​On the Road Again

I am on the road again, which seems to be the theme of the season. As a longtime admirer of Jack Kerouac, I have always felt that life on the road has a kind of poetry to it, full of motion, chance encounters, and unexpected perspective. After a couple of nights back home in Rome and time spent connecting with clients from Louisiana who were guided by Rosa, I am now in London for a very full stretch of industry events. Last week I wrote about the beauty and reality of travel work above the Arctic Circle, and this week feels like another chapter in that same story.

Learning from the People Who Know the Destination Best
At the moment, I am on day three of a three-day LATA conference, the Latin American Travel Association gathering, where the focus is very much on Latin America, travel trends, and the realities and opportunities shaping the region. This year, the event is taking place in the Cotswolds, which makes the setting especially beautiful, even if the schedule leaves little room to explore.
The days are full, but I always appreciate being in spaces like this because it gives me the chance to hear directly from the people who know these destinations best.
That kind of firsthand conversation matters. It gives me a better sense of what is changing, what travelers are looking for, and what destinations are doing well. Those details may seem small, but they are part of what helps me give clients more thoughtful guidance when they are planning a trip.

Why the Right Partners Matter So Much
Many people know me best for Europe, and that is certainly a large part of my work. But over the years, I have also arranged travel throughout North America, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and yes, even Australia and Antarctica. That is why having the right partnerships around the world matters so much.
That network is incredibly important. Travel planning is not only about where I have been. It is also about knowing who to trust, who to reach out to, and how to make sure a traveler has the right support wherever they go.

A Little More on Shoulder Season Travel
In a few days, I will also be attending SHOP in London, which focuses on shoulder season and off-season travel. I think that is such an interesting topic because the season you choose can completely change the character of a destination. Sometimes the best value, the best pacing, and even the best experience come from traveling when others are not all traveling at the same time.
SHOP will be in London proper, and there may even be a little time to step into a different part of the city for a moment before the next round of meetings begins. Even brief pauses like that can be a nice reminder of why being on the road can still feel meaningful, even when the schedule is full. I look forward to sharing my takeaways from this event next week. ​

Brussels, and Heading Back Home
Then, later in the week and into early next week, I will spend a few days in Brussels before heading back home to Rome. And honestly, by the end of all of that, I will be looking forward to a long stretch, a little time off the road, and more time with my wife. As much as I enjoy the journey, home is always a welcome part of the story too.
So yes, there is a lot going on this week, and yes, I am very much in travel mode. But that is part of the work, and part of what makes it so rewarding. Each trip adds another layer of perspective, and I always appreciate the chance to bring that experience back home with me.