Mike Mertel
He/Him
Based in Quad Cities (Illinois & Iowa)
Speaks English, Spanish
Mike Mertel
Ask me about
My Story
A high school World Studies teacher with two young kids that wants to travel this path together!
My Travel Style
My background as a World Studies teacher, experience working in a historic hotel and being a dad of two young girls has shaped my love of travel. I believe that travel should bring us closer to our loved ones, to nature and to the cultures that we are guests in. Share this path with me!
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My travel ideas (3)
Big Adventures in Boise With a Little Explorer
Boise is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination! Whether you want to bike, hike, kayak (or all three!) Boise has it. The best part was that everything was close by, easily accessible and either free or reasonably priced. This was a perfect spot for a daddy-daughter weekend trip!
Big Adventures in Boise With a Little Explorer
Boise is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination! Whether you want to bike, hike, kayak (or all three!) Boise has it. The best part was that everything was close by, easily accessible and either free or reasonably priced. This was a perfect spot for a daddy-daughter weekend trip!
Grand Times in Grand Rapids
Western Michigan offers a beach vacation and tons of family-friendly activities at a much friendlier budget for those in the Midwest. This was our first trip as a family of four! We loved the variety of city attractions in Grand Rapids as well as lakeside beach towns scattered throughout the region.
Grand Times in Grand Rapids
Western Michigan offers a beach vacation and tons of family-friendly activities at a much friendlier budget for those in the Midwest. This was our first trip as a family of four! We loved the variety of city attractions in Grand Rapids as well as lakeside beach towns scattered throughout the region.
Kiwi Family Adventures: New Zealand with Young Kids
New Zealand is as epic as it seems! My wife and I took our two young daughters (4 and 1) to the North Island in March of 2025. It definitely did not disappoint — the dramatic landscape and wide range of outdoor activities are unmatched. What we were even more impressed with, though, were the little touches that made Kiwi culture so family-friendly. It may be a long flight, but the destination is worth it!
Kiwi Family Adventures: New Zealand with Young Kids
New Zealand is as epic as it seems! My wife and I took our two young daughters (4 and 1) to the North Island in March of 2025. It definitely did not disappoint — the dramatic landscape and wide range of outdoor activities are unmatched. What we were even more impressed with, though, were the little touches that made Kiwi culture so family-friendly. It may be a long flight, but the destination is worth it!
Big Adventures in Boise With a Little Explorer
Boise is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination! Whether you want to bike, hike, kayak (or all three!) Boise has it. The best part was that everything was close by, easily accessible and either free or reasonably priced. This was a perfect spot for a daddy-daughter weekend trip!
Big Adventures in Boise With a Little Explorer
Boise is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination! Whether you want to bike, hike, kayak (or all three!) Boise has it. The best part was that everything was close by, easily accessible and either free or reasonably priced. This was a perfect spot for a daddy-daughter weekend trip!
Grand Times in Grand Rapids
Western Michigan offers a beach vacation and tons of family-friendly activities at a much friendlier budget for those in the Midwest. This was our first trip as a family of four! We loved the variety of city attractions in Grand Rapids as well as lakeside beach towns scattered throughout the region.
Grand Times in Grand Rapids
Western Michigan offers a beach vacation and tons of family-friendly activities at a much friendlier budget for those in the Midwest. This was our first trip as a family of four! We loved the variety of city attractions in Grand Rapids as well as lakeside beach towns scattered throughout the region.
Kiwi Family Adventures: New Zealand with Young Kids
New Zealand is as epic as it seems! My wife and I took our two young daughters (4 and 1) to the North Island in March of 2025. It definitely did not disappoint — the dramatic landscape and wide range of outdoor activities are unmatched. What we were even more impressed with, though, were the little touches that made Kiwi culture so family-friendly. It may be a long flight, but the destination is worth it!
Kiwi Family Adventures: New Zealand with Young Kids
New Zealand is as epic as it seems! My wife and I took our two young daughters (4 and 1) to the North Island in March of 2025. It definitely did not disappoint — the dramatic landscape and wide range of outdoor activities are unmatched. What we were even more impressed with, though, were the little touches that made Kiwi culture so family-friendly. It may be a long flight, but the destination is worth it!
My travel photos
