Maddi Travels

My love for Travel started at a Young Age…

I vividly remember the moment the travel bug bit me. I was seven, visiting my grandparents in Rotan, Honduras. One day, we took a water taxi—a rickety, hand-carved canoe—down a channel to a rustic, open-air restaurant along the water’s edge. I can still recall interacting with the family who owned the place, using a bathroom that was just a hole in the floor, and playing with the local kids from a nearby village. It was a feeling of pure freedom and exhilaration, unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

That same soul-stirring sensation returned when I rode on the back of a motorbike through the bustling streets of Hanoi, Vietnam; stood in awe at the base of the Great Pyramid in Egypt; rolled hand-made pasta with an Italian chef in the heart of Tuscany; celebrated the New Year at the gates of Chiang Mai; and witnessed the Chihuahuan Desert spring to life after a rainstorm.

If you’re seeking authentic experiences with a dash of adventure, you’ll love my blog and social media channels. While I certainly enjoy the luxury of a 5-star hotel with high-thread-count linens and an ocean view, I’m just as drawn to a secluded vacation rental, a glamping site near a National Park, an RV adventure in an off-roading van, or a backpacking journey across Asia or Europe. With 25 countries under my belt and only four states left to explore in the U.S., my travels are far from over.

Finding a way to travel at 17:

I took my first trip to Europe at 17, after saving up from my part-time job to join a group excursion led by a school teacher from our district. That adventure took me to the ancient streets of Rome, the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, the vibrant southern cities of Spain, and across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco. It was my first taste of travel without my parents—a thrilling dive into new cultures, cuisines, and unique experiences around every corner. That trip was where the seed of my lifelong passion for travel truly began to grow.

Studying and Working in London At 21:

During college, I was determined to study abroad, even though my school didn't offer a program for my major. I found an alternative program that not only allowed me to earn credits toward my degree but also gave me the opportunity to work in London. I lived in Earls Court in an apartment with four other women and secured a work visa to do PR at a local agency. My classes often took place in the city's iconic landmarks, transforming London itself into our classroom. On weekends, we would pick up and travel all over Europe from Amsterdam to Paris, Prague, and more. It was an incredible experience that broadened my perspective and deepened my love for both travel and my field of study.

Moved to Austin, Texas and landed in the Travel Industry at 23:

After graduating, I moved to Austin, Texas, for my first job, unsure how my passion for travel could intersect with my communications degree. I landed a position at Vrbo, now part of Expedia, without fully realizing how perfectly it would align with my love for travel. It felt like fate. In those early years, I spent my days scouring the Vrbo site for stunning homes around the world to recommend for TV commercials, PR pitches, and social media promotions. My list of dream destinations grew daily, and my job often took me to many of those incredible locations.

My fondest memory is hosting Kathi Lee and Hoda at a Vrbo outside of Florence for their 10th Anniversary show. It is a career highlight working with them and their crew.

Working at RVshare and leaning into my role As a travel expert:

After Vrbo was acquired by Expedia, I joined several former colleagues at a new venture: RVshare. RV rentals were an emerging trend, operating similarly to Vrbo, and I was eager to help elevate this travel category into the mainstream. This role also introduced me to a whole new way of exploring—outdoor travel. With a generous $1,000 annual travel stipend from the company, I embraced the RV lifestyle. My first trip was ambitious: a Florida road trip, hopping from city to city, stopping at newsrooms for on-site interviews—a true road show. It was an adventure!

Since then, I’ve completed hundreds of interviews for the brand and rented over 20 RVs for both work and pleasure. The most memorable trip was a van adventure in Maui, where my husband proposed on the beach, with only the sea turtles and our rental van as witnesses.

Places I’ve Traveled & Experiences I have had: