in traveling at a slower pace. Some of my favorite moments from my Intrepid trip happened during scheduled downtime; they gave me and my children time to just enjoy being with one another without the pressures of work and school. It’s a lesson I’ve tried to carry with me as I’ve planned future trips. 

Learning from a local is invaluable 

One reason I chose Intrepid is the company uses all local guides, and most tours use the same guide throughout the trip. It may sound obvious that learning from locals is the best way to get to know a country, but I had underestimated just how valuable traveling with a local guide would be. 

TOUR REVIEW: Adventures by Disney’s South Africa tour is a lesson in culture, history, and beauty  

I learned much about Moroccan culture through our tour guide, who was always willing to answer questions about his life and traditions. He even brought us to his family home to meet his parents and niece, which was a very special experience. Aside from being able to share the history of everywhere we visited, I also liked that our guide warned us about scams to watch out for, shared the tipping culture and gave advice on bargaining. He was also helpful when it came to practical matters like finding an ATM.  

For future trips, I will be more open to taking guided tours with local guides, even if it’s just for a few hours. I will also make it a point to try to talk to more locals, as long as I can do so without bothering them too much. 

Even though it wasn’t what I had originally planned, not only did I have a great experience on my trip with Intrepid, it has also forever changed the way I plan to travel.

How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .

More from TourScoop:

• 9 best travel companies that specialize in women-only tours
• 8 best senior travel tour companies
• 4 great tour companies with independent tours

The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology , we review and select family vacation ideas , family vacation spots , all-inclusive family resorts , and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How a group tour changed my whole approach to travel

In China, Blinken urges fair treatment of American companies

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Vice President Kamala   Harris Launches Nationwide Economic Opportunity   Tour

The Vice President will kick off her multi-state tour with a moderated conversation in Atlanta, GA on April 29 and an event in Detroit, MI during the following week

WASHINGTON – Vice President Kamala Harris announced today that she will embark on a nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour with a series of events focused on investing in communities, building wealth, and ensuring every American has the freedom to thrive. The Vice President’s tour will take her back to several states across the country as she highlights how the Biden-Harris Administration has built economic opportunity and delivered for the American people. The Economic Opportunity Tour will kick off with a moderated conversation in Atlanta, GA on April 29 and an event in Detroit, MI during the following week. Additional dates and locations will be announced soon.

“President Biden and I are committed to creating an economy in which every person has the freedom to thrive. That is why we have taken historic steps to advance economic opportunity by increasing access to capital, investing in small businesses, addressing housing costs, forgiving student loans and medical debt, investing in infrastructure, and championing additional policies that put money in people’s pockets and build wealth,” said Vice President Harris.   “Our economic approach has delivered great progress, and we will continue to invest in you, your family, and your future.”

During the Vice President’s Economic Opportunity Tour, she will highlight how the Biden-Harris Administration has delivered historic investments that have supported communities and helped people thrive. This includes making unprecedented investments in small businesses and achieving the fastest creation of Black-owned small businesses in more than 30 years, creating a record number of jobs, increasing access to capital for underserved communities, investing in infrastructure, cutting the price of insulin and expanding access to health care, erasing medical debt, forgiving more student loan debt than any administration in history and boosting investments in education, making housing more affordable, lowering child care costs, and increasing the wealth of American families. Vice President Harris will also outline additional steps that she and President Biden are taking to expand this work. She will be joined on the tour by Administration officials, members of Congress, local leaders, and other special guests.

The Vice President’s tour is a continuation of her nonstop travel to communities across the country. She has made more than 35 trips to 16 states since the beginning of 2024. This includes consistent travel to meet with small business owners and entrepreneurs in underserved communities to discuss challenges and opportunities they face. In March, she traveled to Black Wall Street in Durham, NC to announce $32 million in funds to support historically underserved entrepreneurs. She began the year in Las Vegas, NV where she announced an SBA rule that will ensure millions of Americans who have served time are eligible for SBA loan programs that help individuals start and run small businesses.

The Vice President has long been focused on ensuring that minority, rural, and low-income communities have the capital and resources they need to thrive and support small businesses. Last year, she announced that Treasury’s CDFI Fund has awarded over $1.73 billion in grants to 603 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) across the country. In 2022, the Vice President also announced a first-of-its-kind public-private sector initiative — the Economic Opportunity Coalition (EOC) — that is a historic public-private partnership of more than 20 private sector organizations that will invest tens of billions of dollars to create opportunity and grow wealth in historically underserved communities. The EOC has already surpassed over $1 billion in increased member company deposits into community finance institutions. As a Senator, the Vice President partnered with key Congressional stakeholders to secure a transformative $12 billion investment for CDFIs and MDIs in December 2020. Since that time, she has worked to ensure these programs are as successful as possible.

Additional dates, cities, and details for media to RSVP will be available soon.

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Synonyms of travel

• as in to trek
• as in to traverse
• as in to fly
• as in to associate
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Thesaurus Definition of travel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peregrinate
• road - trip
• knock (about)
• perambulate
• pass (over)
• cut (across)
• proceed (along)
• get a move on
• make tracks
• shake a leg
• hotfoot (it)
• fast - forward

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hang (around or out)
• slow (down or up)
• collaborate
• take up with
• keep company (with)
• rub shoulders (with)
• fall in with
• pal (around)
• rub elbows (with)
• mess around
• be friends with
• interrelate
• confederate
• cold - shoulder

Thesaurus Definition of travel  (Entry 2 of 2)

• peregrination
• commutation

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Thesaurus Entries Near travel

Cite this entry.

“Travel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/travel. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

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Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.

Swifties who want to snag tickets to Taylor Swift’s colossal Eras Tour know the experience won’t come cheap.  

This year, the billionaire will only visit three U.S. cities – Miami, New Orleans and Indianapolis – and prices for the in-demand shows are astronomical . For the Oct. 18 show in Miami, for example, cost of a single ticket ranged between $1,615 and $8,524 on StubHub.com as of Wednesday afternoon.

So, how else can fans see one of the world’s biggest singers? Go abroad .

In the past 30 days, searches for ‘Taylor Swift Europe tour 2024 tickets’ have increased by 300% in the U.S., indicating that some people are ready to take a long-haul flight to see the wildly popular artist live, according to travel website Islands.com .

Concert-goers who head to Europe for their Swift experience may actually save more money in the long-run . Not only are ticket prices across the pond cheaper, but many European cities, like Warsaw and Lisbon, are also budget-friendly, offering inexpensive food and lodging. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Was the travel worth it? Beyoncé and Taylor Swift's summer concerts drew fans from afar

To determine the most affordable Eras Tour stops, Islands.com researchers compared the cost of a two-night trip, including one cheap ticket on StubHub.com, two nights at a four-star hotel, six inexpensive meals, two five-mile taxi rides, and one domestic beer. However, researchers didn’t account for airline tickets or concert merchandise.

With safety at the top of travelers' minds, the researchers also factored in the city’s safety rating out of 100. 

To stay extra safe, the State Department encourages travelers to register with the U.S. embassy in the country they're visiting any time they travel abroad. That can be done at step.state.gov .

10 cheapest destinations for the Eras Tour in 2024

10. Vienna, Austria - total average cost: $1,089, safety score: 69.72

9. Cardiff, U.K. - total average cost: $1,061, safety score: 61.83

8. Lyon, France - total average cost: $1,047, safety score: 44.3

7. Lisbon, Portugal - total average cost: $1,028, safety score: 70.15

6. Munich, Germany - total average cost: $1,000, safety score: 78.88

5. Paris, France - total average cost: $971, safety score: 41.83

4. Stockholm, Sweden - total average cost: $935, safety score: 53.86

3. Hamburg, Germany - total average cost: $903, safety score: 57.51

2. Gelsenkirchen, Germany - total average cost: $749, safety score: 51.33

1. Warsaw, Poland - total average cost: $712, safety score: 72.98

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• Moscow Tours

Our 20 Best Moscow Tours of 2022

Join us on an unforgettable tour to Moscow, the capital of Russia. Imagine visiting Red Square, St. Basil’s the Kremlin and more. Moscow is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities and one of Russia’s most historical. All of our tours to Moscow are fully customizable and can be adjusted to fit any budget. Our most popular tours are listed below. Please click on the tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page. You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Classic Moscow

This is our most popular Moscow tour that includes all the most prominent sights. You will become acquainted with ancient Russia in the Kremlin, admire Russian art in the Tretyakov Gallery, listen to street musicians as you stroll along the Old Arbat street, and learn about Soviet times on the Moscow Metro tour.

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PRIVATE TOUR

A Week in Moscow

This tour is a perfect choice for those who wish to get to know Moscow in depth. One of the highlights of this package is the KGB history tour which gives an interesting perspective on the Cold War. You will also have time for exploring the city on your own or doing extra sightseeing.

Weekend in Moscow

This tour is a great way to get acquainted with the capital of Russia if you are short of time. You will see all the main attractions of the city, the most important of which is the Kremlin - the heart of Russia. The tour starts on Friday and can be combined with a business trip.

Group Tour Moscow Break by Intourist

Russia's capital has so much to offer, from the Kremlin and the Metro to the Old Arbat street and the Tretyakov Gallery. Besides these sites, you will also visit a fascinating country estate which today is quite off the beaten path, Gorky Estate, where the Soviet leader Lenin spent the last months of his life.

Kolomenskoye Tour with transport

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was...

Tours by car

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Armory Tour

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury...

Walking tours

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals, Armory, Diamond Fund Tour

Old Arbat walking tour

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the...

Tour to Sergiev Posad with transport

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra)...

Tour to Kuskovo with transport

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history...

Tour to Tsaritsyno with transport

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic...

Moscow Metro and Old Arbat Tour

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion and vodka tasting)

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone...

Mikhail Bulgakov Apartment Museum

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's...

Kremlin, Red Sq., Cathedrals & Diamond Fund Tour

The State Museum of Lev Tolstoy Tour

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy...

Novodevichy Convent Tour with transport

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure...

City Tour with Visit to St. Basils & Red Sq. with transport

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will...

City Tour of Moscow

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous...

Moscow Metro walking tour

Kremlin, Red Square and Cathedrals Tour

KGB Tour with transport

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to...

Soviet and Post-Soviet Moscow Tour

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened...

Tretyakov State Gallery Tour

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and...

Jewish Heritage of Moscow Tour

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious...

Vodka Museum Tour with transport (excursion only)

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

Tours to Moscow

Our Moscow tours are land only meaning that you arrange your own air travel to Russia and our expert staff meets you at the airport and handles everything else from there. Our online Airline Ticket booking system offers some of the most competitive rates to Russia available on the web so if you need tickets, please visit our Russian air ticket center . Rest assured that you will be taken great care of on one of our Moscow tours. Express to Russia has a fully staffed office in Moscow that will help to make your visit fun, informative and unforgettable. Please remember that of all these tours are private and can be adjusted to your taste. You can add, replace or skip some sights; you can add more days to the package or cut the tour short. Our specialists will be glad to help you create the tour of your dreams!

Moscow, a City Like No Other

Moscow is Russia’s largest city with a population of between 12 and 13 million. It is also Europe’s largest city and when you visit Moscow, you can feel it. The layout and architecture of the city is eclectic, ranging from crooked, ancient streets and alleyways to wide, bustling boulevards, from medieval churches to Stalin skyscrapers and to modern, glass buildings towering over everything and of course in the center of it all is the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square. Moscow is also home to a fantastic, efficient and very beautiful metro system – each station having its own special design. In fact, Express to Russia’s Moscow metro tours and excursions are some of our most popular attractions that we offer. On our Moscow tours, you will see this and more.

Moscow Tours centering on Russian History

Moscow has a long and interesting history and has been the capital of Russia in many of its different iterations – capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow , the Russian Empire and of course the Soviet Union (who could ever forget the Soviet Union?). Moscow, was founded in the 12th century by Prince Yuri Dolgaruki (Yuri of the long arms – he really did have long arms!). From that time on, it was home to the Russian Tsars until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg in 1703. The city has survived invasions and sieges from the Mongols, the Tartars, the Poles, Lithuanians and Napoleon but has always persevered. Our Moscow tours will enlighten you on this great history and give you insights into Muscovites and their unique culture. Our Moscow tours show you what the city is like today but also brings to life the past. Moscow never seems to sleep and is bursting with energy. A Moscow tour with Express to Russia is truly the best way of getting to know Russia’s largest and most vibrant city.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

What is the best time to visit moscow.

Any time of year is fine depending on what you plan to do. Summertime is pleasantly warm, ideal for exploring the city and its vibrant atmosphere, but Moscow will be much busier and accommodation is more expensive. Winter can be quite cold but beautiful nonetheless, and this is unproblematic if you intend to spend most of your trip in museums and galleries. There are also various festivals and events organised throughout the year. For more information about the best time to visit, read our guide

How many days are enough in Moscow?

If you plan your itinerary strategically and aren’t averse to a packed schedule, you can cover Moscow’s main sights over a long weekend. Most popular attractions are in the city centre, and the Moscow Metro allows you to cover much ground in a small amount of time. Ensure that your accommodation is fairly central and book tickets in advance, so that you can make the most of your days. For an informative and well-organised day out, check out our Moscow day tours with options to suit all interests.

Do they speak English in Moscow?

As Russia’s capital city, tourists are well accommodated in Moscow. There should be English-speaking staff in restaurants, bars, hotels, shops and attractions in tourist hotspots, and there are also English-speaking tourist police. Transport services have English translations on their maps and English announcements via intercom; alternatively, order taxis from the Yandex Taxi app (Russian Uber), though it’s unlikely that your taxi driver will speak English. If you get stuck and cannot communicate, it’s fine to use Google Translate.

Is it safe to travel to Moscow?

It is no less safe to travel to Moscow than to any European city if you exercise common sense and look after your belongings. As with every city some regions can be more unsavoury than others, but no tourist attractions are located there. The traffic in Moscow is notorious, so exercise caution when crossing roads. Do not take unlicensed taxis; book in advance or take public transport, which is widespread and perfectly safe. If you encounter any problems, look for the special tourist police who can help you. For more information, read our guide about staying safe in Russia .

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Australia’s Grace Kim opens 4-stroke lead in LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship

The Associated Press

April 26, 2024, 10:13 PM

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LOS ANGLES (AP) — Grace Kim opened a four-stroke lead Friday in the LPGA Tour’s JM Eagle LA Championship, shooting a 5-under 66 in tricky afternoon conditions at Wilshire Country Club.

A stroke ahead after an opening 64, Kim had an eagle, four birdies and a bogey to get to 12-under 130. The 23-year-old Australian patiently worked her way around the tree-lined layup, trying not to get frustrated with the bumpy greens.

“I think the less thoughts, the better,” Kim said. “Obviously, during the afternoon round today, we’ve got poa annua greens so just have to stay patient with them. You can kind of see how it can get bumpy, so working with the course and not getting too wrapped up around putts not going in.”

Maja Stark was second after a 69, also in the afternoon.

“I feel like maybe not taking everything so personal because they are a little bit wobbly.” Stark said. “Especially late. Like the whole day pretty much the ball has been wobbling because there has been so many people walking on it.”

The Swede finished second last week in Texas in The Chevron Championship, two strokes behind top-ranked Nelly Korda in the first major of the year. Korda withdrew Monday, a day after her fifth straight victory.

Defending champion Hannah Green of Australia shot a 69 to join Germany’s Esther Henseleit (68) at 6 under. Denmark’s Kristine Pedersen (67) and American Auston Kim (71) were 5 under, and Rose Zhang (69) topped the group at 4 under.

Grace Kim won the LOTTE Championship last year in a playoff in Hawaii for her first LPGA Tour title. She missed the cut in The Chevron , shooting 76-72.

She started play Friday on the back nine, rebounding from a bogey on the par-3 12th with the eagle on the par-5 13th and a birdie on the par-4 14th. On 13, she hit a 5-wood to 10 feet. She added birdies on Nos. 3, 6 and 7 on the second nine.

“I think I’ve got to breathe a little bit,” she said. “I did get a little bit nervous on my back nine, so making sure I don’t rush too much and just staying in the present.

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Anne Kyle: 'People want to know what life actually is like here’

Anne Kyle , 46, is the founder and CEO of Arigato Travel, which specializes in gastronomy-themed tours and customized travel curation focusing on cultural experiences around Japan. Growing from a one-woman operation in 2016 to a team that now numbers more than 100, Arigato Travel has been recognized by CNN Travel as one of Japan’s “most authentic experience” companies.

2. Did you begin leading food tours right away? No, I started out teaching English and then transitioned into selling beauty products to Filipinos living in Japan. I had always been entrepreneurial, even as a child, so launching a business was a natural progression for me. I also loved traveling and being exposed to new people, cultures and foods, so after I joined a market tour and cooking class while on a trip to France, I had the idea to merge all of these interests by starting my own cooking school for tourists in Azabu-Juban. These were the roots of Arigato Travel.

3. Did you launch the business on your own? I hired Japanese chefs to teach the classes, while I began leading food tours in Tokyo a few months later. My then-boyfriend (now husband) was also on board. He demanded to see a business plan, so I told him to find the money and I would take care of the rest! He’s the operations guy, while I handle the ideas. He ended up getting a loan from his boss; I knew the timing was right, and indeed everything worked out to plan.

4. And how did you branch out from Tokyo to other cities? Our dream was to expand to different regions, but after about six months we realized that it would be impossible to scale the company by opening kitchens in other cities — so we decided to shift business models by focusing exclusively on food tours rather than cooking lessons. We first branched out to Osaka, where we recruited tour guides without ourselves even yet being familiar with the local food scene. It was a risky thing to do, but it worked out because there were people who believed in us and our vision. Initially, we wanted to offer food tours in all 47 prefectures, but we ended up deciding to focus on a select few locations: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagoya and around Mount Fuji.

5. What are some of your top Tokyo neighborhoods for food-related experiences? I love Azabu-Juban, where we first started the business. People think of it as being a trendy expat neighborhood, but in fact it is very historical. Many samurai once lived there, and it is a great place to find traditional Japanese foods at shops that have been in the neighborhood for multiple generations; plus more modern places like a fabulous cheese store. I also love Shinbashi, you can have super authentic experiences there drinking with local office workers.

6. What are some of your favorite food regions outside the capital? I love the tiny but flavorful shirasu (whitebait) and sakura ebi (pink shrimp) you can get in Shizuoka; they’re tiny but so flavorful. I also love the hōtō nabe from Yamanashi, and anything from Hokkaido, such as the thick stews.

7. Do you plan to expand the locations and themes of your tours? Yes, we would like to begin offering tours in locations including Yamagata and Sendai. We are particularly interested in focusing on places like family-run sake breweries and small-scale artisans, in addition to just food. Because the tourist infrastructure in many places is not ready yet, though, running these tours requires a balancing act between wanting to offer authentic experiences in places with interesting stories to tell; while also considering how to provide appropriate services for foreign visitors.

8. What types of stories would you be interested in featuring? Our network includes places like tea farmers and indigo dyers in Shizuoka with more than 200 years of history, for example. Many of these types of artisans want to preserve their craft but often don’t have anyone to carry on the family lineage, so the traditions are dying. In the Philippines, there is often a rush to expand and monetize aspects of traditional culture rather than protecting them. So my eyes really opened after meeting these types of artisans here in Japan.

9. You have an impressively large team. How do you find your tour guides and other associates? It’s a combination of advertising and referrals, but mostly it’s about attracting people with like-minded energy. I actually think that one aspect of our special sauce lies in having so many women, who represent such an untapped resource. I’ve always believed in supporting women, and I try to hire single mothers whenever I can. I’d say that women represent about 80% of our company.

10. Arigato Travel has achieved immense success. Did you have a supportive community along the way? Yes, we’ve received so much support from people who believed in us. At the same time, though, even as I was encountering many passionate people doing meaningful work in the travel and tourism community, there didn’t seem to be an easy mechanism for networking — so I decided to create one myself. I launched a Facebook group during the pandemic, and it’s been a wonderful way for people to support each other and share ideas.

11. So your whole ethos seems to be about supporting people, is that right? Absolutely. I wanted to take some of the bumps I’ve encountered along the way, and use them to help others who might be interested in starting their own tourism-related business. And because of my own economically tough upbringing, it’s personally meaningful for me to use the means I’ve achieved in order to give back to others.

12. What were some of those bumps? As a foreign woman giving Japan-related tours, I often had to prove my authenticity. Another issue was that we operated the business out of our home, and although this is now normal, it was pretty much unheard of prior to the pandemic. Some travel agencies, restaurants and hotels didn’t take the business seriously; so we ended up going around them and working with foreign companies connected to Japan, instead. I’d say that this foreign mindset, combined with local experience, ended up contributing to the company’s success but it was not always easy.

13. What advice would you offer? I think that sticking to timelines is key to success. It’s the difference between an idea turning into reality, or not. In my own case, I set a goal of moving to Japan by age 19 and opening my first business here by age 30, and staying closely focused on that helped me achieve those goals. Similarly, I aimed to launch my food tours within three months, expand to Kansai in six months, and assemble a team in a year; and I stuck to that plan. I’d also tell people to focus in on potential opportunities. Prior to starting the business, I would often help lost tourists find their way before eventually conceptualizing the idea of turning this action into a monetizable business model.

14. Besides Japanese cuisine, what other types of foods are your favorite? I love the aromas and flavors of Thai food, and the healthiness of Mediterranean cuisines like Greek and Italian. And I am equally drawn toward Michelin-starred restaurants and hole-in-the-wall joints. Food does not have to be expensive in order to be good quality. At home, I love having things like pasta and nabe, which are hearty meals that you can personalize based on the seasons, and whatever ingredients you’ve got on hand.

15. You have two children. How do you juggle family life with running a successful business? I’d say trying to maintain a strict sleep schedule is key. I normally wake up by 5 a.m. each day, since I find that having an early start gives me good momentum. My mind is like clear water when I wake up around that time.

16. Are your kids foodies? My son? Definitely. He is very tuned in to things like the freshness of foods such as strawberries, tomatoes and salmon, and I love exposing him to different food traditions. With my daughter, I am not so sure yet. She definitely has a sweet tooth, that is for sure.

17. Besides the great eats, what else do you love about living and working in Tokyo? Of course, I love the peace of mind from the safety here, and the stable systems of education and health care. When you’re raising children, these things are priceless. Tokyo is also an optimal place to run a business, since everything here runs on efficiency. I cannot imagine doing this work in a place with unstable systems of public transportation, for example.

18. Where’s another place (anywhere in the world) you’d love to try living? I think I’d love to live along the Amalfi Coast in Italy, or maybe in Croatia. The history and culture in those regions is so rich. Growing up in poverty myself, I used to watch movies from other regions around the world to get inspiration, so when I was actually able to visit these places as an adult, the feeling was exhilarating.

19. What is in the works for Arigato Travel’s future? In addition to expanding from exclusively gastronomical tours into cultural ones, and growing our regional tour area, we are also working on building a travel app to benefit global tour operators. This will involve identifying problems and needs, and then finding appropriate solutions. We are also obtaining a license to become a full-scale travel company, which will require expanding our team and operations. In doing so, we will continue to focus on growing our company organically, while cultivating relationships of trust with the people in our networks.

20. What would you say is the most fulfilling aspect of running your business? I think that food is actually a gateway into deeper aspects of a culture. People love the cuisine in Japan, but beyond this what they really want is to know more about what life is actually like here. I feel very honored to be able to share this, and I have also seen our tours actually change peoples’ lives. An Italian woman who booked several of our tours in different cities ended up moving here, and later marrying a Japanese man. And in another case, a 14-year-old boy who went on some of our tours later came back to study at Temple University. Travel is incredibly transformative, and helps fulfill peoples’ dreams — my own included. So I don’t at all take for granted the opportunity to be a part of someone else’s journey.

For more information on Arigato Japan’s culinary and cultural tours and customized travel experiences, visit https://arigatojapan.co.jp/ .

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Travel | Travel: How to spend 6 perfect days in the…

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Travel | travel: how to spend 6 perfect days in the scottish lowlands.

When one dreams of vacationing in Scotland, it’s the Highlands and not the Lowlands that comes to mind. Don’t take our word for it; even the national tourism board touts the Scottish Highlands as “the Scotland of your imagination and the perfect backdrop for your next adventure” on its website. And on National Geographic’s list of “Best of the World” destinations, only the Highlands gets love.

OK, so the Scottish Lowlands isn’t home to the monstrously legendary Loch Ness, majestic Cairngorms National Park, a historically rich clan culture or the setting of Mel Gibson’s bloody good film, “Braveheart.”

But while that and more causes Scotland’s southern side to bow to its northern neighbor in terms of tourism, the Scottish Lowlands is no plaid-clad red-headed stepchild in a nation that — fun fact — has the world’s highest percentage of redheads with about 13% of the populace. Speaking of numbers, nearly one out of every four overseas visitors to the northernmost country of the United Kingdom arrives from the U.S., according to VisitScotland ( visitscotland.com ).

So, with that in mind and knowing how much we Yankees love an underdog story, let’s ponder highlights of a perfect six days exploring the Lowlands through an American’s eye — taking roads less traveled while taking in rolling hills, gentle valleys, rugged coastline and quaint towns each more gorgeous than the next.

Breezing through Edinburgh Airport, you shuttle to the city’s newest major hotel. The 244 rooms of the W Edinburgh, the first in Scotland for the upscale brand, are spread across three buildings, and yours is in the 12-story tower that sticks out from the traditional architecture around it. Mixed as the opinions are over the building’s “walnut whip” roof, staying at a hotel topped with a giant chocolate swirl comes in handy when finding your way back after a day of sightseeing by foot. Nestled in the heart of the newly trendy St. James Quarter, the W ( marriott.com ) is within walking distance of every must-see in the city center. Refreshed from down time in your gadget-happy suite, you’re ready to see just how perfectly located your hotel is. (Rates for a standard room start at $371 a night.)

Hoofing it to Edinburgh Castle, the city’s most iconic landmark, offers a lesson in 3,000 years of history at the site of ghastly battles dating back to the Iron Age. You could spend an entire day here, but an afternoon date with some bottles of booze have you leaving the castle for a quick visit to the nearby National Museum of Scotland and its countless artifacts.

A time check of 3:30 p.m. has you scurrying to the Scotch Whisky Experience ( scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk ) for a pre-purchased tour that explains how single-malt Scotch whisky is made, but, oddly, not in the setting of a working distillery. It’s a trade-off because what you do get being in a purpose-built facility is the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky, a breathtaking visual for the core audience, and a store with a whopping 450 types of the signature stuff. Nearly as impressive is that the prices are actually fair, but you know when to say when with your purchase of potent potables. Plus, there’s more walking to do and those bottles are heavy.

Window shopping along famous Princes Street leads to a short hike up Calton Hill for stunning sunset views. Being a Harry Potter fan, you check off Victoria Street, J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley, and other sights around town believed to be connected to the global sensation.

Meandering in the direction of the W, you pop into one of many intriguing restaurants for dinner. It’s a quick one as the jet lag you’ve been fighting since seeing the “Welcome to Scotland” sign at baggage claim is finally winning.

Of course, you order the “Scottish Breakfast” at the W’s Sushisamba restaurant, which by night serves up a fusion of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavors. Your cardiac-challenging platter comes with haggis, Lorne sausage, grilled back bacon, fried eggs and black pudding, which you know as blood pudding. You also are aware that haggis is banned in the States as the USDA frowns upon ingesting stomach fluids from slaughtered livestock. Despite sheep lungs being a key ingredient in haggis, you give it a nibble and realize that this Scottish staple isn’t half baaaad.

After check-out, you walk with your luggage to busy Edinburgh Waverley Train Station. A comfortable, hour-long ride on the Borders Railway terminates at Tweedbank, and you take the public bus to Abbotsford ( scottsabbotsford.com ), former home of 19th century novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott. The estate is so extraordinary, you add “Ivanhoe” and “Rob Roy” to your reading list.

Relying on mostly taxis and hired drivers for the rest of the trip — the countless roundabouts, alone, make driving on the left side not worth the risk — you transfer to Schloss Roxburghe ( schlosshotel-roxburghe.com ) for two fairy-tale-like nights at this luxury countryside escape in the heart of scenic Scottish Borders. A tasty welcome with champagne and canapes is followed by a stroll around the historic property. On the sprawling resort surrounded by rolling hills and flowing rivers are 130 units (52 of them cottages), a championship golf course and other sporty activities, a Finnish-inspired spa, and nooks aplenty to enjoy libations made with the handmade gin created from botanicals sourced on the estate.

Wisely deciding to spend the day here, just as the Duke of Roxburghe often did in a past life of the picture-perfect property once owned by him, you book fishing, archery, croquet and clay shooting with the resort’s country sports manager. A few minutes later you pinch yourself in disbelief you’re staying where someone actually has the title of country sports manager.

A full day of activities and therapeutic R&R has you hungry for a night topped with “Scottish bistronomy” at the new, on-site Charlie’s. From the venison and pigeon to the scallops and ham hocks, the restaurant’s estate-to-plate approach pleases the senses.

A yummy buffet breakfast at Charlie’s coupled with an early checkout and on-time hired driver, found on VisitScotland’s website, make for a great start to what promises to be a long, but great day. Appropriately, the first stop is The Great Tapestry of Scotland ( greattapestryofscotland.com ) in the Borders town of Galashiels. On permanent display here since 2021 is the story of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture as told through 160 linen panels hand-stitched by over 1,000 nimble-fingered volunteers.

Leaving the 155 miles of driving to someone else today allows you to make a pitstop at the Moffat Distillery ( moffatdistillery.com ), where an American-born proprietor and her English husband are making a go making wood-fired whisky and gin. Tours and tastings — their blended-malt scotch is a winner — are conducted daily.

After traveling along what motor enthusiasts deem as the most drivable roads in the U.K., passing adorable villages and where ferries to Northern Ireland run back and forth day and night, you come up to the electronically gated entrance of your five-star home for the next two nights. One mile beyond — and one mile off Scotland’s western coast — is Glenapp Castle ( glenappcastle.com ) in the bonny Ayrshire countryside. Built in 1870, this prime example of Scots baronial, an architectural style of 19th-century Gothic Revival, has 17 luxury units (as low as $419 a night) and a 4,500-square-foot, four-bedroom penthouse that sleeps eight and starts at $4,000 a night. The 36 acres of perfectly manicured gardens, lush woodland and stately structures have hosted dignitaries from Churchill to Eisenhower, and since you’re sleeping like a VIP and got a classy bagpiper welcome, you might as well eat like one, too; dining at Glenapp is an experience fit for royalty.

Leaving the castle for a day of sightseeing had better be worth it, and it is at the very start thanks to the adorable namesake animals at Kitchen Coos & Ewes ( www.kitchencoosandewes.com ). Getting up-close and personal with the iconic Highland coos and their sheepish pals is a treat, as are the traditional homemade breakfast and lunch that come with the more in-depth tours of this working farm. Next on the schedule is a much different tour up the coast in Alloway; Robert Burns Birthplace Museum pays tribute to Scotland’s favorite son, whose poetry and songs are beloved worldwide. That includes one sung every New Year’s Eve, at least in days of auld lang syne. Despite the museum’s name, Burns’ actual birthplace is a tiny room in a cottage located at another site a 10-minute walk away.

Dinner is in nearby Troon, specifically at The Rabbit restaurant inside the new, 89-room Marine Troon ( marineandlawn.com/marinetroon ), a destination hotel that prides itself as “representing the nexus between land and sea, sport and soil, and man and nature.” Burns might have done better, but one thing that can’t be improved is the Old Course of the adjacent Royal Troon Golf Club. Perhaps one day you’ll return to play 18 here, but for now you behold what you can of links that will host the 152nd Open Championship in July, the 10th time the hallowed course will have this honor.

You’ve had fun storming the castle for two exquisite days, and now it’s time to return to reality — but not through Edinburgh this time. On the way to Glasgow Airport, a more hectic, but closer option from the west, the art lover in you prompts a visit to The Burrell Collection ( burrellcollection.com ). This Glascow gem houses more than 9,000 pieces spanning 6,000 years of history, and if it weren’t for a plane to catch, you could see yourself spending more than the two hours already given.

But the Burrell Collection isn’t the only place you didn’t get your fill over these six amazing days in the Scottish Lowlands. With luck and a replenished travel budget, you hope to return, and soon. Or as the old Scottish saying goes, “haste ye back!”

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