Welcome to The Travel Digest
If you’ve ever worried about “wasting” your limited PTO on a rushed, checklist-style trip, you’re not alone. Most of us aren’t traveling constantly, so we want the trips we do take to actually mean something, not just tick boxes.
I’m Jordan, and I write practical, personal travel guides for busy travelers who want their trips to feel beautiful, memorable, and entirely doable, even when competing against a full schedule! The Travel Digest is the newsletter and community space behind my travel blog, JordanGassner.com.
On the blog, you’ll find the core travel planning tools: in-depth guides, destination breakdowns, and clear resources that help you figure out where to go, when to go, and what to do once you’re there.
Here in the newsletter, I go one layer deeper. You’ll find detailed trip itineraries that take the guesswork out of your days, shoppable packing lists that help you feel prepared and like yourself, current trip inspiration I’m eyeing, and behind the scenes moments and reflections that shape how I travel and how you can too.
If you’re balancing a busy schedule and want your trips to feel intentional rather than like one more thing to power through, this space is for you. My goal is to help you travel deeper (without making the planning process more overwhelming!) and to build a community of travelers who feel inspired, supported, and a little more connected along the way.
Meaningful adventures for modern explorers, in practice.
Why subscribe?
Whether you’re planning your next big adventure or trying to make the most of a few precious PTO days each year, The Travel Digest curates the experiences and resources for travelers like you who want more than a checklist from their time away. Subscribers get a mix of practical tools and personal insights designed to make every trip feel meaningful, beautiful, and entirely doable.
Paid Subscribers get access to:
Detailed Trip Itineraries: Daily schedules crafted the same way I plan my own trips, built to help you make the most of limited time without rushing or stressing. These are the most-requested resources I create.
Shoppable Packing Lists: Practical, thoughtfully curated packing guides by destination and season so you can feel comfortable and focus on enjoying every moment of your trip.
Monthly Trip Inspiration & Seasonal Ideas: A look at the destinations, hotels, and tours I’m personally eyeing so you always know what’s new, trending, or worth keeping on your radar.
Exclusive Travel Q&A: You bring the travel questions (and even request future itineraries or packing lists!), and I share the answers you actually need.
Free Subscriber Content: See below!
Free Subscribers get access to:
Curated Mini Guides: Bite-sized guides for epic destinations, solo travel tips, and practical travel hacks you can use on your next adventure.
New Blog Post Notifications: Instant access when new travel guides go live on JordanGassner.com.
Previews of Detailed Itineraries & Packing Lists: Short snapshots only, so you know what you might more fully expect from the paid tier.
About Me
Who am I? I’m a travel enthusiast who’s explored iconic cities, epic landscapes, and everything in between. I’ve walked in the footsteps of characters from beloved books and movies, marveled at breathtaking landscapes, and embraced the thrill of solo travel across multiple continents.
My journey into travel writing started with a love for storytelling. I spent years working in the film and gaming industries, where I honed my skills in bringing epic narratives to life. Eventually, I realized that the best stories are found in the moments we live ourselves.
I wasn’t always the confident traveler I am today. Growing up in California, I loved the idea of adventure, but it wasn’t until my first solo trip abroad to Austria that I truly understood the transformative power of travel. I’ve since explored places like Vietnam, Peru, Egypt, and Portugal, and while I may not be one of Substack’s top travel bloggers (yet!), I’ve got plenty of stories, tips, and ideas to share.
Whether it’s the thrill of boarding a train through snow-covered mountains or the quiet joy of finding a hidden café on a cobblestone street, I’m here to help you discover the magic of travel for yourself.
So, let’s go explore!
Until our next adventure,
Jordan
