An Award-winning Travel Platform for the Independent Traveler
Within all of us lies a Wanderer. There is a beautiful, fascinating world waiting to be explored, and the wonder it offers is limitless. At Wanderers Compass, we hope to awaken the wanderer within you through immersive storytelling, captivating photography, destination insights, and practical travel advice drawn from our decades of experience.
Whether you’re planning your very first journey or your hundredth, and regardless of your budget, we’re here to inspire and empower you to travel independently, embrace authentic experiences, and create memories that can truly change the way you see the world.
“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
About Wanderers Compass
We are Joelle Machia and Ryan Slough, two people with families, busy lives, and an extraordinary passion for exploring the world. Like many travelers, we make every moment count. We carefully plan our journeys, embrace the freedom of independent travel, and often take the scenic route ourselves. Those choices have taken us to more than 60 countries across six continents and led to remarkable places, meaningful conversations, and experiences we never could have planned.
We believe some of the best moments in travel happen beyond the guidebooks. Turn down that quiet country road. Wander through the smallest villages. Share a meal with locals. Step inside an ancient castle. Pause in a neighborhood café. Travel becomes truly memorable when we slow down, stay curious, and take the time to understand the stories, cultures, and people that make each destination unique.
If there’s one thing you’ll quickly discover about us, it’s our passion for castles. We’ve explored over 500 castles around the world, from iconic royal palaces to forgotten medieval fortresses, and we’re still counting. Our Castle Hunters collection follows that journey and celebrates the history, architecture, people, and stories behind these remarkable places.
Wanderers Compass was created to inspire meaningful, independent travel through firsthand storytelling, practical advice, and genuine cultural experiences. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply dreaming about one, we’re glad you’ve found us.
We invite you to explore, subscribe, and join our travel community. A few times each year, we’ll share a thoughtfully curated newsletter with our latest adventures, new articles, podcast updates, and a look at where our travels are taking us next—never spam, and we never share your information with anyone else.
Resources For All
While independent travel is at the heart of how we explore, Wanderers Compass is a resource for all travelers. Our Country Travel Guides and Travel Articles share what we’ve learned along the way, from practical planning advice and places to stay to history, food, cultural experiences, and the unexpected discoveries that often become our favorite memories.
Above all, we hope to encourage thoughtful travel. Go with curiosity. Learn about the places you visit. Respect local cultures and communities. Be willing to venture beyond what you already know. We believe travel is at its best when we experience the world with open eyes and leave with a greater understanding of it.
We always welcome hearing from our readers. Visit our Contact Us page to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions.
2025 and 2026 – A Remarkable Chapter for Wanderers Compass
The past two years have taken Wanderers Compass in directions we never expected. Along with traveling and continuing to grow the site, we expanded our freelance writing, launched our digital magazine, and received opportunities and recognition for which we are incredibly grateful.
Two Podcasts Two Ways to Explore
In 2025, we launched the Wanderers Compass Podcast, taking listeners deeper into the destinations we explore through our firsthand experiences, history, culture, practical insights, and conversations with people we meet along the way.
In 2026, we added Table & Compass, a second podcast focused on experiencing the world through food, from regional dishes and culinary traditions to the people and stories behind them.
Together, the two shows give us another way to share what we love most about travel: understanding a place through its history, culture, people, and food
Forttuna Global Excellence Awards – Dubai
We traveled to Dubai for the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards, where Joelle was invited to serve as a keynote speaker and received two honors: Travel Content Creator of the Year and Travel Influencer of the Year.
United Nations
In September 2025, Joelle spoke at a United Nations General Assembly side event focused on sustainable development. In 2026, she began serving as a United Nations Representative for ECOSOC, bringing many of the same ideas that shape Wanderers Compass—responsible tourism, cultural respect, and sustainability—to a broader international conversation.
Forttuna Global Power 100
Joelle and Ryan were both named to the Forttuna Global Power 100, Class of 2025. In July 2026, that recognition brought Wanderers Compass to Times Square, where the announcement appeared on a digital billboard.
Journey Beyond Our Website with the Wanderers Compass Podcast
New Episodes on the Second Monday of Every Month at 7 pm EST/4 pm PST
Explore our Table & Compass Podcast
New Episodes on the First Monday of Every Month at 7 pm EST/4 pm PST
Pull up a chair and join us for conversations with remarkable people whose stories inspire curiosity, broaden perspectives, and deepen our understanding of the world.
In January 2026, We Launched Our Wanderers Compass Digital Magazine; issues come out 3-4 times a year.
May you Wander in Wonder and Live the Extraordinary
Wanderers Compass Travel Stats
| Countries | Flight Miles Flown | Continents | States/U.S. Territories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 2,260,218 | 6 | 52 |
Wanderers Compass is a Proud, Verified Veteran-Owned Business
We have the honor of being members of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), and the International Travel Writers Alliance (ITWA), and we welcome opportunities to explore and collaborate.
© 2026 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved
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Our Top Recommended Travel Products
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our Favorite Travel Insurance Site!
We strongly advocate comprehensive travel insurance, not only for minor inconveniences but also for major, unexpected events such as medical emergencies. We never leave home without it. Our go-to resource is Squaremouth.com. which offers a user-friendly platform that connects you with top-rated, reputable insurance carriers. Plus, they’ll mediate on your behalf if you run into any issues.
To empower you as a consumer, we recommend you read our blog post on why travel insurance is essential and how to secure the best coverage from leading companies at an affordable price.
MedjetAssist
Medical transport back home from anywhere in the world
Medjet is a leading provider of global air medical transport. Unlike traditional travel insurance, which typically covers medical evacuation to the nearest facility, Medjet goes further by ensuring you’re transported back to the U.S. to the hospital of your choice once you’re stable enough to fly. Medjet offers membership plans that focus on medical transport, while Medjet Horizon provides expanded coverage for broader protection. Individual trip policies start at just $99, and annual policies are available for around $300. Most policies have an age limit of 74.
To learn more about how Medical Evacuation membership with Medjet Assist works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Accommodations and Airfare
Booking.com
Hotels, Home rentals, BNBs, Flights, and other Transportation & Tours
Booking.com connects millions of travelers to unforgettable experiences, a wide range of transportation options, and incredible places to stay—from homes to hotels and beyond. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces, it supports well-known brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes. For its convenience, variety, and reliability, it’s our preferred booking platform.
Expedia and VRBO
Hotels, home rentals, BNBs, flights, and other transportation & tours
Expedia is a U.S.-based company with a mission to make global travel accessible to everyone, everywhere. At Wanderers Compass, we embrace independent travel, and platforms like Expedia are essential to making that a reality. Expedia allows you to book every aspect of your trip—from flights and accommodations to rental cars, cruises, and activities—making it a one-stop shop for all your travel needs.
Transportation
Daytrip
Personalized city-to-city private car transfer service
Daytrip provides an affordable private car service for city-to-city transfers worldwide, and we absolutely love their service. It’s a cost-effective alternative to renting a car, offering comfortable, stress-free travel with scenic stops along the way. For example, we used Daytrip for travel between Budapest and Vienna, enjoying some fantastic detours to local attractions. With professional drivers and customizable routes, Daytrip ensures a smooth ride while allowing you to explore hidden gems and unique sights along your journey.
To learn more about Daytrip, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
Travel Experiences
Viator
The leading marketplace for travel experiences
Viator believes that travel is all about creating unforgettable memories. With over 300,000 experiences to choose from—ranging from simple tours to extreme adventures, plus a wide array of unique, niche activities—it’s never been easier to make lasting memories. We frequently use Viator during our travels and especially appreciate its flexible cancellation policy, which provides peace of mind with every booking.
Shopping
Wanderers Compass Amazon Storefront
An excellent source for all travel essentials and guides that we have vetted ourselves
Amazon is one of the world’s most comprehensive online shopping platforms, offering lower prices, a wide selection, and fast delivery through its global fulfillment network.
This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!
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