The Blue Backpack

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

One of the greatest joys of what I do is welcoming familiar faces back for new adventures.

Judy has traveled with me before and this December, we’re heading to Switzerland together. There’s nothing more meaningful than sharing these experiences again and creating new memories along the way.

29/05/2026

When I travel, I always look for murals. Some are monumental, covering entire buildings. Others are small and easy to miss. Together, they create a visual conversation about identity, culture, creativity, social history, resilience, and they express the voice of a community.
Street art has a long history. While public murals date back thousands of years, the modern mural movement was transformed by Mexican artist Diego Rivera in the 1920s. The works of artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat or Banksy often touch on war, consumerism, inequality, government power, migration, and human rights. Many are just fun, creative and colorful while others are a form of memorial.

28/05/2026

Mark your calendars. ✨
Switzerland → September 15–26, 2027
Northern Italy → October 6–17, 2027
Spots are limited to 6 women. See what we're planning at www.bluebackpacktravel.com

Join 6 to 8 like-minded women for intimate cultural journeys led by a Switzerland native who speaks French and German. Authentic experiences, comfortable pace, expert local guidance.

27/05/2026

Travel Tip: 😀✈️🚆
Bought these sandals two days before leaving for Japan — and they ended up being one of the best minimalist packing decisions of the trip.

Lightweight, simple, and easy to slip on after a long day in walking shoes. I wouldn’t wear them for hikes or hours of urban exploring, but they were perfect for quieter moments: walking around the neighborhood, heading to the onsen, relaxing at the hotel, or giving my feet a break after miles on the train stations and city streets.

Sometimes the best travel items are the simplest ones.

26/05/2026

The next small-group journey: Northern Italy, October 6–17, 2027.
Turin. Como. Milan.
Twelve days that follow a single thread through the north — from the chocolate houses and arcaded streets of Turin, to the amber shores of Lake Como in full autumn color, to the ateliers and piazzas of Milan. Each city has its own gift. You'll taste, discover, and connect with the people who make this part of Italy what it is.
This is a Blue Backpack Small-Group Journey for Women — six travelers, single occupancy, unhurried by design.
Past Blue BackPack travelers will have the first opportunity to reserve their spot. We'll open to everyone else shortly after.
📩 [email protected]
🌐 bluebackpacktravel.com

22/05/2026

Switzerland Hiking & Wine 2027 🇨🇭🍷

I’m putting the final touches on a very special small-group journey through Switzerland for September 2027.

Think dramatic alpine hikes, vineyard terraces above deep blue lakes, mountain inns, quiet train rides, local wines you rarely find outside Switzerland, and the kind of slow travel that lets you truly experience a place instead of just checking it off a list.

From the cliffs of Creux du Van to the trails above Lugano, this itinerary blends breathtaking landscapes with culture, connection, and comfort — all designed for women who love meaningful travel and the outdoors.

Past travelers will receive early access to the itinerary and booking details two weeks before the tour is released publicly on the website.

Small group. Single occupancy rooms. Switzerland at its most beautiful.

19/05/2026

I’ve been home for one day. Unpacked, laundry, grocery shopping, paperwork and Netflix at 2am! And realizing how much tea I bought in Japan…. On Thursday a 90 minute massage including lymphatic drainage to help me recover from travel fatigue et jet lag. But I can’t wait to be on the road again!

17/05/2026

Flying home today. Fabulous 5 weeks in Japan!