HAVE it your way holidays
Craft your own unforgettable bespoke adventure with curated, hidden-gem journeys, scenic rail routes, and handpicked local experiences.
About
Hey there, I'm Jerry...
coming to you from the lakes and forests of BC's interior.
As a retired high school art and media teacher, I have enjoyed many years traveling across Europe with my wife Tina, uncovering hidden gems and mastering the art of independent travel. During my 37-year career, I also planned numerous educational excursions, where I first discovered my passion for detailed itinerary design.
After twenty successful years of travel, Tina encouraged me to share my methods for creating bespoke holidays that are perfectly tailored to your unique interests, anywhere in the world.
jerry / Exploring palace of monserrate, sintra, portugal 2025
What A Great Trip to
Southern Italy!
We finished our 5 week trip through the boot of Italy. Starting in Naples, we crossed the ankle and stayed in Bari, then dropped down to Lecce, took a day and three trains to cross the sole of the boot to the toe and Tropea, a short train up to the ankle and Diamante, then a glorious three days in the Amalfi Coast before we finished in Rome. You can catch all the action in my blogs.
As for our next adventure? I've already started tentative planning for a new destination: Japan! I will be posting on Facebook.
jerry / Exploring manarola, italy 2010
Mastering Travel Planning: The Essential Three.
When I first began developing this website, I asked myself: What can I offer that others—specifically fellow seniors—would find truly useful? Two decades ago, my own adventures began by studying Rick Steves’ guidebooks. In fact, this photo is from my first European trip: arriving at Italy’s breathtaking Cinque Terre and approaching the fishing village of Manarola, Rick Steves guidebook in hand.
As the years passed, my wife and I discovered new travel writers, watched countless YouTube videos, talked with many other travelers, and experimented with a variety of apps. These resources helped enrich our adventures, giving us the confidence to curate our own bespoke holidays.
With tourism booming worldwide and many destinations facing the strain of overcrowding, we aim to travel responsibly. We focus on respecting local cultures, reducing our environmental impact by taking trains, and supporting the local economy. As curious, open-minded travelers, we love exploring on foot and capturing the world through our cameras, all while following ‘leave no trace’ principles to leave a positive footprint.
If this sounds like the kind of travel you'd enjoy, I can offer insights from my own experiences in three specific areas:
1. CUSTOMIZED JOURNEY DESIGN
2. PACK-SMART TRAVEL GEAR
3. MY LIST OF TRAVEL APPS & SITES
You Can Do This!
"Europe was more than a destination; it was the profound realization that adventure truly knows no age. There is a singular sense of pride in the journey when every discovery is one you’ve thoughtfully mapped out yourself."
jerry & tina / Exploring paris, france 2025
Have It Your Way Holidays