About Us
Hi, we are Ema and Chris. We have a great passion for travel that we like sharing with other people.
Keeping the site small (under 200 pages) has allowed us to keep it up to date with our latest discoveries and photos while we travel. We hope that reading this inspires you to travel to our favorite hidden gems.
Why trust us? We've spent decades perfecting our travel guide format helping you avoid mistakes, and making sure you don't miss any of the highlights on your own trip.
Awards and Press:
Our awards and media mentions:
The Team:
Ema Kisel - Editor, & Trip Developer
Ema is a travel editor and trip creator. Ema's passion is creating inspirational, approachable guides that all types of travelers can enjoy.
Chris Walsh - Professional Photographer and Website Designer
Chris Walsh is an award-winning full time professional travel photographer, videographer, and web designer. Driven by his passion for storytelling, Chris loves finding new ways to make Vacation Idea guides more visually appealing and interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to be an experienced traveler to go on these trips?
You don't need to be an experienced traveler to enjoy the trips and ideas on this site. Our goal is to make travel accessible and inspiring for everyone, regardless of their experience level. We feature a wide range of options, from simple day trips and local adventures to longer vacations, so you can find an idea that fits your comfort level and lifestyle. The most important thing is a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore.
There are so many ideas on your site! Where do I start?
That's a great question! It's true that there are a lot of ideas to explore. The best place to start is by thinking about what you're looking for right now. Here are a few ways to begin:
- By Trip Type: Are you interested in a quick day trip, a weekend escape, or a longer vacation? You can browse our guides based on the length of your trip.
- By Interest: Are you hoping for a romantic getaway, or a fun family trip? We have sections dedicated to specific interests like beaches, destination guides, and seasonal activities.
- By Location: Do you have a specific state or region in mind? You can start by searching for ideas close to home to discover hidden gems in your own backyard.
- By Occasion: Are you planning a honeymoon, birthday or an anniversary trip?
No matter where you begin, the goal is simply to get inspired. Pick a place or a theme that sounds interesting to you, and start exploring from there!
Are you on social media?
You betcha! Follow along on Facebook (370,000 followers) , X (15,000 followers) , or Pinterest (30,000 followers).
Where do you travel most?
We've been chasing stories down backroads and city streets for years, so the answer to this question is always changing! We currently call Austin, Texas, home, so we spend a lot of time exploring the great state of Texas.
That said, we’ve been fortunate to live in many incredible places. We’ve called Manhattan, Hawaii, and various cities across the USA home for years or months at a time. When our son was two, we put all our belongings in storage and went around the world with just six (large and heavy!) bags for five whole years! We based ourselves in places one, two or sometimes three months at a time. We were able to do this thanks to many incredible Airbnb, FurnishedFinder and other hosts.
We believe the best way to know a place is to truly live there for a while. Our goal is to inspire you to discover the local favorites in your own backyard, and perhaps rent your home and hit the road like we did for a truly life changing experience.
What is your editorial policy?
We believe in staying impartial in our travel writing. This is why we don't accept free trips in exchange for coverage, and we don't use affiliate links on our website.
Contact:
Get in touch via email: editors@vacationidea.com
Get in touch via Facebook or X
Mailing Address: VacationIdea LLC, 1530 PB Ln, K4554, Wichita Falls, TX 76302