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Travel is often a blend of the personal and professional for me. Recently, Rosa and I enjoyed a long weekend exploring parts of Germany—Munich and Nuremberg—adding historical depth, art appreciation, and memorable moments to our ongoing journey. I want to share some experiences from that trip, weaving in reflections on history, travel tips, and yes, the joy of live music. Date Night, History, and The Pantheon Several weeks ago, Rosa and I had a date night. Yes, we do have those once in a while when our schedules allow, but don’t worry, this is not a personal blogpost, even though there are personal elements noted. We went to a movie—not something out of the ordinary—and on the same day, after dropping off some of my last clients in Rome and before dinner with them, we visited the Pantheon. The movie was Nuremberg—chosen because we share an interest in history and had just returned from Munich, where we took a day trip to Nuremberg itself. Revisiting History: Dachau and Nuremberg These places had visited long ago—for me as far back as 1985—but were new to Rosa. The January chill was biting, especially at Dachau, where the cold wind whipped across the grounds. Dachau differed from camps like Auschwitz in its origins as a political and labor camp before becoming a death camp. It serves as a sobering reminder of history’s lessons, with details like Italy’s own political prisoners having been sent there. Returning after so many years, I again felt the weight of history and the importance of firsthand experience. Rosa’s fresh perspective made the visit poignant for both of us. The Nuremberg Trials: Justice and Memory On Sunday, we traveled by train to Nuremberg for a tour focused on the trials. Remember, we saw the latest version of Nuremberg. Other movies and documentaries have been done about the events after the war and there were trials in other places besides Nuremberg. Crimes against humanity are nothing new and still happen and unfortunately, history seems to be rearing its ugly head again, but I won’t say anymore as it is in the news daily. I noted that I had been to Nuremberg before. I had been there for the Christmas Markets, and many years ago, spent time in the old city, and it was the start or end of a river cruise that I had also done. Again, for Rosa, this was another first. The Nuremberg trials were an experiment to see whether or not a military tribunal could be held, and fair trials could be done to establish a precedent for war crimes and atrocities after WWII and what the Nazis had done to peoples from all over Europe including the extermination of 6 million Jews. This had not ever been done before and so, setting up these trials when the argument by those involved is that they simply were following orders was to be challenged. While I had been to Nuremberg before as I had previously mentioned, I had never been to the actual place where the trials took place which is located in the Palace of Justice (Justizpalast) and the trials took place there 1945 – 1946 in Courtroom 600. Why there? Because most of Nuremberg had been destroyed during the war, so this was one of the few places the trials could be held.
 Of course, the movie that we watched earlier in the month was focused on Göring and a psychological study. Was the movie good? Yes, was it fully accurate, not necessarily according to our guide that day, but that is Hollywood. During our tour, we also encountered other remnants of the Third Reich’s architectural ambitions, including an unfinished attempt to build a replica of the Roman Colosseum. This vision, reflecting the regime’s obsession with monumental structures, was never realized but is a haunting reminder of that era’s ideology etched onto Nuremberg’s landscape. Exploring Munich’s Heritage and Culture Back in Munich, we packed a lot into a short trip: Marienplatz, Frauenkirche, the Hofbräuhaus, and the English Gardens. Munich’s roots trace back to Roman times, and that influence subtly lives on in parts of the city’s history and architecture, providing a fascinating backdrop to our explorations. We walked through Schwabing and the Olympic grounds—though cold weather and closures limited some activities. Before leaving, we visited the Alte Pinakothek art museum, a treasure trove of European masterpieces from the Middle Ages through the 18th century. Art and Expertise: Rosa’s Passion Rosa’s background as both a licensed tour guide and art historian meant that each destination was layered with additional meaning. Wherever we travel, an art museum visit is a must, connecting culture and history with place. Travel Tips: Munich’s M-6 Pass and Transport If you visit Munich and want flexibility, I highly recommend the M-6 Munich Pass (all zones). It covers airport transfers and unlimited public transport on trams, buses, U-Bahn, and S-Bahn. It also offers discounts on venues like the Alte Pinakothek. Of course, I am happy to also arrange private transport and tours for those who prefer a more curated experience. The Musical Finale: An Intimate Concert Our trip’s highlight was a concert by Mike Masse’—an acoustic performer covering classics from Boston, The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and more. Held in a cozy venue minute from our hotel, the show was intimate with fewer than 100 attendees. Mike’s story—from lawyer to respected musician—is inspiring, and hearing him live, plus chatting after the show, was a memorable cap to the weekend. Food, Flavors, and Cheers
And of course, no trip to Bavaria would be complete without savoring local flavors. We indulged in plenty of pretzels, wurst, schnitzel, potatoes, and yes, refreshing beer—a culinary celebration to complement every step of our journey. Closing Thoughts and Reflections Thank you, as always, for supporting the little world of Wandering Puffin. In our travels, whether business or pleasure, history intertwines with personal experience and discovery. This trip was no different and this trip was no different having art, music, culture, history and food. Stay safe and healthy in this new normal, and let travel continue to open your eyes, heart, and mind. 🌟 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going! Have you visited historical sites that deeply moved you? How did it affect your perspective? What’s your favorite way to combine art, history, and travel? Do you have travel rituals or must-have passes that make exploring cities easier? What’s the most memorable concert or cultural experience you’ve had while traveling? I’d love to hear your stories and tips—please share in the comments or reach out!
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✈️ If you missed it, last week I shared a reflective look at travel through the lens of my personal journey and experiences as an expat. Check it out here http://www.wanderingpuffin.com/blog/an-expats-reflection-a-personal-perspective-on-todays-america-and-the-journey-of-life-and-travel for the backstory before diving into this week’s focus on the practical side: how we navigate travel itself.  ❓ Classic Travel Questions—and Why “How” Matters Most When I think about travel, the classic questions come to mind: why, where, and when? Of course, these are the questions a professional travel advisor asks a client to get a general idea of the travel to be arranged. But today, I want to focus on something just as important—the how. Not the motivation or the destination, but how we navigate the messy, ever-changing reality of travel itself. After nearly 30 years as a travel advisor and a lifetime on the move—from sleeping on park benches across Europe to business class seats at European airports—I’ve learned that how you travel can make or break the experience. This sets the stage for the whole trip, so this element of travel and how it is done can make or break the trip from the beginning.
🚂 Contrasting Travel Styles: From Ryan Air to Business Class Of course, not everyone shares my thirst for this kind of calm. My partner in crime, I mean my wife, Rosa, prefers the Ryan Air way—showing up as late as possible, flying light, riding the trains with a smile, and loving the thrill of spontaneity (even if the regional trains in Italy sometimes barely show up on time). She shops the duty-free maze at the airport while I steer clear of that distraction, heading straight for the lounge—if there is one at that particular airport—as not all airports have lounges, especially the smaller ones. Of course, she does not mind it when she travels with me in business class, the airport lounges or the perks at some of the hotels in which we stay, but she is happy to simply wander and be a part of the airport experience. 🏨 From Youth Hostels to Airport Hotels: Evolving Travel Comforts Looking back, I’ve done the full spectrum—from youthful backpacking with internal-frame backpacks, sleeping in youth hostels and roughing it (I even once had to sleep between train cars using my pack as a pillow somewhere between Rome and Milan in 1985)—to now enjoying the perks of staying at proper hotels, whether well-known chains or charming local establishments with wonderful atmospheres, all helping to maintain my sanity. And when flights call for early morning starts, I often plan to stay at airport hotels the night before—a simple but effective way to minimize stress and keep the travel experience smooth. Traveling has been an evolving journey, just like life itself.
🗺️ Your Travel Style: What Works for You? So, how do you like to travel? Do you roll in late with the minimum check-in time or arrive early to savor every minute of airport calm? Do you chase comfort, or embrace the chaos? Your approach matters, because travel is as much about the journey’s logistics as the destination’s allure. 🎒 Getting Back on the Road: New Tricks and Ongoing Learning By the way, I’m excited to hit the road—or rather, the skies—again soon, after a challenging bout with vertigo knocked me off the map a few months ago, before the holidays. I’m ready to tackle airports twice in one week and take good care of my travel “how.” With my birthday coming up in about six weeks, maybe I’ll even learn a few new tricks to add to my travel playbook—because you know what they say, can an old dog really learn new tricks? I did move into the 21st century, so for me, yes, it is possible and not kicking and screaming.  💬 Let’s Share Travel Tips and Stories!
As someone who’s always learning and adapting, this old dog truly believes there’s always room for new tricks—especially when it comes to navigating the ever-evolving world of travel. I’m genuinely curious about the hacks, habits, and strategies you use to make travel smoother and more enjoyable, and yes, as an educator, I can also be a good student—at least some of the time. So, here’s where you come in: drop me a line and share your travel “how.” Do you embrace spontaneity, crave comfort, or have a secret weapon for surviving airport chaos? Your stories, tips, and preferences could help not just me, but also others navigating the complex travel landscape these days, so let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s help each other stay sane, make better journeys, and keep the adventure alive—no matter where or how we travel. I'm here to help you plan and navigate your next travel adventure, tailored to your style—whether you’re a last-minute minimalist or a list-making planner. Safe travels and smooth journeys, wherever they take you! Jamie Wandering Puffin LLC “Travel is an Adventure, Experience it!” An Expat’s Reflection: A Personal Perspective on Today’s America and the Journey of Life and Travel1/14/2026 While I generally like to keep things focused on travel and the adventures that come with it, sometimes the world around us compels us to pause and reflect. Coming off the extended holiday season here in Italy, I’m back at work full force for my clients and my students—but I couldn’t help but share a perspective shaped by a lifetime of wandering, living abroad, and witnessing history firsthand. I’m writing to you not just as a travel advisor, but as someone who has lived, traveled, and deeply experienced life in many places—including my birth country, the United States. Now living abroad, I look back as an expat, and sometimes that view from 5,000 kilometers away stirs up a mix of emotions: hope, frustration, fear, and most of all—wondering what’s next.  My Maternal Grandfather 🕰️ Lessons From the Past: Travel as a Teacher My solo travels truly began over 40 years ago during a 2 ½ month backpacking journey across Europe in 1985—though it wasn’t my first time abroad, having lived in Poitiers, France, some 50 years ago. That trip was a real adventure, filled with nights spent on park benches, in youth hostels, and cheap hotels, embracing the unpredictable rhythm of the road. The following year, 1986, marked the start of a new kind of journey—one by car. After buying my first brand-new car at age 24, I became quite the road warrior. Over the next several years, whenever I had the chance—summers, spring break, and other holidays in between—I set out on countless road trips, traveling America’s backroads and highways across all 50 states. Yes, I’ve driven in every single one. My journeys extended beyond the U.S., including numerous trips to the ten provinces of Canada, the Yukon Territory, and places in Mexico. By the time I was 26, I had that claim to fame of having been to all 50—learning firsthand about the incredible diversity of people and places, from the wilderness of Alaska and Hawaii, the heart of the Deep South, the bustling Northeast, and everywhere in between, as well as the warm welcomes of folks across Canada and parts of Mexico where I traveled. These road trips deeply enhanced my understanding of my own country and neighboring lands, letting me meet people from all walks of life and adding rich layers to my travel experience. I was also inspired by Charles Kuralt, whose On the Road series was a beacon of storytelling that captured the spirit and heart of America’s people and places—a reminder of the beauty and resilience found in every corner of this vast country. Before these adventures, I’d traveled a great deal in America and Canada by Greyhound and Amtrak—guided in spirit by Simon and Garfunkel’s melodies, Jack Kerouac’s restless muse, and other artists who celebrated the open road as a metaphor for life’s journey. From my earliest travel memories cruising along the Erie Canal in Upstate New York as a child, to moving to Minnesota at age six, and returning to New York City after school, travel has always been central to my story. One memorable chapter of that European backpacking trip was a Mediterranean cruise that broke down mid-voyage—three of four engines failed, leaving us stranded without water, food, or air conditioning under the August sun. This incident was just part of the unfolding adventure and challenge of the trip, with passengers—including myself—taking action to ensure our safe return. That same year, global events like the hijacking of the Achille Lauro served as reminders of how travel is often intertwined with world history and security concerns. On arrival in Athens after the cruise, security was tight, with the airport crowded with armed military personnel—a vivid contrast to the freedom of travel in better times. 🌍 Embracing the World Through Teaching and Travel Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege to meet people from all walks of life and corners of the globe. From my early days teaching elementary school in the heart of New York City to now teaching English here in Italy and working closely with students and professionals in the travel industry, these experiences have broadened my perspective in ways nothing else could. I’ve always believed that travel is the best educator—it immerses you in cultures, stories, and viewpoints that classrooms and books can only hint at. This journey of being both a traveler and teacher has shaped my open mind and deep appreciation for diversity. It’s a reminder that no matter where we come from, we share a common human spirit, which is the foundation for connection and understanding—core values I carry into my work as a travel advisor and educator. 🇺🇸 America’s Fabric: Built on Immigrants On a personal note, as I have possibly shared before in my blog posts, my maternal grandfather emigrated from Poland and became a dentist in the U.S.—a “real jawbreaker” in the U.S. Army during WWII. Calling him this is a reference to a character in the 1970 movie M*A*S*H, one of my favorite movies and the TV show that happened afterwards, also my absolute favorite of all time, but I digress. His journey is emblematic of the countless immigrant stories that have woven the rich tapestry that is America. Indeed, America was built on immigrants and by immigrants, people who came seeking a better life and contributed their dreams, skills, and culture to the nation’s fabric. 🗓️ Reflections at Critical Moments: 9/11 and Beyond Fast forward to 2001—the tragic events of 9/11 hit me like a gut punch. Though I was in Minnesota at the time, far from my New York City roots where I spent many formative years, the emotional impact was profound. I couldn’t physically help those affected, but I supported local travelers and the travel community however I could. That year, major international travel events were redirected to New York, and I was there witnessing firsthand the city’s resilience and the travel industry’s vital role in healing and connection. 🇺🇸 An Outsider Looking In: America Today Living abroad yet deeply connected to Minnesota, New York, and the heart of America, I’ve watched recent events unfold with both concern and a stubborn hope. Yes, I am quite a stubborn person, if you did not know, and that has been good and bad at times, but it has also gotten me this far into my 60s. America continues to face challenges that are significantly impacting its communities and its global reputation. From this vantage point, I see not just headlines but real people grappling with change—and I question authority, biases, and narratives in search of truth. I stand with those who seek progress through dialogue and inclusion and mourn the divisions that make such essential conversations harder to have. This is not sudden; it’s been building beneath the surface for decades and for as long as I can remember, perhaps since high school in the ‘70s. I’ve long been a student of history because, as the saying goes, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Reading George Orwell’s 1984 years ago opened my eyes to the importance of vigilance and critical thinking—lessons that feel especially relevant today—and I had amazing teachers who preached critical thinking and reasoning about what was happening then and remaining critical of what is happening now. ✈️ Why Travel Still Matters Through it all, my faith in travel remains strong. Traveling isn’t just about visiting new places or ticking off destinations—it’s about empathy, understanding, and shared humanity. It reminds me—and hopefully you—that the world is vast, complicated, and beautiful. Our journeys shape us; they teach us to appreciate different perspectives, to question, to grow. As your travel advisor, part of my mission is to help you experience the adventure and connection that travel offers. Even when the world feels uncertain, these experiences remind us of hope and possibility. 💬 Your Perspective Matters I invite you to think about your own views and journeys—whether at home or abroad—and to remember that every story, every trip, every conversation matters. This post is as much a reflection for me as for anyone reading, from a person who feels deeply connected to the land he called home for more than 60 years and the wider world he has explored and will continue to explore as long as there is breath in his body and soul. Thank you for allowing me to share this—I welcome your thoughts and reflections. And now, let’s get back to what travel brings us: adventure, discovery, and the chance to experience life to its fullest. Safe travels—wherever your next journey takes you.
Jamie Wandering Puffin LLC “Travel is an Adventure, Experience it!” As we step into this fresh new year, a special kind of excitement fills the air—the urge to pack a bag, step out the door, and see the world with new eyes. Even here in Rome, where steady rain has set a cozy mood, wanderlust never fades. This past week, I had the pleasure of welcoming clients here in Rome, and as always, or mostly, Rosa was their guide, being the Roman native—sharing her home and expertly guided them for two of their three days in the Eternal City. Their final day will be a chance to adventure on their own. I also coordinated their itinerary for Venice and Florence, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience throughout. These moments of connection remind me just how meaningful shared travel experiences can be and also how important it is in my planning to allow for downtime or free exploration, and to be educated by simply becoming a part of the landscape.
Over the years, your stories—whether about a language mix-up in a tiny village market or the kindness of strangers on distant streets—have shown me how travel fills us with wonder. But travel isn’t just about highs – we all know the frustrating delays, surprise rainstorms, and those days when we long for home but push forward anyway. What’s a travel moment that challenged you but changed you for the better? Travel is an adventure, filled with joys and challenges, experience it all. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s education in empathy, humility, and awe.  Here’s a perfect example of why travel is the world’s best teacher: Just the other day, wandering Rome’s streets, I stopped for a slice of pizza and was actually shocked to find “pepperoni”, not the vegetable (pepperoni in Italian means peppers), but the closest salami I have seen to mirror the meat on a New York slice, but that is not the travel as the best educator. As I was eating my very enjoyable pizza, a father and his 8-year-old son from the Dallas–Fort Worth area came in. We chatted for a bit and found out that the family had lived abroad, including this young man, for some couple of years in his short life. What a gift, to see the world so early and learn firsthand.
What’s one travel memory that still makes your heart race or puts a smile on your face to this day? Have you ever faced a travel mishap that unexpectedly taught you something valuable? Which place have you visited changed the way you see the world or yourself? Looking back, how have your travels shaped the kind of adventures you want to seek now? If you could relive one trip or moment, what would it be, and what would you savor differently? What new destination or experience is calling to you this year, and why? How do you make your travels meaningful beyond sightseeing—through culture, food, people, or something else? If you could start 2026 with one perfect getaway, where would it be? I want this to be a real conversation. Drop your thoughts in the comments or reach out on social media—I love hearing your stories and learning together. My travel intention for 2026 is to keep seeking connection over checklists, embrace the unexpected with an open heart, and remember every trip shapes me as much as the places I visit. So, what story will your 2026 adventures tell? Let’s make it unforgettable together. Ready to turn your travel dreams into plans? You know where to find me: [email protected] or +1 763-244-0669.
Travel is an adventure, experience it! Warmly, Jamie, Rosa & the Wandering Puffin Team |
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