Welcome to Jared’s Detours!
Thanks for stopping by! I’m Jared Dillingham, a longtime journalist and travel writer, based in Phoenix, Arizona.
Even during my first job as a reporter in Montana, making minimum wage, I scrimped and saved just to be able to take road trips. Somehow it’s been 20+ years, and I’m still planning my life around my next trip and helping others do the same.
My “Normal” Work Life
I’m coming up on almost 20 years as a television journalist for the CBS and independent TV stations (CBS5 and 3TV) in Phoenix, Arizona.
Before becoming a desert-dweller, I worked for a wonderful year at KRTV in Great Falls, Montana, and a few years at KREM in Spokane, Washington.
While my colleagues at work joke that I seem to be constantly traveling, I still anchor the evening news in Phoenix, Arizona, 5-nights a week. I also host a travel segment on our morning show.
Most nights, I get home after the late newscast (around 11:00pm) and spend a few hours at my computer, researching and writing about travel.
I’m resistant to putting this on here, but giving in to the advice of my blogging mentors:
I’ve won several Emmy Awards for my work in news broadcasting, plus an additional Emmy for our travel work.
Why I Write About Travel
Americans don’t get a whole lot of vacation time, so I like to help people plan the most efficient, satisfying, fulfilling trips possible.
People face all kinds of challenges, from budgets to kids’ school schedules. My advice is for you, too! If you’re not able to travel this year or next year, store these tips away for when it’s the right time to take your dream trip.
Regardless of your travel style, my website and blog are designed to deliver the advice I wish I’d had before visiting different cities, countries, and natural wonders.
Travel Photography
A lot of people come to my website just to scroll through the stunning images.
They’re the work of my friend and website partner, Matt Ehnes, who’s based in Montana.
While his specialty is portraiture (weddings, elopements, couples, etc.) he also does amazing work when it comes to documenting our travels.
Where We’ve Been Featured
In addition to my TV travel segment in Arizona, I’m also happy to have been featured in various online and print publications, including:
Travel Collaborations
Our travel advice has been featured on TV stations nationwide, along with:
- Tourism groups from Montana to Mexico (and Arizona, too).
- International brands like Jimmy Lion.
environmental Elements
Many of our travels include an environmental focus, and I’m hoping to grow this even more.
I’ve been proud to create content and write for:
- 4Ocean
- Rainforest Alliance
- Aquiares Coffee
- Jaguar Rescue Center
- (The eco-friendly) Guldsmeden Hotels.
Follow Me on YouTube
➡️ CLICK HERE fo check out my YouTube Page!
Domestic Destinations
Domestically, I’ve been to almost all of the states, but I usually recommend these destinations for people asking for vacation ideas:
🔘 Arizona – Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, and Page.
🔘 Montana – Whitefish, Great Falls, Missoula, and Bozeman.
🔘 Hawaii – Road to Hana (Maui), Lanikai (Oahu), and the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor.
🔘 Utah – Zion, Goblin Valley, Bentonite Hills, and Moonscape Overlook, in what I consider one of the most under-rated states.
🔘 California – Point Reyes National Seashore: Marin County Beaches, Cypress Tree Tunnel, and other sites.
European Destinations
While I haven’t written or posted about all of these destinations, I’ve been to them all and can help with any questions you have:
🌎 Iceland – Silfra snorkeling between continents, Sky Lagoon, Navy plane wreckage, Diamond Beach, Katla volcano, Studlagil, Vik, Reynisfjara (black sand beach), Skogafoss, Seljalandsfoss
🌎 Scandinavia – Copenhagen, the ferries around Stockholm, Uppsala and Sigtuna
🌎 France – Paris, Nice, St. Paul de Vence, Eze, Menton, Dijon, Reims, Normandy, Mont St. Michel, Honfleur, Caen, Strasbourg, Colmar
🌎 Italy – Rome, Florence, Orvieto, Assisi, San Gimignano, Lucca, Pisa, Venice, Verona, Milan, Murano, Burano, Trieste, Lago di Garda, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano, Atrani
🌎 Croatia – Pula, Rovinj, Prementura, Kamenjak
🌎 Slovenia – Piran, Lubljana, Lake Bled
🌎 Germany – Dusseldorf, Koln/Cologne
🌎 The Netherlands – Amsterdam, the Hauge
🌎 Spain – Barcelona, Tossa de Mar, Girona, Sitges, Madrid, Bilbao, Oviedo, San Sebastian, Llaves, Toledo, Cordoba, Malaga, Cuencas, Cangas de Onis, Mallorca, Port de Soller, Deia, Santander, Cudillero, Burmeo
🌎 Czech – Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Karlstejn
🌎 Poland – Krakow, Warsaw, Rzseszow
🌎 The UK – London, Brighton, Hampton Court
🌎 Portugal – Lisbon, Obidos, Nazare, Sintra, Azenhaus do Mar
🌎 The Azores (Portugal) – Sao Miguel, Ponta Delgada, hot springs, beaches, trails, vineyards, waterfalls, and tea fields
🌎 Greece – Athens, Skopelos, Skiathos
🌎 Austria – Wachau Valley, and Vienna
🌎 Slovakia – Bratislava
🌎 Hungary – Budapest
Asian Destinations
🌎 Japan – Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nikko, Kamakura
🌎 Taiwan – Taroko Gorge, Wulai, Keelung, Juifen, Shifen, Taipei
🌎 Hong Kong – Cheung Chau, Lamma Island
🌎 Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi, Tan Chau, Mekong River, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh
🌎 Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor)
🌎 Indonesia – Bali, Lombok, East Java
Central & South America
🌎 Mexico – Cancun, Valladolid, the Suytun Cenote, the Pink Beach, Rocky Point / Puerto Penasco, Puerto Vallarta, Tulum, and Mexico City
🌎 Colombia – Cartagena
🌎 Peru – Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Pallay Punchu, Maras, Moray
🌎 Argentina – Buenos Aires
🌎 Uruguay – Colonia del Sacramento
🌎 Costa Rica – San Jose, Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo
🌎 Cuba – Havana, Vinales
Hiking Destinations
🔘 Havasupai Falls – Beaver Falls, Mooney Falls, the Confluence with the Colorado River, Little Navajo Falls, the trail to the Havasupai Campground
🔘 Page– Cardiac Canyon, Antelope Canyon X, Upper & Lower Antelope, White Pocket, The Wave
🔘 Oahu – Stairway to Heaven, Maunawili Falls.
🔘 Montana – Glacier National Park, Great Falls
🔘 Zion National Park – Angel’s Landing
🔘 Arizona – Picacho Peak, Camelback Mountain, Edge of the World, and Page
The Goals of My Blog
One of the things I love about travel is: you get to set your own itinerary, and go at your own pace.
I’ve helped people from every demographic in every walk of life plan trips, and completely understand and respect this fact: Different people have different ideas about what a “vacation” should involve.
Some people don’t want to move from the beach for 5 days. GREAT!
Some people want to be out exploring nonstop, and only using a hotel bed for a few hours’ sleep. Also, GREAT!
The posts on my website are designed so you can follow the entire itinerary I suggest, or just take bits and pieces that resonate best with your plans and interests.
Thanks for checking out my site, and drop me an email if you have any questions or comments.
Happy Travels!
