How to Approach Vacation Planning for Maximum Enjoyment

“Start here. This is a great jumping off point for your travel journey—a piece that will stir up your enthusiasm and get you in the zone for travel planning and research. In the grind of our daily routines, it’s easy to get lost in the minutiae of responsibilities and forget that sometimes, the best thing we can possibly do is leave it all behind. This gave me some great perspective, not only on human history and psychology, but on a new way to look at travel—not as a given, but as a gift.” -Aaron Millar

AM: “Jordan Salama is a young travel writer who embodies the art of mindful and intentional travel. In this episode, which was a delight to record, he recounts his journey traveling the length of the Magdalena River in Colombia. For me, the highlights of his story were all the people he met along the way—from the biblioburro (the donkey bookseller) to the silversmiths and jewelry-makers living in a real-life Macondo.”

AM: “This is a perfect example of what mindful travel looks like to me. So much of the joy of Alice’s journey in Morocco came from gaining an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of locals. And her choice to travel on foot—rather than in a train or a car—helped her to soak up so much more than she would have otherwise.”

AM: “I interviewed legendary travel writer Rolf Potts for my podcast, and he told me that the best way to travel is ‘to dare to be lonely, lost, and bored.’ This NYT piece perfectly captures the value of this approach to travel— not going in with a rigid agenda, merely letting your interest and your surroundings be your guide. Hint: It makes for a much richer, deeper experience.”

AM: “One of the most accessible ways to travel is by taking a solo trip—whether that’s a long weekend nearby or a month-long jaunt abroad. But solo travel can feel daunting, especially if you haven’t done it before. I love that this episode breaks down the pros, cons, and how-tos of solo travel. It’s something that I think we should all make an effort to do at least once, so maybe this episode is your sign to book that flight.”

AM: “Wanderlust is one of my all-time favorite magazines for off-the-beaten-track travel advice and practical recommendations. And with their Travel Green List, they’ve taken their recommendations to a new level. Wherever you want to travel in the world, whatever type of vacation you want to have, this thoroughly researched guide will help you plan your perfect trip to be guilt-free and as enjoyable as possible.”

AM: “This trip to Oregon was unforgettable for so many reasons, but all of my favorite experiences there happened outdoors. For me, spending time in nature is one of the most important things for well-being, so combining that love of nature with travel is about as meaningful as it gets. We recorded this one on location, so listen in to hear what it sounds like when you reach the top of Watchman’s Peak and see Crater Lake for the first time. Spoiler alert: there’s a lot of screaming.”

AM: “I’m a huge fan of Positive News’s mission, and this dreamy little piece captures it beautifully. It’s a great example of how doing what’s best for nature can also be what’s right for tourism and the local economy, and how you can actually use your tourism dollars to make a difference.”

AM: “Rick Steves is an absolute legend in the world of travel writing, and his radio show is one of my favorite ways to discover new insights and tips. I particularly loved this program for the second interview, which discusses how culture shock is actually quite a beneficial thing to experience while traveling (true, in my experience).”

AM: “This short film is the perfect note to end our journey. It’s funny, it’s endearing, and it’s inspiring. To me, it’s a perfect example of getting out of your comfort zone and finding all the joy that waits for you there.”