Take Time for the Trip

06/03/2026

Congratulations to Mackinac Island on being named USA Today's Best Summer Travel Destination for the fourth consecutive year! 🏆

It's easy to see why so many travelers continue to fall in love with this special place. From waterfront views and horse-drawn carriages to historic charm and unforgettable experiences, Mackinac Island remains one of Michigan's most beloved destinations.

A well-deserved recognition for an incredible destination. 💙

Have you visited Mackinac Island?

Mackinac Island has been named the No. 1 Best Summer Travel Destination in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest.

06/02/2026

One of my favorite memories from Paris wasn’t a landmark, although they were incredible.

It wasn’t a museum.

It wasn’t even on my itinerary.

It was the view from our hotel room window.

Every morning, I would stand there with a cup of coffee in hand, looking out over Paris and watching the city come to life.

It was sitting at a small café along the Champs-Élysées, enjoying a glass of Bordeaux, sharing appetizers, and talking with locals about their city and our travels.

Travel has taught me that some of the best experiences don’t happen while you’re checking items off a list.

They happen when you slow down long enough to notice what’s already around you.

Have you ever had a travel moment that surprised you by becoming your favorite memory? 💙

I recently shared more about this unforgettable trip to Paris on the blog.🇫🇷

Read the full story here ⬇️

https://www.taketimeforthetrip.com/post/paris-travel-guide-how-to-see-the-highlights-without-missing-the-magic

05/25/2026

Memorial Day always feels like the unofficial beginning of summer ☀️— longer evenings, small town festivals, lake days, road trips, and time spent with the people we love.

But it’s also a time to pause in gratitude and remember those who served and sacrificed.❤️

Wishing you a peaceful holiday filled with rest, reflection, and meaningful moments wherever you may be.

05/25/2026

There’s something magical about Europe in the summer. Everyone is out, people gather in the streets late into the evening, the food is incredible, and there’s something so special about feeling part of the culture and everyday life around you.

I love slower mornings sipping a cappuccino at a local café, terrace dinners with a glass of local wine overlooking the water, and quiet outdoor cafés where locals sit and talk for hours. I could wander small towns without a strict plan for days.

There’s something special about slowing down long enough to truly enjoy where you are.

Some of my favorite travel memories have come from the moments in between the sightseeing — the unexpected conversations, hidden streets, and evenings that lasted just a little longer than planned. ✨

This season has me dreaming of slower, more intentional travel again.

If you could spend summer anywhere in Europe, where would you go?

05/24/2026

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been working behind the scenes on something new for Take Time for the Trip — and today it officially launched, along with a new look for the website. ✨

I created the Plan with Purpose Method to help people approach travel planning in a way that feels simpler, less stressful, and less overwhelming.

So much of travel today feels rushed:
trying to see everything,
plan everything,
optimize every minute.

But the trips I remember most were never just about the itinerary.

They were about the slower mornings, long dinners, meaningful conversations, unexpected moments, and the experiences that stayed with me long after I returned home.

This new page is designed to help travelers plan trips with more clarity, less overwhelm, and more intention — without losing the joy of the experience itself.

If you’ve ever wanted a simpler, more meaningful way to approach travel planning, I’d love for you to explore it. 💛

https://www.taketimeforthetrip.com/about-1

05/14/2026

Can you just imagine sitting at a café in beautiful Paris, staring at the Eiffel Tower, sipping a glass of wine, and journaling about the amazing day you just had?

It’s moments like these that balance the busyness of travel.

The warm cappuccino.
The quiet cafés.
The conversations with locals.
The slower mornings.
The feeling of sitting still long enough to truly take it all in.

That’s one of the things I love most about visiting a new city, and Paris was no exception. ✨

Not just the landmarks or the beauty of the city, but the way it invites you to linger a little longer and enjoy the moments in between.

Have you ever visited a place that completely slowed you down in the best way?

05/13/2026

For a long time, I thought the best trips were the ones where you packed in as much as possible.

The more restaurants, activities, and sightseeing we could fit into a trip, the more successful the trip felt.

But somewhere along the way, I realized the trips I remembered most were usually the ones with space to slow down.

The unhurried dinner.
The quiet morning walk.
The extra hour at a corner café getting to know the staff.
The moments you never planned for.

That shift completely changed the way I travel — and eventually inspired the way I plan trips now.

This free Travel Planning Checklist is designed to help you:
✈️ plan more intentionally
✈️ stay organized without overplanning
✈️ leave room for spontaneity
✈️ make more space for the moments that matter

Because I have found that there is a difference between checking off every item on your itinerary and being present enough to truly experience it.

Download the free checklist through the link in bio.

05/11/2026

Some of my favorite memories started with a walk.

Walking onto a plane knowing an adventure is about to begin.
Walking onto a cruise ship dreaming of beautiful ocean sunsets.
Walking a little faster trying to get closer to the magic.
Walking through places that make you slow down.
Walking through history, dream destinations, and even places closer to home.

Travel has given me so many unforgettable moments over the years, but one thing I’ve realized is that the places are only part of the story.

The people you share them with matter just as much. ❤️

And honestly, no matter where we go, my favorite part has always been who I get to walk beside.

What’s one travel moment you’ll never forget?

01/15/2025

Had the best weekend experiencing some of Grand Rapids hidden gems, World of Winter Festival, and local cuisine. Also made a stop in Grand Haven! Love Michigan’s west coast❄️💙