There's a new Family Travel Examiner here in Atlanta

My first Independent Traveler article photo

Even before my wife and I opened our On-line Travel Agency back in 2005 I enjoyed writing about the destinations we would visit as a family. My writing has come a long way from the guest articles on Independent Traveler and Cruise Critic to two blog upgrades, all while gaining considerable traffic and attention. Currently thousands of independent agents subscribe to our weekly newsletter dedicated to helping people grow their business. What started out as a hobby turned into a real passion of mine.

I’ve always enjoyed writing, so when the opportunity came to write for the Examiner, it was the next logical step in scratching this writing itch while sharing what I know and love.

Travel.

The topic of Family Travel, partnered with on-line media such as the Examiner molds two key passions of mine into one very exciting opportunity. I encourage everyone to catch the passion I have for learning and growing together as a family by seeing the sights of both the local community as well as the world. Seeing the world first hand through your own eyes is an experience that will never be forgotten.

I can’t think of a better example of why I love traveling with family more than what we experienced a few weeks ago over spring break. Here’s a short list of activities while visiting family up in Pittsburgh.

• Feeding exotic birds at The National Aviary - $37
• Seeing an 85 foot dinosaur at Carnegie Museum of Natural History - $52
• Buttered popcorn with "Monsters vs Aliens" - $38
• Pizza and Games with Chuck-e-Cheese - $39
• Daily feeding of four Horses and three Chickens - $0

Having your first grade daughter write an eight page essay on what she discovered during spring break…

Priceless!

When it came time for my daughter to write about what she did, she not only completed this novel the day after we returned home, we couldn’t keep her from writing if we tried. For us as parents, what do you think the chances are of making a couple copies to send to grandparents and keeping a copy for ourselves? A cherished essay of how special this experience was through the eyes of our daughter.

These ARE cherished times spent together as family that included a number of activities that were extremely educational. (We’ll leave the “educational” part between us.) The experience left both sets of eyes wide open as two young minds expanded to absorb every last sight and sound. When you combine the experience with the memories that were brought back to life while writing her assignment coupled with all the excitement as if she was still there, you’ve got yourself a keeper that brings the whole family closer together.

That’s what this little corner of the Examiner is all about. Life is a journey and we should experience it together as a family. If we can learn something along the way, it makes it that much more memorable.

I’ve got pages of ideas for topics we can discuss when it comes to Family Travel. I also have some ideas on regular weekly articles such as “Thursday Travel Tips” and a “Sunday Saver” that will not only help you travel better but cheaper. Today, we all could use a little of both. Of course, I’m not immune to learning along the way with you, and believe we all benefit from education and experience.

So welcome! I hope you enjoy reading as much as I’m going to enjoy writing.