Chasing ADVNTR Travel

1 Week Itinerary to Hawaii: The Big Island and Maui

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 14:35:11 GMT

Hawaii has a way of ruining you for every other beach vacation. Towering volcanoes, jungle waterfalls, black sand beaches, and, if you time it right, a sunrise from above the clouds. When we started planning our own trip, we had one goal: see both of Hawaii’s national parks without feeling like we were racing through either one.

The result is a 7-day route across the Big Island and Maui that mixes big adventure days with plenty of built-in downtime. Three nights on the Big Island, five nights on Maui, and stops at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park along the way.

Here’s the shape of the week:

Days 1–2 (Big Island): Hike to a hidden double beach, surf in Kona, then spend a full day exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, crater rim, lava tube, and the drive down Chain of Craters Road.
Days 3–5 (Maui): Ease in with the West Maui coastline, loop the north shore past the Dragon’s Teeth and Nakalele Blowhole, then a day for surfing, snorkeling, or a guided tour before an evening luau.
Day 6 (Maui): The Road to Hana — waterfalls, the Pipiwai bamboo forest, the Seven Sacred Pools, and Waianapanapa’s black sand beach.
Day 7 (Maui): Sunrise from the rim of Haleakala, then a hike into the crater itself on the Sliding Sands and Halemau’u Trails.

It’s a full week, but it’s built to breathe, long adventure days are balanced with slower ones, and there’s room to swap things around based on your own reservations (sunrise at Haleakala books up fast, so that one’s worth locking in early).

Want the full day-by-day breakdown?

I put together a printable, PDF version of this entire itinerary: every day laid out with driving times, trail lengths, where to eat, what to book in advance, and a full pre-trip checklist so nothing slips through the cracks. It’s designed to print out and take with you, or just pull up on your phone at the trailhead.

Paid subscribers can download it at the bottom of this newsletter.

Your Travel To-Do List

If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

18 Years of Advice for Planning Epic Family trips

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:08:54 GMT

At the beginning of the summer, Hadley and Finley turned 18 - which means not only do I have 2 adults, but I now have 18 full years of parenting under my belt. In 18 years we’ve visited over 30 countries together, most of the US National Parks and traveled extensively in New England and across the US.

In many ways, this sounds like a big old brag when I lay it out , but I don’t mean it to be a brag. I’m not sharing this to say - hey aren’t we cool. I’m sharing this because this didn’t happen by accident.

We aren’t independently wealthy and just travel all the time. In fact we drive old used cars (one of which doesn’t have AC), we rarely eat out, we buy used clothes and we budget all year for our trips. And when we do travel, we’ve done overnight, hard hikes, slept all together sheds, done back to back red eye flights, driven a broken rental car together for a full week, and more. Our travel is often hard and uncomfortable - but at the end of the day, I have two 18 year olds who love to travel.

Over the years we’ve strategically planned, saved, and sacrificed activities so that we can prioritize travel.

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It’s not just about money, many of the barriers to travel aren’t money. They’re fear of missing something at home They’re decisions built on assumptions - that you can’t leave work, or leave your dog with a house sitter, or all your plants will die.

Often times the barrier is based on fear: real and created.

Sometime the barriers are because someone in the group doesn’t want to travel (turns out teens and tweens sometimes want to do there own things).

So today, I’m sharing my Biggest Take Aways on how to Raise Kids who Love to Travel, How to Prioritize Family Travel, and How to Plan Epic Family Adventures. And if you do it - it might be the best thing you ever do for your family.

If you want more about family travel and making the most of travel with kids - you might also like these articles:

18 Years of Advice for Planning Epic Family trips

Here are my top tips for building a family travel mindset and making the most of travel.

1. Make Hiking Fun (Not a Death March)
If you want kids who love hiking, the goal for the first several years isn’t distance: it’s fun. Bring way more snacks than you think you need (and bring fun snacks). Choose trails with a payoff: a waterfall, a summit view, a swimming hole. Keep it short enough that everyone finishes wanting more, not less. You have years to build up to the hard stuff: don’t rush it.

Building kids who love to hike takes years!

2. Choose Trips Everyone Will Love
Not every trip has to please everyone equally, but over time, the destinations should rotate through what each person loves. If it’s always the parents’ dream trip, don’t be surprised when the kids check out. Ask what they want to do and see, and actually build it into the itinerary.

You can do this with specific trips or make sure each trip has something for everyone.

3. Acknowledge the Bad Moments, Then Expect Everyone to Push Through
Someone will be tired, hungry, or just plain unhappy at some point on every trip: that’s real, and it’s worth acknowledging out loud. But acknowledging it isn’t the same as letting it derail the day. We validate the feeling, then expect everyone (including us) to find the good in it anyway.

Go in with the ‘we’re all in this together’ mentality.

4. Reflect on the Trip Together: Often
At the end of every trip, we go around and share our favorite memories. It’s a ritual and a fun way to pull out the best parts of the trip and feel grateful. But don’t stop there bring it up again months later at dinner, or when something reminds you of it. Revisiting memories out loud is what turns a trip into a story your family tells, instead of just photos on a phone.

On our recent trip we did a lot of: what was our best meal in another country? Favorite place to sleep? Best Sunset?

5. Build in Downtime
A packed itinerary sounds efficient, but it burns kids out fast. Plan real downtime into every trip: a slow morning, a day with nothing scheduled, an early bedtime. Kids need recovery time as much as adults do, and a rested kid is a kid who wants to do it again tomorrow.

6. Problem-Solve Out Loud, In Front of Them
When something goes wrong, a missed flight, a broken rental car, a wrong turn on a trail, don’t hide the stress and fix it behind the scenes. Talk through it in front of your kids: here’s what happened, here’s what we’re going to try. This is where they actually learn how to handle things going sideways, because they’ve watched you do it.

Let them see you not freak out, or maybe freak out a little bit but then solve the problem.

7. Stay Fun, Not Fancy
A great trip isn’t measured by the hotel. We’ve stayed in sheds, rented houses with friends, stayed in fancy hotels, and picked places based on whether they were fun and central. Save the money, put it toward experiences instead, and let “fun” beat “fancy” every time.

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8. Build the Expectation That Travel Is Worth Missing Things For
If travel is always optional and always loses to a birthday party or a soccer tournament, your kids will learn that travel isn’t a priority. Somewhere along the way, we decided travel was worth missing things for, and we said so, out loud, so our kids grew up believing it too.

We often say ‘what will you remember in 10 years?’

9. Set Expectations Before Every Trip
Before we go anywhere, we walk through the itinerary and what’s coming: the long travel days, the early mornings, the plan for the week. No one loves surprises when they’re already tired and out of their routine. A few minutes of expectation-setting heads off a lot of complaining later.

10. Give Kids a Say: If They Want It
Some kids want input on planning; some don’t. We’ve learned to offer it without forcing it. Let them pick a restaurant, an activity, or a detour if they’re interested. It builds ownership over the trip instead of just being dragged along on someone else’s plan.

11. Mix Up Who You Travel With
Travel with extended family. Travel with friends. And travel just as your core family, too. Each version teaches your kids something different: how to compromise in a big group, how to be independent in a small one, and how to just be with each other with no one else around.

12. Let Older Kids Opt Out Sometimes
Somewhere around the teen years, we learned that forcing every trip on every kid backfires. Sometimes a teen wants to stay home, or skip one leg of a trip to do their own thing. Building in that flexibility: instead of treating every trip as mandatory for everyone, actually kept our teens wanting to come on the next one.

At the same time - there are some trips we’re all on together as a family.

13. Let Them See You Struggle, Too
Don’t perform effortless competence. Let your kids see you get tired, frustrated, or unsure and recover. It normalizes discomfort as part of the process, not a sign something’s gone wrong.

Letting your kids see you still be positive after not sleeping for 24 hours is a huge win.

14. Say Yes to the Detour
The unplanned stop, the roadside attraction, the extra hour at a beach nobody wanted to leave, is often what kids remember most. Build enough slack into the schedule that you can say yes when something catches their interest.

15. Budget for Travel All Year, Not Just Before a Trip
We don’t have travel money sitting around, we build it by budgeting for it every month, all year, the same way you’d budget for a mortgage or childcare. Treat travel like a fixed cost, not a leftover, and it stops feeling out of reach.

Travel is a luxury, and we are all so incredibly lucky to travel. If you can’t pull off a European 2 week trip, find a local campground, drive to the next state, or visit a National Park.

16. Cut Somewhere Else On Purpose
Old cars. Secondhand clothes. Cooking at home instead of eating out. None of that is a coincidencem it’s the trade we make so travel is the thing we don’t cut. Decide what you’re willing to sacrifice for it, and let that decision be visible to your kids so they understand the trade-off, not just the trip.

We talk about this all year - we’re not getting a new couch because we would rather take the trip.

17. Name the Fear Instead of Letting It Decide for You
Most of what keeps families home isn’t money, it’s fear. Fear of missing something, fear of what could go wrong, fear the plants won’t make it. Some of that fear is real and worth planning around. A lot of it is just assumption. Before you cancel a trip over a “what if,” ask whether it’s a real barrier or a story you’re telling yourself.

And once you’ve done it a few times, it’s easier to feel confident that you can manage those fears.

18. Question the Assumptions Before They Become Excuses
“I can’t leave work.” “Someone has to watch the house.” “We can’t afford it.” Some of these are true. A lot of them are assumptions nobody has actually tested. Before you let one shut down a trip, ask what would actually happen if you asked your boss, hired a house-sitter, or looked at the real numbers.

19. Expect Hard and Uncomfortable: and Let That Be Okay
Overnight hikes, broken rental cars, back-to-back red-eyes, sleeping in a shed with the whole family, none of that is the trip going wrong. That’s the trip. If you wait for travel to be easy and comfortable, you’ll wait a long time. Let your kids see that hard and worth-it can be the same trip.

20. And my last - biggest piece of advice for travel now that we have 18 years of travel together and my twins are off on their own adventure - TAKE THE TRIP. There are many places to go and adventures to have, and once you’re kids start college and jobs, these get even harder to plan. Take the two weeks, heck take 3 weeks and spend it together somewhere out there!

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

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The Planning System Behind every trip we Take

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:54:41 GMT

Hey there,

Having amazing advntures doesn’t just happen.

Usually, you have to actually leave your house. And this take planning. Most people want to travel more, but what stops them?

Often it is real (or created) barriers - like time, money, preferences, fears, health, etc. Often is just a lack of planning and by the time you want to plan a trip, it’s too expensive or your schedule is filled up with other commitements.

A few resources on how we actually plan and prioritize family travel:

How to Plan a Trip: The Exact 11 Steps We Use: our real planning process, start to finish.
Why We Take Solo Adventures with Our Kids: one of the best parenting moves we’ve made.
100 Incredible Adventures with Kids: our running family bucket list.
20 Epic Teen Travel Experiences: if you’re traveling with older kids.

Practical tip: Start your travel planning early. A good rule of thumb is to think a year out and then book in the right window - you can get my cheat sheet for booking adventure travel at the bottom of this email.

The Best Resources to Plan Better Travel - the tools we actually use to plan travel.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

As a travel agent, writer, photographer and active traveller, I often come across amazing deals and resources and share them here. Last month I launches a course to share my top tips of budgeting for Adventure Travel - I put all my top tips into this course for saving money.

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If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

5 Places You Should Be Booking Now for Winter Adventure

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 18:14:36 GMT

Winter is prime time for a few of our favorite destinations: here’s where to lock in dates before the good spots fill up.

These are truly some of our favorite winter adventures over the years.

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Ecuador: Andes Highlands & Amazon

Winter (North America’s) lines up with a great window for the Quilotoa Loop and Baños, Ecuador’s adventure-town basecamp for ziplining, canyoning, and waterfall hikes along the Ruta de las Cascadas. Pair a few days in Quito with the 3-day Quilotoa trek and an Amazon lodge stay for the full range cloud forest to rainforest.

Later this month - I’m sharing out itinerary but you can also check it out here: Explore Ecuador

Panama: Dry Season Sweet Spot

Panama’s dry season runs December through April, which lines up perfectly with winter up north, making this an easy, warm, and underrated booking right now. Split your time between Boquete, mountain town, coffee country, hiking and rock climbing, and the Gulf of Chiriquí, where Boca Brava, Boca Chica, and Las Lajas offer sport fishing, surfing, and diving. Our 10-Day Panama Itinerary has the full breakdown, plus shorter alternate versions if a week is all you’ve got.

St. Lucia: Pitons, Boats, and Beaches

St. Lucia is a beach trip with real adventure texture built in. Hike Gros Piton or Petit Piton, take a catamaran day trip that hits a waterfall and mud bath along the way, go horseback riding on the beach, or spend a slower day snorkeling and exploring Pigeon Island. It’s also a fantastic pick for multi-generational trips: we did a group of 15 ranging from age 5 to 70.

Start planning with our St. Lucia destination guide.

Hawaii: Big Island & Maui

Hawaii is worth booking now, ahead of spring break price spikes. On the Big Island, don’t miss Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — lava tubes, petroglyphs, and the Chain of Craters Road. On Maui, West Maui and the Road to Hana are must-dos. If you’ve got a full week, our 7-Day Hawaii Itinerary covers both islands and both national parks; short on time?

The Big Island 2-Day Itinerary hits the highlights.

Skiing in Colorado: Book Your Week Now

This is the one with the shortest runway, condos and rental houses near the big resorts fill up fast for peak weeks. We recently spent a week visiting four mountains, Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Beaver Creek, and hit a stretch of 45-degree days plus a storm that dropped 10–15 inches of fresh snow. Traveling with kids or teens?

Check out our tips on planning the perfect teen ski trip and our list of the best ski resorts for teens and families before you pick your mountain.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

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5 New England hikes to do before summer’s over

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:45:28 GMT

Hey there,

August and September are my favorite months to hiking in New England (followed closely by winter hiking).

Here are 5 New England trails worth lacing up your boots for:

Stinson Mountain, NH — a quieter alternative to the crowded White Mountains trails, with panoramic views.
Blueberry Mountain, NH — moderate difficulty with great payoff at the summit.
Grafton Notch, ME — 9 hikes and waterfalls in one of Maine’s most underrated state parks.
Green Woodlands, NH — one of NH’s best-kept outdoor secrets (you can hike here, but this place is great for biking and skiing)
For more options, our Complete Guide to Hiking Southern NH covers 10 of our favorite trails, including Mount Monadnock.

Practical tip: the weather in New England changes often, especially in the mountains. Even in the summer it can be cold and dangerous. Always pack layers, plenty of water and a first aid kit.

See exactly what I put in my day pack to stay safe on the trail.

Talk soon,
Gretchen

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

There are some fantastic deals at REI right now (up to 50% off). If you are looking to gear up for the next season, it’s worth a loot.

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Your Travel To-Do List

If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

5 ways to save $1,000 on your next trip

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 17:34:30 GMT

Before I started working in the travel industry, I would look at families online who were taking 3-5 amazing trips a year and wonder (with some envy) how they were affording all this travel. Then I talked to a friend who I knew didn’t make any more money than we did and realized I was missing out on some things that suddenly changed the whole world of travel on it’s head.

Today - I’ve got some practical travel planning advice for you.

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Travel isn’t free and you do need to save and prioritize money for travel, but there are many things you can do to make your trips more affordable. Just a few changes has made it possible for us to travel as a family of 5 at least 3 times a year.

Here are 5 ways to save real money on your next trip: not just the common “travel in the off-season” clichés that doesn’t work with a family, just stuff that actually moves the needle.

I’m sharing a 6th tip at the end for paid subscribers and a break down of how we saved money on our trip to Europe last summer.

I also break down some of my favorite ways to save money over on the Chasing ADVNTR website.

1. Use a points/cashback card strategically

This one’s simple but a lot of people leave money on the table with it: the simplest way to do this is to pick one card, put your travel spending on it, and actually use the points instead of letting them sit. The trick is knowing when points are worth more than cash back: usually that’s redeeming for flights or hotels through a travel portal rather than cashing out for a statement credit, since the per-point value tends to be higher.

Once you’ve gotten used to using a travel card and getting points, you can strategically open and use additional cards to take advantage of travel point bonuses. This is the single biggest thing we did to make travel more affordable and it saves up thousands of dollars every year.

If you are intimidated by travel points - don’t be. Here are some tools to get you started.

If you want to get started right away - start with the Chase Sapphire cards: Not only do these give you an amazing points bonus, but you also get a lot of other benefits like car insurance: Get the Chase Cards.

Get an overview of how to use Travel Points and Credit Cards to book travel.

Take the 10X Travel free course - this is how I learned about using points and it covered everything you need to know.

2. Be creative when booking flights

Don’t just search your home airport to your destination and call it done. Check nearby airports on both ends, look at whether flying into a different city and taking a short train or connecting flight is cheaper, and consider booking two one-way tickets instead of a round trip sometimes it’s a wash, sometimes it saves a real chunk. If you’ve got flexibility, a positioning flight or a longer layover in a city you’ve wanted to see can turn a boring connection into a free mini-trip.

This summer instead of booking round trip flights to Bishkek, Kyrgystan, we booked a round trip flight to Prague and then another round trip from Prague to Bishkek. This saved up money AND we got to spend a few days in Prague.

3. Get a credit card that covers rental car insurance

Most rental counters will try to upsell you on a collision damage waiver that can run $15-30/day: on a week-long rental, that’s real money. A lot of travel credit cards already include rental car insurance as a benefit, which means you can decline the upsell at the counter and still be covered.

The Chase Cards I mentioned above have car insurance for more car and most destinations (always double check). This has saved us money and the one time we needed to use the insurance it was easy to get covered.

4. Get travel insurance

This one feels like an expense until it isn’t. A policy usually runs 4-8% of your total trip cost, and it covers you if a flight gets cancelled, your bag gets lost, or you need to cut a trip short for a medical issue any of which can cost you way more than the policy itself.

We always get travel insurance and it’s come through for us a few times.

5. Pay in local currency

When a card reader or ATM abroad asks “would you like to pay in USD?” say no. That’s called dynamic currency conversion, and it lets the merchant set their own (worse) exchange rate instead of letting your card network handle the conversion. Always choose to pay in the local currency; your bank’s exchange rate is almost always better.

Bonus Tip #6:

Paid subscribers get my final tip as well as a break down of costs for our trip last summer and a downloadable travel booking cheat sheet - I go into details of how we saved money on this trip.

Ireland is still on our minds: From Cobh's colorful harbor to hiking Howth's cliffs: here's where to go in Ireland.

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 13:38:22 GMT

Hey there,

Since visiting Ireland in April, I’ve talked to at least 4 people who are planning their own trip to this magical island country.

If Ireland’s on your list (or you’re already planning), here are 5 places from our trip worth building a route around:

Start in Dublin and follow our Complete 1 Week Ireland Itinerary around Southern Ireland: the full route we used with 3 generations of family.
Don’t skip Cobh: a colorful harbor town with real history (and real charm).
Get out to Inishmore, the largest Aran Island: remote, dramatic, and unlike anywhere else in Ireland.
If you want to sleep there, here’s our honest take on camping and glamping on Inishmore.
End with Howth: one of the best coastal hikes we did on the entire trip.

Practical tip: You should absolutely rent a car in Ireland, BUT car insurance is absolutely needed. Double check that your credit card covers car insurance or get insurance through your rental company.

Talk soon,
Gretchen

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

As a travel agent, writer, photographer and active traveller, I often come across amazing deals and resources and share them here.

Right now REI Outlet is offering up to 70% off - it’s a great time to replace needed gear!

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Your Travel To-Do List

If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

Back from Kyrgyzstan, and what's next

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 13:32:24 GMT

Hey there Folks,

We just got back from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Czechia and I’m still still sorting through all my photos of these amazing places. This was a big trip: far away, challenging, hard to get to, and absolutely stunning.

For highlights - we drove down a river, got pulled over and bribed in Almaty, hiked in the freezing cold and slept in 6 different yurts. It was the type of family trip that we will be talking about for years.

I’ll be sharing more details about this trip in the coming months, but today I want to share a few behind the scene moments.

Behind the scenes

Let’s talk about Almaty.

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On our final day with our rental car (nicknamed the Stallion) We got pulled over by the police in Almaty. Yes we crossed over a double line accidently, but after driving for the last 10 days and watching everone around us break all the traffic rules, it felt a bit arbitrary.

The police asked Dave to get into their police car while the rest of us sat in the Stallion. One police officer ‘took a walk’, the other communicated over google translate with Dave, and the third officer slept in the back of the police car. After telling Dave he would lose his license for 6 months, the officer asked him to settle it between them and then asked how much money we had. While corruption is getting the crack down here (supposedly), accepting a bribe could actually mean jail time. Dave stayed firm, stalled, called our car rental company, talked to me, and waited while I took photos and recorded the incident. Eventually the officers got bored and nervous, returned his license and drove off.

It was the first time we’ve had this happen although we did have someone try something at a gas station in Mexico - another story for another time.

That wasn’t the only driving adventure we had on the trip.

Wander Weekly: Where to Travel This Fall

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 13:48:49 GMT

Fall is one of the best travel seasons of the year. The summer crowds start to thin, temperatures become more comfortable, and some destinations put on their best show of the year. The catch? Many of the best fall trips need to be planned well before the leaves start changing. This week we’re looking at a few destinations worth booking now.

5 Fall Destinations Worth Planning for Right Now

Badlands National Park: Cooler temperatures make hiking and exploring much more enjoyable than during the heat of summer. The dramatic landscapes seem even more striking under fall light, and wildlife is often more active.

New Hampshire’s Fall Foliage Hikes: New England’s most famous season doesn’t last long. Waterfalls, mountain views, scenic drives, and vibrant foliage make September and October one of the best times to visit the White Mountains. → Read the guide

Acadia National Park in Fall: Acadia combines rocky coastline, colorful forests, and crisp ocean air. Fall brings fewer crowds than summer while still offering excellent hiking and scenic drives.

Ireland Road Trip: September is one of the best months to explore Ireland. The summer crowds begin to fade, the weather is often still mild, and the countryside remains incredibly green. → Read the guide

Italy in September: Warm weather, harvest season, and fewer tourists make September one of the best times to visit many parts of Italy. It’s often the sweet spot between summer crowds and cooler fall temperatures. See all our guides to Italy

Travel Tip: When to Book Fall Airfare

If you’re planning a fall trip, now is the time to start paying attention to flights.

A few general guidelines:

September travel is often best booked 1–3 months in advance.
October foliage destinations tend to fill earlier, especially in New England.
International trips for September and October often have the best selection when booked several months ahead.
Midweek departures are frequently less expensive than weekend flights.
Set fare alerts early, even if you’re not ready to book yet.

The most popular fall destinations rarely get cheaper as peak foliage season approaches.

Before You Go

Fall weather can be unpredictable. One day may feel like summer while the next feels like winter, especially in mountain destinations. Layers are your best friend, and checking local conditions before heading out can save a lot of frustration.

Two Things Worth Sorting Before You Book

Booking Platforms: We almost always compare multiple booking sites before making a reservation. Prices, cancellation policies, and room availability can vary more than you’d expect. Get All the Resources we use to Plan Travel

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

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If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

Why Most People Wait Too Long to Take the Trip

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:12:30 GMT

Let me ask you something: how many trips have you planned in your head that never happened?

The summer you were going to hike in Glacier. The fall you were finally going to see the coast of Maine. The year you were going to pull your kids out of school for a week and go somewhere that mattered.

It didn’t happen. Not because you didn’t want it to, but because something always got in the way.

It’s always easier NOT to take the trip than to take the trip.

“The right time to travel is almost never the right time. It’s just the time you decide to go anyway.”

The Excuses Are Real.

Here’s what I’ve found: the reasons not to travel are almost always legitimate. That’s what makes them so powerful.

It’s too expensive right now
The kids have games / recitals / exams
Work is busy: I can’t take the time off
What if something goes wrong at home?
They won’t even remember it
What if the flights get cancelled?
I just need a few more months to save

These aren’t made-up excuses. They’re real considerations and they are often true - you are probably going to miss something if you take a trip. And waiting for them all to resolve at once? That’s how years pass, and suddenly you never took the trip.

Quick note: travel is a privledge that I don’t want to overlook. wrote an interesting article about this lately. But I strongly believe that most people don’t travel because they don’t make it a priority. Travel doesn’t need to be around the world - there are amazing places near home worthy of exploration.

The Hidden Cost of “Not Yet”

We tend to think of postponing a trip as neutral as if not going costs nothing. But it does.

Your kids are a specific age right now, and they’ll never be this age again. Your parents are healthy and mobile today, but that window closes. That version of you, curious, restless, ready, doesn’t wait forever.

The trip you keep deferring isn’t just a vacation. It’s a set of memories that either get made this year or don’t get made at all. I firmly believe that creating core memories is done best through travel.

The Sweden Moment (And What It Taught Me)

I was living on a outside of Schenectady, juggling three kids under four, and I had quietly stopped traveling. Every time Dave and I talked about it, I’d say: later. When the kids can walk. When we have more in savings (we had a lot of student debt). When someone can watch the animals.

The thing is: those weren’t lies. Those were real constraints. But they were also a slow-moving trap.

When our youngest Freja turned four, we finally pushed through and booked Sweden. It was our first big family trip in years. And I still remember the feeling coming home: not just gratitude, but relief. Relief that we hadn’t waited another year. That we hadn’t let one more season pass.

What we saw there wasn’t just beautiful country. We saw other families doing it, families with the same complications we had, and realized we had been the ones holding ourselves back.

“We let ourselves stop doing what we loved simply because it felt like too much work.”

Trips Worth Not Waiting For

If you’ve been circling a trip in your mind, here are a few worth moving from “someday” to the calendar:

Acadia National Park, Maine

Fall is the obvious window — peak foliage peaks in mid-October — but early June is when the crowds are low and the wildflowers are out. Cadillac Mountain at sunrise, the carriage roads on bike, the Jordan Pond House for popovers. This is one of the most accessible “wow” parks in the country. Read more: Visiting Acadia National Park →

The White Mountains, New Hampshire

A weekend here will do more for your nervous system than a month of planning trips that never happen. The Franconia Notch loop, the Kancamagus Highway, Mt. Washington on a clear day. Two hours from most of New England. Zero excuse not to go. Read more: White Mountains Guide →

Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Wyoming

This is the “big trip” that people put off for a decade. Book it. Late May and early September are ideal — wildlife is active, the crowds haven’t peaked, and the landscape shifts between those two parks in ways that will genuinely change how you see the country. Read more: Wildlife in Yellowstone →

How to Actually Make It Happen

After Sweden, I started approaching the excuses differently. For every obstacle, I forced myself to find a benefit and then a solution.

Obstacle → Benefit → Solution

Obstacle: My kid will miss a soccer game. Benefit: But she’ll snorkel for the first time. Solution: Tell the coach at the start of the season and accept this as part of the sacrifice of travel.

Obstacle: We don’t have enough money. Benefit: My kids leave for college in two years. Solution: Rent an apartment instead of a hotel. Use points. Start saving now for a specific date.

The method isn’t magic. There are times when something genuinely keeps you home. But most of the time, the obstacle is solvable if you decide the trip matters enough to solve it.

Stop Waiting. Start Planning.

Pull out your calendar. Pick a destination. Book something with a date. Your future self won’t remember the reason you waited but they’ll remember the trip.

Explore destinations at chasingadvntr.com →

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

Paid Subscribers can get my budgeting adventure travel course for free where I share exactly how to save money on adventure travel. I covered everything from prioritizing travel to flights hotels and more. You can get the link and code at the

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Not ready to jump into the course? You can also start with my article about how to save money when you travel.

Wander Weekly: Hidden Gems Worth the Detour

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:38:18 GMT

Everyone knows the famous spots. The challenge is finding the places that make you wonder why they aren’t just as popular. This week we’re highlighting a few destinations that deliver incredible experiences without always making the top of the bucket-list rankings.

It’s a bit of a random list - but these are places worth exploring!

4 Lesser-Known Places Worth Adding to Your Travel List

Sabbaday Falls, New Hampshire: Tucked along the Kancamagus Highway, this short hike leads to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the White Mountains. Easy to reach, family-friendly, and surprisingly overlooked by visitors rushing to bigger attractions. This is a great one for the fall.

The Less-Visited Greek Islands: Santorini and Mykonos get the headlines, but some of Greece’s most memorable experiences happen on islands where the crowds are smaller and the pace is slower. We loved exploring Sifnos!

Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland: Most visitors drive past Iceland’s largest glacier on the Ring Road, but stepping onto the ice with a guide is a completely different experience. Glacier caves, blue ice, and landscapes that feel almost otherworldly. → Read the guide

Hidden Spots in Banff National Park: Banff’s famous lakes deserve the attention they get, but some of the best experiences are found by venturing beyond the busiest viewpoints and trails. → Read the guide

Travel Tip: How to Find Hidden Gems

The best hidden gems usually aren’t completely hidden they’re simply one step beyond where most travelers stop.

A few ways to find them:

Look for attractions within 30 minutes of famous destinations.
Search hiking trails instead of viewpoints.
Read recent reviews and look for places with fewer ratings.
Visit early in the morning or later in the evening.
Ask locals what they would show a friend visiting for the first time.

We’ve found that some of our favorite travel experiences happened when we added a single extra stop to an itinerary we already planned.

Before You Go

Hidden gems often require a little more planning than famous attractions. Trailheads may have limited parking, tours may need advance reservations, and some locations have limited services nearby. Spending 15 minutes researching before you arrive can completely change your experience.

Worth Packing

A lightweight daypack — Perfect for carrying layers, water, snacks, and camera gear while exploring lesser-known trails and destinations.

An offline maps app — Some of the best places are also the places with the worst cell service. Downloading maps before your trip can save a lot of frustration.

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

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If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

The Family Travel Mistake Almost Everyone Makes

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:42:56 GMT

Most family trips that don’t work out, actually are likely in trouble before you even leave home. We’ve been traveling as a family of 5 for 18 years and have been through it all: infants, toddlers, and teens. But it really doesn’t matter how old the kids are, the biggest mistake I see is the same. And it’s not just when you’re traveling with kids - whether your family is a group of friends, or senior parents, or just a partner - the same rules apply.

They’re planned with one audience in mind: either the kids or the adults (or just for one person in the group).

So you end up with one of two things: a trip that keeps the kids constantly entertained but feels a little flat for the adults… or a trip that adults love while the kids slowly unravel in the backseat wondering when it gets fun.

The better trips aren’t kid focused or adult focused centered: they’re both.

Not in a “everyone compromises and no one is thrilled” way but in a way where each day has something for both. A hike that’s just adventurous enough for kids to feel capable, but scenic enough that adults actually want to stop and take it in. A town where there’s room to wander, but also a playground or a swim spot or a bakery that becomes the daily highlight. A pace that leaves space for spontaneity instead of packing every hour.

That’s really the shift: you’re not planning a kids trip or an adult trip. You’re building a rhythm where both get what they came for, and taking the actual people into account.

Here are a few ways we’ve balanced this when planning:

Do not plan an adult activity (like a 3 hour meal with toddler) that is completely not age appropriate - you will all be miserable
Choose one of two activities that you kids will like - thats it - the rest of the activities should appeal to everyone.
Ask everyone to choose one activity
Expect your kids to do things they don’t want to all the time. Don’t love hiking, well we’re doing 1 hike and you choose the next activity. Travel is compromise.

If you’re looking for ideas that actually strike that balance, start here:

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

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Wander Weekly: The National Parks Everyone Wants to Visit

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:30:38 GMT

Summer is national park season for a reason.

Long days, open roads, and trails that have finally melted out make July one of the best times of year to explore America’s parks. This week we’re looking at four parks that deserve a spot on your summer travel list, from the iconic arches of Utah to alpine lakes in Colorado.

It might be a little late to plan for this summer - but save this or come back to it for next summer (and start planning at least 6 months in advance.

4 National Parks Worth Planning a Summer Trip Around

Arches National Park: Some places are famous for a reason. Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Devils Garden, and sunset views that somehow live up to the hype. Arrive early, stay late, and avoid the middle of the day if you can.

Bryce Canyon National Park: The hoodoos get all the attention, but hiking below the rim is what makes Bryce special. Sunrise here is one of the best in the entire national park system.

Canyonlands National Park: Bigger, wilder, and less crowded than many of Utah’s other parks. Mesa Arch at sunrise, Island in the Sky overlooks, and the White Rim Road make this one of our favorites.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Alpine lakes, mountain views, wildlife, and some of the best hiking in the country. Summer is prime season, but planning ahead is essential.

Also on Chasing ADVNTR

Cadillac Mountain Sunrise, Acadia National Park:One of the most famous sunrises in the country and one of the best ways to start a day in Acadia.

Jordan Pond Path, Acadia National Park: An easy walk with incredible views, crystal-clear water, and a chance to experience one of Acadia’s most iconic landscapes.

Explore Acadia

Before You Go

If you’re visiting national parks this summer, don’t assume you can just show up and drive in. Several of the most popular parks now require reservations, timed-entry permits, or advance planning during peak season.

Some parks require:

Timed-entry reservations
Shuttle reservations
Backcountry permits
Campground reservations months in advance

The easiest way to avoid disappointment is to check requirements as soon as you start planning your trip.

Read: National Park Reservations Made Easy

Two Things Worth Sorting Before You Go

America the Beautiful Pass: If you’re visiting three or more national parks this year, the annual pass usually pays for itself and covers entrance fees at national parks and many federal recreation sites. → Get Your Pass

National Park Guidebooks: A good guidebook can save hours of research and help you find hikes, viewpoints, and lesser-known spots before you arrive.

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

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If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

Exactly How We Plan International Trips Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:04:33 GMT

People often ask how we’re able to plan trips to places like Iceland, Madeira, Costa Rica, Norway, Greece, and the Dolomites without spending months researching every detail.

The truth is that we don’t try to plan everything at once.

That’s the fastest path to feeling overwhelmed. And travel planning can be overwelming. There is more information than ever before online and it can take a long time to search through it all.

Instead, we’ve developed a simple process that breaks a big international trip into manageable pieces. Whether you’re planning a week in Iceland or a month in Europe, this is the exact framework we use.

This week paid subscribers can download my International Trip Planner - this 4 page workbook makes it easy to plan your next trip. Scroll to the end of this newsletter for the printable.

Paid subscribers also get my itinerary plan - you can download this to print OR edit it in Canva.

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Step 1: Pick the Adventure, Not the Destination

Most people start by asking: “Where should we go?”

We start by asking: “What kind of adventure do we want?”

Do we want:

Epic hiking?
Road trips?
Wildlife?
Beaches?
Culture and food?
A mix of everything?

Once you know the experience you’re looking for, the destination often becomes more obvious.

For example:

Want dramatic hiking and mountain scenery?
→ Madeira, Norway, or the Dolomites.

Want adventure plus wildlife?
→ Costa Rica.

Want landscapes that feel completely different from anywhere else?
→ Iceland.

The destination should support the experience, not the other way around.

→ Read: 100 Adventures

Step 2: Build the Skeleton of the Trip

Before booking anything, we create a rough framework.

We answer three questions:

How many days do we have?
What are the 3–5 experiences we absolutely don’t want to miss?
How much driving or moving around do we actually want to do?

That’s it.

No hotels.
No restaurant reservations.
No hour-by-hour itinerary.

Just the big pieces.

For Iceland, that might be:

Glacier hike
Waterfalls
Black sand beaches
Ice lagoon

For Madeira:

Pico do Arieiro sunrise
Levada hikes
Coastal viewpoints
Funchal

Everything else gets built around those anchors.

Step 3: Find an Existing Itinerary

One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is trying to reinvent the wheel.

Whenever we’re visiting somewhere new, we start by looking at sample itineraries.

Not because we follow them exactly.

Because they help us understand:

How far things are apart
What works together geographically
How many days are realistic

Some of our most popular itinerary resources include:

→ 4 Days in Madeira

→ Costa Rica Itinerary

→ Iceland Travel Guides

→ Norway Road Trip Planning

Use existing itineraries as a starting point, not a rulebook.

Step 4: Book the Important Stuff First

There are only a few things we prioritize booking early:

Flights
Rental cars
Popular accommodations
High-demand tours

Everything else can usually wait.

Trying to reserve every restaurant and every activity months in advance only adds stress.

The goal is to secure the things that could derail the trip if they sell out. I usually research these for a day or two to compare overall budgets - THEN I book them all at once.

I’ve broken down how to do this (and some tips on saving money on each step)

Step 5: Leave Space for Discovery

This is the step that changed how we travel. Earlier trips we either planned down to the hour or left it open.

Now we intentionally leave open space but not the whole day.

Some of our favorite travel memories happened because we:

Took a random side road
Stopped at a viewpoint
Followed a local recommendation
Spent longer somewhere than expected

A great itinerary creates opportunities. Maybe you have a few ideas jotted down in case there is time.

Step 6: Save Everything in One Place

We keep:

Flight confirmations
Hotel reservations
Rental car information
Tour bookings
Maps
Notes

In a single location.

The less time spent hunting through emails while traveling, the better.

Simple systems make trips feel easier.

I usually create a spreadsheet to keep track as I’m booking things but then I put it all into an itinerary.

Paid subscribers can download an itinerary planner template or get one you can edit in Canva at the bottom of this newsletter.

The Biggest Planning Mistake We See

Most people try to plan an entire trip at once.

Instead, focus on one decision at a time:

Pick the experience.
Choose the destination.
Build the framework.
Find sample itineraries.
Book the essentials.
Leave room for adventure.

That’s it. The goal isn’t to create the perfect itinerary.

The goal is to create a trip you’re excited to take.

If you have more than 1 destination you can link these together.

Resources to Help You Plan

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next international adventure, these guides are a good place to start:

Madeira — Mountain ridges, levada hikes, coastal views, and one of our favorite hiking destinations in the world. → Read our Madeira guides

Iceland — Glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, and road trips through some of the most unique landscapes on Earth. → Explore Iceland

Search More International Destinations

This week paid subscribers can download my International Trip Planner - this 4 page workbook makes it easy to plan your next trip. Scroll to the end of this newsletter for the printable.

Paid subscribers also get my itinerary plan - you can download this to print OR edit it in Canva.

Subscribe now

Wander Weekly: Europe’s Best Summer Adventures

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:13:02 GMT

Europe is having a moment and honestly it’s hard to argue with a summer over there. This week we’re covering the places we’d actually plan a trip around: a week in Croatia, hiking Mallorca and Madeira, and a few more destinations worth adding to the list.

5 European destinations worth planning a trip around this summer:

Croatia: Dubrovnik’s walls, Plitvice Lakes, the islands. It’s fully discovered at this point, but still worth every bit of the planning it takes. Shoulder season if you can swing it.
Mallorca: Most people go for the beaches and miss the hiking entirely. The trails here are genuinely world-class. → Best hiking in Mallorca
Madeira: Sunrise from Pico do Arieiro, the levada trails through the forest, coastal cliffs that drop straight into the Atlantic. One of the best hiking islands in the world. → 4-day Madeira itinerary
Greece: We finally got there in the summer of 2024 and could have easily stayed twice as long.
Iceland — Still one of the best places we’ve ever been. The glacier hikes alone are worth the trip.

Also on Chasing ADVNTR:

The Pico do Arieiro sunrise hike, Madeira: probably the most crowded hike we’ve ever done, and we’d still do it again. → Read the guide

Levada do Caldeirão Verde, Madeira: flat, forested, and completely unique to the island. One of the top 3 hikes there. → Read the guide

Before you go:

Europe in July and August is crowded everywhere that’s worth going. The single best thing you can do is arrive early: trails, sites, and restaurants are completely different at 7am versus 10am. Croatia and Greece especially. We’d also recommend shoulder season if your schedule allows: late September in both countries is really hard to beat.

Two things worth sorting before you book:

An eSIM for Europe: get data the second you land without hunting for a SIM card at the airport.

Travel insurance: we book it for every international trip, full stop. It’s paid for itself more than once.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

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If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

The 10 Adventures You’ll Remember for the Rest of Your Life

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:17:01 GMT

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about which trips stay with us.

Not the trips that look good on Instagram. Not necessarily the most expensive trips. Not even the trips that went perfectly.

The adventures we remember are usually the ones that make us feel something. They challenge us, surprise us, scare us a little, or show us a part of the world that’s completely different from our own.

Years later, you may forget where you stayed or what you paid for dinner. But you’ll remember standing on a glacier in Iceland. You’ll remember watching the sunrise from a mountain ridge in Madeira. You’ll remember the feeling of seeing a place you’ve dreamed about for years finally come into view. And the people you were there with.

These are ten adventures that have stayed with our family (although they are great destinations for solo traveller or couples as well) and that we’d recommend to almost anyone looking to create memories that last.

These are also all places I would go back to in a heartbeat.

I invite you to read or click through the links to see photos of each destination from our visit.

1. Walk on a Glacier in Iceland

Iceland feels like another planet.

Black sand beaches, waterfalls around every corner, volcanic landscapes, and glaciers that seem impossibly large. But if there’s one experience that stands above the rest, it’s stepping onto the ice itself.

The scale is hard to appreciate until you’re standing there.

→ Read our Iceland guides on Chasing ADVNTR

2. Hike Through the Dolomites

The first time we saw the peaks of the Dolomites, we immediately understood why people travel from around the world to hike here - it is a popular destination that deserves the hype.

Jagged mountains rise above green valleys, alpine huts serve incredible food, and nearly every trail delivers a view worth stopping for.

It’s one of the few places we’ve visited where reality actually exceeded expectations.

→ Explore the Dolomites on Chasing ADVNTR

3. Watch the Sunrise Above the Clouds in Madeira

Some alarms are worth setting.

Standing on the ridgeline between Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo as the sun rises above a sea of clouds is one of those experiences that doesn’t translate well into photos.

Madeira combines dramatic mountain scenery, coastal cliffs, and some of the best hiking we’ve found anywhere.

→ Read our Madeira guides

4. Zipline Through the Rainforest in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a way of making adventure feel accessible.

One day you’re hiking through cloud forests. The next you’re spotting wildlife, walking across hanging bridges, or flying through the rainforest canopy.

It’s the kind of destination that reminds you how much fun travel can be.

→ Plan your Costa Rica adventure

Wander Weekly: The Best Summer Road Trips in America

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:04:25 GMT

Summer is peak road trip season and we’ve got a full lineup this week, from one of the most remote drives in the American West to a classic Colorado route and a few underrated New England spots before the fall crowds show up.

5 road trips worth doing this summer:

White Rim Trail, Canyonlands: 100 miles of desert canyon, zero cell service, and one of the most remote drives in the country.
Colorado’s best route: Rocky Mountain National Park to Black Canyon, with the stops actually worth making.
Great Sand Dunes loop: Add this to any Colorado road trip. It looks like someone dropped the Sahara in the Rockies.
New England coast: quieter than fall, water is warm, and you’ll actually get a parking spot.
Blue Ridge Parkway: 469 miles with no stoplights and no trucks. One of the most underrated drives in the country.

Before you head out:

One thing worth doing before any long road trip: download offline maps and screenshot your reservations. Cell service disappears fast once you’re in canyon country.

See all the details on Planning a Road Trip

Two things worth grabbing before summer:

The America the Beautiful Pass: $80 gets you into every national park for a full year. If you’re hitting more than one park this summer it pays for itself fast.

Road trip essentials gear we actually keep in the car on long drives. Paid subscribers can get my printable list at the end of this newsletter.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

Subscribe now

Your Travel To-Do List

If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

Chasing ADVNTR: Monthly Update

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:13:16 GMT

June has been full. The biggest update is that Hadley and Finley graduated high school and Freja finished up 8th grade - which means we’ve been busy with end of the year school activities and celebrations. We did get to some soccer tournaments outside the state but nothing I would call fun travel.

As you read this, we are on our way to our biggest adventure so far and are flying to Bishkek, Kyrgystan for some hiking and exploring. I’ll be sharing photos as I’m able but have some updates and photos scheduled to go out while we’re away.

I’m still working on sharing the details of or Ireland Trip. You can find all our guides here as I write them.

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What’s Coming in July

After spending over a week in Krgystan, we’re driving through Kahzakstan before spending a few days in Prague. We’ll return home mid-July with plenty of time to explore New England - we’ve got a fun trip planned for August to Huttopia in NH among other places.

Future Travel

September: California National Park road trip

On Chasing ADVNTR

I’ve been working on writing up a few of the things we did in Ireland and you can check out our whole trip to Guatemala. Here are a few of my recent guides to Ireland:

National Park Itineraries

I’ve been busy working on a project the last few months and just released my first two National Park Itineraries. These are available to purchase or you can get them both as part of my National Parks Club Memberbership (just $5/month for a limited time)

You can check out the Arches National Park itinerary bundle this month - if you are planning a trip to Arches, this is a 25 page itinerary as well as 3 bonus guides on where to stay, where to eat, and what to pack.

My newest itinerary is for Badlands National Park

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

Wander Weekly: Don't Let Adventure Stop When You Have Kids

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:40:51 GMT

People assume that once you have kids, adventure travel is over. After 3 kids who are now adventurous teens, I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true. All of our most memorable trips have been with the kids in tow: kayaking in Maine, hiking in the White Mountains, and even navigating the Balkans.

This week is all about family adventure, because I want every parent reading this to know that you don’t have to wait until the kids are grown to chase it.

Family Vacation Road Trip Itinerary

If you’ve ever dreamed of packing up the car and hitting multiple national parks with your kids, this guide lays it all out. From a 5-week cross-country route to hiking, camping, and unforgettable stops, it’s a complete blueprint for turning a big family road trip into an epic adventure.

👉 Read: Family Vacation Road Trip

Best Kayaking in Maine

Paddling the Maine coast with kids is one of those experiences they’ll talk about for years. From protected harbor routes to sea kayaking, this guide covers the best spots for all ages and skill levels.

👉 Read: Best Kayaking in Maine

Adventure with Kids (At Any Age)

If you’ve ever wondered if adventure travel is “too hard” with kids, this guide is your answer. It breaks down how to travel with kids at every age helping you plan around challenges, lean into their interests, and create unforgettable family experiences along the way.

👉 Read: Adventure with Kids (Where to go at Which Age)

Gear of the Week: Get my full list of the best hiking gear for kids.

I provide my own travel advice and gear recommendations based on my experience, but please do you own safety research. Links in this newsletter may be affiliate links.

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

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Your Travel To-Do List

If you enjoyed this article, please tap the 🧡 button and leave a comment to help others discover it. Sharing helps me provide free content.

Have fun out there,

Gretchen

5 Hidden Gems Along Famous Travel Routes

Gretchen | Adventure Travel — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 19:01:31 GMT

Some of the best travel moments happen when you leave the main route behind. In fact I am enjoying planning our next trips using the mantra: what’s one valley over? Anytime I find a famous or iconic hike, view or place to visit that I’m sure will be packed with people - I ask myself that question. Chances are there is an equally (or almost equally) amazing place just one valley over.

Not far: sometimes just 20 minutes or one island over, you’ll find a less crowded but equally amazing place.

These are the stops we almost missed… and would have regretted it.

If you’re already planning to visit some of the world’s most iconic destinations, consider adding one of these hidden gems to your itinerary.

1. Kerið Crater (Instead of Rushing Through Iceland’s Golden Circle)

Everyone talks about Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and the Geysir: and for good reason. Iceland’s Golden Circle is packed with iconic sights.

But one of our favorite stops was also one of the quickest.

Kerið Crater is a 6,500-year-old volcanic caldera filled with vivid aquamarine water, surrounded by deep red volcanic rock. It’s small enough to visit in under an hour, but somehow manages to feel dramatic and peaceful at the same time.

It was one of our very first stops after picking up our campervan, and honestly, it was the perfect introduction to Iceland.

Why it’s worth the detour:
Easy access, stunning colors, and a quiet moment between Iceland’s busiest attractions.

👉 Read our full Kerið Crater guide

2. Ek Balam (Instead of Chichén Itzá)

Most travelers heading into Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula make a beeline for Chichén Itzá.

But if you’re willing to go just a bit out of the way, Ek Balam offers something rare: an ancient Maya site that still feels intimate.

The ruins are beautifully preserved, the crowds are dramatically smaller, and the surrounding jungle makes the whole experience feel more immersive.

There’s something special about walking through a place where you can actually pause, listen, and imagine what it must have once been like.

And nearby? Cenotes for cooling off afterward.

Why it’s worth the detour:
Less crowded, easier to explore, and every bit as fascinating.

👉 Read our Ek Balam guide

3. Seixal Natural Pools (Instead of Porto Moniz, Madeira)

If you’ve researched Madeira, you’ve probably seen Porto Moniz.

Its volcanic swimming pools are famous: and beautiful.

But a little farther along the island’s dramatic north coast lies Seixal, where black volcanic rock, crashing Atlantic waves, and clear natural pools create something that feels much wilder.

When we visited, it felt quieter, calmer, and somehow more magical.

The towering green cliffs above and the contrast of dark lava rock against bright blue water made this one of our favorite stops on the island.

Why it’s worth the detour:
A more peaceful swim, fewer crowds, and some of Madeira’s most dramatic scenery.

👉 Plan your visit to the Seixal Swimming Pools

Chasing ADVNTR Travel

1 Week Itinerary to Hawaii: The Big Island and Maui

Want the full day-by-day breakdown?

More Hawaii reading if you’re planning your own trip:

Your Travel To-Do List

18 Years of Advice for Planning Epic Family trips

18 Years of Advice for Planning Epic Family trips

The Planning System Behind every trip we Take

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

Your Travel To-Do List

5 Places You Should Be Booking Now for Winter Adventure

Ecuador: Andes Highlands & Amazon

Panama: Dry Season Sweet Spot

St. Lucia: Pitons, Boats, and Beaches

Hawaii: Big Island & Maui

Skiing in Colorado: Book Your Week Now

5 New England hikes to do before summer’s over

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

Your Travel To-Do List

5 ways to save $1,000 on your next trip

1. Use a points/cashback card strategically

2. Be creative when booking flights

3. Get a credit card that covers rental car insurance

4. Get travel insurance

5. Pay in local currency

Bonus Tip #6:

Ireland is still on our minds: From Cobh's colorful harbor to hiking Howth's cliffs: here's where to go in Ireland.

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

Your Travel To-Do List

Back from Kyrgyzstan, and what's next

Behind the scenes

Wander Weekly: Where to Travel This Fall

5 Fall Destinations Worth Planning for Right Now

Travel Tip: When to Book Fall Airfare

Before You Go

Two Things Worth Sorting Before You Book

Your Travel To-Do List

Why Most People Wait Too Long to Take the Trip

The Excuses Are Real.

The Hidden Cost of “Not Yet”

The Sweden Moment (And What It Taught Me)

Trips Worth Not Waiting For

Acadia National Park, Maine

The White Mountains, New Hampshire

Yellowstone & Grand Teton, Wyoming

How to Actually Make It Happen

Wander Weekly: Hidden Gems Worth the Detour

4 Lesser-Known Places Worth Adding to Your Travel List

Travel Tip: How to Find Hidden Gems

Before You Go

Worth Packing

Your Travel To-Do List

The Family Travel Mistake Almost Everyone Makes

Wander Weekly: The National Parks Everyone Wants to Visit

4 National Parks Worth Planning a Summer Trip Around

Also on Chasing ADVNTR

Before You Go

Two Things Worth Sorting Before You Go

Travel Tools, Gear and Deals

Your Travel To-Do List

Exactly How We Plan International Trips Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Step 1: Pick the Adventure, Not the Destination

Step 2: Build the Skeleton of the Trip

Step 3: Find an Existing Itinerary

Step 4: Book the Important Stuff First

Step 5: Leave Space for Discovery

Step 6: Save Everything in One Place

The Biggest Planning Mistake We See

Resources to Help You Plan

Wander Weekly: Europe’s Best Summer Adventures

Your Travel To-Do List

The 10 Adventures You’ll Remember for the Rest of Your Life

1. Walk on a Glacier in Iceland

2. Hike Through the Dolomites

3. Watch the Sunrise Above the Clouds in Madeira

4. Zipline Through the Rainforest in Costa Rica

Wander Weekly: The Best Summer Road Trips in America

Your Travel To-Do List

Chasing ADVNTR: Monthly Update

What’s Coming in July