The 411...

What is most important to us while traveling:

FREEDOM! Having no written-in-stone plan is important to us. Flexibility is one of the key factors that allows us to listen to our feelings, our bodies, and the energy of our surroundings and then respond pleasurably. The opportunity for new emotions and discoveries is what keeps us awe inspired on every trip. When we travel, if we were determined to keep a jam packed itinerary, we would sacrifice moments where we felt really compelled to enjoy the unplanned opportunity we happend upon. That type of schedule is also a lot of pressure to perform under. We always have some idea about what we want to see, but prefer to keep an open mind. We cherish the ability to be open to serendipitous moments life brings to us and often find those to be some of our best memories. Ultimately, we crave the freedom to lose ourselves and be fully immersed and present for the experience. 

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN! Our primary goal is no or low anxiety. Everything is more enjoyable when the stressors that can be planned for are. We do A LOT of prep work before even opening our suitcases to pack. I research everything from the weather trends in the area to cultural norms, restaurant staples, what the locals prefer to do, lodging, accessibility, pet friendliness, most iconic landmarks, transportation systems, the geographical layout of everywhere we might want to go, etc. Every bit of that research, and I do mean hours of it, allows us to confidently, calmly set out on our trip. If something odd does happen we have prepared so well that we are more than able to comfortably handle it. Planning also helps with the overall travel expenses.

PREPARATION TIME. After selecting the activities and restaurants we’d like to visit, we group everything together that is in a particular area and do all of those things in one day.  This prevents additional transportation costs to the same area multiple times. We then divide those activities into morning options and afternoon options, knowing that a midday snack and nap is a necessity for one of us. For example, when we were in New York I knew I wanted to eat at Bleeker Street Pizza, and he knew he wanted to go to Washington Square Park. I wanted to geek out on Bob Dylan's life. He wanted to just walk around and see what there was to see. So we knew we needed to spend no less than a half day in Greenwich Village. We ended up loving the village so much that decided to stay in the Village on our next trip to NYC. 

EXPERIENCES: Live life like a local. Discover the classics along with the funky and unique. We make sure to see the most important landmarks but avoid the tourist traps. Those places are usually far more expensive and packed with people. Both of those issues are a downer for us. 

Tips to prevent what can be challenging or unpleasant about travel:

Know how to navigate the local transportation especially leaving the airport. Price jacking for people that don't know the options or the customary ways to request those options is very common.  The reality is things aren't always what they seem or are advertised, not to mention language barrier issues. Where there are tourists there are scammers. 

Learn how to pack and travel light. Focus on a capsule wardrobe that is mix and matchable. Layers instead of bulk. It is unlikely anyone will see you twice in the same outfit so there is no need for a different outfit for every day. Focus more on a variety of options according to potential weather changes. 

Study the weather right up to the day you pack and the trends in the weather in that area for the entire day and season. 

Be safe and guard against pick pockets.

Don't look like a tourist. Research how the locals dress. For example, neither athletic wear nor shorts are commonly worn in Europe. If you are walking around in your leggings or summer athletic shorts you will look out of place and invite unfavorable treatment as well as predators. 

Thrift for souvenirs so you get something that is unique and authentic.

Contemplate the amount of walking that is required ahead of time and pack appropriate shoes. Heels may be cute, but if they are going to kill your feet maybe opt to leave them at home. Stairs, walking distance, standing, etc. Including the actual venue. Plan the activities for each day accordingly. Also plan the outfit and the shoes that can suit your comfort needs.

If these topics are of interest to you as well please follow us on all of our socials. We update the website pictures every time we finish a trip, post some reels on facebook and insta and write a thorough travel experience blog once we have had time to let the adventure soak into our soul and reminisce. We welcome questions you may have and suggestions for future destinations.