Welcome to
One Checked Bag

Not ready to slow down!  I am making the most of my life, traveling the world and exploring new places.  Few things have such an impact and influence on life as does travel.  Join me on this adventure called life, One Checked Bag as we go!

Sunrise in the Sahara with Camel
Taking a picture of That Wanaka Tree
At the Square in Santa Maria de Montserrat

My Featured Blogs

The Sahara Desert at Dusk
Morocco Travel: Honest Answers from Marrakech to the Sahara
Morocco was the destination on this trip that pushed us furthest beyond what felt familiar. Marrakech was beautiful, chaotic, welcoming, confusing, and unlike anywhere we ...
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South Beach at dusk
South Beach Before a Cruise: Was Arriving Early Worth It?
Is South Beach worth it before a cruise from Miami? Here's what we spent, where we stayed, what we loved, and whether arriving early was ...
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Latest Blogs

Chilling by the Seine
Europe
How Many Days Do You Really Need in Paris? 
You have a passport in hand. You have a week’s vacation available. You want to go to Europe, but you are faced with the big ...
The Fountain at Luxembourg Gardens
Europe
In Paris, Some of the Best Moments Can’t Be Planned
Although I had planned each of our three days in Paris, it was those unplanned moments that were our favorites. Here are some of my ...
Rainbow over the Eiffel Tower
Europe
Where I’d Stay in Paris Next Time
And Why I Wouldn’t Choose Pigalle Again If you have never been to Paris, one of the most stressful decisions you’ll make when visiting is ...
The inside of the Louvre
Europe
Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It? 
Did it save us money?  Not at all—yet I would buy it again!  Let me tell you why. Like many tourists visiting Paris, I wanted ...

My favorite Quotes

"Not all those who wander are lost."
-J.R.R. Tolkien
Stephen MacNeil

Hello!

I’m Stephen MacNeil—a tax professional with a love for travel.  As I begin my transition to retirement, I have no plans to slow down.  In fact, in so many ways, I feel this is just the beginning of living!  Here, I share my adventures, insights, and tips to hopefully inspire and empower you to live your dreams through travel. 

You won’t find me bungee jumping off a bridge or scuba diving for lost treasure.  I’ll save that for the true daring.  But my travel isn’t without adventure.  I always attempt to do something new and challenging with each journey.  I try my best to capture what I feel and experience through my writings and photographs.  

This blog is more than just a collection of my thoughts—it’s a community. Subscribe to the One Checked Bag newsletter, where I unpack some deeper insights on my destinations, musings from the road, travel tips, and other relevant and useful information.  

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