How to Choose the Right Destination for Your Travel Style

Let’s be real — picking a destination can feel overwhelming. There are so many places to go, and if you’re anything like me, your bucket list is longer than a CVS receipt.

But here’s the thing: not every destination fits every traveler. Some people thrive in adrenaline-pumping mountain towns. Others crave quiet beaches and slow mornings. And some want a little bit of both.

That’s why choosing the right destination for your travel style is the first step to building a trip you’ll never stop talking about. It’s also why I offer travel destination guidance as a FREE service.

Start With Your Vibe

When I build custom itineraries, I always start with one question:
What kind of experience are you craving?

Are you looking to:

• Hike remote trails and chase waterfalls?

• Relax in a cozy chalet with epic views?

• Eat your way through local markets and hidden restaurants?

• Photograph wildlife at golden hour?

• Swing off a cliff (yes, that’s a thing)?

Your vibe matters. It sets the tone for everything — from the pace of your days to the kind of lodging that feels right.

Match Your Pace to the Place

Some destinations are built for fast-paced adventure. Think Zion National Park, the Swiss Alps, or the fjords of Norway — places where you can climb, paddle, hike, and explore from sunrise to sunset.

Others are perfect for slowing down. Costa Rica’s hidden beaches, Asheville’s forest retreats, or a quiet chalet in Lauterbrunnen offer space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect.

When I help travelers choose a destination, I always consider their preferred pace. Do you want to pack your days or leave room to wander? Do you need downtime to recharge or thrive on constant motion?

There’s no wrong answer — just the right fit.

Consider Your Travel Style

Your travel style is more than just what you like to do — it’s how you like to feel while doing it.

Here are a few styles I often work with:

• Adrenaline Junkies: Rock climbing, via ferratas, whitewater rafting, helicopter tours

• Nature Lovers: Scenic drives, wildlife tours, waterfall hikes

• Foodies: Local dining, cooking classes, hidden rooftop bars

• Families: Kid-friendly hikes, wildlife encounters, flexible pacing

• Solo Travelers: Photography spots, moments of solitude, immersive experiences

• Couples: Romantic stays, thrill + chill combos, cozy chalets

• Sensory-Sensitive Travelers: Quiet environments, gentle activities, thoughtful pacing

• Gluten-Free or Vegetarian Travelers: Verified dining options that match your needs

Once I understand your style, I can suggest three curated destinations that match your vibe — complete with sneak peeks at activities, lodging, and food. You pick your favorite, and I build your full itinerary from there.

Don’t Stress — I’ve Got You

Choosing the right destination doesn’t have to be stressful. I’ve spent years researching, exploring, and testing out places so you don’t have to. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or seeking serenity, I’ll help you find the perfect spot to match your travel style — and build an itinerary that’s 100% you.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Destination?

Let’s build a trip that fits your vibe, your pace, and your passions. No cookie-cutter plans. No tourist traps. Just real adventure.

Meet Clint: The Story Behind Not Your Typical Vacation

You know that friend who always seems to find the coolest hidden beach, the wildest hike, or the most unforgettable rooftop bar? The one whose travel stories make you say, “Wait… how do I do that?”

Yeah — that’s me, Clint.

And I’m the reason Not Your Typical Vacation exists.

But I was not always that way. I used to travel to the same places each year. Book cookie-cutter hotels and trips. Stay at all-inclusive resorts. While these were fun and relaxing, they were not fulfilling and often boring.   

My Journey: From Cookie-Cutter Trips to Wild Adventures and Thoughtful Escapes

Thankfully, one year I changed this. I started chasing the kind of travel moments that make your heart race and your soul sing. Since then, I’ve rock climbed the “Goat Head” in Norway, canyoner through Zion’s slot canyons, swung off cliffs in Switzerland (yes, nearly 300 feet of free-fall!), flown doors-off over Kauai’s waterfalls, and so many more adventures that make you feel alive.

But I’ve also found magic in slowing down — like sipping cocktails in a secret bar hidden behind a bookshelf, relaxing on a hidden beach in Hawaii, or watching waterfalls tumble down the cliffs from a chalet balcony in Lauterbrunnen.

Adventure, to me, is about balance. It’s about feeling alive, whether you’re hanging off a rock face, soaking in the silence of a remote forest trail, or relaxing at your lodging enjoying a gorgeous view.

How Not Your Typical Vacation Was Born

After every trip, friends would ask me:

• “Can I have your itinerary?”

• “How do you find these places?”

• “Can you plan my next vacation?”

I started helping people build their own unforgettable adventures — tailored to their interests, comfort level, and lifestyle. Watching them come back with stories they couldn’t stop telling was so fulfilling, I knew I had to turn it into something bigger.

So I did.

What I Do (and What I Don’t)

I don’t sell tours. I don’t take commissions. I build a custom itinerary based on you and your interests.

These itineraries offer:

• Custom travel plans built around your interests and adventure level

• Multiple daily activity options so you can choose your pace

• Flexible scheduling for when inspiration hits

• Dining suggestions tailored to your dietary preferences

• Estimated costs for flights, lodging, rental car, activities, and meals

• Unique stays that match your vibe — treehouses, chalets, glamping spots, and more

Whether you want to hike, paddle, photograph, relax, or just explore somewhere new, I’ll help you build a trip that’s immersive, unforgettable, and 100% you.

Why I Do This

I started Not Your Typical Vacation because I believe travel should be personal. It should reflect your passions, your pace, and your idea of adventure — not same old package everyone is doing.

I’ve spent years researching destinations, testing experiences, and uncovering hidden gems. Now, I get to share that with you. My goal is simple: help you get out and live a little.

Ready to Build Your Adventure?

If you’re craving a vacation that’s more than just a break — one that’s packed with stories, soul, and scenery — I’d love to help.

Start Planning Your Adventure

Why Cookie-Cutter Vacations Don’t Work for Real Adventurers

Let’s be honest — if you’ve ever booked one of those “all-inclusive, pre-planned, one-size-fits-all” vacations, you might have came home with more regrets than stories. Or 10 pounds heavier like I did the first time I went all-inclusive.

Sure, the hotel was nice. The pool was clean. The buffet had at least one decent option. But did you feel alive? Did you swing off a cliff in Switzerland? Did you hike a trail so quiet you could hear your heartbeat? Did you sip cocktails in a secret bar hidden behind a bookshelf? Did you find a hidden beach so beautiful and quiet you wanted to build a hut and live there?

If you’re the kind of traveler who craves more than just a tan and a souvenir magnet, then you already know:

Cookie-cutter vacations just don’t cut it.

The Problem with Pre-Packaged Travel

Most traditional travel packages are designed for the masses. They’re built around convenience, not curiosity. You get the same hotel, the same tour, the same “authentic” experience that’s been repeated a thousand times.

But real adventurers? We want more.

We want the thrill of discovering a hidden waterfall, the joy of finding the best taco joint in town, and the freedom to change plans when inspiration strikes.

Adventure Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

At Not Your Typical Vacation, we believe your trip should be as unique as you are. Whether you’re a solo traveler chasing golden hour shots, a family looking to show your kids how fun nature can be, or a couple seeking both thrill and romance — your itinerary should reflect you.

That’s why we don’t do commissions. We don’t sell tours. Each custom itinerary is built specifically for you.

Instead, we offer:

• Custom itineraries built around your interests, adventure level, and travel style

• Multiple daily activity options so you can choose your pace

• Dining suggestions tailored to your dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, taco-obsessed — we got you)

• Estimated costs for everything — flights, lodging, rental car, activities, and meals

• Flexible scheduling for when inspiration hits

• Verified links for easy booking

• Unique stays that match your vibe — treehouses, chalets, glamping spots, and more

Real Adventures. Real Stories.

We’ve helped travelers hike the Swiss Alps, canyoner through Utah slot canyons, relax on hidden beaches in Costa Rica, and photograph fjords in Norway. And every trip? 100% custom. 100% unforgettable.

Just ask our clients:

“It was the first vacation where everyone was genuinely happy — and we didn’t break the bank!” — Jessica M., Zion Family Adventure

“I felt seen, safe, and totally spoiled.” — Priya P., Oregon Nature & Food Escape

“It felt like the trip was designed just for me — because it was.” — Alex R., Solo Adventure in the Pacific Northwest

Ready to Ditch the Cookie-Cutter?

If you’re tired of travel that feels like a checklist, and ready for something that feels like you, let us help you.

Whether you want to hike, climb, paddle, photograph, relax, or just explore somewhere new — we’ll help you build a trip full of stories you’ll never stop telling.

Start Planning Your Adventure