Scrolling through my socials this morning, I realized it’s been far too long since I posted a top travel photos blog—2018, to be exact. That’s a shame, because our travel community has done some truly incredible things in the years since. Narrowing it down to ten highlights feels almost impossible, so I won’t. Instead, I’ll start at what feels like a natural point: our travels post-COVID. The world has changed, and truthfully, so has how we travel. While there were plenty of adventures between 2018 and then, it feels like the right place to begin our “new normal.”
#1 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Traveling again after lockdown was a strange and emotional experience. Our family had endured a lot of loss, including the heartbreaking miscarriage of our third child, and even though navigating COVID regulations was challenging, we decided to visit Croatia and the Balkans. We wanted to step out of our routine, to heal, and to reconnect. A lockdown obsession with Game of Thrones helped narrow our choice—Croatia looked stunning on screen—and its location made it easy to explore nearby Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.
So many moments from that trip were life-changing—I say that without exaggeration. Watching the sun set over the waves of the Adriatic left me forever changed. But what made it truly unforgettable was how untouched it all felt. Maybe it was the lingering COVID restrictions or the difficulty of traveling at the time, but the place felt entirely ours. There were no cruise ships, no crowds, and I don’t even recall hearing English spoken. For those who’ve visited Croatia more recently, particularly after the return of cruise tourism and the euro adoption, you’ll understand why the emptiness of this moment felt so extraordinary. I’ve been back since, and while it never fails to impress, there was something magical about feeling like it existed just for Jordan and me.
#2 Secret Beach, Puerto Rico
Shortly after Jordan and I dipped our toes back into traveling, we wanted to bring the kids along. COVID restrictions were still in place, and the world hadn’t fully reopened yet, so we landed on Puerto Rico for a family trip. We rented a car and an Airbnb, but beyond that, we left the itinerary completely open-ended—partly because many things weren’t running on a full schedule, and partly because we had little kids and didn’t want to be stuck if they were cranky or uncooperative.
I love this picture because it captures a day that went entirely wrong. We drove three hours to tour a cave we had only learned about that morning, only to arrive and be turned away. It was a gut punch, but it led to one of the most incredible discoveries of the trip. We quickly Googled nearby beaches and found ourselves on a dirt road. We ditched the car and hiked through the jungle to a pristine, hidden beach that, to this day, stands out as the greatest surprise to come from a failed plan.
We had the place entirely to ourselves. I did get wildly sunburnt—hey, I hadn’t planned to hit the beach that day—but we found amazing shells, beach glass, and perspective. Sometimes, when things go “wrong,” the most magic happens. You just have to lean into the chaos a little.
#3 Scotland Surprise
Our first group trip after COVID was to Northern Ireland and Scotland. Originally, over 40 people signed up, but with the unpredictability of COVID, we ended up with 23 travelers—well, 24. Mason had been a student of mine in Atlanta that year, and when a scheduled school trip was canceled, he and his mom decided to join our Scotland adventure. It was a big year for them—Mason turned 18 on the trip, and Melissa celebrated her birthday as well.
Not long after they enrolled, I received an email from Mason’s dad, Jay, asking for help with an incredible surprise. In addition to the birthdays, it was also Jay and Melissa’s wedding anniversary. Jay’s plan was simple but extraordinary: show up unannounced and give them the surprise of a lifetime.
It still brings tears to my eyes thinking about the care that went into it. Jay said he didn’t need anything elaborate—just being together was the occasion. While there were countless Instagram-worthy moments on this trip—the breathtaking landscapes, the incredible experiences—this one stands out above all. Moments after Jay walked through the hotel lobby, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. To this day, it remains one of the sweetest, most unforgettable surprises I’ve ever witnessed.
#4 Kotor, Montenegro
The Balkans left such an impression on my heart that we brought a group back the following year—probably one of our quickest turnaround trips ever. At the time, Croatia and the Balkans weren’t exactly hot destinations, so it still amazes me that these 14 adventurous souls said, “Yeah… sure, let’s go!” Talk about trust.
What unfolded on that trip really changed how I approach group travel. In the past, I tried to pack as much action as possible into each itinerary. It was amazing, and we saw a lot, but by the end, we were exhausted. You got your money’s worth, sure, but often at the expense of rest and relaxation.
For this trip, we intentionally built in downtime and gave travelers space to explore on their own and get exactly what they wanted out of the experience. I’ll admit I was nervous to try it, but it was a wild success. Everyone went home more rested and rejuvenated—and many have requested that intentional free time become a standard part of future trips, which we now prioritize.
This picture is from that trip—we had just crossed the border from Croatia into Montenegro and were taxiing to our hotel by boat, right before an afternoon of free time exploring Kotor. Peter said the boat ride made him feel like James Bond—and that’s exactly how a trip should feel: invigorating, exciting, and exactly what you need.
#5 Maasai Warriors, Kenya
On Christmas Day 2023, I lost my very best friend in a car accident. She and her husband were killed by a drunk driver, leaving their three young sons orphaned. The loss rattled me to my core—not just because of the obvious heartbreak, but because of all the plans we had discussed, the dreams we’d shared about the memories we would make with our kids when they were a little older, a little easier—dreams she would never get to realize.
I remember thinking, what if that were me? What if I missed the chance to make memories while I could? In that moment, I decided I wasn’t going to wait for life to be comfortable or convenient. I was going to take every opportunity, no matter how small, to make memories with my kids in the only time I had—now.
I’ll admit, it was scary, uncomfortable, and probably a little financially risky. But we decided, “to hell with it,” and planned a trip with the kids to Kenya. Archer was only six at the time, and the idea of such a long plane ride filled me with anxiety. Was he perfectly behaved the whole time? Absolutely not. Were there tears, tantrums, and jetlag? 100 percent. But what followed was an adventure that changed our lives in the most positive way and created memories we still reminisce about daily.
Here, the boys are learning from our Maasai hosts the traditional dances and chants used to welcome visitors, impress the ladies, and ward off would-be threats. We slept in a dung hut, and the boys received Maasai names—Kakenya and Oloshipa—while lions roared in the distance. It was hard, messy, and chaotic. Old me would have talked myself out of it, but I am so grateful we took the leap. Jetlag, nosebleeds, and all, this trip became a turning point for our family—a moment that changed how we parent and how we see opportunity.
#6 Algarve, Portugal
Also in 2023, I had a dream to turn Land + See into more than a hobby—I wanted it to become a full-time, legitimate business. I had seen firsthand the beauty travel brings—not just helping people unwind, but connecting them to the places we visit and the people who call them home. Perspectives shift, and suddenly, the world feels more personal and connected.
A friend of mine, a successful businesswoman, encouraged me to think bigger, to see Land + See for what it could be, and to plan backward from that vision. I noticed that many of our travelers started out as solo female travelers—women who had put off travel for one reason or another, whether they didn’t have anyone to go with or life and work got in the way. I realized there was a real need for a supportive community for these women—and the Girls Trip was born.
You might think a trip full of women would be drama-ridden, but it was anything but that. We had the most incredible time exploring Spain and Portugal together. This photo makes me laugh every time I see it. We were scheduled for a private boat tour of the Algarve caves, but upon arrival, the captain called to say it wasn’t private and was about to leave—without us. If we wanted to go, we had to run. Here we are, literally sprinting to make it before departure.
What could have been a stressful moment turned into one of the most fun experiences of the trip, and now it’s a story we still laugh about. It perfectly captures what Land + See is all about: spontaneity, adventure, and making memories together.
#7 Tiny Traveler, Greece
The following summer, we had an incredible trip to the Greek Islands. Our travel family was starting to grow, and one of the sweetest moments was welcoming a mother-daughter duo, Stephaine and Layla. Stephaine had originally signed up for our Thailand and Vietnam trip scheduled for 2020—and, well… you know how that story goes. Rather than writing us off, she returned and brought her 10-year-old, spunky daughter along for the adventure. Layla was the only kid on the trip, which might have intimidated other parents, but she quickly won everyone over.
Watching them together was truly special. Traveling and making memories with your kids is one thing, but seeing a solo parent make it a priority—showing her daughter the world rather than just talking about it—was inspiring. Our children watch us closely. They see what we prioritize, how we pursue our passions, and how we balance work, life, and empathy. Travel is more than a trip—it’s an investment in yourself and in the lessons your kids learn by watching you live intentionally.
After the tour Greece with us, Stephaine and Layla took it a step further—heading to Milan to see Taylor Swift in concert—talk about a bucket list summer.
#8 Following Your Dreams, Japan
I taught Dakota when he was a freshman in high school. His senior year—before Land + See even existed—we took a group trip to Japan. Dakota came from humble roots, and if he was going to make this happen for himself, it would be by his own blood, sweat, and tears, not unlike my own upbringing. He worked part-time, scrimped, and saved to make the trip a reality—and it was life-changing for him.
A few years later, when Land + See decided to return to Japan, it should have come as no surprise that our first recruit was Dakota—again! It was actually funny because I hadn’t even announced the trip yet, but somehow Dakota had found the enrollment form, signed up, and paid before it was ever announced. His spidey senses must have been in overdrive.
This trip was truly special because Dakota was all in—24/7. He experienced everything with intention, joy, and enthusiasm that was absolutely contagious. Visiting Japan again was a dream come true for him, and you could literally see the spark of inspiration igniting. On the trip, he told me that his dream was one day to live there.
Well, Dakota reached out just a few days ago to let me know that he finally did it—he got accepted to university in Japan and will be studying there this fall. Watching people chase their dreams and having a front-row seat to that journey is one of the most fulfilling parts of travel.
#9 Remco’s Nana, Scotland
For years, Jordan and I would watch pro-cycling races on television. I mostly tolerated them in the background, but one cyclist caught my eye: Remco Evenepoel. He had a massive crash in Italy, on a treacherous course Jordan had raced a few years earlier. Remco flew over a bridge and broke his pelvis—a career-threatening injury. I followed his story for two reasons: one, I watched it happen live on TV and was petrified, and two, travel makes things personal. Since Jordan had raced that course, it could have been him.
While I can’t say my interest in pro-cycling skyrocketed, I did pay attention when Remco returned to racing. He made a full recovery and continued to dominate the sport, much to everyone’s surprise.
Later that year, when Jordan was racing as an amateur in Scotland at the same event as the pros, we used his off day to watch the race. Imagine my surprise when I bumped into Remco’s grandparents, cheering him on from the front row. It was incredible to cheer alongside two of the most important people in his life.
It’s safe to say Remco remains one of my favorite pro-cyclists—not just because I met his Nana, but because of his grit, determination, and refusal to give up.
#10 Cappadocia, Turkiye
My social media feed was flooded with pictures of magical hot air balloon–dotted skylines and fairy chimneys, and suddenly I became fascinated with Turkiye—Cappadocia, to be exact. After some research, I realized it wasn’t the easiest place to reach. It’s not within driving distance of Istanbul and requires flexibility and planning to get there. But that didn’t intimidate me. Jordan and I loaded up the kids and flew 11 hours non-stop to see what all the fuss was about.
I’ll admit, I was nervous. What if it was a letdown? What if it seemed cheesy? What if the Instagram-perfect skylines I had been drooling over didn’t live up to the hype?
The reality, however, was breathtaking. While there were certainly a few wannabe influencers trying to capture “the shot,” the magic of Cappadocia was undeniable. It wasn’t just one incredible day—balloons floated across the skyline every day, in the most whimsical, dreamlike settings.
The trip itself was unforgettable. We climbed fairy chimneys, descended into valleys, marveled in mosques, shopped in bustling bazaars, fed seagulls, made pottery, watched whirling dervishes, and ate our weight in Turkish delight. Cappadocia was every bit as enchanting as I had imagined—and then some.
Ten already? See, I knew this would be an impossible task from the start. It feels like I’ve barely scratched the surface of the incredible memories we’ve made over the past few years.
Travel has a way of acting like glue. It heals, connects, and helps piece us back together. There’s something deeply comforting about looking back at a scrapbook full of lived moments instead of what-ifs and regrets.
If you’re already taking opportunities as they come, I’m proud of you. And if you’re not, I hope this serves as a gentle nudge. The only time we’re promised is now. Get out there. Take the chances you’re given—travel and otherwise. You have one beautiful life, and it would be a shame not to live it fully.
