Forty-eight hours.

Life is busy. Work, family, chores, schedules are tight. Sometimes it’s all the time you have.

The idea is to spend forty-eight hours of exploration and discovery in a specific location, sifting through the more obvious options and finding the unique local sights, sounds and places. New, different and local flavors are of particular interest, as it is as much culinary tourism as it is travelogue.

Why specifically 48 hours?

Forty-eight hours — a weekend — can be the ideal length for a quality time at a new destination. It is enough time to enjoy exploring and discovering a city without growing fatigued or bored. It forces a focus on intentional experiences rather than wasting time at tired public spots. It is financially viable. It leaves the traveler with a still-fresh view at the end, eager for a return visit.

But you can’t see everything with only 48 hours.

True. For larger cities, 48 hours is terribly insufficient for major sites plus the entire metro area (especially factoring in international difficulties and transit). But the first rule of travel is to assume you will return, and many cities will demand a follow-up visit.

Besides, the goal here is not to be comprehensive. Some visits may focus on specific areas of a city, or a theme, or a local event. Relax and experience; don’t attempt an agenda.

Not everything here is labeled “48.”

Forty-eight hours is the benchmark but, obviously, smaller cities may not have as much to offer. Where a trip can be accomplished with less time, it will be labeled as such; travel for longer than 48 hours will require a different characterization.

Why do the city selections seem so heavily in favor of Texas?

North Texas is where I live and work. It’s only practical that closer destinations are more accessible, and therefore more numerous.

Why is there so much focus on craft beer?

My personal preference is for local craft beer and food, especially uniquely regional or ethnic cuisines. A small subculture has developed around “beer tourism” in the US, and microbreweries are often more than happy to accommodate the interest.

I want to contribute a story!

Shoot me an email. We’ll work something out.