My husband and I take a week-long trip alone every July. It’s very good for the marriage given the fact that we have four young sons. This year, we decided to explore some parts of Italy we’d never been to: Lake Garda and the Dolomite Mountains.

When I told friends that my husband and I were going to visit The Sultanate of Oman in April, the first inevitable question I was asked was, “Is it safe?”. Not only is it safe, it is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen.

Italy consistently ranks among the top travel lists of globetrotters and it’s not hard to see why. The endless pursuit of “La Dolce Vita”…perfectly sun-ripened sweet tomatoes, soft white mozzarella cheese, and lazy, wine soaked lunches. The country that resembles a boot has an abundance of culture, charm, and history making it not just a “one and done” travel proposition, but a country that beckons for many a return visit.

Like many of my travelers, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I arrived in Iceland. This remote island, which is relatively new to the list of popular destinations, has limited 5-star hotels and no bellmen standing by to assist. What makes it special, however, are its comfortable, yet simplistic, accommodations and its jaw-dropping scenery. The landscape is full of contrast and diversity that felt other-worldly at times. Waterfalls abound at every turn. Geysers and thermal pools are scattered throughout the country. Iceland boasts one of the best landscapes I’ve ever experienced.

When I found out we were invited to a wedding of a dear friend in Colombia, I was ecstatic to hit my first country “over there”. The wedding would take place in Cartagena, but as I thoroughly researched Colombia, I discovered that its regions are quite different from one another. I knew we had to make it a 10-day trip and explore the various areas. Each region has its own history and a different climate than the others as well, so it was really like taking three trips in in one.

We all go through life seeking out that one destination that will leave you breathless, the one that will check all of your lifetime boxes, the one that will make you feel completely removed from the world, the one that will entice all of your senses, and the one remote island destination that you will long to come back to time and time again. Meet The Brando, Tahiti’s first ‘ultra inclusive resort’ on the Tetiaroa Atoll.

While I have lived and traveled all over the world, I was unprepared for the beauty and mysticism within the Kingdom of Nepal . I discovered many things; there is more than just summiting Everest; the food is divine and the Nepalese people are truly wonderful. Once thought of as a back-packers paradise and the entry to Everest, Nepal is an incredible destination for yoga, nature, spiritualism, and explorations on many levels. Nepal is nestled in the Himalayas between India and China.

Read Shawna Huffman Owen’s interview with Spokin and learn about her travel tips to travelers with allergies.

My travel experiences generally fall into two categories; places I’m interested in exploring for cultural or geographic reasons, and places I want to explore while suited up in my SCUBA gear. This year, my dive group settled on the Komodo National Park in Indonesia. My inner adventurer was so excited when I learned that our starting and ending points would be Bali! This allowed me to combine a dive trip with an extension to explore an island that has always intrigued me.