Travel with Doug

06/17/2026

Some destinations grab your attention. Others grab your imagination.
For Rose and me, New Zealand is one of those places.

The more we learn about it, the more it moves toward the very top of our bucket list. Snow-capped mountains, stunning coastlines, charming towns, incredible wildlife, and scenery that almost doesn’t look real.

One thing we’ve learned through our travels is that some destinations deserve more than a quick visit. They deserve to be experienced. That’s why if and when we go, it will likely be by cruise—giving us the opportunity to explore multiple regions while waking up each morning to a new view.

We’re not making any announcements yet, but New Zealand is definitely on our radar as a possible group adventure in early 2028.

For now, we’re dreaming, researching, and imagining what it would be like to stand in some of these places we’ve only seen in pictures.
How about you? Is New Zealand on your bucket list, or is there another destination you’ve always dreamed of experiencing?

— Doug & Rose�Travel with Doug

06/17/2026

One thing I’ve learned as a travel advisor is that education never stops.

I’m excited to share that I recently completed my certification with Collette, one of the world’s leading guided tour companies. But for me, training is only part of the process. I believe the best way to recommend a travel experience is to experience it myself.

That’s why Rose and I will be traveling to Scotland next month on a Collette tour. I want to see firsthand how they handle the details, the hotels, the guides, the transportation, and the overall guest experience.

Every certification I earn and every trip I take helps me better serve the people who trust me with their travel plans. Whether it’s a cruise, river cruise, guided tour, or custom itinerary, my goal is to give you recommendations based on real experience—not just brochures and websites.

The more I learn, the better I can help turn your travel dreams into unforgettable memories.

After all, if I’m going to recommend a journey to you, I want to know what it’s really like.

Doug & Rose

06/15/2026

A little different kind of post today…

As many of you know, Rose and I recently returned from Sint Maarten. We expected to enjoy the beaches and sunshine, but what surprised us was how much we enjoyed the relaxed island atmosphere. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we started looking at ways to explore more of the Southern Caribbean.

So we booked a cruise aboard Celebrity Constellation from San Juan, February 27 – March 6, 2027.

Many of our trips tend to be unique experiences that take us farther from home. This time, we’re excited about something a little different. The Southern Caribbean offers beautiful islands, perfect winter weather, and a price point that makes it accessible to more people.

A few things drew us to this itinerary:
• Five islands we’ve never visited before
• Temperatures in the 80s while Texas is still in winter mode
• An incredible value, with fares currently starting at less than $100 per person, per day

This isn’t one of our typical hosted group trips with planned activities. Rose and I are simply going because it looks like a fantastic week, and we thought it would be fun if a few friends joined us.

If you’d like more information, send me a message. We’d love to share this adventure with some familiar faces.

Travel is always better when it’s shared.

Doug & Rose

06/13/2026

Over the past several weeks, Rose and I have been working on something that has been on our hearts for quite some time.

As we’ve reflected on the past year, we’ve realized that some of the most meaningful parts of travel aren’t just the destinations we visit. They’re the stories we share, the friendships we build, and the inspiration we receive from fellow travelers.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce Travel With Doug: Our Community of Travelers — a place where travelers can connect, share experiences, encourage one another, and inspire future journeys.

This week’s edition of Doug’s Global Passport shares the story behind this new vision and what we hope this community will become.

Whether you’d like to read the story, join the community, or both, I’d love to have you be part of the journey.

Newsletter link below.

Join Our Community of Travelers Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BLcB2uo6c/?mibextid=wwXIfr

And before you go, I’d love to hear from you:

What’s the #1 destination currently on your bucket list and why?

Travel is better when it’s shared.

Doug & Rose

Travel is better when it’s shared—and we’d love for you to be part of it. [if mso]> Alternate text # # What We've Been Discovering If you've noticed that Rose and I have been a little quieter than usual lately, there's a reason. Over the past several weeks, we've been working on something that...

06/11/2026

Most people can book a trip online.

What many travelers discover, though, is that planning a great trip is about much more than finding a price.

It’s about having someone who listens to your travel dreams, helps you sort through the endless options, recommends experiences that fit your style, and is there when questions come up along the way.

That’s what I love most about being a travel advisor.

Whether you’re dreaming about a river cruise through Europe, an Alaska adventure, a relaxing beach escape, a guided tour, or the trip of a lifetime you’ve always talked about taking, my goal is simple: help you find the right trip and make the process easy and enjoyable.

Rose and I have been blessed to travel to many incredible places, and I love sharing those experiences to help others create memories of their own.

Here are 10 reasons travelers choose Travel with Doug.

Which one resonates most with you?

And if you could go anywhere in the world next, where would it be?

06/02/2026

As we enter June, Travel Advisor Appreciation Month has come to a close.

Throughout May, I received many messages from cruise lines, tour companies, hotels, and travel partners thanking me for the business I have entrusted to them over the past year. While I certainly appreciate those kind words, my thoughts have been focused elsewhere.

Instead of celebrating travel advisors, I want to celebrate and thank the people who made this first year possible — my clients.

When I launched Travel with Doug a year ago, I wasn’t sure exactly what that first year would look like. Thanks to your trust, encouragement, referrals, and support, I have been blessed to help more than 100 travelers create memories around the world and have exceeded every goal I set for my first year in business.

But what means the most to me isn’t any milestone or achievement. It’s the trust behind it.

Every booking represents a story. A family creating memories together. A couple celebrating an anniversary. Friends exploring a new destination. A long-awaited bucket-list adventure finally becoming reality.

Coming from a background in ministry, serving people has always been at the heart of what I do. Travel has simply become a new way for me to serve others and help create meaningful experiences.

So as Travel Advisor Appreciation Month comes to a close, I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for your referrals.
Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your adventures.

Rose and I are incredibly grateful for each of you, and we look forward to helping create many more memories in the years ahead.

05/30/2026

My latest edition of Doug’s Global Passport just dropped!

This week I’m sharing what Rose and I learned during our recent trip to Sint Maarten and why sometimes the best vacation isn’t about seeing more—it’s about slowing down, recharging, and enjoying the moment.

If you’re already subscribed, check your inbox. If not, you can read it here and sign up for future editions:

I’d love to hear—what’s your favorite beach destination?

[if mso]> # Why A Beach Vacation Might be Exactly What You Need # If you've followed Rose and me for very long, you know that we usually travel at a pretty fast pace. We're often exploring multiple cities, taking guided tours, visiting historical sites, or packing as many experiences as possible int...

05/29/2026

Before my first river cruise, I thought it would simply be an easier way to travel. What I discovered was one of the most relaxing and enriching travel experiences I’ve ever had.

Imagine unpacking once, waking up in a new destination each day, exploring historic towns and villages, and spending the evenings watching castles, vineyards, and beautiful scenery drift by from the comfort of your ship.

After experiencing the Danube River firsthand, I completely understand why so many travelers fall in love with river cruising. It has become one of my favorite ways to explore the world.

In fact, Rose and I enjoyed it so much that we already have two more river cruises planned next year—one on the Rhine River and another on Portugal’s beautiful Douro River.

Have you ever considered taking a river cruise?

This version subtly creates excitement and credibility because you’re sharing what you’re personally doing rather than promoting a trip.

05/27/2026

As a travel advisor, Rose and I are always dreaming about and planning future adventures. It’s part of what we love — discovering new places, experiencing different cultures, and helping others do the same.

This year alone has already taken us from the Philippines… to a beautiful Danube River cruise through Europe… to the Canyon Spirit luxury train through the American Southwest… to the turquoise waters of Sint Maarten.

And we still have more adventures ahead:
• Scotland and the Highlands
• A Mediterranean cruise
• Italy including Rome, Venice, and Florence/Tuscany
• A special trip to Los Angeles celebrating Rose’s aunt’s 90th birthday
• And hopefully a Biblical journey through Turkey that I’m currently putting together

But travel doesn’t have to mean a huge international journey every time.

One thing I truly believe is that everyone should have at least one trip they’re looking forward to — something on the calendar that gives you excitement, anticipation, and memories waiting to be made.

Maybe it’s Europe. Maybe it’s Alaska. Maybe it’s a Caribbean beach, a scenic train ride, or simply exploring somewhere you’ve always wanted to experience.

The world is full of incredible places and stories waiting to be stamped into your passport.

So now I’m curious… where would you love to go next?

05/25/2026

Travel days don’t always go as planned.

Coming home from Sint Maarten yesterday, we ran into flight issues and ended up spending the night in Charlotte instead of making it home as expected. But honestly, that’s part of travel sometimes — little hiccups, unexpected detours, and stories you didn’t plan on having.

Even with the delays, travel is still always an adventure worth experiencing. The memories, experiences, and people you meet along the way always outweigh the inconveniences.

After finally getting home this morning, Rose and I headed headed to a fundraiser this afternoon supporting a school in the Philippines. It was such a special time filled with great food, fellowship, music, laughter, and the opportunity to build new relationships with wonderful people.

Days like today remind me how blessed life really is.

Life is great for Doug & Rose.