Travel Advisor

Mike Mertel

He/Him

Expertise

Family Travel,
Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel,
USA,
Chile,
New Zealand

Based in

Quad Cities (Illinois & Iowa)

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Travel Advisor

Mike Mertel

Profile details

About

A high school World Studies teacher with two young kids that wants to travel this path together!

Follow Mike

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!

Mike's travel guides & trip reports

Guide

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...

Guide

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 ...

Guide

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 ...

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Favorite hotels

Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection

Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection blends historic elegance with modern luxury, offering stylish accommodations, a sleek spa and even a retro bowling alley—all in the heart of downtown Davenport.

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton

A premier oceanfront hotel boasting breathtaking views of Hilo Bay and Mauna Kea, the hotel offers upscale accommodations, modern amenities and genuine Hawaiian hospitality.

Tambo Del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado

Located between the Chicón mountains and Vilcamayo River, this luxury resort in Urubamba includes access to a private train station that takes guests to Machu Picchu.

Fora Perks

★
$100 food / beverage credit.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid

Fora Perks

★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
★
VIP welcome & amenity.
★
Breakfast daily.
★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Renaissance New Orleans Arts Warehouse District

Where creativity thrives in the heart of the Big Easy.

Mike's travel photos

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Get in touch with Mike

Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.

You can normally expect a response from Mike within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).