About Us

Welcome to Upon Return, a travel guide that curates thousands of destinations around the world—places I’ve personally visited, revisited, and come to love. Travel has been one of the main ways I’ve experienced life for more than three decades. I’m not talking about hit-and-run tourism, but spending meaningful time in each of the 65 countries I’ve explored, staying in hundreds of hotels, dining at thousands of restaurants, and always returning to my favorites. Along the way, I’ve made countless connections with incredible proprietors and professionals, and taken notes on just about everything.

For years, old and new friends alike have come to me for recommendations—whether looking for where to stay in Berlin, how to celebrate a birthday in Rio, or what gallery to visit in Tokyo. No one seems to plan a trip without first asking for my list! (And let's face it, who doesn't like being popular like that.) Now, you don’t have to ask—just sign up for our travel guide and travel away.

The places I recommend all share a few key qualities: passion, soul, and a deep connection to the local culture. I set a high bar for what makes it into our travel guide. Every restaurant, hotel, shop, or cultural experience featured has proven—through my many returns—that it’s faithful to the craft it represents. Everyone I meet at these places seems driven by the same thing: they have no choice but to do what they do—cooking, hosting, or creating—because they simply couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Their relentless pursuit of excellence and joy is what makes them special and worthy of a return visit.

Upon Return is here to help you cut through the overwhelming task of navigating the endless sea of travel information out there. We read public reviews, dig into travel magazines, and study the travel sections of major publications. We also speak with people who’ve been to the places we’re considering for the travel guide. But above all, either I or a trusted team member personally visits each destination to ensure it aligns with the values of Upon Return before it earns a place in our guide. Our recommendations—covering hotels, restaurants, shops, bars, cafes, bakeries, markets, gyms, and cultural experiences—are thoughtfully gathered into one accessible guide, so you don’t have to spend hours piecing together advice from scattered sources. We’ve done the work so you can focus on your journey.

We don’t sell advertising, accept partnership agreements, or receive any monetary compensation from the places we recommend. The only bias here is good taste.

Over the years, the requests for my recommendations have grown so numerous that I decided to put everything into UponReturn.com. This way, anyone who shares my desire to make the most out of this precious life can access what I’ve found without the hassle of sorting through countless other sites that lack the same values and appreciation for purpose.

So here it is—your guide to making meaningful travel easier.