Over three years ago, my son was performing in an all-nation orchestra in Orlando, Florida, over Thanksgiving break. I had been to Cuba in 2011 with the Washington State Bar Association and thought, as long as I was going to Orlando, I might as well investigate how easy it would be to take my son to Cuba for a short trip. I contacted Cross Cultural Journeys, a Bainbridge Island tour company specializing in trips to Cuba. That conversation led to plans to take the high school jazz band to Cuba in April 2020, with fundraisers and lots of planning. Unfortunately, Covid canceled our trip.

As you plan for your travels over the holidays, or your mid-winter sunny getaway, here are a few tips to keep in mind, weather you travel plans take you domestically or internationally:

Jazz master Roger Glenn shares his deep connection to Cuba, its music, and its people ahead of an intimate journey to the Havana Jazz Festival. In this conversation, Glenn reflects on his past trips, the rich history of Afro-Cuban jazz, and what travelers can expect from this immersive experience. From legendary music venues to cultural insights, Glenn offers a glimpse into the rhythms and stories that make Cuba a jazz lover’s dream.

Dear Traveler,

I hope this finds you safe and healthy wherever you are! Sorry for the long radio silence - we took a self-imposed summer break in July, partly because we didn't have much new to report in the current world of travel. At least not in the world as we once knew it. We are in an ongoing transformational process, and it takes a little bit of time for each of us, depending on where we are on our path, to integrate what is actually happening, on the global, community and individual levels. It takes a bit of time to come to a realization that we are actually all deeply connected. It is a more a 'felt sense', than something we can see with our eyes. What am I talking about? Well, from the chair of a CEO of a purpose travel company, I reflect a lot on what it may mean to those of us who love to leave the comfort of our homes, to take on the outer adventures in far away lands.