Mare Burns

I am a relentless seeker of unscripted adventures and a vocal critic of the cookie-cutter family vacation industrial complex. Adventure flows through my DNA—inherited from my dad, who taught me that the best stories unfold far from predictable paths. Based in Atlanta but perpetually plotting our next escape, I navigate the tension between structured life and spontaneous exploration with my husband and son. Adventure parenting began when I bundled up our six-week-old for his first flight. That first beach encounter—tiny toes meeting sand—set the stage for a lifetime of appreciating nature together. We've since plunged into the reefs of Belize, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, and St. John. We've rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, sleeping on sandy shores beneath towering walls. We've supported Arsenal across England, biked through Versailles' hidden gardens, and embraced the character-building reality of questionable Airbnbs in big cities and beach towns. For us, travel isn't only a vacation—it's an investment in empathy, perspective, wonder, awe, and joy. The evolution from inherited wanderlust to travel writer crystallized in San Pedro, Belize. What began as personal exploration became "The Ultimate Family Travel Guide to San Pedro, Belize"—a roadmap for families seeking authentic connection in an increasingly scripted world.