Explorer X

05/20/2026

Hi, Everyone :)

As many of you know, the Faroe Islands have held a special place in my heart for a long time. I’ve had the opportunity to visit three times, and each journey has only deepened my appreciation for this remarkable place. The landscapes are unlike anywhere else — wild, dramatic, and constantly shifting — and the people are just as memorable: Warm, grounded, and deeply connected to their home.

It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and a destination I’ve long felt many of you would truly love when the time is right.

Another passion of mine has always been reading, and over the years, one author I’ve admired deeply is Kent Nerburn. His writing has a way of inviting reflection and perspective in a way that has always resonated with me.

Over the past year, we began to explore the idea of creating something special together.

That idea has now taken shape in the form of this one-of-a-kind journey to the Faroe Islands, led and hosted by Kent. It promises to be a deeply immersive experience that brings together stunning landscapes, meaningful encounters with local people, and space to slow down, reflect, and engage more fully with the place and with one another. Along the way, we’ll spend time with a range of locals, from farmers and fishermen to artists and community leaders, each offering their own perspective on life in the Faroes. These moments, combined with thoughtfully designed, privately guided experiences and time to simply pause and take it all in, are what will make this journey feel both personal and profound.

Visit our website for more information about this Journey.

Whether the Faroe Islands have long been on your radar or are just beginning to spark your curiosity, I truly hope you’ll consider joining Kent on this journey. If the timing doesn't work for you, I invite you to think about exploring the destination in your own way with us in the future. The Faroes are a destination that stays with you, and I have no doubt it will be one of the most meaningful and memorable travel experiences you’ll ever have.

Warmly – Michael

explorer-x.com/faroes2026

05/06/2026

Hi, Everyone :)

As many of you know, the Faroe Islands have held a special place in my heart for a long time. I’ve had the opportunity to visit three times, and each journey has only deepened my appreciation for this remarkable place. The landscapes are unlike anywhere else — wild, dramatic, and constantly shifting — and the people are just as memorable: Warm, grounded, and deeply connected to their home.

It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and a destination I’ve long felt many of you would truly love when the time is right.

Another passion of mine has always been reading, and over the years, one author I’ve admired deeply is Kent Nerburn. His writing has a way of inviting reflection and perspective in a way that has always resonated with me.

Over the past year, we began to explore the idea of creating something special together.

That idea has now taken shape in the form of this one-of-a-kind journey to the Faroe Islands, led and hosted by Kent. It promises to be a deeply immersive experience that brings together stunning landscapes, meaningful encounters with local people, and space to slow down, reflect, and engage more fully with the place and with one another. Along the way, we’ll spend time with a range of locals, from farmers and fishermen to artists and community leaders, each offering their own perspective on life in the Faroes. These moments, combined with thoughtfully designed, privately guided experiences and time to simply pause and take it all in, are what will make this journey feel both personal and profound.

Visit our website for details about our upcoming information session.

Whether the Faroe Islands have long been on your radar or are just beginning to spark your curiosity, I truly hope you’ll consider joining Kent on this journey. If the timing doesn't work for you, I invite you to think about exploring the destination in your own way with us in the future. The Faroes are a destination that stays with you, and I have no doubt it will be one of the most meaningful and memorable travel experiences you’ll ever have.

Warmly – Michael

explorer-x.com/faroes2026

05/06/2026

Hi, Everyone :)

As many of you know, the Faroe Islands have held a special place in my heart for a long time. I’ve had the opportunity to visit three times, and each journey has only deepened my appreciation for this remarkable place. The landscapes are unlike anywhere else — wild, dramatic, and constantly shifting — and the people are just as memorable: Warm, grounded, and deeply connected to their home. It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and a destination I’ve long felt many of you would truly love when the time is right.

Another passion of mine has always been reading, and over the years, one author I’ve admired deeply is Kent Nerburn. His writing has a way of inviting reflection and perspective in a way that has always resonated with me.

Over the past year, we began to explore the idea of creating something special together.

That idea has now taken shape in the form of this one-of-a-kind journey to the Faroe Islands, led and hosted by Kent. It promises to be a deeply immersive experience that brings together stunning landscapes, meaningful encounters with local people, and space to slow down, reflect, and engage more fully with the place and with one another. Along the way, we’ll spend time with a range of locals, from farmers and fishermen to artists and community leaders, each offering their own perspective on life in the Faroes. These moments, combined with thoughtfully designed, privately guided experiences and time to simply pause and take it all in, are what will make this journey feel both personal and profound.

Visit our for details about our upcoming information session.

Whether the Faroe Islands have long been on your radar or are just beginning to spark your curiosity, I truly hope you’ll consider joining Kent on this journey. If the timing doesn't work for you, I invite you to think about exploring the destination in your own way with us in the future. The Faroes are a destination that stays with you, and I have no doubt it will be one of the most meaningful and memorable travel experiences you’ll ever have.

Warmly – Michael

The Faroe Islands are a place where nature feels both powerful and intimate. Steep green cliffs rise from the sea, waterfalls tumble into the ocean, and weather shifts by the hour. Scattered across a remote stretch of the North Atlantic, the 18 islands offer a sense of quiet and simplicity that’s ...

04/16/2026

Starting Soon: Join us for a deep dive into the Hero Travel Fund!

This info session will cover key criteria for applicants, instructions on how to apply, details and inclusions, and stories from the 2025 Hero Travel Fund winners.

Join Here: explorer-x.com/htf-info

04/14/2026

The Hero Travel Fund (HTF) is a celebration of humanity and a reminder that those who give so much deserve the chance to receive something extraordinary in return.

Each year, we select an individual who is making a meaningful difference in their community and gift them with a customized travel experience designed for renewal, connection, and reflection.

Because when we take care of the people who take care of the world, everyone benefits.

The application window for the 2026 Hero Travel Fund award is open until August 31, 2026.

If you want to learn more, we invite you to join us at our upcoming online informational session on Thursday, April 16 at 5pm PT!

Register on Eventbrite here: explorer-x.com/hero

03/26/2026

We are proud to announce that applications for the 2026 Hero Travel Fund are now officially being accepted!

At Explorer X, we believe in the quiet power of everyday heroes — the teachers who ignite curiosity, the caregivers who pour compassion into the world, the community leaders who show up again and again. These individuals change lives not through grand gestures but through consistent acts of courage, kindness, and service. Their impact is profound. Their stories matter. And too often, their own needs fall to the background. The Hero Travel Fund (HTF) is our way of honoring them.

Each year, we select one individual who is making a meaningful difference in their community and gift them with a fully customized travel experience designed for renewal, connection, and reflection. By supporting heroes in this way, we hope to create a ripple effect: Inspired individuals returning home with fresh energy, new perspectives, and the continued ability to uplift others.

At its heart, the Hero Travel Fund is a celebration of humanity and a reminder that those who give so much deserve the chance to receive something extraordinary in return. Because when we take care of the people who take care of the world, everyone benefits.

“The Hero Travel Fund is a core expression of our mission. It reflects our belief that travel, at its best, creates space for connection, reflection, and transformation. This program allows us to extend that experience to individuals who have spent their lives showing up for others, offering them a journey that is well-deserved and deeply meaningful,” said Michael Bennett, Ed.D., co-founder of Explorer X.

Applications for the 2026 HTF will be accepted between March 26 and August 31, 2026.

To learn more, apply, and/or sponsor the fund, visit explorer-x.com/hero.

09/09/2025

As the summer travel season comes to a close, many of you might be thinking about your next great adventure. Hopefully, you caught our recent post on the power of slow travel. Now, we're excited to highlight 8 destinations perfect for an intentional, mindful journey in early Spring. Your personalized itinerary — thoughtfully crafted by your travel designer — is certain to lean into a refreshing yet energizing pace. When you pause long enough to rediscover your own curiosity, you'll have the opportunity to forge genuine connections with locals and your travel companions. The moments you have and the people you meet along the way will leave you with lifelong memories and stories to share.

Continue Reading: explorer-x.com/journal

03/28/2025

The Explorer X team is proud to announce the winners of the first-ever Hero Travel Fund!

Keishanna R. is our 1st place winner and recipient of a $10,000 travel credit! Keishanna is a Brooklyn native who is on a mission to sprinkle kindness across the globe. She is working with the Explorer X team to plan a Destination: Unknown for her travel experience of a lifetime.

Katie L. is our 2nd place winner and recipient of a $5,000 travel credit! She is a teacher at a public high school in the Lower East Side of New York City. She and her fiancé are planning their honeymoon to Slovenia with their Hero Travel Fund award.

We have been inspired to hear so many stories of transformation, hope, and unwavering dedication to making our world a better place. We are thrilled to honor not one but two remarkable individuals for their positive impact and passion for travel, connection, and growth. These two stood out above the crowd as exemplars of what it means to be heroes in their communities!

Congratulations, Keishanna and !

Humbly & Heroically – The Explorer X Team

Learn more about the Hero Travel Fund: https://www.explorer-x.com/hero

Special thanks to our Hero Travel Fund Partners:

Heroic:
Wanderwell: .wanderwell
Soul of Travel Podcast:

03/28/2025

The Explorer X team is proud to announce the winners of the first-ever Hero Travel Fund!

Keishanna R. is our 1st place winner and recipient of a $10,000 travel credit! Keishanna is a Brooklyn native who is on a mission to sprinkle kindness across the globe. She is working with the Explorer X team to plan a Destination: Unknown for her travel experience of a lifetime.

Katie L. is our 2nd place winner and recipient of a $5,000 travel credit! She is a teacher at a public high school in the Lower East Side of New York City. She and her fiancé are planning their honeymoon to Slovenia with their Hero Travel Fund award.

We have been inspired to hear so many stories of transformation, hope, and unwavering dedication to making our world a better place. We are thrilled to honor not one but two remarkable individuals for their positive impact and passion for travel, connection, and growth. These two stood out above the crowd as exemplars of what it means to be heroes in their communities!

Congratulations, Keishanna and !

Humbly & Heroically – The Explorer X Team

Learn more about the Hero Travel Fund: https://www.explorer-x.com/hero

Special thanks to our Hero Travel Fund Partners:

Heroic:
Wanderwell: .wanderwell
Soul of Travel Podcast: