Some of the most meaningful lessons learned from traveling have had very little to do with the destinations themselves. They’ve come from the experiences we’ve shared, the unexpected moments, and the memories we’ve made along the way.
There are a lot of things we could spend our money on.
We could buy a newer car. Upgrade the furniture. Fill our house with more things that, if we’re being honest, we probably don’t need.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of that.
But somewhere along the way, Joe and I realized something about ourselves: we would much rather collect memories than collect things.
That’s not to say we don’t appreciate nice things. We certainly do! But when we think about what has brought us the most happiness, it’s rarely something we’ve purchased for our home.
It’s the places we’ve explored, the meals we’ve shared, the people we’ve met, and the experiences we’ve had together.
And the more we travel, the more certain we become that we’re spending our money on exactly what matters to us.
We Could Buy More Things. We’d Rather Make More Memories.
Travel isn’t inexpensive, particularly when you enjoy a comfortable hotel, a wonderful meal, or the occasional splurge.
We know that every trip represents money we could have spent somewhere else.
But here’s the thing: we can’t remember every purchase we’ve made over the years. We can, however, remember the experiences that made us laugh, surprised us, challenged us, or left us sitting across from each other saying, “Can you believe we just did that?”
Those memories become part of our story.
A new car might be exciting for a while. A wonderful experience together is something we can revisit in conversation for years.
For us, that’s a pretty easy choice.
We’ve Learned Not to Wait for Someday.
Joe and I have an age difference, and while it doesn’t define our relationship, it does influence how we think about time.
We’re very aware that the years ahead are precious. We don’t want to spend all of them planning for a future when we’ll finally start doing the things we’ve always wanted to do.
We want to do them now.
Of course, we still plan for retirement and make responsible financial decisions. Choosing experiences doesn’t mean ignoring tomorrow.
It means remembering that tomorrow isn’t the only part of life worth investing in.
There will always be another reason to postpone a trip. Work will be busy. Something at home will need attention. There will be another expense or another obligation.
But we don’t want to look back someday and wish we’d made more time for each other.
Finding Each Other Changed Our Perspective.
Both of us had lives and marriages before we found each other. Those years are part of our stories, and they brought people and experiences into our lives that will always matter.
But finding happiness together has given us a renewed appreciation for the life we’re building now.
We genuinely enjoy spending time together. Whether we’re exploring a city we’ve never visited, sharing dinner somewhere wonderful, or simply talking about where we’d like to go next, there’s something special about having a partner who shares your enthusiasm for experiencing life.
Neither of us takes that for granted.
We know what a gift it is to have found each other, and we want to make the most of it.
Lessons Learned From Traveling: Seeing the World Differently
One of the greatest things about traveling is that it reminds you how much there is beyond your everyday routine.
Different places, different cultures, different foods, and different ways of living all have a way of broadening your perspective.
Sometimes it’s a remarkable destination. Sometimes it’s a conversation with someone you never would have met otherwise. And sometimes it’s a simple meal that turns into one of your favorite memories of an entire trip.
We’ve learned that the most meaningful experiences aren’t necessarily the most expensive ones.
They’re the ones that stay with us.
Travel has also reminded us that there’s no single right way to enjoy life. What matters is finding what brings you joy and making room for more of it.
For us, that often means packing a suitcase.
Why We Started The Planned Palate
When we started The Planned Palate, we wanted a place to share our travel experiences, honest reviews, favorite meals, and the things we’ve learned along the way.
But there’s another reason this website means so much to us.
It’s becoming a record of the life we’re building together.
Every article gives us an opportunity to revisit an experience. Every photograph reminds us of a place we’ve been. Every story captures a little piece of a moment that might otherwise fade with time.
And someday, when we’re looking back through these pages, I hope we’ll remember not just where we went, but how much fun we had getting there.
If something we share helps another couple plan a wonderful trip or inspires someone to finally take that vacation they’ve been putting off, that’s even better.
At the End of the Day, It’s About Us.
We don’t know exactly what the years ahead will bring. Nobody does.
But we do know that we want to fill as many of them as possible with laughter, adventure, good food, new experiences, and time together.
We’re not trying to see every corner of the world or check every destination off a list.
We’re simply trying to enjoy this life we’ve been fortunate enough to build.
And when we’re older and looking back, I don’t think either of us will wish we’d bought a newer car a few years sooner.
I think we’ll be glad we took the trip.
Because in the end, it’s not about how much we’ve accumulated. It’s about how much we’ve lived.
One of the ways we’ve learned to connect more meaningfully with the places we visit is through food. It’s a big part of why we book a food tour almost everywhere we travel.