Reflections: Edition 1
I often watch a few curated movies or shows that heavily feature a destination before stepping on a plane somewhere new. Just before arriving for my first visit to Bogota some 20 years ago, I intentionally re-watched the silly rom-com “Romancing the Stone” and the rather terrifying “Maria Full of Grace” as a way of preparing me for an adventure. (Yes, we can debate about the Hollywoodization and stereotypical framing of either film and its relevance to actual Colombian culture, but the point is that media often has a heavy influence on how we expect to experience a place, real or not.) In the same spirit, I’ll play Antonio Carlos Jobim and Azimuth before a trip to Rio, or I’ll cook up a plate of Brik au Thon to remember how amazing the food was in Tunisia. Travel has a way of electrifying our most sensory experiences, allowing us to make and retain vivid memories that last a lifetime. In the moments of preparation, or in the periods of longing post-trip, I use various forms of media to create a sense of multi-dimensional place for myself and for others with whom I am sharing my stories.
As Travel Researchers, we read about the latest and greatest constantly, and are used to keeping our clients up to date wherever they might be going. Our new travel intel publication is an easy way to stay informed of the bits of helpful info we come across in our day-to-day work. Expect to find valuable information to help you plan your next trip, and moreover, be inspired about the world. We will help ‘paint a picture’ of many destinations we cover, not only in telling you the best and latest hotels, restaurants, and sights, but we’ll also help put you in the mood for a place – sharing great shows, movies, articles, songs, and even recipes that speak to the atmosphere of travels past and future.
We know you’ll enjoy this refreshed approach to travel content, so subscribe if you would like to continue receiving it in your inbox. In our next two additions–which will be complimentary–we’ll take a deeper dive into our company’s hometown, Washington, DC, as well as taking a road trip across the American South.
Happy Travels,
Gray & Erin
