Blame it on my dad.

It all started with Mystery Trips.

I was 13 when they, our family’s most cherished travel tradition, began. In short: Each year a week before Christmas, my dad plans a special getaway in which the destination is unknown and the surprises along the way are plentiful.

The first MT took us to Nashville, then Lexington, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Memphis, Columbus, Kansas City and, most recently, Pittsburgh.

On Dad’s page, he explains that this very site was launched because of Mystery Trips. But for me personally, Mystery Trips inspired my love of travel.

Our family had taken many trips before the Mystery Trips, of course—road trips around the Midwest and to Florida, Maine, DC, Canada and California (though that one was via airplane). But it was Mystery Trips that gave me a true appreciation for what travel is all about.

While some of our MT cities might not seem like hotspot destinations, to think that would be hopelessly shortsighted. On each MT, we experienced local attractions, uncovered hidden restaurant gems and explored what made each city unique. These are the things I love about travel – whether it’s in Pittsburgh or Prague.

Lucky for me, my husband shares this same view. In fact, our wedding gift from our parents was a good set of luggage. And since our nuptials three years ago, we’ve taken our suitcases to Mexico, Michigan, Oregon, San Antonio, Delaware, Minneapolis, Napa/San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Palm Springs, New York City, and Washington, DC.

When not plotting our next adventure, I enjoy my job as well as exploring Chicago, our home (and favorite) city. I look forward to adding my travel tales to Dad’s on Trips With a Twist.