If you've ever struggled to find the local, indie spots or stories that give a place its soul, you're not alone. When social media decides what you see, it's easy to miss the local cafés, real people, and everyday moments that define a place. You want to experience destinations more intentionally, but most travel content sends everyone to the same spots.

Local Coffee + Travel exists to shift the focus back to what matters. We spotlight the people, places, and stories behind independent coffee shops and local communities—celebrating intentional living, thoughtful travel, and the craft that brings people together.

I'm Patty Bonsera, founder and editor-in-chief. I grew up in a small family business. Supporting small, local businesses isn't just a passion for me — it's a way of life. I know what it means for a business to be the heartbeat of a family, a neighborhood, a town.

And for me, independent coffee spaces embody that spirit more than any other. They are where connection, culture, and community meet; where strangers become regulars, ideas are exchanged, and life slows down just enough for us to truly see one another. These spaces matter.