Growing up in a family that moved often, and with parents and a grandmother who adored exploring the world, travel became a huge part of Kaylee’s life from a young age. As soon as she graduated, she followed that instinct wholeheartedly: she taught English in Japan, worked on cruise ships, guided tours, and eventually found her way into the world of small-group adventure travel at Explore!
One of her favorite travel rituals includes searching for local supermarket snacks (potato chips especially!) and treating grocery aisles like cultural treasure hunts. In every new destination, she also tries to leave at least one day unplanned – just to wander and be open to what each destination will bring.
Among all the incredible places Kaylee’s been, Japan stands alone as her favorite. She lived in Tokyo for a year, spent six months cruising to 26 ports, and has returned more times than she can count. It’s a country that balances comfort and discovery perfectly – safe, clean, and endlessly easy to navigate. She loves the way each region celebrates its own specialties, the festive energy of Christmas and New Year, and the magic of summer festivals like the Nebuta Festival in Aomori with its giant glowing lantern floats. For her, every visit to Japan feels like stepping into both nostalgia and newness at once.
Kaylee’s next big adventure is especially meaningful – a honeymoon road trip through South Africa. She and her fiancé love exploring by car, so they’re planning to wander from Cape Town through the wine region, fly over to the Panorama Route for more scenic drives, and finish with their very first safari in Kruger.
Her number one travel item she recommends is noise‑cancelling headphones. They’re indispensable for long journeys, and absolutely vital for maintaining an upbeat mood if flights or plans get delayed.
Contact Kaylee: kaylee.lin@exploreworldwide.com