Welcome to 2026! Sharing Some Travel Inspiration to Kick Off the Year

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. ​

Last time, we talked about trending destinations you might want to explore this year. Today, I invite you to dive deeper. Travel isn’t just about ticking places off a map—it’s about the stories we collect, the lessons we carry, and how the journey shapes us from within.
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Soon, I’m heading off on my own personal travels—finally, an actual vacation without business attached—a chilly weekend getaway with Rosa, followed by a return trip to the UK for work and some fun. I look forward to sharing those moments with you soon.

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. ​

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Over fifty years ago now, back in 1974, I lived in Poitiers, France, for one year, and its impact stays with me even today. That was an education for me, then and still has a major impact on my life to this day. As an educator, as well as professional travel arranger and advisor, I have always felt it important to take people out of their comfort zones and then they truly will find out who they are and what they are made of. 
Travel opens us to cultures and customs that can feel very different—and yes, sometimes confusing. But beneath the surface, I keep discovering how much we all share. The warmth of a smile, pride in family recipes, stories cherished everywhere. In a world often divided, travel reminds us that connection is always possible—and understanding others helps us understand ourselves better.
So, as you reflect on your own travel stories—the amazing moments and the imperfect ones—here are some questions to ponder and share:

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