Colton Swann

After 8 years in the airline industry, I've accumulated quite the sampler platter of cities around the world I've fallen in love with. In my off-time, I love to plan trips back to those places to explore and immerse myself in the culture of these unique cities. I'm a firm believer in shoulder-season travel. The weather is often idyllic, and the tourists don't outnumber the locals. Traveling in the shoulder season is a great way to upgrade your trip as well. The hotel that seemed unattainable in peak season is now right within budget, and your complimentary room upgrade is much more likely when the hotel isn't booked to capacity. While I will always love a long weekend in a bustling global city, in recent years I've begun to feel most energized and re-charged when discovering an up-and-coming destination. There's a specific kind of authenticity in a place that is just now beginning to see creative and interesting boutique hotels, restaurants, and eco-lodges emerge, yet hasn't been saturated with development and waves of visitors.