Meet Michelle G | Travel Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle G and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
One of my favorite quotes is “trust the process.”

While we need to take charge and have clear goals in mind when starting a business, there are so many things that are out of our control.

That is why, when it seems like you are facing unsurmountable challenges, I like to take a deep breath and think “trust the process.” To me, it means that things will work out as they should at the right moment, as long as I put the work in.

When I trust the process I feel grateful, optimistic and motivated, and most often than not, things work themselves out.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am excited to tell you a bit about The Independent Jetsetter, which I started with the goal of simplifying and elevating the globetrotting experience to as many travelers as possible. My husband and I love to travel and have been to about 45 countries along with our children, so we have considerable experience at it.

I kept getting a ton of questions from family and friends asking us: How come we travel so much despite our work and the children’s school schedules?

The answer: over the years I developed a traveling system that is deceptively simple. It is based on following a number of checklists, to make the planning process easy and executable. Have checklist, will travel!

Each trip however, is unique and requires a distinct set of tools and skills. A solo trip is different than one with friends or as a couple. Traveling with children is a whole other ballgame, and globetrotting with babies, toddlers or tweens requires an original bag of tricks.

Since I amassed a fair bit of knowledge traveling over the years in all of the above categories, and I use all of these lists myself for every trip I plan, why not put it out there for those that might find it helpful? That is why I started the website along with my instagram profile.

I did look for a resource that offered such checklists as bundles (as you see in my shop), but did not find anything satisfactory. Most websites have nice checklists but they are not printable and not comprehensive. Here, on the other hand, you will find the complete package: a list and a guide of what you need to do 9 months ahead up to the essential to-do’s the day before your trip. This is what sets my website apart from others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here is the Miami itinerary I would recommend to a friend:

1) DAY 1: Head directly to South Beach. The first thing I would do after checking into the hotel would be to go swim in the Ocean and enjoy the Beach! In the evening I would take stroll around Ocean Drive. For dinner I would recommend going to a place south of Fifth, such as Planta South beach (850 Commerce St, Miami Beach, FL 33139). This is an amazing vegan restaurant, and also a great place to see and be seen.

2) Day 2: Would enjoy an early walk or run at the beach and then go have lunch at the Design District. Get briefly transported to Greece by eating at the gorgeous and delicious Mandolin Aegean Bistro (4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137). Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping and/or people watching at the Design District. Go back to South Beach and if so inclined, enjoy one of our best Michelin Starred restaurants, Stubborn Seed (101 Washington Avenue, South Beach, Miami Beach, FL 33139). This gem opened in 2017 by Top Chef season 13 winner Jeremy Ford, with the name being a reference to the persistence required to open a restaurant.

3) Day 3: Start the day where? Yes, you guessed it, the beach! Gotta enjoy the magnificent sea and sand that we have here in Miami. For lunch I would head to Wynwood and eat at Beaker &Grey (2637 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127). This is my favorite restaurant in Miami.

4) Day 4: I would head out early to the Marina in Coconut Grove and rent a boat for the day, or engage in other water sports that are available there. For the afternoon I would spend the rest of the evening at Coconut Grove and dine in the neighborhood. For another Michelin starred experience, go to Ariete (3540 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove, FL 33133). If you have time, go visit Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

5) Day 5: Let’s switch it up and go for a more urban vibe: Brickell. Perhaps you want to switch hotels and stay in Brickell Key at the Mandarin Oriental? From there you can walk around Brickell, do some shopping in Brickell City Center and eat at one of the amazing restaurants that this area has to offer. Or eat at the Mandarin at La Mar by Gaston Acurio (500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131). Brickell key does have a great path for walking or running, and the views are amazing.

6) Day 6: It’s time to experience downtown Miami: Head to the Frost Science Museum and/or the Pérez Art Museum Miami. Stroll over to Bayside marketplace, you can find a bout tour there as well. If you want an aerial view, go on the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel (401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132). Go in the evening to see the Miami skyline all lit up.

7) Day 7: If you have time, head to the Everglades for a classic Airboat tour before going back to your next destination.

Website: https://theindependentjetsetter.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent.jetsetter/

Other: Email: contact@theindependentjetsetter.com

Image Credits
All pictures are mine.