I took my first solo trip at 13 — a Braniff Airlines flight from Chicago to visit my grandmother in Oklahoma. My mother helped me pack, dropped me off at Midway Airport, and told me to pay attention. I’ve been paying attention ever since.

I’m Patricia King — a travel journalist, essayist, and the voice behind Savvy Traveling. Over a 30-year career in journalism and freelancing, I’ve written for newspapers, magazines, and digital publications about everything from local politics to international cuisine. But travel has always been my first love.

I launched Savvy Traveling to fill a gap I kept noticing in travel media: the 50+ traveler — curious, experienced, financially capable, and deeply underserved by an industry obsessed with youth. My readers are women who just retired and are finally ready to see the world. Grandparents planning once-in-a-lifetime trips with their grandchildren. Solo travelers who’ve stopped waiting for someone to go with them.

My philosophy is what I call Value Luxury: the belief that exceptional travel experiences don’t require a trust fund — just smart planning, the right information, and a willingness to say yes to the unexpected.

Things You Should Know About Me

• I’ve been to all 50 states (plus Puerto Rico and the USVI), 6 countries, and counting. Georgia is home, but Chicago has my heart.
• I believe the best meal of any trip is always the one you stumble into by accident.
• I travel solo more often than not — and I think every woman should try it at least once.
• I try to pack light. One carry-on. It’s a philosophy as much as a practice.
• I’m a morning person. I’ve watched the sunrise in more cities than I can count.