John Morrison
About: Travel writer and photographer at Packzup. 15+ years covering family travel, cultural deep-dives, and slow travel across 45+ countries.
Background
John Morrison began writing about travel after a year living with his wife and two young kids in Italy. That experience — what it actually takes to slow down and live somewhere instead of racing through it — shapes everything he writes today.
He believes most travel writing optimizes for the wrong things (instant gratification, photogenic moments) and misses what makes travel actually transformative (cultural understanding, time, depth). His work tries to correct that.
What I Cover
- Family travel: Real logistics with kids of all ages — toddlers to teens. Honest about trade-offs.
- Cultural deep-dives: Slow travel, language learning, cultural immersion strategies
- Long stays: Living abroad, digital nomadism, school-aged kids on the road
- Food travel: Cooking with locals, food markets, regional cuisines
- Photography: Cultural photography ethics, gear for family trips
Countries Visited
Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, UK, USA, Vietnam.
How I Work
I believe writing well about a place requires actually being there, listening to locals, and admitting what I don't know. My articles include:
- First-person experience (at minimum 3 visits or 1 extended stay)
- Local sources interviewed for context
- Updates when conditions change
- Honest assessment — including downsides
Editorial Standards
I disclose when accommodations or experiences are complimentary. My recommendations reflect what I actually experienced, not what would be most flattering to a brand. I never accept payment in exchange for positive coverage.
Get in Touch
- Email: john@packzup.com
- General contact form