This Month in Travel: What SATW Members Are Covering in June

From coast to countryside, spa serenity to AI travel tips, SATW members are taking us on unforgettable journeys. This month features hidden Revolutionary War landmarks, craft beer festivals, immersive memoirs, and immersive travel tech tests. Dive into fresh first-person narratives, destination deep dives, practical guides, and industry insights below.

✍️ Features & First‑Person Stories

Narrative-driven, experiential, or personal-voice pieces

📜 “Hit the Road for Hidden Gems of the Revolutionary War”
Kinsey Gidick, AARP
Explore seven under-the-radar Revolutionary War sites in honor of the U.S. Semiquincentennial.

🦌 “Shed Hunting Season: In Search of Elk Antlers at Vermejo”
Mindy Sink, The Denver Post
For hikers going out in search of fallen antlers, shed hunting can feel like a treasure hunt.

✍️ “Just One Little Hitch” (Memoir Excerpt)
Mark Orwoll, JoeSentMe.com
A behind-the-scenes reading from an industry veteran’s reflective travel memoir.

🍃 “Finding Serenity on Japan’s Kiso Road”
Deborah Gaines, Everett Potter’s Travel Report
Unplugging and reconnecting along a historic Japanese pilgrimage route

🎙️ “Fleeting Moments – Pan Am Memories”
Michelle Da Silva Richmond, Travel with Annita (Radio)
From Pan Am cockpit tales to cross-continental love stories—it's Netflix material.

👵 “The Strange and Magical Art of Choosing Your Grandmother Name”
Barbara Jean Barrielle, Garden & Gun
A charming exploration of the quirky rituals behind grandmother identities

🌍 Destination Spotlights & Natural Wonders

Focus on places, culture, and natural discovery

🎶 “60 Years Later, The Hills Are Still Alive With the Sound of Music”
Marni Patterson, SheBuysTravel
Step into Salzburg’s cinematic landscapes at filming locations of the beloved musical.

🛍️ “Tea, Towels, and a Secret Courtyard: Inside Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar”
Michael J. Solender, Matador Network
Bargaining, color, and culture collide in one of the world’s oldest markets.

🏛️ “8 Museums in Quebec City to Get Your History Fix”
Mary Jo Manzanares, Traveling With MJ
A curated dive into Quebec City’s best cultural and historical institutions

🎁 “For a slice of Parisian charm without the crowds, consider Quebec City”
Cortney Brown Fries, National Geographic Travel
Swap the Seine for the Saint Lawrence—discover the European soul of Canada.

🦀 “Lafayette, Louisiana: A Blend of Cajun, Creole, Zydeco and More”
Scott Kendall, Play Stay Eat
Three days immersed in Cajun hospitality, flavors, and storytelling.

🌼 “South Carolina’s Festival of Flowers”
Beverly Hurley, Garden Destinations
The Festival of Flowers in South Carolina is a celebration of nature’s beauty, when the charming town of Greenwood transforms into an immersive experience in floral art.

✨ “It’s Magical : Harry Potter London Studio Tour”
Mary Jo Manzanares, Traveling With MJ
Wizardry, wonder, and a behind-the-scenes look at how the films were created

🍇 “Glorious Yakima”
Kinsey Gidick, USA TODAY GoEscape West
Take a trip to the nation's fruit bowl.

🏙️ “Detroit's Oldest Neighborhood Is A Hub For Young Creatives With Ramen Shops, Hip Cafes, And Rooftop Bars”
Mira Temkin, Islands
A creative resurgence in Detroit’s oldest neighborhood—an ideal stop before the 2025 SATW Annual Convention

🚇 “Resilient Oakland Open for Business”
Marlene Goldman, East West News Service
A story of rebirth in the east Bay Area’s cultural hotspot

🏖️ “Antalya, Türkiye: A modern era for an ancient world on the Mediterranean Sea. And cats.”
Pamela Dittmer McKuen, Loop North
Sun, sea, and history converge on Turkey’s sparkling Mediterranean coast.

🍇 “Weekend Getaway Sonoma: Plan Your Perfect Itinerary”
Mary Jo Manzanares, Traveling With MJ
Wine, great food, and a laid back vibe scream out for you to kick back and enjoy.

🔵 “Amid Bewitching Blue Waters, Grenada Has Blossomed into a Place of Peace and Quiet”
Cheryl Maguire, Discover Silversea
From military myths to waterfall bliss: rediscovering Grenada’s peaceful side

🇮🇪 “In Northern Ireland, I visited enchanting gardens full of natural beauty and a rich sense of heritage”
Rebecca Rhoades, Toronto Star
Historic estates have become popular tourism attractions for their ornamental grounds.

🍽️ Food & Drink Features

Celebrating local flavors and culinary traditions

🍻 “Victoria on Tap”
Lucas Aykroyd, GoCanada.com
From historic pioneers to funky new favourites, these three self-guided routes offer a full-flavoured taste of local brewing culture.

🍷 “5 Lessons for Drinking In a Ginormous Wine Event”
Craig Stoltz, FWT Magazine
Insider insights from a mega wine tasting

🍇 “Here are 5 lesser-known California wine regions worth exploring”
Kate Straw Loweth, National Geographic
From the Temecula Valley to the Santa Cruz Mountains, these wine regions deliver more of the tailored experience you seek and less of the crowds.

🔧 Service Pieces & Guides

Practical advice and planning inspiration

🏞️ “5 State Parks That Feel Like National Parks”
Ruffin Prevost, The New York Times
With popular destinations like Yellowstone and Zion hit hard by staffing cuts, nearby state parks offer beauty and majesty with far less uncertainty.

💄 “Lookin' fly: 10 luxe beauty products in travel size that meet TSA makeup rules”
Lois Alter Mark, USA TODAY 10Best
Clear, compact, carry-on compliant makeup for jetsetters

📰 Industry Insight & Travel Trends

Newsworthy pieces with industry relevance

🌊 “Why the Caribbean’s Best Kept Secret Isn’t What You Think”
Mark Orwoll, GoWorldTravel.com
You’re pronouncing it wrong, confusing it with another country, and missing the Caribbean’s wildest secret.

🧺 “Fancy outdoor picnics are hot, from Denver to Vail to NYC”
Mindy Sink, The Denver Post
From Denver rooftops to mountain meadows—picnic culture on the rise.

🤖 “I Tried 4 AI Travel Planning Apps. Did Any of Them Actually Make Booking a Trip Easier?”
Craig Stoltz, Afar
Some AI travel tools work, but you need to know the tricks.

🛏️ Hotel Stays & Resort Highlights

Spotlight on standout hospitality experiences

🏨 “Souma Hotel Lima — Peru”
Carolyn Heller, Luxury Latin America
Get ocean views and urban vibes in Lima's Miraflores District from the latest addition to Lima's luxury hotel scene.

🛎️ “A Jewel Box Of a Hotel Near the Castle in Krakow Offers Luxury at Affordable Prices”
Sharon McDonnell, Hotels Above Par
Affordable luxury wrapped in Polish elegance and central charm

🚢 Cruise Travel

Exploring the world by water

🚢 “Victory Cruise Lines Officially Relaunches Great Lakes Cruising”
Toby Saltzman, Travel Market Report
A luxurious revival of cruising on North America’s inland seas

🌊 “Truth and American Glory“
Theresa Russell, Porthole Cruise and Travel
American Cruise Lines' new coastal catamarans really do give us “small-ship cruising done perfectly.”

Inspired by these incredible stories? Join SATW today and become part of a network of professional travel storytellers and PR professionals.