Conversations With Travel Industry Professionals

I love learning from and sharing the stories of others that work in the travel industry.

I find as a group that they are interested in the world around them and the people in it. An open-to-anything trait that makes them very worth getting to know. Plus, I also appreciate hearing their first-person destination insights. And I thoroughly enjoy listening to their stories. Find complete recaps of our Q-and-A sessions below.

I also share these interviews in full—or portions of the lengthier ones—as a regular Friday feature on my Instagram and Facebook accounts. Follow me there if you do not want to miss a week!

Conversations With Travel Bloggers

Daniel Shachory, America's First Traveling Taxi Driver, with his car

Get to Know America’s First Traveling Taxi

A Conversation with Laura Cox at Travel 80 by 80

A Conversation with Juli Hall at Celebrate & Explore

Rebecca Gade Sawicki smiling and eating a plate of vegan food

A Conversation with Rebecca Gade-Sawicki at Veggies Abroad

Christine Lambert of Christine's Travel Gems in lavender field

A Conversation with Christine Lambert at Christine’s Travel Gems

Conversations With Travel Guides, Planners & More

MJ Markham of MMarkham Travel in Paris on the love locks bridge.

A Conversation with MJ Markham of MMarkham Travel

flight attendants in plane aisle wearing masks

How To Stay Healthy While Flying: A Pilot & An ER Doctor Weigh In

Want to read more? Our top posts...

Santorini, Greece, on a sunny day. Credit: Jurgen Reichenpfader

Need an Itinerary for a Spring Trip to Europe? Here are 25 Amazing Ideas

Young man planning a vacation using a laptop and mobile phone. Credit: pcess609/Canva

49 Things You Need to Do to Plan Your Best Trip (Free Travel Research & Planning Checklist)

White car driving on a road through a forest. Credit: Alena Ozerova

Rental Car Insurance: When You Need It & When You Don’t

Minivan filled with family suitcases and road trip things on leafy road. Credit: Pixelshot

Your Family Will Love These 30 Road Trips Near Chicago

Woman packing a suitcase. Credit: DuxX Getty Images.

Pack Faster & Better With This Universal Printable Packing List

A woman in a light brown sweater taking a photo of the Temple of Castor and Pollux in the Roman Forum on a sunny clear day

How to Spend 10 Days In Rome, the Amalfi Coast & Sorrento

We can't wait for the new posts too.

About Me

Hi, I am Janice and and I run the Gather and Go Travel blog. I am a travel writer, blogger, and bookhound, specializing in family and group travel. I have traveled extensively domestically and internationally to 40+ countries. I am fascinated by other cultures, religions, and languages—and love to share what I have learned in my writing. For more on my background, read my bio, our story, and how to work with me.

Or Pin To Save For Later:

Instagram...

Janice | Inspiring others to explore🗺️

gatherandgotravel

480 2,152

📍US & 🌎 travel for families, friends + couples
📝 Itineraries, destination guides and ideas + tips
❤️ hiking🥾, mountains + 📚books
🏡 Chicago

Apr 26

43 12

Meet Breanna @thegoldenhouradventurer! Welcome back to this Friday series introducing fellow travelers on @gatherandgotravel.

📍About Breanna
Breanna is a former wedding photographer turned travel & outdoor blogger. When she’s not traveling, hiking, or practicing photography, Breanna is creating guides on her blog, The Golden Hour Adventurer, and studying to become a travel advisor. She hopes to work one-on-one with clients to research and organize their vacations with budgets in mind, including custom itineraries and destination tips.

📝Q: Who inspired your love of travel?

My husband, Brian, of 14 years really encourages me outside my comfort zone. We travel often for his job and I’ve learned to embrace change and uncertainty. I created my blog after we lost our one and only pregnancy. I wanted to pay tribute to our child, our love for the outdoors, and be zealous while I actively wait to grow our family.

📝Q: What destination would you like to go to next and why?

I have so many! But, the destination I feel is most realistic in the near future is a hiking trip to Alaska’s national parks. I would love to experience the wildlife there! Whales, grizzly bears, mountain goats, and moose are high on my must-see list. Of course, can’t forget about the countless glaciers and fjords!

📝Q: What are your three favorite foods discovered while traveling?

I tried ube for the first time in Hawaii and I just love it in desserts and drinks! I also eat every version of poutine possible when in Canada; hard to go wrong with fries, cheese, and gravy. And I fell in love with espresso and fresh eggs in New Zealand; something that sounds so simple, but it is incredibly strong and rich—absolutely delicious!

Follow Breanna’s adventures @thegoldenhouradventurer. Check today’s stories for more info!

Are you a travel pro (e.g., blogger, creator, planner, etc.) and would like to be featured? Comment “learn more” and I will message you with info.

#travelQ&A #Q&A #interview #traveler #travel #travellover #travelblog #travelblogger #outdoorblogger #outdoorwomen #travelplanner #traveladdict

Apr 26

64 31

I first heard about @enchantment_resort in Sedona, AZ, from my good friend Kim. She wanted to stay here to celebrate a birthday. Her work friend just returned from a visit and gushed about her experience.

Welcome to my series on staying at this resort and visiting this incredible southwest US destination. This post is #1 of 7. Follow along to learn more.🌵

To sell me on a trip here (which let’s be honest, was not difficult!), Kim showed me photos of the resort. I was in. Tucked into Boynton Canyon, next to its sister property, Mii Amo Spa—Enchantment Resort is removed from the busy main strip of Sedona and surrounded by gorgeous red rock canyon walls that glow golden at sunrise and sunset.

During our 3-day weekend at Enchantment, we hiked the Boynton Canyon and Cathedral Rock trails, ate at all four on-site resort restaurants (Hummingbird was my favorite), got spa treatments at Mii Amo, took yoga classes, and participated in meditation sessions. While not being active (or relaxed), we breathed in the fresh scents of the desert after a light rain. Or we’d catch a drink on one of the many resort patios and soak in the majestic views.

Here are 10 of my favorite vertical pics from our December visit:

1. Us—hiking up to Kachina Woman in Boynton Canyon.
2. Desert view from the Cathedral Rock trail.
3. Me—at the first of two Cathedral Rock summits.
4. Me—at a Cathedral Rock overlook.
5. Desert flowers.
6. Near the Subway Cave in Boynton Canyon.
7. View of Enchantment Resort blending into the canyon.
8. A gorgeous path on the resort grounds.
9. Plenty of resort recreation—fire pits next to a curling sheet.
10. Sunrise yoga with an incredible view.

Which pic do you like best? Would you want to stay here?

Looking for more friend trip ideas? Comment “guide,” and I will send you a link to my “35 Places You Will Love for Your Next Ladies’ Trip” guide, which includes Sedona. In it, get info on the closest airports, the best times to visit, things to do, and where to stay for all destinations. Or find the guide via the link in my bio.

#enchantmentresort #sedona #sedonaescape #az #arizona #sedonaarizona #visitarizona #redrocks #getoutside #hikeaz

Apr 23

29 8

Who doesn’t need ladies’ getaway ideas for your next vacation with friends? If your groups are like mine, you are always thinking about where to go next. So save this post. Or share it. See a complete list of 35 places in the US, Canada, and Mexico below. Some require a passport, and others may not, depending on where you live.

UNITED STATES🇺🇸
1. Asheville, North Carolina
2. Austin, Texas
3. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
4. Chicago, Illinois
5. Charleston, South Carolina
6. Kanab, Utah
7. Las Vegas, Nevada
8. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
9. Miami, Florida
10. Napa Valley, California
11. Nashville, Tennessee
12. New Orleans, Louisiana
13. New York City, New York
14. Palm Springs, California
15. Portland, Maine
16. Portland, Oregon
17. San Diego, California
18. San Francisco, California
19. San Juan, Puerto Rico
20. Savannah, Georgia
21. Scottsdale, Arizona
22. Seattle, Washington
23. Sedona, Arizona
24. Seward, Alaska

CANADA🇨🇦
25. Banff, Alberta
26. Halifax, Nova Scotia
27. Montreal, Quebec
28. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
29. Quebec City, Quebec
30. Toronto, Canada
31. Victoria, British Columbia
32. Whistler, British Columbia

MEXICO🇲🇽
33. Cabo San Lucas
34. Mexico City
35. Oaxaca

✅Now that you have the list, get a hold of my guide “35 Places You Will Love for Your Next Ladies’ Trip” to fast-track your planning. In it, get info on the closest airports, the best times to visit, things to do, and where to stay for each destination.
➡️Comment “guide,” and I will send you the link. Or find the guide via the link in my bio.

For the guys—many of these destinations, like Charleston, New Orleans, Austin, Kanab, Seward, and more, would be great for dude groups, too. Two, of the many more trips I would add for men and interested ladies—a Kentucky Bourbon Trail based in Louisville or Lexington or a stay in a Yukon Wilderness Lodge, like @tincupwildernesslodge, accessible by float plane.

How many of these places have you visited on a group trip? Where else would you recommend?

#girlstrip #ladiestrip #girlstravel #womentravel #ladiesgetaway #friendtrip #tripwithfriends #travelwithfriends

Apr 12

30 4

Meet Amanda @hotmamatravel! Welcome back to this Friday series introducing fellow travelers on @gatherandgotravel.

📍About Amanda
Amanda is a wife, mom of four, traveler, bartender, and writer. She thrives on stepping out of the box when it comes to kid-friendly travel, exploring haunted locations, soaking in live music, and seeking out thrills. With her unique perspective, Amanda shows families with her blog and vlog, how to create unforgettable memories and keep their Saturday night selves alive and kicking.

📝Q: What are you most passionate about sharing with others when it comes to travel?

I’m incredibly passionate about showing parents that family travel can be fun for everyone, from young to old. I travel with multi-generations, from toddlers to grandparents, and love demonstrating that almost anything can be made kid-friendly with a bit of creativity and planning. It’s all about creating experiences that resonate with everyone and leave lasting memories.

📝Q: As a family traveler, what are your top tips for best managing a group dynamic?

Managing family travel dynamics, especially in a multigenerational family takes patience, flexibility, and creativity. The main thing is to involve everyone, even children, in planning to gauge everyone’s interests to see where you align and diverge. Balancing individual preferences and collective experiences ensures a smooth and memorable journey for all involved, enhancing the bonding experience.

📝Q: Why do you believe people should travel?

People should travel because it’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about experiencing the world in a way that enriches our lives and strengthens our bonds. It offers opportunities for growth and learning, fostering adaptability in an ever-changing world. By stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing new cultures and experiences, we reduce fear and hate of the unknown, increasing our knowledge and understanding of the world and its people.

➡️Follow Amanda’s adventures @hotmamatravel. Check today’s stories for more info!

⭐️Are you a travel pro (e.g., blogger, creator, planner, etc.) and want to be featured? Comment “learn more” and I will send you more info.

Apr 11

97 28

Dreaming of visiting the US state of Montana? Here’s how to spend 7 summer days on a first visit:

Day 1: Glacier National Park - arrive, get oriented, check in
Day 2: Glacier NP - hike Avalanche Lake, drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Day 3: Glacier NP - hike St. Mary and Virginia Falls and Twin Falls at Two Medicine Lake
Day 4: Glacier NP - hike the Grinnell Glacier trail from Many Glacier
Day 5: Drive to Missoula - stop at Big Fork on Flathead Lake and the CSKT Bison Range, check in
Day 6: Missoula - explore the town, bike the river path, and float the Clark Fork River
Day 7: Missoula - day trip to hike the Blodgett Canyon Overlook trail in the Bitterroot, shop in town, and eat in Upper Rattlesnake

For those following along since the start of my Montana series, welcome back to the final clip. It is time to put this incredible destination to bed.

Next up? A new series about a stunning southwestern US destination ideal for hiking. Any guesses? Stay tuned to learn more.

To get more info on visiting Glacier National Park or Missoula, comment “itinerary,” and I will send you two links—how to spend 4 days in Glacier and 3 in Missoula. Both are comprehensive guides rich with lodging, activity, planning, and dining resources essential to helping you make your best trip happen. Or find both via the link in my bio.

Anyone else sad to see Montana go? What incredible destinations are you headed to this summer?

#missoula #missoulamontana #montana #visitmontana #ustravel #visitmissoula #montanamoment #glaciernationalpark #glaciernps

Mar 29

57 5

Meet Jackie @maximizingmypto ! Welcome back to this Friday series featuring Q&As with fellow travelers on @gatherandgotravel.

📍About Jackie

Jackie Swayze is the creator behind Maximizing My PTO. Having traveled to over 30 countries and all 7 continents, she combined her passions for seeing the world, travel hacking, and helping others. Now, she shows 9-5ers how to travel more often, more luxuriously, and for less money.

📝Q: Why do you believe people should travel?

Travel not only opens your eyes to so many aspects of the world (from new landscapes to cultures vastly different from your own) but it also teaches you a lot about yourself. I have grown so much as a person because of the places I’ve been. I’m far more empathetic, go-with-the-flow, and braver than I used to be. All of that comes from going to new places, trying new things, and meeting new people.

📝Q: What are your 3 favorite destinations and why?

I recently got back from Antarctica and immediately fell in love – it’s so extreme and remote but also so beautiful and largely untouched. Iceland is another top pick – it offers a really incredible variety of landscapes, from volcanoes to glaciers and endless waterfalls. For #3 I’m going to have to go with Copenhagen, which is my favorite city in the world – the culture is lovely, the food is great, and on a warm day it’s fun to join the locals swimming in the canals!

📝Q: Carry-on or baggage check?

Team carry-on! It saves time and money and forces me to be much more intentional about what I bring on a trip instead of haphazardly throwing everything I own in a suitcase. It also shows you that you need a lot less stuff than you think, which is a great reminder in a world of over-consumption. I recently packed for 3 weeks in a carry-on and still had items I never used!

➡️Follow Jackie’s adventures @maximizingmypto. Check today’s stories for more info!

Are you a travel pro (e.g., blogger, creator, tour leader, planner, Airbnb owner, etc.) and would like to be featured? Comment “learn more” and I will send you info.

#travelQ&A #Q&A #interview #traveler #travel #travelhacking #worldtraveler

Mar 21

27 9

Yes, this @vrbo in Missoula, Montana was nicer than our home. With cooler artwork, stylish decor, and light-filled spaces, including three sitting areas and two dining spaces, this rental felt like an indulgence.

Welcome back to my mini-series on visiting Missoula, Montana. This is #4 of 5. Follow along to learn more🏔.

After spending 4 nights sharing one bedroom during our Glacier National Park trip, heading south to Missoula and spreading out in this historic 2-bed, 2-bath home for 3 nights in the heart of downtown and walkable to restaurants, cafes, and breweries felt like a luxury.

To get more info on this rental and how we spent our time in Missoula to wrap up 7-summer days in Montana, comment “itinerary,” and I’ll send a link to our 3-day Missoula guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

I am usually pretty economical with travel lodging, but due to group stays and lucky bookings, I have stayed at some highly pleasant places. Where’s the nicest rental you’ve ever stayed in? Mine is a triple-tie between Missoula (the decor!), Positano (the view!), and Palm Springs (the decor and the pool!).

#missoula #missoulamontana #montana #visitmontana #ustravel #visitmissoula #montanamoment #vrbo

Mar 19

46 11

Hiking in and around Missoula, Montana, is a highlight of any visit. When in town, our local friend suggested several area hikes. We chose to head south to the Bitterroot National Forest.

Welcome back to my mini-series on visiting Missoula, Montana. This is #3 of 5. Follow along to learn more🏔️.

Joining her and her pup, Lola, on a 1.25-hour drive south, we made our way to the dog-friendly Blodgett Canyon Overlook trailhead to hike this 2.8-mile out-and-back route for more Montana wilderness and its outstanding canyon view.

To fuel up, and before we left, we grabbed breakfast and ordered picnic lunch sandwiches to-go at the @market_on_front in downtown Missoula. After just over an hour of driving on highways and minor roads, we arrived at the gravel trailhead parking lot, with clear signage and a vault toilet, and hit the trail.

Picking just ripening huckleberries as we hiked on what @alltrails classifies as an easy route, gaining an elevation of just over 500 feet, we eventually reached the wide-open canyon overlook—a well-earned prize for pleasurable work.

At the overlook, we settled in to enjoy our sandwiches and the incredible canyon view from a rocky outcrop. Eventually, retracing our route back to the car and for some splash time in the creek below the parking lot.

Everyone loved this trail, perhaps Lola most of all.

Would you want to hike this trail? What about your pup?!

And bonus⭐️if you catch this clip in its first 24 hours, see my stories for a cute “dogs read this” rules sign at the trailhead.

➡Curious about visiting Missoula and want to know what to do in and around town? Comment “guide,” and I’ll send you a link to my 39-item Missoula activity guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#missoula #missoulamontana #montana #hiking #montanamoment #bitterrootvalley #bitterroot

Mar 14

36 5

Planning a summer trip to Montana? Include some time in Missoula. It is a lovely western and small-scale Montana mountain town 2.5 hours south of Glacier National Park that delivers big on things to do and places to eat, all with a laid-back vibe.

Welcome back to my mini-series on visiting Missoula, Montana. This is #2 of 5. Follow along to learn more🏔️.

How much is there to do and see in Missoula? A lot—and at least 39 seriously cool activities.

Because that is how many I included in my latest article covering outdoor, cultural, shopping, and dining experiences you can find in town or within a 1 or 2-hour drive.

We spent 3 days in Missoula after visiting Glacier National Park, flying into the Kalispell/Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) out of the Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) since nonstop flights to/from our hometown of Chicago were available from both, and enjoying every minute.

A few of my favorite activities included:

o rafting the Clark Fork River
o walking around town
o going on area hikes
o biking local paved paths
o eating—from food trucks to finer dining, every meal exceeded my expectations
o shopping— be sure to include a visit to @rockinrudys HQ for weird, wacky, and wonderful things you will want to have

If we had more time, I would have wanted to:

o go white water rafting
o kayak on a local lake
o hike more
o horseback ride
o take a guided tour at @fortmissoulamuseum
o catch an outdoor concert at @kettlehouseamphitheater
o visit Garnet Ghost Town
o learn how to fly fish

What’s your favorite mountain town activity? What would you want to do most in Missoula?

➡️Curious about visiting Missoula and want more activity ideas? Comment “guide,” and I’ll send you a link to my 39-item things-to-do in Missoula guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#missoula #missoulamontana #montana #visitmontana #hiking #hikingadventures #ustravel #visitmissoula #montanamoment

Mar 5

86 14

After spending 4 days in Glacier National Park last summer, we added 3 days in the vibrant town of Missoula, Montana, a 2.5-hour drive south, home to the University of Montana and in the middle of seven wildness areas.

Welcome to my mini-series on visiting Missoula, Montana. This post is #1 of 5. Follow along to learn more🏔️.

We chose Missoula to extend our time in Montana and visit a dear college friend living there.

Following her recommendations and en route and heading south, we stopped in Bigfork, a Montana town on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake, to catch its July 4th festival. Then, we detoured to the CSKT Bison Range, making a pitstop for in-season farmstand cherries to drive a loop to see bison in this wildlife conservation area.

Once in Missoula, we settled into our downtown rental and spent the next few days outdoors, enjoying the best of this welcoming town in the middle of so much wilderness.

Our favorite highlights? Floating down the Clark Fork River, eating at the weekly food truck lunch in Caras Park, dining at all the incredible restaurants, and hiking in the nearby Bitterroot National Forest.

In this post, I share my 10 favorite (vertical) pics📸 from this part of the trip:

1. At the overlook at the Blodgett Canyon Overlook trail in the Bitterroot National Forest
2. Hiking the Blodgett Canyon Overlook trail
3. Poppy, my friend’s pup, at the overlook
4. Walking to the overlook
5. Me, laughing with my lifelong friend and Missoula resident, Ali S.
6. Cooling off in the creek post-hike
7. Float trip down the Clark Fork River
8. Biking the Milwaukee Road Path
9. Bahn mi and a Vietnamese iced coffee at the weekly summer Wednesday Out to Lunch food truck event in Caras Park
10. Donut ice cream sandwich at Caras Park

Would you want to visit Missoula? Which pic is your favorite?

#montana #missoula #visitmissoula #missoulamontana #missoulamt #bitterrootvalley #bitterroot

Mar 1

84 16

Meet Ava @avagailadventures! Welcome back to this Friday series featuring Q&As with fellow travelers on @gatherandgotravel.

📍About Ava
Ava is a Filipina-American solo traveler, content creator, and freelance writer based in Daly City, California. She inspires Filipino-Americans and women of color to adventure the world while showing up unapologetically as their most authentic selves.

She’s visited 30 countries, lived abroad in South Korea, Italy, and Germany, and loves highlighting local culture, food, and unique experiences in the Bay Area and abroad.

📝Q: What do you love most about your role as a travel creator?

The community! I’ve met so many other travelers through social media or online events and have built a global network of friends from all over the world. Because of this, I usually have someone to meet up with - or someone who knows someone - when I travel and am never truly alone even when solo traveling.

📝Q: Do you bring home souvenirs when you travel? What do you look for?

I used to, but a couple of years ago when I started traveling for long periods and didn’t want to carry a lot of extra stuff, I started writing postcards to myself (and a few others) from whatever country or city I was traveling in. It’s a great way to document your experience and feelings in the moment and is a nice surprise when you get it in the mail back home!

📝Why do you believe people should travel?

I believe people should travel because it opens up your mind and your heart to ideas, experiences, adventures, and worldviews you’ve never imagined before. Even coming from a place as diverse as the Bay Area, nothing has been a better life teacher for me than traveling. Plus, when you get out there, you realize that as expansive as the world is, at our core we all want the same thing no matter how different our backgrounds may be - happiness and love.

➡️Follow Ava’s adventures @avagailadventures. Check today’s stories for more info!

🌎Are you a travel pro (e.g., blogger, creator, tour leader, planner, etc.) and want to be featured on an upcoming Friday? Comment “feature” and I will send you more info.

#travelQ&A #Q&A #interview #traveler #solotravel #solotraveler

Feb 27

190 30

Here’s how to spend 3 days in Glacier National Park, in Montana, see below. We did this with 2 adults and a 13-yo who can hike like an adult.

Welcome back to the final clip of my series on visiting this incredible US national park. This is #15 of 15. Next up—Missoula, Montana.🏔️

How we spent 3 full days in Glacier:

Day 1:
o Wake early and hike the 5.9-mile out-and-back Avalance Lake trail, combined with the Trail of the Cedars, picnic after
o Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road
o Back to our West Glacier B&B, The Great Bear Inn
o Dinner at @beltonchalet

Day 2:
o Wake early and hike the 3.1-mile St. Mary & Virginia Falls trail
o Picnic at Two Medicine Lake
o Take the @glacierparkboats tour across Two Medicine Lake, hike the 2.3-mile out-and-back Twin Falls trail
o Back to lodging, dinner at the @glacierhighland restaurant

Day 3:
o Wake really early, drive to Many Glacier
o Catch the @glacierparkboats hiker shuttle across Swiftcurrent Lake & Lake Josephine
o Hike the 7.6-mile out-and-back Grinnell Glacier trail from the Lake Josephine boat dock
o Picnic at Grinnell Glacier
o Take the boat back, return to lodging, and have an easy dinner at the Glacier Highland.

What did we miss?
o We could never get parking at Logan Pass to hike the 5.1-mile Hidden Lake trail
o We did not have enough time to hike the 14.9-mile Highline trail or visit Polebridge and the west side of Glacier
o I would have loved 2 to 4 more days to fit in these hikes and to go kayaking, horseback riding or white water rafting

If you got to visit Glacier, what would you want to do? If you’ve been there, how did you spend your time?

➡️Need more planning tips and itinerary details for a Glacier NP visit? Comment “guide,” and I’ll send you a link to my 17-item Glacier planning guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #nationalpark #nationalparks #montana #hiking #hike #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #hikingfamilies #rockymountains #ustravel

Feb 23

83 40

Want to know what other places to pair with a Glacier NP trip? Welcome back to my series on visiting this incredible national park. This is #14 of 15. Follow along to learn more.🏔️

Here are 5 ideas:

1. Go north: Head into Canada. Waterton Lakes NP, a 1-hour drive north from Glacier’s Many Glacier entrance, shares a border with Glacier and an international peace park. Feel splurgy? Stay at the stunning Prince of Wales Hotel overlooking Waterton Lake.

2. Go further north: Just under a 4-hour drive from Waterton Lakes is Banff NP. Two hours north of there is Jasper NP. You can fly out of Calgary, which is a 3 to 4-hour drive from Jasper.

3. Go west: Head to Whitefish, Montana. A 40-minute drive from Glacier NP’s West Glacier entrance, stay on the lake for water activities, enjoy the town, and explore the surrounding national forests and state parks.

4. Go south: Get some college-town time in Missoula like we did, just under a 3-hour drive south. Stay downtown, savor the excellent food, float on the Clark Fork River, and hike the surrounding trails in the Bitterroot National Forest or closer to town. Fly out of the Missoula Montana Airport.

5. Go further south: To get an epic US National Park experience, drive 6.5 hours south to the northern entrance of Yellowstone NP. Continue south from there through Grand Teton NP. Fly out of the Jackson Hole Airport.

Where would you like to go?

Need more planning tips and hiking ideas for a Glacier NP visit? Comment “guide,” and I’ll send you a link to my Glacier planning guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #nationalpark #nationalparks #montana #hiking #hike #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #missoula #whitefish #canadianrockies #watertonlakesnationalpark #banff #jaspernationalpark #yellowstone #grandtetonnationalpark

Feb 19

529 53

Best hike of my life? If not, then the top 10 for sure. We’ve hiked all over the world. From Switzerland to South Africa to climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and crossing glaciers in New Zealand.

This combination boat ride and hike in Glacier National Park, Montana (US), along the Grinnell Glacier trail on a blue sky July morning, was a stunner.

It was a bucket list experience I did not know I needed. And one I had no idea how much I would love.

Welcome back to my series on visiting this incredible national park. This is #13 of 15. Follow along to learn more.🏔️

Although you can walk the full length of this 10-mile out-and-back trail, you can also shave off nearly 2.5 miles by riding a boat across two lakes, which is what we did.

To do this, we booked our round-trip tickets far in advance on the @glacierparkboats website under the Many Glacier tours. We caught the 8:30 AM shuttle boat across the stunning waters of Swiftcurrent Lake. Then, with a brief hike and a boat change, across the equally or more gorgeous waters of Lake Josephine, disembarking to connect with the now shorter 7.6-mile Grinnell Glacier trail.

With a nearly 2,000-foot elevation gain, this is a challenging route. Though—hiking it was a pleasure. Making our way through cascades of meltwater and across snow patches and alpine flower fields, we were wowed by majestic mountain views at every turn.

And seeing Grinnell Glacier, our ultimate goal, felt like stepping into a scene from the Antarctic. At its shoreline, we soaked in the sight of cascading waterfalls, tumbling into still turquoise blue waters dotted with ice and snow.

If you are an outdoor lover and can make this hike happen, it might be a bucket list experience for you too.

Questions about this hike? Ask in the comments. I am happy to answer them.

Need more planning tips and hiking ideas for a Glacier NP visit? Comment “guide,” and I’ll send you a link to my Glacier planning guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #nationalpark #nationalparks #nationalpark #montana #hiking #hike #hikingadventures #hikingtrails #grinnellglacier #manyglacier #goingtonationalparks

Feb 14

50 9

Sharing all my loves—people, pets, and places—on Valentine’s Day. Hope you get to share the day with those you love❤️.

📸: Hiking in the Blodgett Cayon Overlook trail (Bitterroot National Forest, Montana)
📸: Walking down Douglas Beach Park (Douglas, Michigan)
📸: Taking a break on the Saint Mary and Virginia Falls trail (Glacier National Park, Montana)
📸: Walking around town🐕‍🦺

Happy Valentine’s Day!

#valentines #happyvalentinesday #love #loves #montana #hiking #familytime #family #doglover #michigan

Feb 13

76 22

If you love to hike AND get on the water, when visiting @glaciernps, check out the combo boat and hiking tour options offered by Glacier Park Boat Company (@glacierparkboats) on Two Medicine Lake and at Many Glacier.

Welcome back to my series on visiting this incredible national park. This is #12 of 15. Follow along to learn more.🏔️

In this clip, see highlights from our Two Medicine Lake Scenic Boat Tour with a hike to Twin Falls.

Although the tickets we bought ($19.70/each) allowed us to join for a guided group hike to Twin Falls, a 2.3-mile out-and-back walk from the west end dock where the boat stopped after crossing the lake, we chose to hike this moderate and well-marked trail to the falls, lined with wildflowers, blue skies, and jagged peaks, ourselves.

Another perk to the boat ride—besides being utterly gorgeous—it shaves six miles off what would otherwise be a much longer 8.5-mile loop hike.

To me, that is the best of all worlds.

Would you want to hike this way?

Sharing about the Many Glacier combo boat ride and hike later this week.

Need more planning tips for a Glacier NP visit? Comment “guide” and I’ll send you a link to my Glacier planning guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #nationalpark #nationalparks #montana #hiking #waterfalls #hikingadventures #hikingtrails

Feb 11

82 45

The historic Many Glacier Hotel, with its unreal views and Swiss chalet appeal, is the crown jewel of places to stay in @glaciernps.

If you want to stay here, you must plan ahead. Far ahead.

Welcome back to my series on visiting this incredible national park. This is #11 of 15. Follow along to learn more.🏔️

It and most other Glacier NP properties book out nearly 13 months in advance, making it tough to get a room anywhere in the park.

However, if you have your heart set on staying inside Glacier, you have 24+ options, including some under-the-radar ones:

🏔️Village Inn at Apgar
🏔️Apgar Village Lodge & Cabins
🏔️Lake McDonald Lodge
🏔️Motel Lake McDonald
🏔️Rising Sun Motor Inns & Cabins
🏔️Many Glacier Hotel
🏔️Swiftcurrent Motor Inn & Cabins
🏔️Private rental properties: bookable via VRBO, Airbnb, and local rental agencies
🏔️The Glacier Institute: via multi-day camps
🏔️Backcountry Chalets: spaces still available through guided chalet trips with @glacierguidesmontanaraft
🏔️13 campgrounds: 7 reservation & 6 no-reservation

Looking for more info on these options? Comment “guide,” and I will send you my guide on where to stay inside Glacier National Park. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

And PS. if you can’t book a stay inside Glacier, don’t worry. There are great options and perks to staying outside the park—comment “both guides” and I can send you my where-to-stay outside Glacier guide too!

Have you stayed at the Many Glacier Hotel? Would you want to stay here?

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #nationalpark #nationalparks #manyglacier #historichotels #montana #wheretostay

Feb 9

54 14

Meet Jen @gofamilyadventure! Every Friday, I introduce and share a Q&A with a new travel pro on @gatherandgotravel. Enjoy!

📍About Jen
Jen is a wife to John for 23 years and a mom to 3 (ages 20,18,15). She’s passionate about travel and outdoor adventures. Her days are spent planning vacations as a travel advisor and writing about destinations that are great for families with teens and young adults. She’s also a member of the Run Wild My Child creative team, a digital publication all about getting kids outside and off screens.

📝Q: What souvenirs do you look for when you travel? We collect Christmas tree ornaments from all of our travels. They are small enough to stuff in a suitcase and carry around as we travel!

📝Q: Why do you believe people should travel? I firmly believe travel is the great connector. We connect deeply with the people we are with and we connect to the people and places we travel. Travel makes us more compassionate and open people.

📝Q: What destination would you like to go next and why? My list is always growing faster than I can check things off. But right now I’m crushing on Ecuador for the diversity of outdoor adventures and beautiful people. It’s one of the few countries in South America I haven’t visited.

Follow Jen @gofamilyadventure. Or check today’s stories for more info!

Are you a traveler (e.g., creator, tour leader, planner, Airbnb owner, etc.) and want to be featured? Comment “feature” and I’ll send you info.

#travelQ&A #Q&A #interview #traveler #familytravel #familytraveler #travelwithkids #travelwithteens

Feb 8

25 7

When visiting @glaciernps and staying overnight in West Glacier without a kitchen, we chose to eat at the Belton Chalet, a restaurant attached to a historic railside hotel.

Welcome back to my series on visiting this incredible national park. This is #10 of 15. Follow along to learn more.🏔️

And, although we loved our dinner here—gourmet and inventive American West lodge fare—I got sticker shock from the prices. Which I found closer to downtown Chicago (my hometown) trendy dining vs. backcountry upscale pub fare. This surprise was on me for not researching or looking at the menu before sitting down to eat.

So, once we decided to stay and avoid that restaurant slink-out-of-your-seats shame—keeping in mind the options for dining out in West Glacier are limited—we leaned in and thoroughly enjoyed our alfresco and gourmet meal in the still bright evening sun on the restaurant’s wraparound deck (pic #2).

#1 pic is my favorite dish—the blistered shishito peppers appetizer—perfectly charred peppers paired with a paprika dipping sauce. For mains, our daughter got a ribeye, I ordered the bison meatloaf, and my husband chose the trout (pic #3). All were delicious, making for an entirely satisfying, albeit expensive, meal.

Would I do it again? To celebrate a special occasion, absolutely yes. We are avid cooks and love good food, and the experience of eating here was a pleasure.

However, for a regular dinner out while trying to keep to a family vacation budget, $175 for three people for 3 mains, 2 drinks, and 1 appetizer, plus tip, was too much.

Would you want to eat here on a @glaciernps visit?

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #montana #westglacier #restaurant #nationalpark #nationalparks #shishitopeppers

Feb 6

76 23

While in @glaciernps this summer, we couldn’t get a parking space at Logan Pass to hike the Hidden Lake trail, so we kept driving east to the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trailhead to hike this 3.1-mile out-and-back moderately challenging waterfall route.

And I’m so glad we did.

Welcome back to my series on visiting this incredible national park. This is #9 of 15. Follow along to learn more.🏔️

Although the initial landscape of this hike, hugging the St. Mary River, shows signs of the 2015 fire, it is a beautiful trail with open views and regenerating forest. Just after seeing turquoise St. Mary Falls, the path climbs to an area unaffected by the burn.

At the summit, you cross a wooden bridge to the foot of Virginia Falls. There, you soak up its towering cascade and literally the spray that comes off it.

If you love waterfalls and plan to visit Glacier National Park, include this hike on your must-do list.

Would you want to hike this trail?

Need more planning tips and hiking ideas for a Glacier NP visit? Comment “guide,” and I’ll send you a link to my Glacier planning guide. Or follow the link in my bio to see it.

#glaciernationalpark #glaciernps #nationalpark #nationalparks #montana #hiking #waterfalls #hikingadventures #hikingtrails

Load More Follow on Instagram