About Take Time for the Trip
Helping you travel with intention, connection, and joy — one journey at a time.
Hi, I’m Char — a travel writer, storyteller, and passionate planner who believes that travel isn’t just about where you go, but how deeply you experience it.
I’m a Michigan native, born and raised in Detroit, where I learned early that some of the best adventures start right in your own backyard.
Over the years, I built a long and rewarding career in leadership — serving as a COO and CFO in the education and media world — but no matter how busy life got, travel was always my reset button.
For a long time, I wasn’t fully there. I was planning, managing, and achieving — but not always present.
Then the world slowed down. During those quiet months of Covid, like so many others, I found myself asking what truly matters.
The answer, for me, was simple: time.
Time to connect, time to breathe, time to experience the world in a way that fills your soul instead of your schedule.
That’s when Take Time for the Trip was born — a reminder to me, and now to others, that travel isn’t about rushing through experiences.
It’s about slowing down enough to notice them.
What You’ll Find Here
Take Time for the Trip is a place for travelers who crave more than the highlight reel.
Here, you’ll find:
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Destination stories that inspire connection and curiosity
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Travel tips, guides, and resources to make planning simple and meaningful
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Curated travel essentials to help you travel smarter, lighter, and with purpose
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Inspiration for everyday adventures — because presence isn’t limited to plane tickets
Whether your journey takes you across the world or just down the road, my hope is that you’ll find inspiration here to travel with intention — to slow down, savor, and make every trip your own.
🩵 The Meaning Behind “Take Time”
To me, taking time means more than booking a flight or checking off a travel bucket list.
It’s the moment you pause to watch a sunset, wander through a charming old street, or savor a cappuccino at a corner café in a new city.
It’s also sitting around a backyard BBQ or having a cozy movie night, laughing with the people you love — because sometimes, the most meaningful travel experiences begin right at home.
Because being present — that’s where the real magic of travel truly happens.
Over the years, I’ve planned everything from spontaneous weekend getaways to a 20-person, four-country, three-week 40th anniversary trip — and every single adventure reinforced this truth:
The best journeys are the ones that mean something.
My Mission
To inspire travelers — especially those juggling busy lives — to reconnect with the joy of the journey.
To remind people that meaningful travel isn’t just about seeing more of the world…
It’s about seeing yourself in it.
A Little More About Me
I’ve been happily married for over 36 years to my favorite travel companion, and we’ve built a life full of laughter and adventure.
Our son, a first responder, reminds me every day of courage, compassion, and what truly matters — and I couldn’t be prouder of him.
When I’m not writing, planning itineraries, or exploring, you’ll likely find me sipping good coffee or sharing a glass of wine with friends, while dreaming up our next adventure.
Sometimes that means a quiet moment of stillness — picturing the Mediterranean and planning the next trip that fills my heart with joy.
💌Let's Stay Connected
I’d love to hear from you — your favorite destinations,
your dream trips, or the places that changed you.
Because the best part of any journey is sharing it.
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