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!

Camel in the Sahara
That Wanaka Tree
Montserrat Monastery

My Featured Blogs

Marrakech
Marrakech, Here We Come: First Impressions, Chaos, and a Hidden Riad
Our first day in Marrakech was full of adventure! Here are my first impressions!
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Abbey Road
2 Days in London: What I Loved and What I’d Do Differently
We only had 48 hours in London. Here's what we did and my thoughts on the short visit.
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The MSC World America
MSC World America Review
Our cruise on the MSC World America far exceeded expectations. World-class service, fabulous dining and entertainment, and great value for our vacation dollar.
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Latest Blogs

The MSC World America
Cruises
MSC World America Review
Our cruise on the MSC World America far exceeded expectations. World-class service, fabulous dining and entertainment, and great value for our vacation dollar.
Cruise Ships in Port
Cruises
Are Cruises the Best Vessel for Vacations?
Cruising has it all! Great food, great entertainment, and amazing variety. Perfect for families, couples, groups, and even solo travelers.
South Beach at dusk
North America
Arriving Early for Our Cruise…36 Hours in South Beach
We chose to arrive extra early for our cruise out of Miami in order to save some money. Did we actually save or was it ...
Sunrise over the Atlas Mountains.
Africa
Marrakech, Our Final Days
Our final three days in Marrakech were incredible. Hot air balloon ride to see the sun rise over the Atlas Mountains to dancing the night ...
Camels in the Sahara
Africa
Camel Trek Through the Sahara: Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Our three day journey from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert. The camel trek to and from our campsite was magical watching the sunset and sunrise ...
Marrakech
Africa
Marrakech, Here We Come: First Impressions, Chaos, and a Hidden Riad
Our first day in Marrakech was full of adventure! Here are my first impressions!

My favorite Quotes

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

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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