Introducing…Allora Journeys
When I started Our Next Adventure it was literally just that. A new beginning in life, in parenting, and (thanks to a big job change for Matt), in travel, too. If you’ve been here since those early days, you already know the story.
Here’s the condensed version:
Our Next Adventure
In May of 2015, as we were getting ready to welcome our first baby girl into the world, Matt was offered a job that felt both exciting and completely chaotic. He’d be managing one of the biggest construction projects of his career…and doing it in two places. One week on-site in Palo Alto California, one week from home in Omaha, Nebraska. Back and forth. Over and over.
It seemed crazy that we’d even consider it (you know, because I was 8 months pregnant…), but the opportunity came with some perks we couldn’t ignore… a better salary so I could step away from my 9-5 job, the freedom to join Matt in California whenever we felt like it, and a sense of newness and possibility we’d been craving as life had gotten a bit predictable (…oh, minus the new baby coming in a month, but…I digress…).
Needless to say, he took the job, and our life of travel began.
And because I was suddenly home with a newborn and craving a creative outlet of my own, Our Next Adventure was also born. At first it was simply a place to share what was going on with our new little family: our trips to San Francisco and life as a stay at home mom. But before long, other moms were sliding into my DMs looking for baby travel advice, and I realized others were searching for the same kind of freedom we had stumbled into.
Not long after, I had my first “viral” post on Pinterest (a carry on packing list for flying with a baby, which is still one of my most read posts by the way…). Perhaps this blogging thing could become something more than I’d originally intended?
From Blogger to Trusted Travel Advisor
It’s no secret that my blogging journey has had its share of ups and downs over the past 10 years. The birth of our second daughter, Sophie, with complex medical needs, shifted my focus in a way I never could have predicted. Then, the pandemic layered in a whole new kind of uncertainty. The blog took a back seat, even though my heart still loved it.
But I couldn’t let go of Our Next Adventure. I was drawn back, again and again, because I truly love our family’s travels and how they’ve shaped us. It’s taught us…all of us…resilience, curiosity and a real appreciation for experiences outside of our bubble at home.
As the years went on, our own travels evolved too. Less packed itineraries, more quality experiences. We said goodbye to struggling through budget apartment rentals, and hello to hotels with comfort and amenities. I *gasp* finally booked the private airport transfer instead of bumbling through public transportation with all of our luggage and a wheelchair.
This new version of travel wasn’t about extravagance. It was about adding calmness back into the journey. About allowing the space to actually enjoy the moments I’d so carefully curated for our family.
That’s when I knew I needed to shift my focus towards something bigger than blogging, too. Something that would let me take everything we’d learned through years of trial and error, missed naps, long flights, and dreamy cities, to help other families experience meaningful, effortless travel in the way we’d learned to.
Introducing: Allora Journeys
A boutique family travel agency for parents who want more than a vacation.
A new name, a renewed sense of purpose, and a step forward in our journey. Because this isn’t just our next adventure, it’s yours too.
Allora is a little Italian word with many meanings…so, then, or even let’s go. I first discovered it while traveling Italy with a then 18 month old Evelyn, and I loved how its meaning shifted with context, filled with nuance and subtlety.
That word, allora, stayed with me long after the trip, because travel is much the same. Every journey we take as a family isn’t just about checking boxes…it’s about stepping into life in another culture, noticing the details that don’t always translate at first, and finding meaning in between the hotel check-ins and guided tours. Those are the real moments that shape our children into curious, compassionate citizens of the world, and the memories that stay with us long after the trip is over.
At Allora Journeys, this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. It’s about slowing down, embracing nuance, and discovering the deeper stories behind each destination. Just as allora takes on new meaning in different situations, each journey your family takes should show you new ways of seeing the world and each other.
Over the years, our approach to travel has matured. Our needs have changed. And maybe yours have, too. Maybe you’re feeling drawn to a different kind of family vacation, where the planning doesn’t feel so heavy, the logistics don’t overwhelm you, and the experience reflects the life you’ve built and the memories you want to create.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
This new chapter isn’t a departure from where we’ve been. It’s about stepping forward with renewed clarity and vision.
It’s a brand that reflects the level of care and experience I weave into every trip I design, and a recognition that the families I work with are ready for a more refined, more thoughtful experience.
If you’ve been craving travel that feels elevated, effortless, and tailored to this season in your family’s life, then welcome. I’d love for us to take the next step together.
Allora, let’s go…
