Travel Planning Hub
Start here to plan your trip, compare options, and explore every TLGA planning guide.
Packing & Gear Guide
What to pack, what to skip, and how to build a lighter travel setup that works.
Where Your Trip Begins
Eat like a local. Plan like a pro.
Hi, I’m Corey. If you build trips around memorable meals, great neighborhoods, and days that actually make sense on the ground, you’re in the right place.
I skip viral trends and recycled tourist lists. Instead, I focus on what is genuinely worth your time, where locals actually eat, and how to put together an itinerary that leaves room for discovery.
Why trust these guides? Over two decades, I’ve traveled through 45+ countries, spent a full year living out of a backpack around the world, and published 500+ restaurant and travel reviews with over 12 million photo views on Google Maps. My guides are built on real experience and careful research.
Latest Journey: Singapore, Bali & Komodo
A firsthand 21-day route through Singapore, Bali, and Komodo National Park, with the food, stays, logistics, and standout experiences that made the trip work.
FULL TRIP
21-Day Singapore, Bali & Komodo Itinerary
Follow the complete route, from Singapore’s hawker food and city energy to Bali’s beaches and Komodo’s bucket-list adventure.
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BALI
Bali Travel Guide
Plan where to stay in Bali, including Seminyak, Sidemen, Sanur, food, weather, beach clubs, and traffic tips.
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KOMODO
Komodo National Park Guide
Plan the Komodo add-on from Bali, including Labuan Bajo, boat tours, Padar Island, manta rays, and hotel strategy.
Read MoreNew for 2027: Smarter Travel Planning
How to combine modern AI tools with your own firsthand verification and smarter decision-making for your 2027 trips
COMFORT & VALUE
Planning for 2027: My Practical Travel Checklist
How recent trips to Mazatlán, Singapore, Bali, and Komodo reshaped where I spend, where I save, and how we pace our days.
Read Playbook
AI + HUMAN RESEARCH
AI Travel Planning: How I Use It & What I Check
How I use AI to map out weather, routes, and trip ideas, plus the real-world booking details you still need to verify yourself before you fly.
Read GuideExplore Destinations
Start with country hubs. Then go deeper into city guides, itineraries, and food-forward side stories.
Food-First Travel & Deeper Foodie Dives
For travelers who plan the whole day around the meal, from street stalls and markets to neighborhood bistros.
Explore USA Cities
From iconic American food cities to my home stomping grounds in Minneapolis, explore where to stay, what to eat, and how to make the most of your visit.
NEW YORK
New York City in 5 Days
Explore iconic neighborhoods, memorable meals, and NYC highlights with a smart five-day itinerary.
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LOUISIANA
New Orleans in 3 Days
Discover incredible food, historic neighborhoods, live music, and Southern culture in three unforgettable days.
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MINNESOTA
Minneapolis: A Local’s Guide
Discover Minneapolis like a local, from standout neighborhood restaurants and lakes to breweries and hidden gems.
Read MoreTravel Planning
Start here. These guides help you make decisions that shape your trip, from logistics and budgeting to packing and staying safe.
START HERE
Travel Planning Hub
Browse the full collection of guides covering timing, packing, budgeting, safety, and smarter decisions before you go.
Explore Guides
START TO FINISH
How to Plan a Trip: The TLGA Playbook
A clear, step-by-step guide to planning your trip in the right order, from the first idea to final bookings.
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ABROAD
First International Trip
Passports, flights, money, and what to expect so your first trip abroad feels simple, not overwhelming.
Read Guide PACK SMARTER
Packing & Gear Guide
What to pack, what to skip, and how to build a setup that actually works in real travel.
Read Guide
MONEY
Travel Budget Guide
Plan real costs, avoid surprises, and make smarter money decisions before and during your trip.
Read Guide STAY SAFE
Travel Safety Guide
Simple habits that help you stay aware, organized, and confident in unfamiliar places.
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AIRFARE
Find Better Flights
Avoid bad routes, understand pricing, and book flights that actually fit your trip.
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BY TRIP TYPE
Pack for Your Trip
Build your packing list around the trip you are taking, not a generic checklist.
Read GuideTravel Lifestyle Guides
How you travel matters. These guides focus on long-term thinking, comfort, and building a travel lifestyle that actually fits your life.
LONGER STAYS
Travel Lifestyle
Different ways to travel, from slow trips to retirement and living abroad.
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REMOTE WORK
Top Digital Nomad Countries
Where remote work, cost of living, and lifestyle come together right now.
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RETIRE ABROAD
Best Countries to Retire Abroad
Where your money, lifestyle, and day-to-day quality of life actually go further.
Read MoreMeet Your Local Guide Abroad
I’ve spent the last twenty years figuring out what actually makes a trip memorable: picking a home base where you can walk everywhere, pacing your days so you aren’t burned out by mid-week, and finding the kind of neighborhood meals you will be thinking about for months later.
From a full year backpacking across continents in 2004 to month-long stays and food-focused planning with my wife Melissa today, every guide on this site is built to help you travel with confidence.
This is where I share the standout food, the best neighborhoods, and real-world advice that makes your travel easier.
Read My Story
Learning to make pasta by hand in Florence, because the best way to understand a culture is through its food.