The two of us met in our first year of high school, bonded over a love of music, travel, and Disney, and remained friends ever since. Despite moving away to college (Ryan to Orlando, FL, and Lillian to Chicago, IL), we kept in touch and followed each other’s separate travel adventures. Our paths led us back to our hometown of Detroit post-college, and since we were now only miles away, we tried local restaurants, frequented coffee shops, and experienced new adventures in the Metro-Detroit Area together.
Within our first year back home, we took weekend trips across Michigan, road-tripped to neighboring states, and, due to our love of the Disney parks, visited Walt Disney World and Disneyland. We also started Substack blogs in 2025 with the goal to continue writing recreationally, and one day realized that we both had separately thought about starting travel blogs . . . so we decided to write one together! We each have strengths that complement one another which help create the perfect blog: Lillian with a writing and editing background and Ryan with a hospitality and marketing background.
We are now determined to share our love of travel with you. We’ve had amazing opportunities to see many cities, states, and countries throughout the years, and we want to share with all of you!
About Us
Hi, We’re Ryan and Lillian!
Based in Detroit, Michigan, we are two best friends traveling the world, figuring it out as we go, and sharing everything we learn along the way.
Our Story
Lillian Groth is a 2025 graduate from DePaul University with a degree in English and a concentration in Creative Writing. With experience in editorial work, a love for storytelling, and a deep curiosity about the world, she brings a writing-centered focus to A Lot To Unpack. Alongside the blog, she is currently working on her first novel, a speculative dystopian work, and enjoys collecting physical media like DVDs and vinyl records. She looks forward to documenting each new journey and sharing travel insights with readers!
Ryan Cornwell graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the Rosen College at the University of Central Florida in 2024. Having 5+ years of experience in the Hospitality industry working at Walt Disney World and Marriott properties, Ryan brings extensive knowledge on the ins and outs of travel to this blog. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, reading, and drinking coffee. He is so excited to share his expertise with each reader of A Lot To Unpack!
What You’ll Find Here
If you’re someone who often feels swamped by travel planning or trying to make trips Instagram-perfect, we’re here to help.
From weekend road trips to big-city adventures to frequent Disney getaways, we share real tips, find hidden gems, and say yes to new experiences as we learn along the way. Think of us as the go-to for what’s actually worth your time and money. We want to bring you along for the ride!
No AI generated content
Writing travel guides based on real trips
Not using tricks to “feed the algorithm”
Remaining transparent about monetization
We are committed to:
Q + A
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ on our Contact page or reach out at our email: contact@alottounpackblog.com
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So far, Ryan has been to thirty-two out of fifty U.S. states while Lillian has been to eleven. The plan is to visit all fifty! Ryan has also been to the Bahamas and most recently visited Ireland this past spring. Over the last several years, Lillian has taken several trips abroad, including a summer in Venice and Rome, hiking the Camino de Santiago, and exploring parts of Germany, Austria, and Hungary on a Danube River cruise. And of course, living in Michigan means time spent in nearby parts of Canada like Toronto and Niagara Falls.
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A little bit of both! When we visit somewhere new, we love sharing highlights, such as the best restaurants or the most memorable experiences. For more in depth planning, including packing tips and travel prep, check out our Pack and Prepare section.
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We know that the travel space online can be oversaturated, and planning a trip can become overwhelming. Our goal is to simplify the whole process. We focus on sharing clear, practical recommendations, whether that’s getting the best value for your money or finding must-do experiences. We also are not trying to chase or compete with algorithms. We are posting content that inspires us, is genuinely helpful, and is worth your time.
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Whenever we can! While not every post is budget-focused, we’re two recent grads who like figuring out smart ways to save and sharing what actually works for us.
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One of our favorite memories from this past year was going to Los Angeles, visiting the Academy Award Museum, and blasting music as we drove around South Pasadena at night. One of our silliest memories from this past year was when the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Walt Disney World stopped for a few minutes leaving us in the dark, so we decided to take really bad selfies with the flash on.