Hello friends!

It’s been a cold winter here, and honestly, there’s nothing I enjoy more than planning trips on a cold, cozy evening.

This month, I’m especially excited because I finally decided to start planning a trip to Norway this summer. This has been on my bucket list for a long time, and I cannot wait to see the fjords, tackle some incredible hikes, and explore the Lofoten Islands. Just thinking about it is getting me through these freezing days.

Destination Spotlight: Stoos, Switzerland

Stoos ended up being one of my favorite towns in Switzerland.

It’s a car-free village that you reach by taking a funicular or gondola up the mountain — and the views start before you even arrive. We stayed at an amazing hotel and then hiked what is still my favorite hike to date. Truly one of those “worth the trip” places that lives up to the hype.

I put together a YouTube video showing both the hotel and our hike so you can see why I loved it so much. 👉 Watch my Stoos hotel and hike experience here​

You’ll want to add this one to your Switzerland itinerary.

Travel Tip: Where to Start When Planning a Big Trip

When I start planning a trip like Norway, I don’t begin with a strict itinerary. I start with inspiration.

I watch a lot of content about the destination — YouTube videos, Instagram reels, blog posts, all of it. Any cool place I see, I pin it to a map. I personally use Wanderlog, but Google Maps works just as well, and there are plenty of other tools out there too. The important part is getting everything you’re excited about in one place.

Once I’ve watched a ton of content and added pins, I step back and really look at my map. That’s when I start to see patterns — clusters of places that make sense together.

You’re usually not going to be able to see everything, and that’s okay. This process helps you prioritize which regions you want to focus on and makes creating a realistic plan so much easier. It’s how I avoid overplanning and end up with trips that actually feel enjoyable.

Where in the World is Kenzie Headed Next?

I usually take a warm vacation in January, so skipping that this year has been tough — especially with how cold it’s been lately. But up next, I’m heading to Houston for a business trip. I’m really hoping for a stretch of warm weather and am looking forward to finally meeting my work team in person!

Travel Product of the Month: Luggage Scale

Luggage scales have saved me from surprise airport fees (or frantically repacking my suitcase) more times than I can count.

They're lightweight, easy to toss in your bag, and perfect for trips where souvenirs mysteriously make your suitcase heavier on the way home.

If you travel even a few times a year, this is one of those simple tools that’s absolutely worth having. 👉 Check out this luggage scale I use here​

Talk soon,
Kenzie

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