Why I Continue to Travel

April 5, 2016

I got to thinking a while back, even though I love so much about travel, why is it that while my life keeps getting busier, with more responsibilities and it’s getting harder and harder to take the time off to travel…why do I continue to travel? Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just stop, to stop spending the money, to stop worrying about taking the time off of work, to stay caught up at home and not worry about seeing the world. Yes, it might be easier. But a part of me would die inside if I did that, a big part.

You see, I can’t quite put into words what travel means to me. I can’t quite explain that feeling inside my soul that seems to burst alive when I’m exploring, when I fall in love with a place, when I’m wandering the streets of my favorite places and I feel whole. Travel is like a soulmate for me. When it’s near, I feel alive. When it’s close, it brings out something in me that I don’t have without it.

Travel brings more life to my existence, it awakens my soul in a way that nothing else can quite manage. I think on some level, it’s about hope. Our daily lives can become overwhelmingly routine, which isn’t a bad thing, but over time, particularly for me as a creative, I need an overdose of hope, of dreams, of something other-worldly. I love envisioning a crazy future, hoping for a world that is filled with love and color, looking forward to a fantastic life ahead. And it’s that hope in me, that’s what travel does. It lets us seek out amazing places, meet amazing people and bring alive a part of our souls that would otherwise not be reached.

I saw on Pinterest the other day a quote I’d never heard. “I go to seek a great perhaps.” It struck me instantly because it’s entirely how I feel about travel. I travel to seek something, to search for the possibilities of life, to see what’s out there, to explore who I am and who others are around the world. I go to seek a great perhaps, to understand what might lay ahead, to envision a future of great moments.

So I continue to travel, I continue to work like mad to be able to afford it, I continue to spend hours of research to plan out trips, I continue to push myself to keep it in my life because I know great things come of it. I continue to travel because I’m in love with it, it’s part of me. I continue to travel because I truly believe that out there I can seek my own great perhaps and bring hope to a world desperately in need of it.

Travel Tips : How to Deal with Tourists (as a tourist)

April 4, 2016

Even though I travel to places all the time where I am a tourist, I try to not stand out as such. And as a traveler, there are certain places when you travel that even as a tourist, we get really annoyed with the other tourists around us for whatever reason. Whether they are loud and obnoxious, cutting in lines, or just blatantly annoying, tourists can be hard to be around. So if you’re one of those tourists who doesn’t like dealing wth the other tourists around in places when you travel, here’s how to deal with tourists (as a tourist yourself.)

Go to the tourist attractions early in the morning before the crowds.

One thing that Nick and I do often and seems to help a bit instead of getting bombarded with thousands of tourists at once is to go early. We try to visit tourist attractions in cities when they open, that way we miss all the bus tours and groups later on.

Read info on the tourist spots online before you go and learn the tips of the insiders.

I always try to do some research on spots I know will be tourist-heavy before we travel so that I have some insider information. Sometimes there are entirely different entrances you can use that everyone else doesn’t know about in certain tourist spots around the world. Or maybe you can buy your tickets in advance so you don’t wait in line, so do your research and you won’t have to deal with the hoards of tourists.

Don’t dress like a tourist, you’ll be perceived as a local.

One thing we do with almost every trip we take, we try to dress more like locals than tourists. Try to blend in, that way the other groups of obvious tourists will perceive you as a local which often gets you more access to certain spots or at least a pathway through certain places.

Pick more local spots to see at the destination.

If you’re headed to a tourist-heavy destination, we often will try to steer away from the tourist spots and pick more local spots to see instead. That way you’re getting more of a real feel of the place and a local perspective instead of fighting against the crowds.

Book private drivers or tours.

When we do travel to places that we know will be tourist hubs and we still want to see those famous sites, we’ve started booking private drivers or tours in order to get a quieter visit and a more personal feel. We did this at the Taj Mahal and we’ll be doing it for the Great Wall of China later this year. It really helps to get a quieter experience in some of the world’s greatest treasures.

20 Amazing Places to See in the USA

April 1, 2016

Even though most of the time when we think about travel, we envision far off places with foreign languages and a world completely different than our own, a lot of the time, we forget about all the places that are so incredible right in our own country. In the last few years, Nick and I have tried to explore more of our own country to see more of this country we call home. And in our explorations of the USA, we’ve traveled to some pretty amazing places to see in the United States. So today, even though I know I have so much more to see, here are 20 amazing places to see in the USA.

1. Portland, OR

My home city can’t be missed when talking about amazing places in the USA. Portland is a special place, and even though I’m biased, a lot of people agree with me… just look at the evidence: we were the top city last year in the USA that people from out of state moved to. What used to be a best kept secret is out and blossoming. Our food scene is top notch, our open mindedness is refreshing and our city is gorgeous rain or shine.

2. Newport, RI

I still dream about our too short time in Newport, Rhode Island during our New England road trip a few years ago. One of the most beautiful spots in New England along with ocean views, a gorgeous little town and some of the best seafood around, Newport isn’t to be missed.

3. New York City, NY

Of course this list wouldn’t be complete with New York City. Maybe our most famous city in the US, New York is one of a kind with its energy, its size and its unique charm.

4. Santa Barbara, CA

A gem in the Southern California area, even if you don’t like Southern California (like me). Santa Barbara is a breath of fresh air in California with its Spanish architecture, amazing food and incredible ocean views.

5. Oahu, HI

Hawaii doesn’t always feel like it’s part of the US, even though they speak English and are a full state. Often times, you’re transported to another place and time in Hawaii but it’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed. Head to the Islands for the aloha spirit and experience.

6. Washington DC

Our nation’s capitol is not only a lovely city in its own right but with so much history, this is a must see in the US. The feel in DC is definitely different than other US cities but it’s an experience that you’ll never forget.

7. New Orleans, LA

While not my best travel experience in the US, New Orleans is still a worthy spot to visit. With its French vibe, Southern drawl and beignets, NOLA is a must see.

8. Jackson Hole, WY

This little town in the middle of nowhere was another experience that wasn’t entirely great for me when we visited, but the scenery in this part of the country is why it makes it on this list. The Grand Tetons seem to come out of nowhere and look fake, making this spot a must see if only just for the natural scenery.

9. Napa, CA

For an entirely different California feel, Napa is a must see in the USA. From the rolling hills of vineyards to the incredible food and wine, to the laid back feel, Napa is a lovely spot to explore.

10. Southern Oregon Coast

In my opinion, one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the US, the Southern Oregon Coast near Bandon is pretty incredible. From rock formations to stunning cliffs, this part of the country is not well known but an incredible hidden gem.

11. Northern Arizona

Once you get up North in Arizona to areas like Page and Antelope Canyon, a whole world opens before you. This section of the country is sure to become more and more crowded soon, so go now. Northern Arizona is one of the most beautiful and unique spots in the US I have found so far!

12. Sedona, AZ

For red rocks, amazing food and an eclectic vibe, Sedona is a gem to be sure. When in the American SouthWest, Sedona is not to be missed.

13. Boston

Boston is one of those American cities everyone knows but that has a unique vibe all to itself. A lovely city in New England, Boston is entirely different than our other major cities but such a worthy spot to visit.

14. Eastern Washington State

For a truly unique landscape, Eastern Washington State is very unknown but totally worthwhile to be on this list. From high desert to rolling hills, this part of Washington State is beyond gorgeous.

15. Santa Fe, NM

The Native American culture is vital to the US and no other place perhaps exudes this as in Santa Fe, New Mexico where it abounds. The charm in Santa Fe is undeniable and such a treat to experience.

16. Las Vegas, NV

While Vegas is an acquired taste for most and it doesn’t at all represent the ideals of the rest of the country, it still is definitely worthy to be on this list. After more visits than I can count now, I’ve finally found that everyone enjoys Vegas differently. For me, I love the food scene, the beautiful hotels and a tiny bit of Blackjack. It takes some figuring out what you like Vegas for personally but it’s definitely an experience!

17. San Francisco, CA

While not a favorite of mine, San Francisco is one of those classically American cities to experience. From the Golden Gate Bridge to famous tourist attractions, San Fran is for sure unique.

18. Maine

For some of the most beautiful coastlines in the country, amazing seafood and a small town sort of vibe, Maine is a state not to be missed in the USA.

19. Los Angeles, CA

I’ve never been a huge fan of LA, but in the USA, it’s for sure a city to at least experience. From Hollywood to Santa Monica, LA is famous for a reason.

20. San Juan Islands, Washington State

Rounding out the list of the spots I’ve been able to experience in the US so far are the incredibly beautiful San Jan Islands in Washington State. While these are still somewhat of a local attraction for those of us in the Pacific NW, I have no doubt, if more people knew about them, they’d be coming far and wide for them. Some of the most stunning spots I’ve ever seen are located on these islands in the Pacific Ocean where you can watch Orcas in the wild and enjoy the scenic Pacific NW.

Global Food : An International Housewarming

March 31, 2016

A few weeks ago, we had a housewarming party at our new townhouse. After moving in January, we knew we wanted to open up our new home to all our local friends and family to be there to celebrate the move with us, for people to see our new place and just to have a few hours enjoying our home with those we love. When I started thinking about what I wanted to do with our housewarming, we settled on an International theme. We had beer and wine from countries we’ve visited or want to visit (French Rosé, German Reisling, Spanish Rioja + Thai Singha lager, Irish Guiness ale, and Kona Longboard beer). We had cheeses from all over Europe including Spanish Manchego, Swiss Gruyere and Irish cheddar. We had meats from Italy like salami and prosciutto and all topped off with my now infamous Beer Bread, which has become a staple in my entertaining ritual because it’s such a hit with our friend and family. And lucky for you, I’ve included the recipe below so you can make it on your own!

We also had our good friend Kristina from Tier, a local baker, make her famous sugar cookies for us. I love working with her because she’s so creative and an awesome baker, but what I love most is that when I give her a theme, she runs with it! So for our housewarming, she made sugar cookies in the shape of a bunch of Portland buildings and homes, along with keys to celebrate our new home. It was such a perfect touch and if you’re in the Portland area, I can’t recommend her enough!

All in all, it was a wonderful afternoon celebrating our travels and our new home. I’m so glad we got to have an international housewarming to enjoy this new chapter of our lives with those closest to us and if you’re looking for housewarming inspiration of your own, go for an international themed housewarming to match your own favorite travel destinations!

Travel Tips : Canceling Travel Reservations

March 29, 2016

As our lives have gotten a little crazier the last year or so with work and general life, we’ve had to cancel a few trips due to things that have come up. When it comes to canceling travel reservations, it can be a major headache and cause more than a few issues as well as being quite costly with change fees and such. But there are a few things that can make it easier if you do end up having to cancel your trips and here’s some ways to help when canceling travel reservations.

Use your Elite status to save cost when canceling.

One thing that has saved me a ton of money this past year when I’ve needed to cancel travel reservations was my elite status with Alaska Airlines. Being MVP Gold with them means I can change or cancel reservations at any point before the trip without being charged any change fees. So if you’re almost to Elite status, it’s worth it to get there just so you have those benefits when changing or canceling reservations.

Sometimes it’s better to no-show.

If you’re not an elite with the airlines you’re flying, sometimes it’s better to no-show rather than to cancel your ticket. When we canceled our trip to New York over New Year’s because we were moving that weekend, we were able to cancel our Alaska flight there no problem because of our elite status, but we were flying Delta home on which we don’t have any elite status. It was going to be over $200 per person to cancel our flight which we had booked on miles for free anyways, so instead, we just no-showed and forfeited our miles that we had used. While that’s still a loss, at least it wasn’t money out of our pocket.

Save the credit to use in the future instead of a refund.

Sometimes when you cancel a flight, you’re given the option to get a credit on your account for the flight instead of a refund. This way you might be able to get away without having to pay a change fee, you just don’t get the money back, you’ll have to use it for a future ticket. But this option can often save you a lot in change/cancelation fees!

Always book hotels with free cancelation.

For hotels, I almost always book through hotels.com and choose the free cancelation option for hotels, even if it costs a little more because there have been a lot of times that it’s come in really handy. Hotels.com makes it super easy to cancel a hotel reservation all online with the click of a button and it doesn’t charge you anything to do it. So when plans change, make sure you just always book with free cancelation and you won’t have any issues canceling your hotels.

5 Ways to Know You’ve Fallen in Love (with a place!)

March 28, 2016

In all my years of traveling, I’ve found that I have a tendency to fall in love with places fairly easily. Some destinations are grand love affairs, with a deep spiritual bond to a place. Others are comfortable relationships, places that I really enjoy or feel comfortable in. And every once in a while there are those that I just don’t mesh well with, but in general, I love or like most places I travel to. So when you travel to destinations of your own, here’s the top 5 ways you know you’ve fallen in love with a destination!

1. You’re smitten.

As always in a relationship, a good way to know if you’re falling for something (or someone) is when you’re completely smitten! When you smile thinking about it, when you get giddy at the thought of it.

2. You feel complete.

There are certain places in this world that make me full entirely complete, like I’m the best possible version of myself there. Paris is such a place for me, a place that just brings everything together in a unique way. This is a great indication that you’re totally falling for a destination.

3. You could move there.

There are places I travel to that I really like, but I know I couldn’t live there. The places that I visit that I think to myself “I could move here,” those are the really special ones! London, Paris, Amsterdam, Udaipur, some cities just bring up that feeling of comfort, of peace, of a feeling of belonging.

4. You want to go back.

Do you have places that you have visited that you dream about? That you can’t wait to get back to? That’s a good indication that you’ve fallen hard for a place! It’s something about certain places that seems to just stick with us over time.

5. You think about it often.

There are destinations I think of often. It might be daily or when something reminds of it, or when a photo comes up or a thought pops in my head. Those are the places that you have fallen hard for, that you can’t quite seem to shake.

5 Things to Do in the Airport Before your Flight

March 25, 2016

Before flying, I have a fairly similar routine every time I arrive at the airport. After years of flying, I’ve realized what I will need before I get on the plane, but if it’s your first time traveling or you’re unsure of what you’ll need on that long flight, here’s 5 things to do in the airport before your flight that will help keep you comfortable and calm.

1. Buy water and food.

I almost always buy a bottle of water, usually sparkling, before I fly, to keep hydrated on the flight. It’s also sometimes a while before they come around with the first beverage service, so have your own water while you wait. I almost always grab something small to eat as well. Whether it’s just a snack or a full on meal before hand, depending on the time of day, I don’t rely on the airplane food to sustain me when traveling.

2. Use the restroom.

Whether your going to be crammed into a middle seat or you’ll have a bumpy first hour of your flight, it’s always great to use the restroom before you board your plane.

3. Check all your messages and respond as needed.

Since you’ll probably be in the air for a while and might not have access to emails and phone calls, be sure to answer and respond to any messages that might need attention before you board the plane.

4. Check your flight status.

I use FlightTrack, an app that has up to date airline information to track the status of flights. But take a moment and look at the status and the airtime. You’ll get a good idea of how long the flight is supposed to be the day of, as well as seeing any delays that you might encounter.

5. Stay close to the gate or go to a lounge.

If your flight is leaving soon, it’s always a good idea to stay close to the gate in case there are any announcements or upgrades options. But if you have time, head to the nearest lounge and wait until your flight is called. I am a member of Priority Pass (a yearly membership), which allows me access into thousands of lounges around the world in airports. If you travel a lot, it’s well worth paying the membership fee to gain access to these lounges to wait it out for your flight.

A Wound Against Humanity

March 23, 2016

I had another post scheduled for today, and then the attacks in Brussels happened. Another series of tragic and completely unnecessary tragedies, another group of people injured or killed in a horrific event. And on top of that, even though the Western media hasn’t been covering it like those acts in Europe, hundreds of other attacks have happened throughout the Middle East and Asia recently. Just a few weeks ago bombings in Ankara, Turkey barely even made our US news updates.

It’s scary, it’s tragic, it’s horrific. And I’d say that 99% of the people on this planet would agree with me on those adjectives. And I’d say that 99% of the people on this planet are thinking and praying for all those affected by the tragedies occurring in Brussels, in Turkey, in all those places around the planet that are hurting and recovering from such events.

The attacks in Brussels yesterday though, they hit a chord with me. Much like the ones in Paris a few months ago did. And while I’m not at all downplaying all the other attacks that are on going around the world, I have personal connections to these two cities. I’ve walked their streets, I’ve stood in awe of their heritage. I’ve slept under their night skies and I’ve spoken their languages. There is something about having that connection, that emotional tie, that won’t let me stop thinking about the terror those people felt, the hurt they are carrying now.

I’ve never thought of myself as only an American. I’ve always felt that we’re all citizens of the world, a collective of the planet Earth, perhaps even more than the nationality of our individual countries. And perhaps that’s the traveler in me, perhaps that’s the expat kid in me. But at the end of the day, when they are hurting, we are hurting. We aren’t in this on our own, what happens to us relates to them, what happens to every other person on this planet has (an often very) direct affect on us.

So without knowing exactly how to feel, exactly what to say, I find myself drawing on one of my all time favorite poets Rumi. In his words, “the wound is the place where Light enters you.” And so I guess we again band together against these atrocious acts by cowardly men. I guess we take this as a wound against humanity, against all of us regardless of what nation we reside in or call home. I guess we use this wound, we mourn, we hold each other through the pain and we rise up and let the light enter our world again, hoping for a better day, hoping for peace, hoping for love.

Travel Tips : How to Handle Turbulence

March 22, 2016

In the past year, I’ve noticed turbulence getting worse when flying or at least occurring more often. And then I started looking into the issue and found out that it’s actually true, and with global warming and climate change, turbulence is more frequent and might be worse that in previous decades. It’s never really bothered me or made me overly terrified, until our flight out of Queenstown, New Zealand which I was sure we were about to plummet to our death. Now after that flight, I get a little nervous every time we travel and get a bout of turbulence. So if your one that it makes you nervous to sit through a bumpy section of a flight, here’s a few ways to handle turbulence and keep yourself calm throughout. (Also if you’re interested, this is a really interesting article on the whole subject of turbulence.)

Close your eyes.

I find that when I sit and watch the plane moving around and people swaying back and forth during turbulence, it affects me even more. When we have bad turbulence, I close my eyes. That way it just feels a bit like being on a bumpy road while driving and it seems to take away the idea that you’re thousands of feet up in the air.

Don’t look out the window.

If turbulence scares you or makes you nervous, looking out the window at the heigh you’re at probably isn’t a great idea. We were flying to Hawaii not long ago when we hit a really turbulent section of air, I then proceeded to look out the window and see a huge lightning storm we were flying through. For the remainder of the flight, I wasn’t only uncomfortable because of the turbulence but I was envisioning us getting struck by lightning the rest of the time. Don’t look out the window if turbulence makes you nervous, it just opens a whole new can of worms.

Watch the cabin crew.

Nine time out of ten if the cabin crew is up and around during turbulence, even if they’ve asked passengers not to be, it’s a good indication that this is totally normal and either normal to the route you’re flying or the pilots were aware of it beforehand. Now if your cabin crew is asked to sit down, that’s a good indication that it could get really bumpy so your best bet is to just stay in your seat with your seat belt fastened and do the steps above.

Know that it will be over relatively soon.

I’ve never been on a flight over 2-3 hours long that it was turbulent the entire flight. So remember, usually turbulence only lasts a few minutes and if longer than that, hardly ever longer than an hour because your moving at such a fast speed. And if it’s lasting that long, the pilots are for sure trying to find a better path that isn’t so bumpy. So just realize that it will be over soon and that it will smooth out eventually.

What to Wear in Northern Arizona

March 21, 2016

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

At the beginning of the year, I was looking ahead to our trips this year and realized that many of trips were going to be sort of outdoor adventure type trips. The first being our travels to Northern Arizona and Antelope Canyon, and I knew I would need appropriate attire. With other trips like Machu Picchu and Eastern Oregon coming up as well, I needed to invest in some good clothes and shoes for those trips. So I ordered a pair of hiking boots and some other items that will be good for all of those upcoming trips. For Northern Arizona specifically, we had drastic changes in temperatures, from low 30’s to high 70’s each day so layers were key. I also wanted neutral colors to blend in with the feel of the high desert so I opted for browns, tans and greens for the majority of my wardrobe while there.

What I Wore:

Outfit Details:

J Crew Navy Vest (similar) | Zara Sweatshirt (similar) | Backpack (similar) | Scarf (similar) |

Madewell Denim | Madewell Sunglasses

Outfit Details:

Gap field jacket (similar) | Madewell Scarf (similar) | Gap Cargo pants (similar) |

White Converse Low Tops | Knit beanie (similar)

Outfit Details:

Gap field jacket (similar) | Madewell Scarf (similar) |

Gap Cargo pants (similar) | Merrell Hiking Boots (similar)

Go to the tourist attractions early in the morning before the crowds.

Read info on the tourist spots online before you go and learn the tips of the insiders.

Don’t dress like a tourist, you’ll be perceived as a local.

Pick more local spots to see at the destination.

Book private drivers or tours.

Use your Elite status to save cost when canceling.

Sometimes it’s better to no-show.

Save the credit to use in the future instead of a refund.

Always book hotels with free cancelation.

1. You’re smitten.

2. You feel complete.

3. You could move there.

4. You want to go back.

5. You think about it often.

1. Buy water and food.

2. Use the restroom.

3. Check all your messages and respond as needed.

4. Check your flight status.

5. Stay close to the gate or go to a lounge.

Close your eyes.

Don’t look out the window.

Watch the cabin crew.

Know that it will be over relatively soon.

What I Wore:

Outfit Details:

Outfit Details:

Outfit Details:

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