Let's talk about the stuff nobody posts on Instagram. Like the moment you're desperately tapping your tour guide's shoulder on a Moroccan highway: "I really need to go. Like, now."

This is Mel Ripp's story—from Door County encyclopedia reader to someone who handles roadside emergencies with remarkable grace. If you've ever worried that travel isn't for you because you have food sensitivities, get lost in airports, or aren't "adventurous enough"—this one's for you.

The unglamorous moments? They're the ones that transform you.

From spontaneous decisions in Medellín Ubers to flower-adorned designs in Mexico City, Laura Ericson shares the meaningful stories behind her four travel tattoos. Learn her practical tips for getting inked abroad safely and why marking your body with the places that have marked your soul creates lasting memories more powerful than any souvenir.

Three years ago, a small group of adventurous women joined our very first Mexico City trip, carrying nothing but open minds and willing hearts. Today, original travelers Taylor and Kathleen reflect on how that journey sparked lasting friendships, cultural appreciation, and personal transformation – from floating over Teotihuacan in hot air balloons to dancing on trajineras in Xochimilco. Their stories capture the magic that happens when solo travelers come together to experience a destination authentically and intentionally.

I honestly thought I'd never get a tattoo.

I first wanted a travel tattoo when I was in my early 20's to commemorate the months I’d lived in Spain--but I could just never bring myself to actually do it.

Coyoacán is a Nahautl word, meaning “place of the coyotes” in the language of the Aztecs. In my opinion, it’s an absolute must-see while visiting Mexico City.

When my grandmother, Beverly, passed away last year at one of the most pivotal times in my life, I wanted to do something special to remember her.