Travel is picking back up and what better way to relive the trip then to write it all down. Pictures can capture a moment, but words bring back the distinct feeling you had when exploring a new place! Pre- trip: What are your expectations of the destination or experience? Pre-trip: Why did you choose this … Read more

Getting back into the swing of things can be scary, but we’re here to help! COVID has brought its challenges and we are here to ease your mind when hopping back in the car or on a plane to a new destination.  Here are 10 simple tips to get you out the door: Wear a … Read more

Troy, NY: co-mads city spotlight Our city spotlight is a glimpse into a small city across the United States that maybe you haven’t heard of, but deserves some attention! We do the leg work so you can have the fun. Eat Local Copper Pot Plumb Oyster Bar Lo Portos DeFazio’s Pizza Tara Kitchen Drink Local … Read more

Charleston, SC: co-mads city spotlight Our city spotlight is a glimpse into a small city across the United States that maybe you haven’t heard of, but deserves some attention! We do the leg work so you can have the fun. Eat Local Lewis Barbecue 82 Queen Hall’s Chophouse Fig Tattooed Moose Boxcar Betty’s Callie’s Hot … Read more

Portland, ME: co-mads city spotlight Our city spotlight is a glimpse into a small city across the United States that maybe you haven’t heard of, but deserves some attention! We do the leg work so you can have the fun. Eat Local Highroller Lobster Co Baharat Union Bagel Duck Fat The Honey Paw Scales Drink … Read more

Newport, RI: co-mads city spotlight Our city spotlight is a glimpse into a small city across the United States that maybe you haven’t heard of, but deserves some attention! We do the leg work so you can have the fun. Eat Local Corner Cafe The Mooring Seafood Kitchen Pour Judgement Midtown Oyster Bar Mamma Luisa … Read more

co-mads city spotlight Our city spotlight is a glimpse into a small city across the United States that maybe you haven’t heard of, but deserves some attention! We do the leg work so you can have the fun. Eat Local Matterhorn VT Artisan Coffee and Tea The Bagel Stowe The Bench Tres Amigos Salute Cafe … Read more

Our city spotlight is a glimpse into a small city across the United States that maybe you haven’t heard of, but deserves some attention! We do the leg work so you can have the fun. Eat Local Alchemy The Four Way Soul Food Cozy Corner Chef Tam’s Underground Cafe Lafayette’s Music Room Gibson’s Donuts Gus’s … Read more

Travel isn’t the only thing that’s changing. Everything in our world is changing…or has already changed. I’ve spent time reading about the impact of this crisis on tourism, sitting on webinars about how travel trends will be impacted long-term, talking to travel professionals, and doing some internal reflection on how I personally will travel differently … Read more

This is something I’ve been wanting to write about for a while and I feel like now is the perfect time with the holidays upon us. If you’re not religious or spiritual in any capacity that is totally fine, but I would like to share my experiences with various religions and outdoor spaces. I was … Read more

About 20 miles east of Albany lies the 2500 acre Grafton Lakes State Park. If you’re from the Capital Region, I would assume that you’ve probably visited this park before. It is a haven for hikers, anglers, swimmers, snow-shoers, cross country skiers, snowmobilers, ice skaters, and  ice fishers. Living in an urban/suburban area, I sometimes … Read more

It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to write a blog post. I’ve been really busy; working on multiple projects with various local nonprofit organizations and trying to re-envision the future of co-mads based on some opportunities that have come up. All great things! Growth is uncomfortable, and if it’s not, it’s probably not … Read more

I was born and raised in the Capital Region. I love this place. I’ve been to so many places around the world and I still choose to live here, for many reasons. Besides my family being here, it’s a great place to make an impact as a young person and a wonderful place to start … Read more

Bushwick, Brooklyn has become a hipster haven. Its streets are lined colorful with street art, and you’ll find a unique local coffee shop, restaurant, boutique, or art gallery on every corner and in seemingly abandoned buildings. It’s a place I’ve been meaning to explore for a long time. After chatting with some BK locals, I … Read more

(Let me preface this post by saying I DO NOT think college is for everybody. I do not think you need to go to college to be successful in a career. I do not think that you are “smarter” if you’re a college grad. This is a discussion for another time, but I did want … Read more

The other day I was feeling down. I was chatting with my mom, telling her I think I need to get out of Albany for a bit…try to grab on to some new energy, try for some new scenery. Not long-term, but maybe for a month or so. She asked me if I travel to … Read more

Everybody knows I love where I come from. The Capital Region is home for me and I want to see it shine. I spend a lot of time exploring the nooks and crannies of this region, always on the hunt for new, small, local businesses with character. Coffee culture is a huge part of my … Read more

A friend of mine forwarded me this article by Travel Weekly (click here) and said “here you go, this article was written just for you.” The title, “Is Purpose-Driven Travel the Next Big Thing?” My answer is yes, and co-mads is leading the race in giving people what they want and need out of modern-day … Read more

The other day, a 16-year-old-ish student asked me, “what are you doing for the local community?” She had been listening intently to my story and the way co-mads came about when she decided to call me out in front of the classroom. I had been focusing on the “travel & do good” aspect of co-mads…where … Read more

There are so many reasons I love being an entrepreneur and starting something from nothing. I chose this lifestyle because of its flexibility and my desire to develop and build upon my own visions. I never feel more fulfilled than when I start seeing the fruits of my creativity turn into a successful business product/idea. … Read more

Over the past few months, as the word about co-mads has spread, the vision of co-mads has expanded in an organic way. I’ve been pitching co-mads as a domestic group travel company that focuses on local culture and community impact, but my story and my preaching of the “travel & do good” lifestyle has caused … Read more

Back in the fall, I had the privilege of meeting Maureen Sager, Executive Director of the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy, or ACE. In short, from their website, “ACE originated from long-term discussions with a broad spectrum of stakeholders representing Capital Region arts organizations, private corporations, philanthropists, economic development, chambers of commerce, non-profit organizations, … Read more

What. A. Journey. This journey of entrepreneurship has taken me to places I never thought I would see. Every day, I learn more about myself – I encounter a new strength, a weakness. Every day I meet someone inspiring, I struggle, I thrive, I get nervous, I get excited about the potential of the future … Read more

As part of our trinity of modern travel model, co-mads promotes conscious consumerism by building itineraries that support small and locally owned businesses. This aims to promote the health of the communities we immerse ourselves in throughout our travels. There are three main ways co-mads stimulates the local economy wherever we go… We bring in … Read more

Hey guys, sorry for the delay on the blog…Allie and I have been in Southern California ironing out some details of our San Diego trip. I have an exciting development to share! Part of the community impact piece of co-mads is finding a grassroots organization in each of our destinations that is working on issues … Read more

Allie and I spent hours and hours applying for a $95,000 grant a few months ago with “girlboss.” We didn’t win. It turns out they were looking for people much further along than us in the business development process, but it was one of the most effective exercises we’ve ever partaken in. Let’s preface this … Read more

There are one billion reasons, but I’ll stick to 10 for now. 1. Trip leaders, Allie (COO) and I, are the most (self-proclaimed) hilarious, fun, dope, cool, chill, hilarious (did I say that already?) people you will ever meet. We are so excited to lead a group of people in the most incredible travel experience … Read more

It is my honor to introduce Kaylee Sherwin, longtime friend and the creative mind behind Visionaries in Action, VIA Plan. Despite facing some arduous obstacles along the way, Kaylee has always inspired me with her constant positivity, gratefulness, and beautiful outlook on life. VIA Plan can and will help you become the person you want … Read more

We are so excited to introduce Racquel Knighton, our FIRST guest blogger! We asked Racquel to write for us, as she lives the co-mads ‘travel & do good’ lifestyle. Racquel spends her time between South Carolina and New York, and has traveled far and wide. She works in social media management and writes an incredible … Read more

Community service has been a pillar of my life since age eight. Below are three organizations that have helped shape the person I am today. They have changed the way I look at life and the way I choose to live my life. The people I’ve encountered throughout these journeys are the fuel that has … Read more

Allie (co-mads C.O.O.) and I met while we were both traveling solo in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I love craft beer, so I stopped at one of the most highly acclaimed breweries in the city. Allie was traveling with her host family and was just about to sit down to brunch with them when she decided to … Read more

Over the past few weeks, the universe has placed certain people in my path and it has led to dreamlike opportunities. The serendipity of it all is astounding. When one starts a business, it is necessary to expand your network. To be successful in business, you must build, maintain, and capitalize on connections with all … Read more

co-mads is a travel company…so why host an art event? This past Friday, December 7th, we held our first ‘co-mads art co-llective.’ We invited local up-and-coming artists and designers to the Bull Moose Club in Albany, NY, to display and sell their work to the public. The music was bumpin’, the wine flowed, and people … Read more

*Names of individuals have been changed for privacy purposes* Okay, okay…if you’ve been following along the posts closely, you’ll realize I left out the Cuban/American romance story. Let me preface this by saying the story did not involve me…which probably decreases the allure of reading this post, BUT it’s a story we all may be … Read more

*Names of individuals have been changed for privacy purposes* It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve returned from my trip to Cuba. If you follow my personal Instagram (@gabfshr), you know I promised to write about Cuban/American romance, the consequences of rum consumption and why Cubans are the kindest people I have ever met. … Read more

I returned home three months later and within 12 hours of my plane landing on U.S. soil, I received what felt like 1,000 messages asking me if I had started job hunting. I hadn’t and I didn’t plan to. I decided that I would get a temporary job over the holidays and save up more … Read more

I feel drawn to the unknown. I feel drawn to risk. I feel drawn to uncertain possibility. It is something to which many people cannot relate. Most prefer to live in a predictable, comfortable manner. Human nature? Perhaps. In my 9-5 desk job, I was confined to a five-foot desk, two computer screens, and it … Read more