From island escapes to European classics, these are a few of the places I love to plan. Tap any destination to learn more, and know this is only a starting point.
Nearly thirty years of travel across 48 states and 18 countries sits behind these pages. When I recommend a destination, it is because I know what the trip actually feels like on the ground, not because it photographs well.
Where I Can Take You
How to Choose Where to Go
The destination is the last decision, not the first. What matters more is the shape of the trip: how far you want to fly, how much you want to move around once you land, whether you want a resort to hand you everything or a place to go explore, and what the week actually needs to cost.
If you want warm water and no planning stress, look at the Caribbean or Mexico. For a beach trip with real landscape behind it, Hawaii. For adventure and wildlife without roughing it, Costa Rica. For food, art, and history with fast trains between cities, Italy. For somewhere genuinely different from anywhere you have been, Japan.
Closer to home, Ireland is the easiest first trip to Europe, the national parks are the best family trip in the country, a road trip skips the airport entirely, and New York City delivers more in four days than almost anywhere.
Destinations Beyond This List
Beyond these, I also plan trips to Greece, Bora Bora, Switzerland, Alaska, Sedona, Portugal, Iceland, and far beyond, plus cruises on every major line. If you have a destination in mind, I can plan it. These pages are simply where I get the most questions.
Matching the Destination to the Occasion
A destination wedding or honeymoon, a group getaway, a solo trip, a family vacation, or a milestone birthday each pull toward different places. The occasion changes the answer as much as the season does, which is why I ask about it early.
Common Questions About Choosing a Destination
How do you decide which destination is right for me?
I start with how you want the trip to feel rather than where you want to go. Busy or quiet, beach or mountains, resort or exploring, how much you want to move around, and what your budget really is. Most of my clients come to me without a destination picked, and that is a better starting point than a fixed idea that turns out not to fit.
Do you only plan trips to the destinations listed here?
No. These are the places I am asked about most and know best. I plan trips worldwide, including Greece, Switzerland, French Polynesia, Alaska, Portugal, Africa, and plenty more. If you have somewhere in mind that is not on this page, ask me.
Which destinations are easiest to reach from Louisiana?
Mexico and the Caribbean are the easiest, usually one connection through Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, or Miami. New York and the national parks are straightforward. Hawaii and Japan are long travel days and need to be planned with that in mind.
What is the best destination for a first international trip?
Mexico, the Caribbean, or Ireland. All three are easy to reach, forgiving if plans shift, and gentle introductions to traveling abroad. Ireland in particular surprises people with how simple it is for a first trip to Europe.
Can you plan a trip for a group with very different interests?
Yes, and it is one of the things I am best at. Costa Rica, Hawaii, the national parks, and the bigger Caribbean resorts all let the adventurous people and the relaxed people each have their own day and still have dinner together.