Why I Created Getawayk™: From Tourist Traps to Meaningful Travel
- Sergio Barbasso
- 11 hours ago
- 5 min read
A story from one traveler to another.
Hi, I’m Sergio — and for you, I want to be the friend I wish I had during all my years of travel.
The one who tells you the truth, not just the tips. The one who reminds you to look up, breathe deeper, and not let your vacation pass by in a blur.
Because let’s be honest: most people don’t really travel.
They move. They rush. They tick off places and photos and filters… and miss the very reason they left home in the first place.
And I know that — because I did it, too.
From Inspiration to Burnout — and Back Again
I didn’t start Getawayk™ to build a business or collect followers.
In fact, as an introvert already juggling two full-time jobs and running a nonprofit, the last thing I needed was yet another full-time commitment…
I started it because, even after decades of traveling, something still felt off about how we move through the world.
I’ve seen it again and again:
- People traveling to escape, only to return feeling emptier than when they left.
- Overplanned itineraries so dense they leave no room for wonder.
- Guides written by people who have never lived in the places they describe.
- A lot of travel blogs made by AI give totally inaccurate advice
Social media shows perfect beaches, but never shows what those places feel like at sunrise, or what they’ve lost to overtourism.
And most of all: I saw myself in that trap, too.
A Turning Point: Las Vegas, Pandemic, and Purpose
Things changed when my wife Anna and I left our families in Italy and moved to Las Vegas — six years ago, just 3 months before the pandemic.
We didn’t just visit this city. We inhabited it. We lived inside it.
With no friends, no connection, no knowledge.
And what we saw… surprised us.
Las Vegas isn’t just flashing lights, casinos, and bachelor parties.
It’s also:
- Unbelievable natural beauty within 45 minutes (think Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Mount Charleston) - Check out the awesome article Anna wrote about all the best day trips from right here in Vegas.
- Culture that’s hidden, not advertised. I dive a little into American culture here, and how learning to love the differences can actually change the way you travel.
- People with stories that will humble you — if you stop and ask.
I started to notice something: while millions rushed through this city each year, very few actually saw it.
They repeated the same activities. Ate the same overpriced food. Took the same photos. And then left, a little disappointed… not knowing why.
It hit me hard.
Because I live ten minutes from the Strip, and I experience a completely different Vegas every day.
Why Getawayk™ Had to Exist
As I connected more with other travelers — creatives, wanderers, digital nomads, even retirees — I realized something bigger:
People aren’t just hungry for travel tips. They’re hungry for meaning.
We all want to:
- Feel like we belong — even in places we’ve never been.
- Learn something deep, not just check something off.
- Return from a trip feeling more whole, not more burned out.
I created Getawayk™ to make that kind of travel easier, more accessible, and more emotionally intelligent. Not by pretending we have all the answers — but by asking better questions.
Questions like:
- Why am I going here?
- What’s this place trying to teach me?
- What can I do to travel with more respect, presence, and intention?
The Real Journey Was Inward All Along
Travel has always been part of my life. I’ve crossed continents, chased sunsets solo, and driven through deserts with rock music full blast — often trying to outrun something I couldn’t name.
But it took me years (and a lot of exhaustion) to realize something:
> You can’t travel to escape yourself.
> But you can travel to find parts of you that you forgot.
I burned out. Hard.
I gave too much to work, to projects, to helping others, and forgot to give to myself.
And when I finally stopped… that’s when the real journey began.
That’s when I realized:
- You can walk the streets of New York and still feel lost.
- You can hike a canyon and still carry emotional baggage heavier than your backpack.
- You can spend thousands on flights and still not feel free.
Unless you go inward, too.
Travel Smarter. Live Deeper.
That became our motto — not because it sounded cool, but because it saved me.
Getawayk™ isn’t just a guide platform. It’s a movement.
A way to:
- Travel with curiosity, not just checklists.
- Learn the emotional patterns we bring with us to every trip.
- Reflect — even for a few minutes — before, during, and after we go.
And we built it with the help of others like us:
- Expats who know their cities inside and out.
- Locals who want their culture respected, not sold.
- Travelers who don’t just want a vacation — they want a shift.
What We Offer (and What We Don’t)
We offer:
- Digital guides rooted in real experience, available in multiple languages and adapted to different cultures. There are some already ready for Vegas right HERE that could literally save your trip.
- A blog split into two journeys:
- OUTER (Travel Smarter)
- INNER (Live Deeper).
...and we’re adding a third blog with multicultural, multilingual tips to help us keep being that bridge between different cultures – Coming Soon.
- A chance to get involved — by writing guides with us, becoming an ambassador, or pitching new destinations.
What we don’t offer:
- Tourist traps.
- Generic content.
- AI-written fluff that wastes your time.
If You’re Still Reading, You’re One of Us
I’m not a travel influencer. I’m not on social every day. But I am here — quietly, intentionally, and with authenticity—building something meaningful.
And if this resonates with you… Maybe you’ve been searching for something more. Maybe you’ve had a trip that changed you. Maybe you’ve outgrown the old way of moving through the world.
If so, you’re already one of us. You’re a Getawayker™.
Join the Movement (Only If It Feels Right)
We don’t speak to everyone. We speak to those who are tired of shallow travel and ready to become smart travelers, not just average tourists.
If that’s you, there are a few ways to be part of this:
💼 Become a Getawayk™ Ambassador
Share our guides and our mission with your community and earn a generous commission. Build a more independent life on your terms.
✍️ Co-write a Guide With Us
Live abroad or know a place deeply? Help us create the next guide rooted in real experience and cultural authenticity.
💬 Just Reach Out and Connect
If this story spoke to you, I’d love to hear from you. 👉 Write us here
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Getawayk™?
Getawayk™ is a platform of smart, multicultural digital guides designed to help you travel smarter, deeper, and in your own language.
Who created Getawayk™?
Sergio and Anna, two Italian travelers who live in Las Vegas and decided to share their best travel strategies and tested tips.
What makes Getawayk™ different from other travel guides?
Each digital guide is localized not just by language, but by cultural perspective. It’s made for travelers who want to avoid tourist traps and connect with the local vibe.
Can I write a guide for Getawayk too?
Yes! If you live abroad and know your destination well, Getawayk™ invites you to co-write and earn commissions.
Where can I get a sample of your guides?
You can download the first 50 pages of any guide for free directly from our website.
