The photos of pop-up art accompanying this blog are entitled "Neighbors" by muralist John Cerney. They are located on Sunny Dunes near the antique stores and Townie Bagels.
Many of you know me well; others have learned a bit about me through my site. In any case, I wanted to share that I consider it a real honor that you have chosen to follow me.
Thirteen years ago, I moved to Palm Springs, California. I was frustrated that most people thought Palm Springs was only about golf courses and pools, where we sat around and drank cocktails with tiny paper umbrellas.
Because there was so much to do and see, I wanted to share what I was learning about my new community through the Palm Springs Insider Guide and include the other eight cities in Coachella Valley.
Yes, I recognize that I write the Palm Springs Insider Guide, but frankly, the rest of the world thinks that when they land at our beautiful Palm Springs International Airport, they are staying in Palm Springs, though the address of their accommodations may be 30 miles away in Indio.
Expansion of the Palm Springs Insider Guide
You noticed I have expanded to one-half-day, day trips, and three-day trips from Palm Springs. Yes, even we residents who have balmy weather need a change of scenery, so we want to explore unfamiliar places.
If I have learned anything, as a travel writer, every community has its own culture and things that will delight us if we slow down. Even 45 miles away, residents have amazing things to show us, and they tell us stories that make their area of the world a special place.
Recently, I was contacted to write a guide about day trips from Palm Springs. I smiled because I loved the idea. Did you know we had an orchid farm 45 minutes away? Have you explored Redlands? Idyllwild?
Exploring More of the United States and World
Since I am being asked to go on occasional Fam Trips (Typically, six journalists are invited to dine and visit attractions of an area as outlined by the tourism bureau or PR company), I will be adding a Tab on Palm Springs Insider Guide that says Beyond California.
I am doing that because the teacher in me wants my readers to see and learn from my adventures. From those trips, I also glean article ideas that I pitch to other places, such as Ionic Life, LuxeBeat Magazine, and Extended Weekend Getaways.
As much as I love Palm Springs, California, I know there is so much to learn anywhere I travel. Smiling, plus, I do feel the need to get out of the 110-degree temperatures in our summer, even for four days at a time.
Conferences I Will Be Attending in 2025
I am so pleased to have been selected to attend IMM (TravMedia International Media Market), where 1,000 people spend a day at the Javits Center in NYC at the end of January. Approximately 500 travel writers meet vendors throughout the United States and a few out of the country, pitching their designations and exploring whether there is a match for a travel writer/location that warrants a trip in the future.
In July, I will be in Chicago, where I am happy to announce I will be one of 600 travel writers to attend an IPW Conference, which provides a valuable in-person platform to conduct business and strengthen relationships worldwide. The conference will welcome 6,000 people spending four days together attending seminars and interviewing each other to see if there is a way to visit a location and create a win/win/win. I gave up long ago, just going for just a win/win.
I mention these conferences because it appears I will have much more to share with you in 2025. My ethics guide me by never sharing something I haven’t experienced. If you read my blog, you need to trust that what I write is from first-hand experience.
On a Personal Note
Some of you know my daughter, granddaughter, and son-in-law have a place in Southern France. I am pleased to share I’ll be going there in mid-October 2025. I will likely add other places to my agenda while in Europe—thus, the two conferences will be a great place to test the waters and see if I should make additional stops while I am overseas.
As the year ends, I am reminded without readers, there would be no need to spend time writing. Frankly, writing after I have visited a place brings me immense joy as I relive the visit. Thank you for following me and recommending my site to others.
May 2025 be a year of exploring our world. Think of it this way: Incredible experiences await you when choosing a less-traveled path. I know it is trite, but it is true. Even taking a different street in your city can reveal wonderful surprises. Please keep your eyes open to truly experience and see our magnificent world.
Kathy Condon is a travel journalist and award-winning author. Her niche is luxury experiences and communities living in the shadows of larger cities.
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