I Blame National Geographic and Lorne Green

As a kid, I’d sit on the floor flipping through those glossy pages of National Geographic or watching Lorne Green's Wild Kingdom, staring at places that seemed wildly exotic—Tanzania’s endless savannahs, Uganda’s misty mountains, the mystical temples of Thailand, and Indonesia’s lush jungles. I was convinced that one day I’d be wading through the Amazon rainforest, encountering a large (but friendly) anaconda, or stumbling upon an ancient temple where monks would inexplicably welcome me into their secret society.

Of course, my first travel experience was a bit less Indiana Jones. It was several family trips to the UK to visit relatives—great, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t exactly feel like I’d discovered anything. London was very much aware of its own existence. What I really wanted was to sip coffee at a Parisian café, get lost in the alleyways of Venice, or eat something unidentifiable but delicious on a street corner in Bangkok.

In school, geography became my favourite subject—not because I had any intention of doing anything practical with it, but because I liked knowing exactly where in the world I’d rather be. As a Gen X’er, my idea of “trip planning” involved flipping through dog-eared travel magazines and occasionally pestering a travel agent for brochures. Thankfully, that need to go somewhere never left me, and I’ve since managed to travel across North America, Europe, a sliver of Africa, and sizeable chunks of Southeast Asia with my husband and son, all without accidentally joining a secret society (so far).

Oh, right—I should probably introduce myself. I’m Tania, a lifelong travel addict, itinerary-building enthusiast, and firm believer that no trip is complete without at least one meal you can’t pronounce.

The Accidental Itinerary Planner

Now, planning my family trip to Europe for the first time was, to put it mildly, a logistical nightmare. I was one overambitious Google search away from a full-on crisis. Finally, in a stroke of brilliance (or sheer desperation), I asked my husband and son:

"Tell me the three things you absolutely must see, and I’ll make sure two of them happen. The third? A bonus if we survive."

After much deep thought, my then-12-year-old son came back with: Amsterdam, Paris, and visiting family in Germany. My husband? Rome, anywhere in Croatia, and—shockingly—also visiting family in Germany. So, I plotted. I scoured the dial-up internet, mapped out routes, calculated costs, and obsessively researched Lonely Planet guides for the best places to eat (because priorities). And before I knew it, we had a fully functioning itinerary.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that this would become my thing. That first trip wasn’t just a success—it was a revelation. I loved the process (and maybe a little bit of the control). The figuring-it-out, the piecing-it-together, the how the hell are we getting from here to there? I started finding quirky stays, hidden gems, the best cheap eats, and the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation.

Enter Tailor Made Travels

That love for planning has now turned into something even bigger—helping others bring their dream trips to life. Travel doesn’t have to be overwhelming; it should be exciting, inspiring, and—most importantly—tailored to you. And that’s exactly why I created Tailor Made Travels.

Here, I’ll share where I’ve gone, the unexpected finds, the missteps (because let’s be honest, there are always missteps), and the joys of getting out of your comfort zone to experience something unforgettable. Whether you want to explore Europe’s hidden corners or Southeast Asia’s vibrant cities, I’ll help you navigate the process—so you can spend less time stressing and more time experiencing.

So, tell me—if you could pick three must-see places for your next adventure, where would they be?