Meet Hannah Salmond: From Little Explorer to Global Citizen

Some travelers leave a lasting mark—and for us, Hannah Salmond is definitely one of them. Hannah started traveling with us when she was just nine years old, a rambunctious bundle of energy cartwheeling at the foot of the Acropolis, befriending every stray dog in sight, and offering back massages and impromptu makeovers during long airport layovers. Her joy was infectious—just ask the countless waiters around the world who’ve been charmed into a photo or two!

All these years later, it’s been such a joy to watch Hannah grow into a confident young woman who has truly used the world as her classroom. From that spirited little traveler to the thoughtful global citizen she’s become, her story reminds us why travel is one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids. We recently sat down with Hannah to talk about how her adventures shaped her outlook on life, what she’s learned from seeing the world, and why she believes it’s worth showing your children the beauty—and challenges—of traveling beyond their comfort zone.

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L+S: You first traveled with Land + See when you were nine — how do you feel those early trips shaped the way you see the world today?

Hannah: Traveling with Land + See at nine years old really opened my eyes to how big and beautiful the world is. It taught me early on to be curious and to see things from other people’s perspectives. Those trips definitely helped me grow into someone who appreciates different cultures and loves new experiences.

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L+S: Over the years, which destination or travel memory has stood out as your favorite, and why does it stick with you?

Hannah: My favorite trip would have to be our Ireland or Iceland trip. Where I got to explore somewhere completely new and outside my comfort zone. I still remember the feeling of excitement and wonder seeing things I had only read about. It sticks with me because it showed me how travel can completely change the way you think and feel.

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L+S: How has sharing these travel experiences with your family influenced your relationship with them, or the way you experience new places together?

Hannah: Sharing these experiences with my family made our bond so much stronger. Traveling together gave us memories that we still talk and laugh about today. It also taught us how to work as a team, adapt, and enjoy every moment—no matter where we are.

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L+S: Traveling over the years, have you formed friendships with other travelers that have lasted beyond the trip? How have those connections impacted your experience?

Hannah: I’ve met people on trips who have become lifelong friends. It’s amazing how quickly you can connect with someone when you’re exploring new places together. Those friendships have made travel even more meaningful and remind me that kindness and connection exist everywhere.

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L+S: As you’ve grown older and continued traveling, how has your perspective on travel and different cultures changed compared to when you first started?

Hannah: As I’ve grown older, I see travel less as a vacation and more as an opportunity to learn. I’ve developed a deeper respect for different ways of life and the people who share their cultures with me. It’s made me more open-minded, patient, and grateful for the world around me.

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L+S: What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through your travels that you don’t think you could have learned any other way?

Hannah: Through traveling, I’ve learned that I’m more independent and adaptable than I thought. I’ve found confidence in handling new situations and a joy in embracing the unknown. It’s something I don’t think I could have discovered without stepping outside my everyday routine.

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Traveler Highlight: Meet Liz

“Traveling far has a way of bringing you back to who you really are.”

Travel has been a part of my story for as long as I can remember. Maybe it’s because I started my life as a military brat. Maybe it’s from hearing my grandpa’s vivid stories of his family’s life in Poland before coming to America before WWII. Whatever the reason, I’ve always had wanderlust in my blood.

I started traveling young — family road trips, my dad Jeff opening up the giant Rand McNally map to plot our route from Missouri to Mississippi to visit grandparents. As I got older, life and work opened doors to explore further. In 2017, I visited Beijing, China. It was incredible, but I remember feeling the ache of traveling completely alone. There’s something irreplaceable about sharing a place with others — a meal in a centuries-old building, laughter on a bus ride — even if you didn’t arrive as close friends.

My aunt Yasmine had been a longtime supporter of Land & See Tours, so I’d seen glimpses of their trips for years. When a trip to Greece and Rome was announced for summer 2019, I jumped at the chance to join. These were bucket-list destinations for me. While my aunt wasn’t on that trip, I made lifelong friends — including my roommate Angela (a complete stranger at the time, but company owner Mandy has a gift for connecting people) — who almost instantly became my "travel twin". We had even packed the same hair towels!

Later, I finally got to travel with Yasmine on a Girls' Trip to Spain and Portugal. She’s been a constant in my life — from my early days as a young mom to figuring out my career path — so sharing the world with her was an unspeakable privilege. I’ll never forget being on a walking tour in Lisbon, Portugal, and just having this moment of “Hey girl, we made it.” There’s a photo of us on a rooftop terrace, the bluest sky above and the city spreading out behind us. It’s one of my most treasured pictures because it captures that exact feeling — finally traveling the world together, just as we’d talked about for a decade.

Now, over six years after my first Land & See trip, I’m signed up to take on Scotland with my husband in fall 2026. One of the things I love most about small group travel is how it evolves as you evolve. Sometimes it’s a girls’ trip where you rediscover yourself. Other times it’s a chance to reconnect with a loved one. Every time, it’s a chance to step outside the monotony of everyday life — and carving out even a week or two can change everything.

Through every trip, I’ve found this to be true: Traveling far has a way of bringing you back to who you really are. Standing in places that are centuries or millennia old is humbling — it’s a perspective you can’t get in the U.S.

My travel advice? Keep an open mind and stay flexible. Sometimes it’s a delayed flight, other times it’s an unexpected heat wave in late October. There’s a sweet spot between being prepared and overpacking. I might re-wear the same pair of jeans, but my “Mary Poppins” travel pouch is always stocked with Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, medications, and all those just-in-case items. (Lesson learned: always keep tissues with you — there’s nothing like realizing there’s no toilet paper in a bathroom where you don’t speak the language and can’t just ask your stall neighbor to pass some over!) A sense of humor goes a long way, as does keeping Google Translate handy on your phone.

Now, as a mom to a four-month-old, I’m learning that balance all over again. Our next trip will be when he’s over a year old, staying with close family. I’ll miss him, of course, but I know it will make me a more connected mother — because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Travel has been there through every season of my life. Land & See Tours has made it possible to dig deeper into the world — through affordable monthly payments, a built-in travel community, and now, family trips. I can’t wait for the day we get to show our son the world, one adventure at a time.