About Journey with Gina
Meet Gina
I’ve always had a wandering soul. My love for travel started young, when my mom planned trips that took my sister and I all over the US and the world. Since 2006, I’ve been writing about travel – providing my insights, recommendations, reviews, and ideas with readers from around the world.
Once I started my own family, I knew I wanted to share the gift of travel with them and build memories while traveling with my own kids. Since 2009, I’ve been planning budget-friendly family vacations, learning through trial and error how to save money, pack for kids of all ages, and make it all as stress free as possible. I started this blog to help you and your family do the same!
Join me – and my family – as we travel the world, sharing our favorite destinations and itineraries, money-saving tips, and honest reviews from our adventures!
How Journey with Gina was born
Traveling has always been part of my life. My mother has always had an epic sense of adventure and brought me up with stories of climbing the pyramids (it was legal back then!), making stuffed grape leaves in Greece, and traveling the U.S. National Parks in a camper van. My sister and I grew up traveling, going on trips large and small across the United States and internationally. When we lived in Florida, we traveled all over the state, experiencing natural springs and mermaid shows, celebratory pirate invasions and pristine beaches, airboat rides in the Everglades and Native American reservations.
We moved to New York when I was 7, and got the opportunity to enjoy the history and excitement of the Northeast. I’ve walked with witches in Salem, MA, sailed up the Hudson River, visited the homes of famous transcendental authors and presidents, and seen multiple shows on Broadway. My first international trip was to Ireland when I was 13, and I’ve been collecting passport stamps ever since.
In 2006, my quest for adventure brought me to the United States Marine Corps, where I was lucky enough to be stationed at Marine Corps Base Hawaii as a photojournalist. Believe it or not, I got paid to tour the Hawaiian Islands and write articles for the base newspaper (what’s a newspaper anymore?) about museums, restaurants, cultural activities, beach trips, historic sites, and roadtrip suggestions in Hawaii. Without knowing it, my travel writing career started then and there, and I published more than 250 articles and photos about life for Marines in Hawaii.
In 2009, my first daughter was born (in Hawaii), and I knew that she was going to be my next travel buddy. Her first flight took her from Hawaii to New York at 10 months old, and she experienced her first snow and first trip to New York City. Sharing the gift of travel with my children has been an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for all the irreplaceable memories we’ve made traveling throughout the United States and internationally. We’ve driven Route 66, lived in multiple states, followed in the footsteps of the Founding Fathers in Virginia, and logged hundreds of flight hours. I’ll be honest – I get a huge dopamine hit every time I start planning a trip, and I love the thrill of planning, preparing for, and – of course – going on trips with my kids and my husband.
After a decade and a half of traveling on a budget with kids, I knew I needed to share my tips, tricks, and experiences with other families, and “Journey with Gina” was born. This blog is not just about me and my perspectives! Here you’ll get to know the whole family, and get our unique observations and advice inspired by our different ages, likes, and viewpoints on travel. The vision I had in launching this blog is to be a resource to families traveling with kids and teens, offer family-friendly vacation ideas, and real reviews and insights from parents, teens, and even the occasional kid companion.
Welcome – we look forward to traveling with you!
Meet Our Family
Get to know your travel guides! Each of us brings a new perspective to our adventures, and is excited to share their thoughts, experiences, and recommendations with you.
Gina
- Favorite Trip: New Zealand
- Top City: Dublin
- Favorite Attraction: Hobbiton
- Packing Essentials: Sunscreen, a sleep mask, and a good audiobook
- Vacation Interests: Historic sites, literary tourism, offbeat locations, and finding gluten free food
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations: Southern Spain, Norway, Oaxaca
- My Travel Advice: “You’ll never regret spending time or money on travel.”
Sam
- Favorite Trip: Iceland
- Top City: Richmond, VA
- Favorite Attraction: San Diego Comic-Con
- Packing Essentials: Sunglasses and a hat
- Vacation Interests: Local foods, beautiful gardens, and scenic vistas
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations: Oaxaca, Vietnam, Morocco
- My Travel Advice: “Just say ‘yes’ to every spontaneous adventure. You won’t regret it.”
Salem
- Favorite Trip: England
- Top City: Seattle, WA
- Favorite Attraction: Museum of Pop Culture
- Packing Essentials: A good book, a great playlist, and at least one pair of Doc Martens
- Vacation Interests: Pop culture, local music, interactive museums, cultural food, and cities
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations: Broadway, Northern Italy, the Globe Theatre
- My Travel Advice: “Don’t be scared to be too touristy. Just enjoy yourself. Things are popular for a reason.”
Annabelle
- Favorite Trip: Okinawa, Japan
- Top City: London
- Favorite Attraction: Tower of London
- Packing Essentials: A digital camera, sunscreen, hair ties, and all the shoes
- Vacation Interests: Big cities, thrift stores, and public transportation
- Top 3 Bucket List Destinations: Greece, South Korea, Brazil
- My Travel Advice: “Always carry cash because you might find an unexpected souvenir.”
You might also meet…
Some additional travel buddies who provide their own unique perspectives and challenges.
We frequently travel with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. These trips add the challenge of planning for multiple families and small children!
When we’re traveling locally, we bring along Matilda, our Moyen Poodle. These trips add the challenge of planning dog-friendly stops, stays, and activities.