About The Empty Nest Explorers
Hi, we're Debbie and John O'Boyle — a couple from New Jersey with a deep love of travel and long professional careers behind the camera.
We started The Empty Nest Explorers to share the places we've been, the things we've learned, and the experiences that have genuinely surprised and delighted us. From the cliff villages of the Italian Riviera to the streets of Lisbon to our own backyard in the New York metropolitan area.
We've explored destinations across the US and Europe, and we're always planning the next trip.
We write for travelers who want honest, firsthand information.
About Debbie
Debbie brings over 30 years of professional experience in photography and visual media to everything she writes.
Debbie spent years as a staff member at the Star-Ledger and NJ.com — New Jersey's largest news organization — where she managed the digital photography technical team.
This background means she approaches travel writing the way a journalist would: with attention to accuracy, a healthy skepticism of vague information, and a commitment to giving readers what they actually need to know.
About John
John is a professional photographer whose work has taken him across the country and around the world. His career spans decades of editorial, commercial, and news photography.
John has been part of a team awarded the Pulitzer Prize, been nominated for New York Emmy Awards, and photographed some of the biggest American events: Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, Presidential inaugurations, and Papal visits. His photography has been exhibited at the Baseball Hall of Fame and published by the New York Times, NBC News, Getty Images, and NJ.com, among others.
He has worked with major organizations including American Express, IBM, and Barclays, and is a member of the American Society of Media Photographers .
All photography on The Empty Nest Explorers is John's work unless otherwise noted. You can see more of his commercial photography at johnoboyle.com.
Why trust us?
We don't write about places we haven't visited. We don't republish press releases or repackage other people's content. Every post on this blog is based on firsthand experience.
Between us, we bring decades of professional experience in media, journalism, and visual storytelling. We fact-check our practical information (ticket prices, transport logistics, hours) before publishing and update posts when things change.
We want every reader to leave better prepared than when they arrived.
The Empty Nest Explorers is independently owned and operated. We personally fund our travel unless otherwise disclosed.
Work with us
We're happy to work with travel brands, tourism boards, and businesses whose products we genuinely believe in. We have decades of combined experience in commercial photography, video production, and content creation.
