Travel edition: take the trip, pitch the tent, make the memories
Recommendations for restaurants, packing hacks, playlists and more
Welcome to my table, sweet friend! I send out this weekly Glorygram as an invitation for you to pull up a chair and linger with me at the table. I’m serving up a bowl of Homemade Pesto Pasta with garden-fresh veggies. Join me for a feast on the glory of God!
As my daughter and I looked out at the landscape, we saw the Český Krumlov castle across the way and the town below lined with artisan shops, cute cafes and cobblestone streets. I had this feeling deep in my bones that made me almost giggle.
I experienced that same feeling of delight as we sailed the Danube River at dusk and golden light from the Parliament building pranced on the water before us. I tasted it on that same trip when I sunk my teeth into a tiramisu gelato that tickled my tongue with flavor.
And the same feeling welled up in me a few weeks ago when I sat near campfire with my three daughters under a canopy of delicious-smelling Ponderosa pines. We unraveled stories and skipped through memories and belly laughed together around the fire, while eating gourmet s’mores we roasted.
This is the wonder of travel. This is the magic of using our five senses to savor God’s creation around the world.
Through the years, I have learned that I feel most alive and aware of God’s presence when I am traveling. From the rolling hills of Haiti to the spires of Prague, from the Eiffel Tower sparkling at sunset to my first glimpse of the ceiling inside the Sistine Chapel, I can recall these monumental moments of awe and wonder.
David declared in the psalms: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1 ESV).
When I travel, my heart is keenly aware of God’s glory. I can’t help but be on the lookout for His handiwork in the people, the languages, and the landscapes I encounter. And this is why I keep traveling and taking my family and students with me.
Over Spring Break, my daughter Giada and I had the chance to travel to Eastern Europe with the journalism and history classes from our high school. We skipped through seven countries in 11 days - starting in Czech Republic, perusing Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and concluding in Poland.
While I was in Prague, I wrote these lines in my journal:
I’m looking out over the city from Letna Park and the light is magical - blush ballet pinks, lavender fields and fading blue jeans are the colors splashing across the sky. The buildings remind me of gingerbread houses with terra-cotta colored roofs and windows outlined in white frosting. The green spires on the synagogues make the cityscape unique.
A glowing lip gloss moon is pinned on the backdrop of a serene sky. I am grateful for this opportunity to pause and breathe these lines tonight. I am reminded anew of all the things I love about travel.
I have the chance to explore new streets I’ve never seen or imagined before. I feel the invitation to stretch my wings. New sounds and syllables are a symphony around me. I hear the shape of the music sliding across sidewalks - some notes are smooth while others scrape. Even in these tongues and tiers of landscape, I hear the whisper of His glory. This is the surprise of dry bones snapping to life.
As the sunlight dims, the lights of the city illuminate the buildings like someone switched on the Christmas tree. There is wonder here, too. I have to admit this is a part of the world I’ve never dreamed of traveling to, but I’m so glad I did. I didn’t have a prior connection to draw me, but I’m deeply grateful our itinerary took us here. These cities magnify a redemption story that points back to a savior.
If we go digging in history, these lands and people were used and abused. They were oppressed under Communist and authoritarian rule for decades. Freedom was hard-won, and it is palpable today in the streets we walked. They waited decades in the darkness for that new dawn. I can’t help but think about how 500 years transpired between the pages of Malachi and Matthew in the Bible. That’s five centuries of waiting and tethering to hope through silent nights.
Malachi the prophet offered them this candle pointing to the Redeemer: “When the Sun of Righteousness comes, part of how we will recognize Him is He will have healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2 KJV).
I don’t know about you, but I needed this reminder today. When the headlines feel heavy and tragedy swirls in our communities, we need to hold on to this hope and the knowledge that our Redeemer lives in all corners of the globe. He has healing in His wings. He is coming, and He is here.
Friends, look for him in the cobblestone streets, the ocean waves, the museum halls and the city landmarks. Chase His glory through the fields and fauna with your family and as you watch the sunrise and sunset in solitude. Whether you’re sitting near a campfire or hiking the peak, remember there is a redemption story unfolding all around us. Sometimes we just need to leave our own backyards or comfortable couches to see it. To believe it.
Glory recommendations
Each week I like to share links to some of my own work or resources that are inspiring me and my family to chase after God’s glory! Here are five for you to check out this week:
One of our favorite ways to find good eats while we are traveling is by using Yelp. If you haven’t heard of Yelp, it’s a restaurant (and business) review site. I am building collections of our favorite spots in the cities we visit. If you hop over to Yelp, you can look at my favorites under my profile Dorina G. If you’re traveling to Denver, San Francisco, California’s Central Coast, Nashville, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, and Southern California. And, of course, I’ve included all my Fresno faves! I would love to hear about some of your favorite hidden gems too!
Having the right gear for travel helps to make packing easier and trips run smoother. Here are a few of my favorite hacks to take on flights, getaways and family road trips, including my red Paris flats that brighten any outfit and fold up to fit in a carryon, the best portable charger and the best travel backpack weekender with a spot for your computer and a trusty waist support belt to save your back!
If you’ve been around here for a minute, you know I love a good playlist. This is my 2025 Summer Road Trip playlist. These songs are carrying me on the trails and winding roads, as I drive along the coast and in city traffic. I hope you enjoy them too!
Come explore the globe with us from the comfort of your home. Our family has curated a robust list of books, recipes, music, dances, games, and video recommendations for your family to learn about countries and cultures you might not be able to visit in today’s circumstances. We lead you on a culinary travel adventure where you will learn about history and the beauty of God’s people. And this one doesn’t break the bank! Check out the Global Glory Chasers experience here.
Every month I give away a special book to one of my Glorygram subscribers. The June Giveaway is meaningful because my words are included in this book! The Women’s Devotional Bible - The Gospels. This volume invites women of all ages and life experiences to consider what it means to be made in God’s image and invited into God’s mission out of our unique design. With down-to-earth insights into the experience of women in the Gospels, and informed by the wisdom of women in our contemporary context, this Women’s Devotional Bible portion expands our imagination for faithfulness in our time. The writers for this project include 82 contributors, all women of diverse ages, vocations, backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. Another cool tidbit is that 27 of these writers are my author friends through the Redbud Writers Guild. I love collaborative projects! If you’re interested in a copy of The Gospels, comment below with your interest for one last chance to win.
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Friend, I’m so grateful you are a part of my Glorygram tribe! I count it an incredible privilege to connect with each of you through this Glorygram. I offer a paid subscription to this newsletter with all the bells and whistles! For $50 per year (or $5 a month), you'll gain access to my full archive, bonus posts, monthly recipe posts, and my Lent and Advent devotionals! While the free weekly emails will continue, my subscription-only content will be an extension of the foundation we've built together. My goal is always to help you continue to feast on God’s glory in your everyday lives. To subscribe and unlock this exclusive content, simply hit the Subscribe Now button. Founding members will also get a personalized, signed copy of one of my books! I am so grateful for all of your prayers and support!
Dorina,
Sounds like you & your girls had fun. I see God in the majestic Smokey Mountains of upper E. TN. Also in lakes & oceans. How can one look at the ocean or sky with clouds & stars all in place & not know there is a God who created it?
Hello Dorina. I would love to win this for my sister who is navigating breast cancer on top of her other health issues. Thank you.
PS, I love reading about your travels.