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A Slower Note Before the Year Ends
A reflection on rest, intention, and traveling well
Susie Hawkins
December 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
FROM MY DESK
Hello Red Tail Travelers,
As my work calendar slows down, the rest of life seems to speed up. Holiday parties, family traditions, and those last-minute errands we all swear we’re done with.
If there’s one thing I hope for you in these final weeks of the year, it’s this: real rest.
Yes, I spend my days helping people move across oceans and borders. But travel isn’t simply about motion. It’s also about knowing when not to go anywhere at all.
If you’re home for the holidays, I hope you allow yourself to stay there. To pause. To reflect on what this year has held and to be present before the next chapter begins.
— Susie Hawkins
Hey there,
You’re reading Field Notes from Red Tail Travel — a mix of client stories, travel tips, personal reflections, and updates from behind the scenes. It’s where I share what’s inspiring me, what I’m learning, and the moments that make travel feel meaningful.
Let’s dive in.
— Susie
TRAVEL REFLECTION
Spending Intentionally When You Do Travel
Earlier this month, I shared a short reflection on something I see often when clients are planning trips: money gets spent in places that sound luxurious, but don’t actually improve the experience.
Upgrading the wrong flight segment.
Choosing the prettiest hotel instead of the best location.
Packing every day with tours until the trip feels exhausting instead of meaningful.
What I’ve learned (and what I guide my clients toward) is this:
Travel feels best when it’s designed intentionally, not when it’s maximized.
One meaningful experience per day.
A hotel that lets you walk instead of commute.
Leaving space for rest, spontaneity, and good meals.
You don’t have to spend more to travel well.
You just have to spend in ways that align with how you like to move through the world.
If Europe is on your list for 2026…
and you want help shaping your itinerary and pacing, I’d love to help you think through it.