ROAD

About Plenty Road

This site was built to provide advice and share experiences from travels around the globe. It is direct and to the point travel recommendations (we'd all like blogs to get to the point and avoid long stories of nonsense- see food blogs). It reflects who I am and how I approach travel, but focuses on a few key themes:

​

Compact Itineraries: I hold a belief that most cities can be experienced in a few days (or less depending on the size). To really know a city takes significant time, but you can get a sense of things and hit the main sites pretty quickly if you are efficient. 

​

Affordable Luxury: To really enjoy certain experiences, sometimes you need to ensure quality. You don't stay at a hostel for a honeymoon. But there is no need to waste money. There are ways to get the right hotel or tour to get a better experience for the same cost as a lesser option.

​

Helpful Insights: I've get a lot of joy in finding little hidden gems- whether a trick for free access, how to manage the day to avoid crowds or waiting, or finding a prime photography spot. When I've found one of these, I share it.

​

The first time I lived in another country (outside the USA) was when I moved to Australia in my early 20s.  I had an apartment in Melbourne, which was on a street named Plenty Road.  That road led me to take many other paths on a lifelong journey experiencing the rest of the world. 

 

About Me

I've been fortunate to experience all seven continents, 49 of the 50 states in America and as many iconic sites as possible (I define experiencing a place as staying overnight, having a meal, or participating in a major attraction or event).  That said, I'm not caught up with counting the number of countries and checking a box.  I appreciate the experience and understanding the inner voice that led me to that location and how it changed me.

 

I'm in my mid 40s, though most of my experiences span the last 25 years and I traveled slightly different over that time.  Many of my biggest adventures have come traveling the globe alone, but have also collected some of my favorite memories with others.  At this point in life, I have no interest in suffering by going cheap and missing out. I also don't have unlimited funds and don't like wasting money.  If it is an iconic place I'll likely experience once, I want to do it right while getting a good value (utilizing certain secrets).  In a place that I'm passing through or more about the activities and not stay, I'll be more sensible and instead stay at budget-friendly hotels.  I prioritize my time in experiencing as many sites, museums, or cultural interactions as possible.  Food is more fuel and I don't schedule limited vacation days around where to eat.  I'm fairly active and love walking a city as a means of soaking up the details.  I love finding little secrets and tips to improve my experience, as well as save time and money.  I've developed a passion for photography in these adventures, but am very much a hobbyist and still learning.  That is why this site is dedicated to sharing my experiences and providing guidance with an angle of affordable luxury, hidden insights and efficient sightseeing.

 

Take my advice for what it is worth- it's just my journey and how that experience related to me.  One of my frustrations with travel recommendation sites is that you don't have context to the person that left a rating or comment.  It is hard to know if they travel like you or share your approach.  When I was in my early 20s, I likely did not travel like someone in retirement age.  Hopefully this page gives some context to how I approach things and what I find valuable, but please feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

 

​

​