Hey Reader,

I'm excited to share that both the Fiji and Samoa guides are up on the blog! If you're thinking of a big trip for 2026, let the itineraries inspire you.

Fiji was at the end of our Pacific trip after visiting Samoa and Vanuatu, and we decided to extend our travels to include it. Instead of opting for the typical deserted beach island escape, we were craving some local adventure. So, we took buses and rented a car to explore Viti Levu, the main island, and had an amazing time. The highlights of the trip were the Suva market and the incredible food we ate every day.

Fiji Itinerary ​Read more...​

My Samoa itinerary includes everything you need to enjoy the island and its culture. It will take you to the best beaches, ocean trenches, and giant clams, with suggestions for where to eat and where to pick great souvenirs. The plan spans both Samoa’s beautiful islands, Upolu and Savai’i.
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Samoa Itinerary ​Read more...​

The Vanuatu guide will be up next!

My mom and sister are visiting Rwanda in a few weeks, and I'm so excited to show them around! We're going to start in Kigali and then head to Musanze (for golden monkeys and volcano views). Next, we will spend a few evenings on Lake Kivu (I really want to try to do an evening local fishing experience), and thennn... (cue drum roll), we are going chimpanzee trekking! I haven't done this before, so I'm excited to do something new. Finally, we will be headed out to Akagera for a safari before sending them back on their way.

I'm combo-ing November and December newsletters together because we've got a busy end of year. I'm headed to Thailand for a work conference at the beginning of December (with some local exploring built in), and then Wilhelm and I are going to Djibouti for our Christmas break! If I manage to get some blog posts in before the end of the year, I'll send them your way.

2025 Vacation Cheat Sheet

This will be the last Vacay Cheat Sheet for the year :)

Shoulder Season in Europe: Greece – Avoid crowds and heat at the Acropolis while eating your way through Athens.

African Getaway: Togo – The beginning of the dry season, explore Lomé and Wli (the highest waterfall in West Africa).

South Africa: Blyde River Canyon along South Africa’s hidden Panorama Route is a 160km scenic route in the province of Mpumalanga, perfect for a week-long adventure.

US: Whether you’re looking to avoid crowds, discover something unique, or you’re visiting during a government shutdown (when Smithsonian museums often close their doors), there are plenty of interesting museums in DC worth exploring, from hidden art collections to lavish historic estates.

If you’re lucky, you'll be able to take off the time between Christmas and New Year's, giving you around 10 to 14 days (depending on your work schedule). You can really take advantage of this and visit some cool places.

Beach Destination: St. Lucia – Ideal for a tropical retreat with stunning beaches and luxury resorts, St. Lucia is perfect for special New Year's dinners and fewer crowds.

Warm Christmas Vibes: Colombia – A surprising destination for Christmas, Colombia has lots of decorations, parades, and special dinner menus. Don’t miss the Christmas light festival in Medellin.

Wildlife Adventure: South Africa (combo with eSwatini and Lesotho if you have enough time). Go to Cape Town, do the Garden Route, explore Joburg, and then go on Safari.

You can keep up to date on what I'm up to on Instagram. Otherwise, see you next month!