Meet Us – Behind the Journey
Welcome to Sand In My Suitcase!
We’re George and Janice Mucalov – lawyers turned travel writers and publishers. Much more fun, if you ask us!
These days, we share our favorite travel finds and insider tips – from luxury escapes and beautiful hotels to outdoor adventures, cruises and cultural gems. Sometimes indulgent, sometimes surprisingly affordable, always memorable.
Who we are
Travel has always been part of our DNA. George was born in Romania and raised in Germany. Janice was born in England and grew up in Australia.
We met while working as lawyers in Calgary, later moved to Vancouver, and now call Victoria (British Columbia) home.
Janice’s career pivot came soon after we married – swapping law for a life of full-time travel writing. Her work has appeared in:
We launched Sand In My Suitcase in 2012. Today, thousands of readers turn to us for trusted travel inspiration, and we have a thriving newsletter and Facebook community.
Janice Mucalov
Founder & Chief Luxury Writer
Driven by wanderlust and an unapologetic taste for traveling in style, Janice is always searching for bucket-list places and gorgeous stays. She’s the planner (and the worrywart). Her happy place? Paddling a SUP board.
George Mucalov
Co-Publisher & Editor
George is Janice’s travel companion, researcher, editor and calm navigator. Curious about the world, he’s always eager to learn about the story behind a place. People think he sounds Irish, though he’s never been to Ireland. Yet.
Awards
We’re tickled that our travel writing has been recognized with several awards, including:
Our travel style
At heart, we’re all about luxury travel – with a twist of adventure.
Because luxury doesn’t have to be stuffy. And adventure? It definitely doesn’t have to be rough.
Yes, we’re all for kicking back in gorgeous overwater bungalows. But we also like to get out and experience a place.
Our favorite trips?
Ones that blend comfort, culture, amazing food (with luscious wine!) – and just the right dash of adventure.
What does that look like?
Hiking scenic trails, exploring ancient temples, sampling local flavors, snorkeling, bicycling along beachside paths – or simply getting happily lost in the cobblestone streets of a medieval town.
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Some places keep calling us back.
Mexico (hello Los Cabos!) feels like our second home. We even have a separate blog, Cabo Visitor, just on all things Cabo.
And Europe will always have a special pull, as George has family in Germany.
Then again, that travel itch has a way of sweeping us farther afield – to exotic and dreamy places like Zanzibar, Thailand and Bora Bora.
We’ve also got a crush on cruising – especially smaller ships, tall sailing ships and river cruises that feel more personal and immersive.
And wherever we go, we try to travel thoughtfully, choosing experiences that support local communities. We also regularly donate to Doctors Without Borders.
Professional memberships
Janice is a long-time member of both:
Our promise to you
We write what we truly think – the good and the not-so-good. We follow SATW and NATJA codes of ethics.
See our editorial and disclosure policy for details.
Let’s connect
Join our community of monthly readers who value style, substance and a spirit of adventure.
💡Our top travel tips and resources
→ General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, with loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
→ Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. (We especially like Booking.com’s flexible cancellation policy!) You can also find excellent discounted rates on Expedia, especially for hotels in the U.S. and Mexico.
→ Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
→ Flights: For the best flights, we search on Google Flights first. Expedia and Kayak are then perfect for snagging the cheapest tickets. (They’re often non-refundable, though, so for more flexibility, we book directly with the airline, even if it costs more.)
→ Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
→ Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
→ Car rental: Renting a car can be a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies for the lowest rates.
→ Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
→ Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
→ Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find cool hotels and other useful trip planning info.
If you make a booking or purchase through our site, we may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). Thanks!
About the authors
