When we take road or business trips in the US, we always seek local and authentic places to drink and dine. We have discovered some impressive finds in our travels and will share them with you. Our order has no rhyme or reason; it is just random cool places we found.
Our favorite place to travel is overseas, as our blog shows. That said, we travel quite a bit in our homeland. Ryan has traveled for work and in the army, and Joelle travels with some volunteer work she does. Of course, we travel to visit family and friends regularly, Joelle the most often. In 2020, we took a road trip to New England to work on the blog since Covid prevented us from traveling overseas.
Ryan attended an army school before COVID-19 and spent his free time visiting several Kentucky Whiskey distilleries. Therefore, he has some fun places he plans to be writing about. Joelle has been to all fifty states, mostly on business and for speaking engagements over the years. She was always amazed at all the beautiful surprises this country offers in the most unexpected places.
We seek authentic, genuine local places with unique, memorable travel experiences. We will share the ones we enjoyed the most, those funky, memorable ones you come to love and tell stories about.
What can you expect from Random Finds?
When traveling, food and drink are very much part of the cultural experience, especially in Europe and the US. There are some incredible, unique foods and traditions throughout the US. We firmly believe you should seek local food and drink even on business trips. Hey, you worked all day; the evening is made for fun.
We are wine connoisseurs and love visiting wineries in the US’s best and not-so-good regions. We plan to write posts on our favorite wineries, the more fascinating ones that made our visit extra special. For example, Joelle had a business trip near Napa Valley, California, right before Covid. Once the workday was done, there were some fantastic meals and drinks with her colleagues every night! Many tasting rooms stay open quite late there.
We have visited distilleries in the US and overseas. As noted, Ryan enjoyed tasting lots of whisky in Kentucky during his business trip there! He brought along some of his classmates and made it fun for everyone.
But wine and whisky are not our only interests.
We seek local craft brews, especially in the family of dark beers, in any place, whether together or separately. Joelle loves to bring two gifts home to her husband: hot sauces and local specialty beer.
As we find these incredibly unique gems, we will share them with you on our Random Finds page.
As always, if you have exceptionally great places you discover as you wander this country, let us know. If we are in the area, we will check them out. Maybe, as a result, they will appear on our Random Finds page!!
Our Random Finds Posts
Discover Cumberland Valley, PA – A Guide to Nature, History, and Family Fun
As we travel through our great homeland, we encounter some fantastic gems. Our visit to Cumberland Valley Pennslyvania taught us there are many more surprises in your “own backyard.”
Unveiling the Splendor of BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham – A Hidden Gem in New Jersey
As we travel through our great homeland, we encounter some fantastic gems. Our visit to BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham was a destination we can’t believe we did not even know about.
Red Shed Brewery and Taproom Cooperstown, NY
As we travel through our great homeland, we encounter some fantastic gems. We came across the tremendous Red Shed Brewery and Taproom in Cooperstown, NY. Handmade fresh craft beer made with local ingredients, pride, and passion.
Frederick, Maryland: Where Craft Breweries and American History Make for the Perfect Getaway
As we travel through our great homeland, we encounter some fantastic gems. We came across the tremendous breweries in Frederick, Maryland. Handmade fresh craft beer made with pride and passion.
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Flights, Accommodations, and Everything You Need to Book in One Place
Are you planning a vacation this year? Start your research early to explore your options and find what fits your budget. By booking your own travel, you’ll uncover great deals and have complete control over your itinerary. The links below can be used for all elements of your trip, not just accommodations.
It is essential to price out accommodations on various sites. Expedia is a US-based company, whereas Booking.com is Europe-based. Not all properties appear on both, so it is ideal to check both out. Our personal first choice is Booking.com. If the establishment has a website, check the price there as well. Click the link below to check out hotels and vacation homes in the area. It may be just the motivation you need to start planning that next grand adventure.
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Our Top Recommended Travel Products
Travel Insurance
Squaremouth.com
Our favorite travel insurance site!
We strongly advocate for comprehensive travel insurance, not only for minor inconveniences but also for major, unexpected events like 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.
Transportation
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.
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, providing comfortable, stress-free travel with the bonus of 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 how 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 their flexible cancellation policy, which adds peace of mind to every booking.
Communication products for seamless connectivity overseas
GigSky International eSIM Data Plans
Local Prices. No Roaming. Fastest Networks.
GigSky eSIM effortlessly connects travelers around the globe, eliminating the need to swap physical SIM cards or deal with surprise roaming charges. With affordable data plans and instant activation, you can enjoy reliable internet access in over 190 countries, making your travel experience more convenient than ever. Plus, they offer a fantastic deal: a free 100 MB data plan with no credit card required. They are so confident that you will love their service!
Enjoy 10% off all GigSky Plans (except cruise and inflight) with our discount code WCOMPASS10.
To learn more about how GigSky works, check out our blog post for a more detailed review.
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 teams worldwide.
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