How Far Will You Go?

By MK Getler, Chief Marketing Officer, Overseas Adventure Travel

Every great trip has a moment of truth. 

Take the easy path, or keep going? 
Stay with what's comfortable, or try something you never imagined? 
Call it a day, or walk a little farther to see what's around the next corner? 

Last week, Overseas Adventure Travel sent me trekking and sailing across the Iberian Peninsula on Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona alongside a group of our travelers. We wound through the narrow lanes of centuries-old neighborhoods. We ate food seasoned with generations of tradition. We traced the history of regions that shaped the world we live in today. Somewhere along the way, I found myself reflecting on the decisions that led me to this moment, and the decisions yet made to determine where I'm headed. 

I found myself inspired. The inspiration was fueled by a question: “How far will you go?” 

It's a fitting question—if not part invitation and part challenge—for someone who just joined O.A.T. as their new Chief Marketing Officer. These past few months have been all about going further. Exploring a new career path. Venturing to new places. Encountering new people. Asking lots of questions. Absorbing the history and legacy of this organization. Listening to our associates. And above all, learning from the people at the center of everything we do: our travelers. 

I joined O.A.T. because every fiber of my being believes in the transformative power of travel. Not just seeing somewhere new or adding another stamp to my passport, but by pushing myself to think differently, exploring the complexities and similarities of people who live a world part, immersing myself in traditions, food, history, and everyday moments that contextualize my existence and challenge me to be a better version of myself. 

Some places you expect to remember: the sweeping landscapes, the ancient architecture, the extraordinary meals, the views that stop you mid-sentence. 

But the moments you couldn't have planned? Those are the ones that stay. 

A conversation that runs long. A tiny street you follow just because you're curious. A story from a local that changes how you see the ground beneath your feet. A meal that's unforgettable not for what was on the plate, but for who joined you around the table. 

Those moments only happen when we're willing to go a little farther. 

That idea is guiding me as I begin my own journey here. For O.A.T. to succeed, my and my team’s job is not to simply talk to you. It must be talk with you. 

Below, you’ll find my first invitation to share with me. I want to know what you value most about this newsletter, and how we can make it more meaningful for you.

Take Our Inside Scoop Reader Survey

I also want to hear your stories. Tell me about the places that surprised you. The people you met. The moments you're still retelling years later. Tell me where we should go next, and how we can make traveling with us even better. 

You'll be hearing more from us, too—including what we learn from the survey above. Think of this newsletter as an open conversation: what we're learning, what we're exploring, stories from the road, and the occasional peek behind the curtain at what we're building next. 

Because the best travel companies, like the best travelers, never stop being curious. They keep asking. Keep meeting people. Keep exploring. Keep pushing past the familiar. 

I'm only just getting started at O.A.T., and there's so much left to discover. But after time with our travelers and associates, and now on the road with them myself, one thing is already clear: 

The world rewards those willing to go a little farther. 

So I'll leave you with the question I've been asking myself since I joined the team: 

How far will you go? 

I hope you'll tell me. 

— MK Getler 
Chief Marketing Officer, Overseas Adventure Travel 

Join the conversation: Share your thoughts with MK and O.A.T. by completing our Inside Scoop Reader Survey.