Let's Go Places Together: Meet Your New Travel Columnist
By Jeni Miles
Aloha, and welcome! I'm Jeni Miles, owner of Miles to Explore Travel, and I'm thrilled to kick off this monthly travel column for the Jefferson Review. Each month, I'll share practical travel tips, insider tricks, destination inspiration, and real deals — all drawn from the places I know and love best.
A little about me: I never actually planned on becoming a travel agent. Nearly five years ago, my own travel agent retired — and asked me to take over her business. I said yes, and I've never looked back. Today, Miles to Explore Travel, hosted by The Travel Gals, helps travelers plan unforgettable trips, and I honestly love what I do every single day.
My specialties are the destinations I've experienced firsthand, because there's nothing like planning a trip to somewhere you've actually stood. Hawaii and Alaska top my list — from watching the sunrise over Haleakala to cruising past a calving glacier; these are the trips I sell from the heart. I also plan all-inclusive getaways to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica — the kind of vacation where your biggest decision is pool or beach — plus cruises of every kind, from big-ship adventures packed with activities to intimate small-ship sailings.
My personal favorite destination? Aruba. One Happy Island never misses — the weather, the beaches, the people. And my bucket-list trip is Tahiti and Bora Bora aboard a small Windstar ship, drifting between those impossibly blue lagoons. (A girl can dream — and plan!)
So, what can you expect from this column? Useful stuff, not fluff. How far ahead to book for the best prices. What to pack and what to leave behind. Airport mistakes that cost travelers real money — like the new 50-minute interisland check-in rule in Hawaii that just caught plenty of people off guard. Honest takes on destinations, including the "wish I'd known that before I went" kind. And whenever I spot a deal genuinely worth jumping on — a cruise promotion, an all-inclusive price drop — you'll read about it here first.
Here's my philosophy in one line: the best trips aren't the most expensive ones; they're the best planned ones. A little insider's knowledge goes a remarkably long way, and that's exactly what I'm here to share.
And if you've ever wondered whether using a travel advisor still matters in the age of do-it-yourself booking sites — it does, and I'll show you why. When flights cancel, itineraries change, or a volcano decides to put on a show; you want a human in your corner, not a chatbot.
Coming up in future columns: how to choose the right Hawaiian island for your travel style, when to book Alaska before the best 2027 sailings sell out, and an honest cost comparison — all-inclusive resort versus cruise, which wins for a family of four? Bring your questions, too. If you're wondering about a destination, chances are another reader is wondering the same thing.
I'm so glad you're here. Let's explore together — I'll see you next month!
Jeni Miles is the owner of Miles to Explore Travel, hosted by The Travel Gals, specializing in Hawaii, Alaska, all-inclusive vacations, and cruises. "Memories That Last A Lifetime." Reach her at 314-706-6276, [email protected], or visit www.milestoexploretravel.com.
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