OUR BLOG

The question we hear often: “Do you offer small group tours? We’re just looking for something more intimate than a bus tour.” I understand the appeal. Small group tours promise a mid…

Dear Friends, Grab your favorite beverage — wine or hot cocoa — this month’s newsletter is a long one! But with a year this full of growth, gratitude, and exciting developments, we couldn’…

At CKcurated, every excursion we design is fully bespoke — tailored to your group, interests, and the memories you want to create. I recently designed a full itinerary for a private Healdsburg day for…

As a 30-year corporate veteran in design & construction and big tech, I’ve attended more retreats and summits than I can count. Some left a lasting impression — experiences that still come up in c…

Lately, some people ask whether we do “the same thing” as a travel advisor on a certain large booking network that promises “curated” trips. Our social media feed even shows ads inviting us to become …

Reflections on a milestone — and the launch of something new One year ago, I officially registered CKcurated as a business. Like many first-time founders, I was both exhilarated and overwhelmed. Build…

When I set out to build CKcurated, I thought I was simply launching a small business. I had spent 30 years working in the corporate world as an architect. Some of those years were shared with incredib…

At CKcurated, we believe every traveler has a story — and every journey should shape your next chapter. That’s why we don’t do one-size-fits-all travel; we design bespoke itineraries rooted in yo…

In the latest episode of the Practice Disrupted podcast, I joined Evelyn Lee FAIA, NOMA, to share a deeply personal journey: how I transitioned from a 30-year career in architecture and tech…

For decades, group tours have been the standard way to travel — large buses rolling into cities, flag-waving guides hurrying tourists from one landmark to the next, and rigid itineraries that allow li…

I am an aviation geek, and I love visiting airports. When I read about the newly renovated Portland International Airport, called PDX by the locals and by the industry, I had to check it out. Two week…

What are we serving for Christmas/Hanukkah dinner? Nigella Lawson’s Butternut & Pasta Soup (modified by CKcurated) INGREDIENTS METHOD Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Wellington (modified by CKcurated) I…

Many of you know me as an architect (the building-geek kind, not the tech kind), but I’ve since retired from the construction industry. Now, through CKcurated, I’m channeling my project management exp…

November, my birth month, brings pie season, and my sister Selina surprised me with a pie-making class at Central Milling Flour Company in Petaluma, CA. Chef David Groff taught the 5-hour class, and i…

November marks the start of the holiday season in many countries, a time when people come together to celebrate life — with plenty of food. At CKcurated, we’ll be part of many feasts this season in Sa…

Before launching CKcurated, I became a home chef during the pandemic, cooking regularly for neighbors in our COVID bubble to stay sane. I even remodeled my kitchen to support this new-found passion, t…

One of the many pleasures of living in San Francisco is its proximity to California’s Wine Country. Driving north, we enjoy the world-renowned Napa and Sonoma wineries. Heading east, there’s Lodi, an …

As an Alaska Airlines frequent flyer, I recently had the opportunity to experience their new home at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), having relocated from Terminal 2 to the brand-new T1, fo…

“What’s the name of the city where had your first vacation?”  I may be giving away the answer to my password secret question on this blog, but so be it! I grew up in Hong Kong during the Cold War…

I can’t imagine anyone who doesn’t enjoy ice cream. Even those who have to refrain from eating it still want to enjoy it. And for those who can’t indulge in traditional ice cream, there’s always sorbe…