Hey friend,

Things have been a little crazy here, as I've just returned from my trip to Comté and Annecy, France (don’t miss the highlights on Instagram) and am heading out this week for Haywood, North Carolina for the annual SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) Conference. After this, I have Día de los Muertos in San Antonio, a Florida football weekend, a girls' trip to Fredericksburg, and a holiday vacation to New Zealand (where we will leave another one of Finn’s cremation stones). I will definitely need a nap when January 1 comes around.

In the meantime, I'm going to revamp the newsletter, just a bit. Once a month will be a newsletter like this. The other weeks will be things to help you plan your next vacation. If there's anything you want to see (destination, budget travel ideas, multigenerational vacations, etc.), let me know and I'll pull something together.

Without further ado, here's the latest:

✍️ SHARING

This month I'm sharing someone else's writing instead of my own - a beautiful piece written by Kylie Daum, the Editor-in-Chief of The Forest Scout - for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Kylie beautifully tells the story of our son Finn, who dreamed of visiting all seven continents before his 21st birthday. He made it to five before pediatric cancer cut his journey short, and we are finishing the trip for him, leaving a stone from his ashes on every continent. A reminder of why we travel, and why time is the whole point. [Read it here →]

📖 READING

​In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer. This is book two in her Timeless series, and I'm hooked. The heroine lives three lives at once (1861, 1941, 2001) and has to choose just one path before she turns 21. Time travel + historical fiction + an impossible decision? Yes please.

🎧 LISTENING

​World War II with Tom Hanks - this HISTORY Channel series that traces the war's full arc, from the rise of fascism to Hiroshima. I’m planning trips for two clients to explore WW2 sites next year and this is helping me to make sure they visit the best spots

📺 WATCHING

Super excited for the new season of Slow Horses on AppleTV, but I'll also admit I'm deep into Crew Girl on Netflix, the new YA rowing drama with all the teen love-triangle drama you'd expect. As my husband says, I'm still a teenage girl at heart.

👕 WEARING

Anything from Athleta's Seasoft line. It's officially my travel day uniform. Soft, stretchy, doesn't wrinkle in a suitcase, and somehow still looks pulled together after a five-hour flight. Shop​

🧳 BOOKING

Japan is the trip everyone wants right now - I've fielded four inquiries just this month. Right behind it: European Christmas markets, spring break resort getaways, and river cruises. If any of those are on your radar too, hit reply and I'll help you plan.

Wishing you a wonderful week and happy almost October!

Kirsten