Explorer X

08/27/2026

Every so often, we stumble into a travel moment so complete — the light, the company, the timing, the ache in your legs from getting there — that changing a single detail would ruin it.

That's what we're asking about this month: Not your best trip, but the one memory you'd choose to live again, frame for frame, exactly as it happened.

No edits.

No "next time."

Just gratitude for a moment that was already whole. Tell us yours below.
Talk to a Travel Designer: explorer-x.com/connect

08/20/2026

Kent Nerburn's words point to something we come back to often: Wisdom isn't found in one place, and it isn't rushed.

Travel pulls us out of the familiar and into contact with lives, landscapes, and questions we'd never encounter standing still.

Service asks us to set ourselves aside and be useful to something larger.

And silence — the hardest of the three for most of us — asks for nothing at all, just space to actually hear what we already know.

They’re 3 different roads with the same destination: A little more clarity about who we are and how we want to live.

Which one are you chasing right now?

🌏 Begin the Journey: explorer-x.com

08/13/2026

For many travelers, getting away for the holidays is the highlight of their year; a rare stretch when the kids are out of school, and there’s time to slow down, reconnect with family, and see a new corner of the world.

For those of us in North America, where winter days turn cold and dark early, that often means looking for the glow of a holiday market or trading gray skies for a sun-soaked village to wander instead.

It’s no surprise, then, that festive season is one of the busiest travel windows of the year.

And the properties and experiences that make a trip special fill up well before most people start looking.

If a trip abroad is on your mind, reaching out now gives you the best shot at the trip you’re actually envisioning.

If you do decide to spend time abroad this December–January, the question then becomes: Where to go?

Our recent blog post rounds up the destinations calling to us this season, from fireplaces and mulled w**e to warm, sunny escapes where the point is simply leaving winter behind. The commonality across all of them: extraordinary food, real culture, and a sense of place worth traveling for.

➡️ Talk to a Travel Designer: explorer-x.com/comnect

08/10/2026

Have you dedicated your life to making a positive impact in your community and in the world and would love to travel, but don’t have the financial resources to do that right now?

Be sure to check out our Hero Travel Fund: Explorer-x.com/hero.

Application deadline is August 31.

08/06/2026

There's still time to apply for the 2026 Hero Travel Fund (HTF)! Applications are being accepted until August 31, 2026.

As a reminder (or for those of you who may not be familiar with the Hero Travel Fund), each year, we select one individual who is making a meaningful difference in their community and gift them with a personalized travel experience valued at up to $10,000!

While every Hero Travel Fund (HTF) applicant has a unique story to tell, they share many of the same characteristics. The HTF was created for you (or someone you know) if you have:

— A demonstrated history of making a positive impact in your community
— A strong desire to travel and use those travel experiences for growth and renewal
— A need for financial support to bring your travel dreams to life
— Proficient written and verbal communication skills

The HTF is intended for people who have ‘given their life to something bigger than oneself,’ and who are making the world a better place every day.

At its heart, the HTF 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.

Key Dates:
August 31: Application Deadline
Week of October 1: Semi-Finalists Announced
Week of October 31: Semi-Finalist Essays Due
Week of November 20: Finalists Announced
Week of December 14: Winner Announced

Interested in applying? Visit explorer-x.com/hero to learn more. The application deadline is August 31, 2026.

Do you know a Hero? Please forward to any family, friends, or colleagues who might be interested in applying for the Hero Travel Fund award!

➡️ Learn more or begin your application: explorer-x.com/hero.

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