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The Journal

Travel notes from Holly

Practical travel advice, destination guides and planning stories from real trips Holly has designed — written to help you plan a trip you'll remember.

Palm trees silhouetted against a bright orange sunset over the ocean in Hawaii

Featured story

Destination Guides2 min read

Flights from Columbus to Hawaii: What the Travel Day Actually Looks Like

There is no nonstop. Here is the honest version of the day, the six-hour time change, and how I plan the way home so it doesn't cost you a week.

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Tourists and bicycles in the Piazza del Duomo beneath Brunelleschi's terracotta dome in Florence, Italy
Travel Tips1 min read

The Italy Reservation Calendar: What Opens When, and What Sells Out First

The Vatican, the Colosseum, the Uffizi and the Last Supper all open on set days and sell out fast. Here is the calendar I keep for every Italy trip.

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge stretching across a chasm between steep coastal cliffs in Northern Ireland
Travel Tips2 min read

Driving in Ireland as an American: What Nobody Tells You Before You Land

The left side is the easy part. The rental-car insurance, the road widths and the first day are where Ireland trips get expensive or stressful. Here is how I plan around them.

A candlelit dinner table for two on a stone terrace at dusk, overlooking coastal cliffs and town lights
Planning Stories1 min read

15th Anniversary in Italy — More Days, More Experiences, $3,000 in Savings

How a seven-day itinerary from another planner became 10 days on the Amalfi Coast — with better rooms, private experiences, and approximately $3,000 saved.

An open brass compass and a green leather travel journal on stone, beside folded linen and greenery
Travel Tips5 min read

How We Design a Trip You Simply Disappear Into

The Emerald Atlas planning process, from the first quiet conversation to the final itinerary — and why the details are handled long before you touch a boarding pass.

A neatly packed carry-on suitcase open on a linen bedspread, folded neutral clothing
Packing Lists6 min read

Packing for a Two-Week Europe Trip (Carry-On Only)

The exact packing philosophy we share with clients heading to Europe — enough options, nothing wasted, everything wrinkle-forgiving.