Why I started Unusual Journeys
Reason #1: I just freakin’ love this world!
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love geography, history and world cultures. I’ve just always had a fascination for the people and places that fill this beautiful world, past and present.
Travel publishers must love me. I’m the type of person who buys a full country’s travel guide and reads it cover to cover. It doesn’t matter if I’m actually planning on going. I just want to know all about a place. Guidebooks are like anthropological novels to me. I love to absorb all the history, customs, tips, reviews and knowledge the travel writers have to offer. It sparks my imagination and appreciation for a culture that’s different from my own.
Getting closer to nature and animals is also important to me. I am always look for unique ways and places to see the natural world and have one-of-kind encounters. I’m a big time animal lover. And I’m really not selective. Once on the set of a video shoot for work, we had a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach wrangler who offered us the chance to hold the big bugs. I was first in line, completely fearless and loving it. There are unforgettable ways to be completely awe-inspired by nature all around us, you just have to open your eyes and mind and be willing to see it!
Then there are the really unusual, weird and wonderful aspects of this big, wonderful world. From myths and legends to ghosts and the macabre, I am into it all. I’ve been ghost hunting for over ten years now, and I’ve had some very interesting encounters with spirits at hotels, historic sites and even a graveyard. Myths and legends don’t just come from nowhere. They are the culmination of experiences passed down from generation to generation, often carrying some original element that reveals fascinating truths about our own origins and histories. Ghost stories, local lore and ancient myths both expand and enrich my appreciation for the places they surround.
Reason #2: An obsession with planning
Those who know me well, know that I never go anywhere without a fabulous plan. Yes, I’m a little OCD, but not so much that I can’t deal with impromptu exploring. The real reason I obsessively plan out my travel is because I have always found that the more I know about a place before I go, the better I’m able to uncover those impromptu discoveries that make a trip so wonderful.
Using guidebooks as a starting point, my itinerary begins to form. I figure out which towns and sites (ancient or modern) are on my must-see list, then start to investigate and build around them. Before I know it, the route is taking shape.
Next I dig more into the areas to learn everything I can about them. This is where things get interesting. The trip may morph as I uncover something really unique that changes things up. Having to make decisions about what I can fit in given my time and budget become the hardest part because I’ve immersed so much, I’m just dying to see everything. Deep breath. Ok, now I prioritize for what will allow me the best mix of must-see sites and hidden gems.
I love getting off the beaten trail and spend at least 50% of my trip in places that aren’t on the usual tours. There’s always going to be those things you just HAVE to see, but in my experience, a healthy mix provides the most memorable adventure.
Ok, so maybe I’m more than a little OCD. But it’s why my friends and family have come to depend on me for ideas and advice. They know how detail oriented I am and it means they don’t have to be.
Reason #3: The gap in personalized travel planning
I know how overwhelming planning a trip can be. So many people are making fabulous use of the tools and resources available today, yet so many more don’t know where to start, what to trust and how to piece it all together. Tours are great, especially if you want to meet new people and don’t want to worry about getting from place to place, or having to figure out an entire itinerary. But for those who really enjoy the adventurous, exploratory aspects of traveling, there’s a lack of affordable, expert services to help them find and plan a customized vacation.
This is why I decided to put my passion, experience and skills to use providing some of the most unique, interesting and unusual journeys you’ll ever find. My available itineraries are all completely unique and integrate my passions for ancient wonders, modern cultures, the supernatural, animals and nature with trips to must-see places around the world.
Everyone who knows me knows I never take a place a face value. I’ve helped tons of family, friends … and friends of friends plan a trip they never forgot. They come to me because my passion for travel is contagious and they know they’ll get something super personal and completely different than they’d find anywhere else.
I started Unusual Journeys because I believe anyone who wants to travel differently should be able to get personalized travel planning at an affordable price.
So whether you are here to read my stories, browse my itineraries or work with me to design a completely customized trip you’ll never forget, welcome aboard! I hope you enjoy your next unusual journey.
