Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Our website was originally created to be similar to a handwritten travel journal or photo album we had put together to share with our friends and family for 2 reasons: They could track our whereabouts while we were out wandering the world, and as a means for them to reference our research and experiences for their own trip planning.
We ended up sharing a few pages with 3 message board “friends” and shortly afterwards began receiving requests for permission for them to share it with just a couple of friends. Our little journal has now been viewed from Australia to Africa, Iceland to India and from Isle of Man to Christmas Island. We are baffled by the interest, but at the same time it has created a desire within us to add more content!
Since our online travel journal is no longer being circulated among just friends, family and colleagues.
We thought it was time to introduce ourselves a bit more, which will give you an idea of how we plan, pack and actually explore!
Over the last year we have been asked these questions ….
Can you describe yourselves for me?
We are in our 40’s, born, raised and still live in California. We have both been traveling since we were young children. We met in 2004 and married in 2006. A bit late in life as a 1st marriage for both of us,
but neither of us had found the perfect travel and life partner until our paths crossed!!!
We don’t have children- this wasn’t a choice that we made, but one that was made for us due to my stage 4 endometriosis. However, being a child free couple allows us the time and money to travel where, when and how long our work schedules allow.
We have 5 weeks a year to travel and then of course as many weekends as we wish.
This amount of time is quite generous for those that live in the USA, though for the rest of the world it is minimal.
We both love history, architecture, and archaeology and really delve into unique experiences that each locale offers! If we had to answer the question Oceans or Mountains… I would say oceans and John would answer with mountains. We make it a point to incorporate both in our adventures!
How do you afford to travel?
Let’s address a few assumptions that we’ve heard about us.
- We do not have trust funds.
- We are not in the travel industry.
- We do not have location independent careers.
We make travel a priority. It’s that simple.
We use coupons in every aspect of our lives, we bring delicious and nutritious lunches to work each day, we do not have extravagant cell phone and cable plans. We do enjoy a latte periodically, just not everyday. After 10 years I just got a new car and John still drives his 1st car ~ a 1965 Mustang.
The list goes on.
This in turn saves us hundreds, if not thousands of dollars each year. Here’s just a few examples of how the money we saved allows us to have unique and memorable experiences abroad…a balloon ride in Cappadocia, purchasing airline tickets between destinations instead of a 12 hour bus ride as the alternative which allows us more time sightseeing, 1st class rail tickets, hiring private guides for just the
2 of us in Egypt, St. Petersburg, Russia and several other locations. Each region was for multiple days to give us the ultimate immersion experience since they tailored our tour based on our interests.
Our food and beverage indulgences have been plentiful, but 3 of our favorites are dining on Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence, Italy. Tea at the iconic Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul and a private Port tasting in Oporto, Portugal. All because we watched the way we spent our money while at home.
What type of travelers are you?
By nature, both of us love to research, organize and create lists.
We do this to maximize our experiences in each location we visit.
It is our wish list, not our checklist!
At the same time… we are Plan B-Z travelers with the attitude of the glass is ½ full and the belief
that we need to accept the things we can’t change and move on with our day while using humor to cope with unexpected twists and turns!
We are not backpackers or flashpackers nor do we stay in hostels- that was another stage in our lives.
We each travel with a 21 inch suitcase with wheels and a small carryon. We use this amount of luggage
to travel for over a month whether by land, cruise ship or a combination of both and we are always dressed appropriately for all occasions whether floating in the Dead Sea, hiking on a Glacier or dinner with the ships Captain.
We typically search out unique, locally owned hotels that offer a great location and good value and usually considered a 3 star or higher. Those are guidelines that we usually stay within in 90% of the time.
The reality…we ended up having to make up our own bed at the quaint Tsikelis Inn near Meteora, Greece and at the other end of spectrum there were the stays at the Grand Palace in Riga, Latvia and the Radisson in Bratislava, Slovakia because of incredible internet specials based on our off season travel. Finally, one of our best sleeps of all places was at the Citizen M at the Amsterdam airport.
We travel off or shoulder season to minimize the crowds we encounter and at the same time maximizing our budget options.
Typically we have done independent land travel, but recently we have begun alternating our trips between independent land travel and a combination of a cruise and independent land travel. The cruise decision is based on itinerary of the ship and basically using it as our transportation to destinations that would be more difficult to navigate based on budget and time restraints.
John has been on 2 cruises, though I have been cruising since I was a child with my mom for about 45 days a year in addition to independent land travel.
For our cruisers out there…At this time, if a choice had to be made we would rather stay in an inside cabin for 24 days than a balcony cabin for 12 days.
We love to sample the local specialties ~ cuisines and beverages. We strive for a healthy balance of picnics with items we have purchased at the local markets, take away street food and wonderful meals in locally owned restaurants.
The focus is to enjoy and immerse ourselves in each adventure we take!
Do you make money off of your website?
No we don’t. We decided that this would simply be a travel journal. There is no advertising, no affiliate links and no corporate sponsorship. If we provide a link to another website it doesn’t mean we support their advertising choices. There is nothing wrong with trying to monetize a travel blog or ask people to send you money to support your travels - it’s just not us.
Our closest friends and family will tell you…when we were getting married we felt very uncomfortable creating a wedding registry for ourselves and we were essentially pushed into doing so just to silence them!
If there comes a time that we are offered a free cruise, hotel stays, dinner at the French Laundry or anything else we are required by the FTC to let you know (seriously)
Q and A over, though feel free to send us an email with further questions!
There is no right or wrong way to travel- everyone has their own unique way of traveling that fits their lifestyle, budget and personality.
All of us can learn from each other whether you are a backpacker staying hostels or being pampered on Seabourn Cruise Line in an aft suite.
We have chosen not to have a guestbook because we wanted to avoid any negativity that the internet can bring into your life. However, we love receiving email, so feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions!
We are also on Facebook~ Our Passport Stamps or click on the icon below!
Buon Viaggio and A hui hou!
Karen and John
OurPassportStamps at Yahoo.com