Brainstorm the Trip
Find places to go, things to see, and ways to make the trip feel exciting again.
Meet Jennifer
Meet Jennifer
Hi! I'm Jen! I had always wanted to see the world. I even joined the military to do so, but then I married and had two boys, and I spent my leave (vacation) going to see family. Except for a few occasions, the only time I saw the world was when the Air Force sent me on deployment, and they weren't to bucket-list destinations. Don't get me wrong—it was definitely an experience learning about different cultures and realizing how small the world really is.
After 20 years in the military, a divorce, and my boys becoming adults, I decided it was time to make up for lost time. I asked friends and family to travel with me, but the answer was usually, "We'll see," or "Maybe." After a few years of waiting, I finally said, "See ya," and started traveling solo.
That started in 2022. As people realized I was traveling by myself, they were amazed. They asked if I was scared or lonely traveling by myself. They wanted to know how I planned my trips, how I used points, how I found deals, and how I fit so much into each adventure.
Those conversations sparked the idea for Bon Voyage Girlfriend. I realized that what felt like second nature to me could help other people travel confidently, spend wisely, and make memories of their own.
The Story Behind BVG
When People Say ‘No,’
You Say ‘Your Loss’
I realized the lessons I learned could help other travelers, but even more importantly, I wanted to encourage people to stop waiting for someone else to say yes. Life is too short to put your dreams on hold—whether you're traveling solo, with family, friends, or the person you love.
Bon Voyage Girlfriend is where I share the honest, practical travel advice I wish someone had handed me sooner: what is worth the money, what to skip, how to feel prepared, and how to leave room for the magic.
My goal is simple: to help you Travel Confidently. Spend Wisely. Make Memories. Whether you are planning your first cruise, a family trip, a solo adventure, or a big dream vacation, I want you to feel ready enough to actually enjoy it.
Traveling solo taught me I was capable of more than I imagined. Cruising introduced me to the man of my dreams (yes, it's a little cheesy), and every adventure reinforced one simple truth: thoughtful planning makes travel less stressful, more joyful, and leaves more room for unforgettable moments.
How I Help
Travel planning should feel exciting,
not something you dread.
The best trips are not the most perfect. They are the ones planned with care, lived with curiosity, and remembered for all the right reasons. This site is here to help you brainstorm places to go and things to see. I wanted to give people one place to go to plan that trip—or, if you prefer, obtain help planning that trip.
Sort the Details
Get the practical pieces in one place so planning feels useful instead of scattered.
Travel with Confidence
Choose what matters, spend wisely, and leave enough room for the fun parts to unfold.
More About BVG
The full story, one chapter at a time.
Bon Voyage Girlfriend grew from a life that did not always make travel easy: family, military service, school, divorce, shared custody, and years of putting big dreams on hold. After moving closer to family, retiring, graduating, and reaching a new chapter in life, I decided to stop waiting for perfect timing.
I am a cruise lover, wildlife admirer, and all-seven-continents adventurer. I did not build this site because every trip went perfectly. I built it because the real details matter.
The more I traveled, the more I noticed that inspiration is often shared without the practical details travelers need. BVG brings both together: the honest story and the useful plan.
Thoughtful planning creates more room for adventure. When the important details are handled, you can stay present, adjust when plans change, and enjoy what you never could have scheduled.
The Dream Begins
The travel dream started young
I only left the state once before joining the military: a Greyhound bus to see family in Alabama around 17 years old.
Learning to Plan
Planning became second nature
Serving in the Air Force taught me logistics, flexibility, and calm problem-solving, which still shape how I plan trips today.
Finally Saying Yes
I stopped waiting
After all the “nos,” “maybes,” and “we’ll sees,” I decided to travel on my own and booked my first cruise overseas during a Carnival Thanksgiving sale in 2021.
From Orders to Itineraries
Traveling on my own terms
For twenty years, someone else decided where I went and why. Solo travel was the first time every decision was mine, from choosing the destination to booking the flight to deciding what kind of adventure I wanted.
The Cruise That Changed Everything
Meeting my future fiancé
A great cruise deal led to an unexpected conversation, a favorite travel partner, and a new chapter of adventures together.
Bon Voyage Girlfriend
Helping others travel confidently
What started as answering friends’ questions turned into a place where travelers can find practical advice, honest reviews, and inspiration to finally say yes to the trip they have been putting off.
Experience
The Skills Behind the Stories
Not a résumé, promise. Just the experience behind the practical, easy-to-use travel help you will find here.
Photojournalist
Capturing moments that tell the story, not just pretty pictures.
Adventure Traveler
Testing ideas across seven continents, cruises, wildlife encounters, road trips, and bucket-list adventures.
Military
Twenty years of logistics, adaptability, and always having a Plan B.
Planner
Bringing it all together so travelers can feel prepared, spend wisely, and make memories.
Editor
Making travel information easy to read, understand, and actually use.
Public Affairs Professional
Turning complex information into clear, helpful guidance.
Plan Your Next Adventure
Wherever you are in the planning process, let's make sure you have all the information available.
Choose the topic that fits your next adventure. Whether you're planning your first trip or your fiftieth, you'll find guides, tips, and resources to make travel easier.
Find Your AdventureFind trips that fit your interests, budget, comfort level, and travel pace.Travel ResourcesPlanning guides, packing lists, budgeting tools, helpful apps, and checklists.WildlifeWildlife encounters, ethical animal experiences, nature adventures, and responsible viewing tips.Travel BasicsLearn the essentials—from choosing a destination to booking with confidence.DestinationsDestination guides, itineraries, local tips, and unforgettable experiences.CruisesShips, ports, excursions, planning tips, and first-time cruise advice.
BVG Picks
Destinations That Left a Mark
Every destination taught me something different. These are the places I still find myself talking about long after I unpacked.
Bucket List Getaway
Norway
Dogsledding through snowy landscapes, chasing and finding the Northern Lights, watching killer whales feed, and using points to make nearly the entire trip free made Norway a true bucket-list favorite.
Birthday Adventure
Australia & New Zealand
Bungee jumping, canyoning, rappelling down waterfalls, reaching my seventh continent, sailing my first back-to-back-to-back cruise, and flying Polaris made this birthday trip unforgettable.
Magical Destination
Antarctica
Whales, seals, penguins, kayaking, historic research sites, and camping on the White Continent made Antarctica feel unlike anywhere else on Earth—a protected place that still feels truly magical.
Islands of Evolution
Galápagos Islands
Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions, flamingos, and wildlife found nowhere else made the Galápagos feel like stepping into a living nature documentary.
History & Culture
Peru, Guatemala & El Salvador
Ancient ruins, unforgettable landscapes, local traditions, and miles of walking through living history made these destinations some of the most rewarding places I have explored.
Exploring Europe's History & Charm
Barcelona & Poland
From Barcelona’s architecture and public spaces to Poland’s beauty, resilience, and powerful history, this journey brought together the charm and complexity that make Europe unforgettable.