About Us

Who We Are

TravelAwaits began in 2018 to fill a void in the travel industry, focusing on travelers aged 50+. We felt it was important for the travel industry to finally pay attention to these travelers who have the time and hard-earned investments to experience life on their terms.

“We are not our grandparents, or parents, at 60, 70, 80, dare we say 90.” It’s something we often hear from our readers. The only experience not on the agenda is sitting and watching the world go by. Our goal at TravelAwaits is to empower travelers to safely and authentically experience everything from weekend getaways to bucket-list trips.

At TravelAwaits, we spotlight quaint small towns, unique experiences in big cities, delicious restaurants, and fabulous stays. What sets us apart is making destinations accessible to all readers through our writers’ first-hand knowledge and authentic experiences.

Retirement Awaits

Retirement Awaits evolved from a growing desire from our readers to learn more about retirement travel, lifestyle changes, finances, snowbirding, and relocation. Our articles genuinely showcase this next phase of life.

Our Team

Clayton McKibbin

Editorial Operations Manager

Clayton is a self-proclaimed geography nerd that takes pleasure in discovering new locations and studying their cultures. In his spare time, he studies maps looking for new places to explore, which has resulted in an ever-lengthening bucket list. He enjoys traveling across the U.S. with his wife and three kids, and is working towards visiting each of the nation’s national parks in their camper.

He has traveled to 44 states and has taken several trips outside of the U.S.; he experienced London as a tourist during college and took immersive trips to both Mexico City and Athens through a former career with a college student ministry. One of his favorite travel memories was serving a Christmas meal to refugees in Athens and hearing their stories of hope; Athens is truly the crossroads of European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern cultures and shouldn’t be missed!

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Brian Nowosielski

Managing Editor

Brian was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. After graduating from Temple University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English, he began his writing career with TravelAwaits in the summer of 2021 as a Freelance Content Specialist.

Brian has a passion for film and his hobbies include writing movie reviews, playing and watching soccer, and exploring the city of Philadelphia. He has published stories for the online publication Philadelphia Neighborhoods and his coverage went on to win the 2021 Division I Keystone Student Media Award for Best Ongoing News Coverage.

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Sarah Payne

Director Of Customer Success

Sarah Payne lives in Ohio with her husband and daughter.

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Our Writers And Experts

It’s important at TravelAwaits that our writers reflect our readers in life experience. While we have writers of all ages reach out to write for us, there are just some understandings that only come with age. Our writers live all over the world covering nearly 40 states, and 20 different countries, from Australia to England.

Our team of experts includes multiple Emmy-winning journalists and writers for their work in news and investigative reporting. Other writer accolades include the Lowell Thomas Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the Bronze Medal from the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA), and numerous commendations from other travel writing associations such as the Family Travel Association (FTA), Society for Professional Journalists, and the Midwest Travel Network.

Meet Our Experts

Best Of Travel Awards

TravelAwaits’ readers highlight their favorite travel destinations and businesses during our annual Best Of Travel Awards. Readers nominate their favorite small towns, big cities, national parks, resorts, restaurants, and much more, in hopes that they will earn the Best Of Travel crown. Nominations are reviewed by a panel of travel industry experts and writers for accuracy, and then readers vote for the remaining finalists to determine the winners in each category.

Each year, our team is excited to see which towns and businesses make the list: Often, we are introduced to spectacular hidden gems that we were previously unaware of. We look forward to learning your favorites! Nominations open in mid-February, with voting commencing around the first of April. Learn more on our Best Of Travel page.

Editorial Guidelines

Our articles are crafted from authentic travel experiences by our expert writers from all over the world, for readers 50 years and older. All of our content is reviewed by an in-house editorial staff of writers, editors, visual editors, and product managers. See our full editorial guidelines here.

Product Review Methodology

At TravelAwaits, we are always looking for the best travel-related products to introduce to our readers. We take great care in curating our recommendations based on personal experiences throughout travel and everyday life. While we may receive affiliate commission on some purchases, above anything, we ensure we are making authentic, quality suggestions useful to our audience. See our full product review methodology guidelines here.

Connect With Us

Work With Us

Our partnerships include brands, destinations, and attractions of all sizes. Email today for a customized proposal.

About Quillt

Quillt is a patchwork of media brands that work together to create content that matters. Our goal is to inform and entertain readers worldwide, always with a focus on engaging stories and authentic community. Our talented team, proprietary technology, and Midwest ethos are at the heart of everything we do. To learn more, visit quillt.com.