Siblings' First Adult Trip to Beverly Hills Brings Them Closer

A writer and her younger brother discover new common ground on a surprise vacation to California.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:15am

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After not traveling together for nearly a decade, a writer surprised her younger brother with a trip to Beverly Hills. Despite their vastly different lifestyles and personalities, the siblings found that vacationing as adults brought them closer together as they embraced new experiences and discovered shared interests.

Why it matters

The story highlights how traveling with a sibling as an adult can help strengthen their relationship and uncover new layers of each other's personalities, even if the siblings have very different lifestyles. It shows how shared experiences in a new environment can bring family members closer together.

The details

The writer, who is known for being picky about her travel companions, decided to take a risk and surprise her 21-year-old brother Eric with a trip to Beverly Hills. Despite their differences - the writer prefers minimalist packing while Eric has an extensive skincare routine and different shoes for every occasion - they found that embracing each other's approaches led to new discoveries. The siblings tried new foods, went out for cocktails, and marveled at the luxurious sights of Beverly Hills, all while reveling in their shared excitement over experiences that were new to both of them. The trip allowed them to be their most authentic selves without having to worry about hurt feelings or disagreements.

  • The siblings had not traveled together in roughly a decade.
  • Eric graduated from college the previous year.

The players

Anna Staropoli

A writer who is known for being picky about her travel companions.

Eric

The writer's younger brother, who is six years her junior and has a very different lifestyle from the writer.

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What they’re saying

“Because Beverly Hills is both compact and walkable, the city served as the perfect playground for our two-day adventure, which encompassed bucket-list moments, like walking down Rodeo Drive, as well as more mundane milestones.”

— Anna Staropoli (businessinsider.com)

“Over a leisurely lunch, we discovered a shared taste for espresso martinis and halloumi, neither of which Eric had ever tried.”

— Anna Staropoli (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The writer and her brother do not have any immediate plans to travel together again, as Eric is currently adapting to life after college. However, the trip to Beverly Hills has set the stage for a new dynamic in their relationship as adults.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how traveling with a sibling as an adult can help strengthen their bond and uncover new layers of each other's personalities, even if the siblings have very different lifestyles. Shared experiences in a new environment can bring family members closer together and allow them to be their most authentic selves.