Hello! I'm Starnes. If you're reading this, you probably suspect that there is more to travel than ticking boxes on a generic "Top 10 Things to Do" list. You are absolutely right.
My Journey
Years ago, I was caught in the classic rat race. Two weeks of vacation a year meant I traveled frantically. I'd fly to Europe, sprint through five countries in fourteen days, take photos in front of famous monuments, and return home more exhausted than when I left. I saw a lot, but I experienced very little.
The turning point happened in a tiny, unmarked family restaurant in Oaxaca, Mexico. I couldn't speak the language, the menu was handwritten, and I had no idea what I ordered. What arrived was the most incredible meal of my life, accompanied by the warmth of a family who invited me to sit in their kitchen. That single evening taught me more about Mexican culture than any guided museum tour ever could.
"Travel shouldn't be a checklist. It should be an ongoing conversation with the world."
Why "Travel With Starnes"?
I created this platform to share the philosophy of slow, intentional travel. Here, you won't find guides on how to speed-run the Louvre. Instead, you'll find strategies for navigating local transport, tips on connecting with communities despite language barriers, and guides to neighborhoods untouched by mass tourism.
I believe that travel is the ultimate tool for empathy. When we step outside our bubbles and participate in the daily rhythms of another culture, the world becomes a little smaller, and a lot kinder. I'm thrilled you are here. Let's explore the real world together.