Wayfinding Journeys

Wayfinding Journeys Thoughtful travel planning for busy families, couples & multi-gen trips. I handle the research, bookings & logistics so you just show up and enjoy it.

Personalized itineraries, insider perks, stress-free support. Message me to start planning!

06/19/2026

Today our oldest turns 14.

In the fall, he starts high school, and lately I've found myself thinking less about years and more about summers.

We've been fortunate to travel with our boys all over the world. But when I look back, I don't remember hotel rooms or flight numbers.

I remember Kai building elaborate LEGO creations to keep himself busy in airports.

I remember conversations on long train rides.

I remember watching him gain confidence every time he figured out a new city, a new language, or a new challenge.

The older my kids get, the more I realize that travel isn't really about seeing places.

It's about creating space for shared experiences before life gets busier, schedules get fuller, and family time becomes harder to coordinate.

The destinations matter.

But the memories matter more.

If you're putting off the trip because you're waiting for the perfect time, consider this your reminder: there probably isn't one.

Count the summers.

Then make one count. ❤️

06/16/2026

Those of you who know me know that our son Colby has been obsessed with turtles for as long as he’s known what they are. Turtles have been a recurring theme in our family travels ever since.

A few years ago, we were staying at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in Thailand when they partnered with a local conservation organization to release rescued sea turtles back into the ocean. We had the chance to "adopt" one of the turtles, name it (of course we called it Shield 🛡️🐢), and watch it make its way into the Andaman Sea.

It remains one of those travel memories that has stayed with us long after we unpacked our suitcases.

One of the things I love most about travel is finding opportunities to connect with wildlife and support conservation efforts at the same time. If sea turtles have a special place in your heart too, here are five destinations worth adding to your list:

🌊 Costa Rica – Watch sea turtles nest along both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

🌊 Mexico – Snorkel alongside sea turtles near Akumal and explore conservation programs in the Riviera Maya.

🌊 Australia – Visit the Great Barrier Reef and see turtles feeding, nesting, and swimming in their natural habitat.

🌊 Greece – Spot loggerhead turtles around Zakynthos and learn about efforts to protect their nesting beaches.

🌊 The Maldives – Stay at resorts that actively support turtle conservation and rehabilitation programs.

And yes, the last photo is Colby as an inflatable turtle for Halloween. Some things never change. 😂

If we haven't met yet — hi, I'm Elyssa. 👋I'm a travel advisor based in Reston, VA, and I help people plan trips they can...
06/16/2026

If we haven't met yet — hi, I'm Elyssa. 👋

I'm a travel advisor based in Reston, VA, and I help people plan trips they can actually look forward to instead of stressing over.

After years of living overseas, traveling to more than 40 countries, and navigating everything from family vacations to multi-generational adventures, I've learned that great travel isn't about doing more—it's about having the right plan.

These days, I help busy families, couples celebrating something special, and groups trying to keep everyone happy (yes, it's possible).

What I do: I take the "where do I even start?" overwhelm off your plate. I handle the research, bookings, insider recommendations, and logistics so you can focus on the fun part.

Travel should feel exciting long before you leave home.

I'm so glad you're here. Drop a 🌍 in the comments and tell me: where are you dreaming of going next?

06/14/2026

One of the reasons I love travel is that it helps us understand the world a little better.

Some journeys aren't just about seeing extraordinary places—they're about learning from them.

Through PONANT SCIENCE, researchers join select voyages to study our oceans, polar regions, and some of the most remote environments on Earth. Guests have the rare opportunity to travel alongside scientists who are actively expanding what we know about these fragile ecosystems.
And aboard Le Commandant Charcot—the world's only luxury icebreaker—travelers can access regions that were once considered nearly unreachable.

It's a reminder that exploration isn't just about where we go. It's about what we learn when we get there.

For travelers who are curious about our planet and want their journey to be about more than checking destinations off a list, this is one of the most fascinating expedition experiences available today.

Would you cruise to the Arctic or Antarctica with scientists onboard? ❄️🌎



https://inspires.to/experiences/the-incomparable-le-commandant-charcot-2k8z8l

06/13/2026

The Galápagos Islands are one of those places that almost don't seem real.

Sea lions nap on benches, giant tortoises wander the landscape, blue-footed bo***es perform their ridiculous courtship dances, and snorkeling can put you face-to-face with sea turtles, penguins, and marine iguanas.

Our younger son has been obsessed with turtles for years, so a trip to the Galápagos has firmly earned a spot on our family's travel bucket list. 🐢

If it's on yours too, this is a great time to start planning.
✨ Book an HX Expeditions Galápagos journey through me this month and receive double onboard credit.
✨ Traveling with friends, family, or a special-interest group? Groups can save up to 15%, and when you book 10 guests, the tour leader earns a complimentary berth.

This is one of the most extraordinary wildlife destinations on Earth—and one of the few places where the animals are often just as curious about you as you are about them.

Send me a message if you'd like to explore Galápagos options. I'd love to help you plan an adventure you'll never forget.

One of the biggest things travel has taught me is that experience doesn't automatically eliminate anxiety.My oldest son ...
06/12/2026

One of the biggest things travel has taught me is that experience doesn't automatically eliminate anxiety.

My oldest son has traveled extensively. He's visited countries all over the world. And yet, one of the fastest ways to make a trip unpleasant for him is still uncertainty.

Not knowing where we're eating. Not knowing how long we'll be waiting. Not knowing what comes next.

Over the years, I've realized that the answer isn't to tell him to relax. The answer is to reduce the things that trigger the anxiety in the first place.

So we make reservations ahead of time. We book timed-entry tickets whenever possible. We build downtime into our itineraries. We avoid long lines and "we'll figure it out when we get there" plans.

What looks like over-planning to some people often creates the freedom for everyone to actually enjoy the trip.

Honestly, I think this applies to adults, too. Many of us enjoy travel a lot more when we know someone has already thought through the details.

Do you have an anxious traveler in your family? What helps them feel more comfortable when you're on the road?

And if you'd like more ideas, my free guide, The Calm Traveler's Toolkit, is available when you subscribe to The Guidepost newsletter. It includes practical strategies for reducing travel stress and creating smoother trips for everyone.

Link in comments.

06/11/2026

This time without the background music!! Sorry about that... still learning how this all works! 😁🤓🤷‍♀️

What trip are you celebrating next?A honeymoon? A milestone birthday? An anniversary? A family reunion years in the maki...
06/10/2026

What trip are you celebrating next?

A honeymoon? A milestone birthday? An anniversary? A family reunion years in the making?

This week's Guidepost is all about celebration travel—the journeys that bring people together and mark life's biggest moments. I'm also sharing why Costa Rica is one of my favorite destinations for everything from babymoons to multi-generational adventures.

Plus: tips for planning group trips without losing your sanity. 😄

The Guidepost lands in inboxes tomorrow. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/4fiOsVL

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