The World Has Changed – And So Must The Planet D

For the past two decades, we’ve journeyed across the globe, embracing the belief that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” as Mark Twain so eloquently stated. We’ve shared our adventures, our photos, and our experiences in different cultures, believing that by showcasing the beauty of the world, we could help people see beyond borders and differences.

But times have changed. The world we are traveling in now is no longer just about sharing beautiful pictures—it’s more complex, more divided, and more fragile than ever before.

Travel Used to Unite Us. Now, It Feels Different.

When we first started traveling, everything was new. Social media was in its infancy, and people were being introduced to destinations they had never seen before. Travel felt like a tool for connection—a way to experience different cultures, break down barriers, and open minds to new possibilities.

But now, we see a world that is not only more divided but also more cynical. Travel has been commodified, reduced to an Instagram backdrop rather than an opportunity for learning. Instead of sparking curiosity and empathy, it often fuels comparison, competition, and apathy. Instead of uniting us, travel content sometimes reinforces the divide between those who can explore freely and those who are struggling just to survive.

And while the world scrolls past another perfect sunset, too many people are fighting just to live.

The Reality We Can No Longer Ignore

Conflicts are raging across places we’ve visited.

• Sudan is in the grip of a devastating civil war, displacing millions.
• Ukraine is still under attack, with civilians suffering daily.
• Myanmar’s people remain under the control of a brutal military junta.
• In Gaza, entire families have been wiped out, and innocent lives continue to be lost
• In Yemen, Haiti, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and so many others remain in turmoil.

And these are just the conflicts that make headlines.

The World Is Burning—Literally

We also can’t ignore another crisis unfolding in front of our eyes: Climate Change.

The places we have visited—the glaciers of Patagonia, the beaches of the Maldives, the rainforests of the Amazon—are changing, and not for the better.

• Wildfires have ravaged Greece, Canada, Australia, and California, displacing people and devastating landscapes.
• Floods have swallowed entire villages in Pakistan, Libya, and Germany, leaving destruction in their wake.
• Coral reefs that we once marveled at while diving are bleaching and dying at an alarming rate.
• The Arctic ice we once stood on is disappearing, and island nations like Tuvalu and the Maldives are literally sinking.

We’ve witnessed these changes firsthand. We’ve spoken to locals who have lost their homes. We’ve walked through landscapes that no longer exist. And we’ve realized—we can’t just keep sharing pretty pictures while pretending everything is fine.

We Can’t Stay Silent Anymore

We can’t continue to stroll around thinking everything is a dream anymore. We can’t sit in a spa, pretending all is well, waiting for someone else to say something or climb mountains for our own personal gain.

We have to speak up.

We need to talk about politics, poverty, and human rights abuses in the places we visit. We need to talk about how tourism impacts local communities and whether it helps or harms them. We need to talk about climate change, about the industries destroying our planet, and about what we, as travelers, can do to make a real difference.

We want to stand up against fascism, authoritarianism, and oppression—and help others stand up as well.

We Don’t Blame Anyone for Staying Silent—But We Can’t Anymore

We don’t blame anyone who chooses not to speak out. This is our choice alone.

For people with jobs, families, and even our fellow travel bloggers and vloggers who have partnerships, speaking out could mean losing everything—contracts, opportunities, and even their entire livelihoods. We understand why many stay quiet.

But we’re in a position where we can take that risk. And when the risk is speaking out against cruelty, corruption, and fascism—we think it’s worth it.

For nearly 20 years, The Planet D has stood for discovery—the adventure of exploring the world. But moving forward, we want it to stand for something greater:

1. Decency – Because human rights should never be up for debate.
2. Democracy – Because freedom is not guaranteed; it must be defended.
3. Determination – Because change doesn’t happen without action.

What’s Next for The Planet D

We’re not saying goodbye to travel. We’re still going to explore, still going to share guides and itineraries, and still going to help you discover the world. But we’re also going to tell the whole story.

We’ll still showcase incredible places, but we’ll also expose what’s happening behind the pretty pictures. We’ll talk about the people fighting for justice, the communities on the front lines of climate change, and the travelers and locals making a real difference.

Because, just like that hammam massage experience we once told you about—there’s always more to the story. And it’s time we start telling it.

A New Journey, Together

We know this shift might feel unexpected, but it’s the right one. Travel has always been about discovery—and sometimes, that means facing uncomfortable truths.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.

Dave & Deb