🧮 A simple math equation for an incredible trip
All vacations need a sprinkle of this so you remember it forever
Welcome to Itchy Feet, a Travel-Inspired Newsletter! I’m Daniel and happy you’re here! Thank you to all 407 awesome people who get this in their inbox. Sign up and get my 2026 Ultimate Travel Toolkit on the house:
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Ok, back to this edition of Itchy Feet:
“Hurry, get the car keys!”
Yesi had just received a frantic call: Our neighbors Maria and Yeison needed a ride to the airport…and FAST.
Their taxi hadn’t arrived and their flight was about to board in a few minutes.
If they missed the plane, they’d miss their cruise leaving from Cartagena.
I raced to put on pants. My hair was disheveled. I hastily grabbed a baseball cap and rushed to the front door.
Like a speed walker I stormed our gate, only to see them shoving their suitcases into a taxi. From twenty feet away, I could see the stress on their faces.
But a taxi did show up. Their vacation was back on track.
We smiled and waved. The car turned a corner and disappeared. My only thought was, 💭
“They’re about to have an amazing trip.”
Little did Yeison and Maria know, but one of the best ingredients for a memorable trip had been served on a shiny silver platter:
Problem + Solution.
Within the first hour of their vacation, the situation became tense.
Their problem was the cruise almost left port without them.
However, everything got resolved when a taxi miraculously arrived and helped them make the flight on time.
Finding a solution to a problem during a trip is a secret sauce for an amazing trip.
Why?
You feel extra relief. The stress from before becomes euphoria. If you didn’t feel grateful to be traveling, odds are high you are now. Enjoyment rises 10x when there’s a chance everything could’ve fallen apart.
Even better, solving problems is a major confidence boost especially when you are traveling somewhere new. 💪
Yes, but on the flip side…
Sometimes these crisis don’t get resolved. Maybe the plan needs to change course. Whenever this happens, there’s a silver lining:
Remember that some things are out of our control.
If it was our mistake, then we were being human and should to forgive ourselves.
If things didn’t work out, maybe there’s a reason and it was for the best.
We will have at least one really good story to share afterwards.
Odds are (usually) good we will laugh about it later.
We will learn a lesson and be stronger than before.
We will get a unique life experience to be remembered forever.
Back to Yeison and Maria
Yeison and Dennis were home a week later, and the stress on their faces had evaporated into big smiles from a memorable vacation.
Back to you: What is another secret ingredient that makes a trip truly special?
Travel Quote of the Day ✍️
“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”
-Lin Yutang
A Random Thing to Do in Kentucky 🍸
If you’re ever passing through Bardstown, Kentucky, then an pitstop at the The Old Talbott Tavern is a must. Dating back to the 1700’s, this the oldest stagecoach stop in the country. Famous guests include former presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson. Sit down for a drink and meal while contemplating the decor which includes real bullet holes from the notorious outlaw Jesse James. Modern day travelers can enjoy a rest at the Tablott Inn then mosey on the Bourbon Bar with over 200 bourbons to choose from.
Thank you for reading. Your support and readership truly mean a lot! See you again around yonder soon.
Much love,
Daniel
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But wait, there’s MORE:
• 💎 What to do when you find a hidden travel gem
• 🤐 This five letter word should be a no-no for travelers
• ✈️ How to be a pro airplane passenger
Perspective shift matters a lot, Daniel!! A secret sauce for me might be to always be open to spontaneity! It can change the whole direction of a trip, and sometimes our life itself for good!
I really liked the simple idea of problem + solution. We often think the perfect trip is the one where nothing goes wrong, but it's usually the unexpected moments we end up talking about years later. Sometimes the story becomes more valuable than the itinerary itself. Great reminder that adventure often begins where the plan ends.