From Checklists to Chapters: The 3-Step Framework I Use to Help Clients Travel With Meaning

When was the last time you took a trip that truly felt like you?

Not just a beautiful view or a luxurious hotel stay—but a journey that reflected who you are, what you care about, and how you see the world?

We’re entering a new era in travel—one that’s not about passport stamps and bucket lists, but about personal stories, emotional fulfillment, and intentional journeys. Booking.com calls this trend the "Era of YOU"—where every travel decision becomes a reflection of personal identity.

As a seasoned travel advisor and the founder of Shores and More Travel, I’ve seen a shift in what my clients are asking for. They no longer want to just “go somewhere”—they want to feel something. They want a vacation that moves them. Changes them. Reflects them.

And that’s exactly what I help them create.

In this article, I’m going to share the exact 3-step framework I use to help clients move beyond checklists—and start traveling in chapters. 

Why Travel Needs to Evolve from a Checklist to a Chapter

Let’s face it: the “see it all” model of travel leaves most people feeling rushed, overwhelmed, and... underwhelmed.

Yes, you saw the Eiffel Tower. Yes, you took the gondola ride in Venice. But what if those experiences didn’t connect to anything meaningful inside you?

That’s why I created my “Chapters, not Checklists” travel planning method. 

This approach helps you: 

• Travel more intentionally
• Connect deeply with the places you visit
• Return home with stories that feel like you, not souvenirs that gather dust 

Let’s walk through how it works. 

Step 1: Discover Your Personal Themes

Before we talk flights, hotels, or even destinations, I start with the most important part of the trip: you. 

In this first phase, I help my clients uncover their travel identity—the values, interests, and emotions that should shape their trip. This isn’t just a consultation; it’s a discovery session where we explore questions like: 

• What do you want to feel on this journey?
• Are you seeking reconnection, celebration, or transformation?
• What parts of your identity or passions do you want this trip to reflect? 

Whether it’s wellness, food, history, art, adventure, or storytelling—we design around that. Think of this like choosing the theme of a chapter in your life. 

Step 2: Align Destinations with Your Identity

Once we’ve identified your theme, we begin matching destinations, experiences, and excursions that align with who you are. 

This is where I bring in my expertise—not just in geography, but in curated, story-based travel design. 

If you’re a writer or avid reader, I might recommend a Storyteller River Cruise through Europe, where authors host intimate, themed journeys. 
If you’re seeking spiritual renewal, I might guide you toward wellness resorts in Costa Rica or sacred sites in Peru. 
If your soul craves art and beauty, a curated museum-and-architecture tour of Barcelona and Florence might light your fire. 

The destination becomes the stage—but the script is yours. 

Step 3: Weave in Immersive Experiences That Tell Your Story

The final step is where the magic happens. This is where I help you build out your trip itinerary in a way that feels like a living narrative. 

Instead of rigid schedules, I include: 

• Modular options: so you can choose your pace
• Immersive local experiences: cooking classes, guided storytelling walks, personal encounters with artisans or authors
• Moments of reflection: time to pause, write, think, breathe 

I call these your travel plot points—the experiences that anchor your story and give your journey emotional depth. 

And yes, logistics are handled. Flights, transfers, upgrades, room views—you won’t have to lift a finger. But the soul of the trip? That’s custom to you.

Real Talk: This Isn’t For Everyone

If you just want a deal on a last-minute all-inclusive, this probably isn’t the right fit. 

But if you're someone who wants to: 

• Travel with intention
• Find joy in the journey—not just the destination
• Return home transformed, not just tanned 

…then you're my kind of traveler.  "Finding the vacation that makes memories that last a lifetime for my clients, the kind that you talk about for years to come is the type of vacation that I thrive to create.", Tina Moczynski, Travel Specialist - Shores and More Travel.

Ready to Turn the Page?

At Shores and More Travel, I don’t just book trips—I design chapters of your life story through transformative travel.

✨ Let’s turn your next vacation into something you’ll never stop talking about.

💬 DM me or book a complimentary planning call to start your journey.