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Being in a masters program, our professors are constantly encouraging us towards "self care". In one of my classes, we were asked what self care looked like for us. "How do you reenergize, rest, fill back up?" they asked.
I said Travel. I suppose I've never really thought of travel as a means of "self care", but it fits the bill for me. When I travel, my heart is alive, adrenaline pumping, curiosity peaked as I uncover God's beautiful masterpiece. For some people, walking into an art museum moves their soul as the colors and painting and skill takes them aback. For me, the world is my art museum, filled with so much awe it sometimes takes my breath away. {that and hiking. hiking is a sure bet it will take my breath away. friends, i'm SO out of shape it ain't funny!}
And so as you can imagine, i've been restless. Restless to explore and have some trip on the horizon. I actually read recently that sometimes planning a trip can be just as exciting as being on the trip. Kevin and I love to plan trips, and will make dates out of it, brining our travel books to the restaurants with us:) To dream together is a magnificent thing in marriage.
And so, one night, when I found myself a bit emo {is that still an expression?} over the fact that I have two years of grad school ahead of me with no freedom to just move to another country (ohhh House Hunters International, how you tempt me!), Kevin called me over to the bed and held me.
And then he got his incredibly mischievous grin on his face, the one where his eyes sparkle like he's secretly uttering the password into Griffyndor...the "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good" look. He whipped out our laptops, and said, "let's look at how many points we have on our miles credit cards".
Cause…yeah, that's what WE do for fun {nerd alert, I know}. For those of you who didn't read my post on how to get free flights with miles credit cards, you should {here}. In that post, I shared with you all that Kev and I just recently got the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Only signing up for the card in January of this year, we could not believe our little eyes when we saw how many points we already had!! {they throw in some great bonus points for signing up!!}
A few searches later, we fell out of our bed in disbelief when we saw that it was only going to cost us $350 round trip to get to our dream destination….
TURKEY!!!! It's been on our minds for a few years to travel here, and what we've heard about the country {"amazing", "incredible", "best place ever"} only fuels our desire to go and experience it!! As a random side note, I opened up an email yesterday from Trip Advisor with it's top destinations in the world for 2014, and guess what was #1? You guessed it…Istanbul!
So yes, for $350 round trip, Kevin and I are going to Turkey in late May!!! We are beyond excited. I will hopefully be sharing a post with you soon about exactly how Kevin and I plan our trips {as a few of you have asked!}
But in the meantime, go look at the Chase Sapphire Preferred card {here}.
And next thing I know you will all be emailing me with the amazing and cheap tickets YOU just booked:) I know, feel free to thank me! haha!
Happy weekend lovely ladies,
love Katie
I recently opened up a frequent flyer card. I should have done it years ago. I haven't reaped the benefits of it yet but I'm excited to see the totals after this year. I'd love to fit Turkey in next year!
ReplyDeleteThat's sooo exciting! We signed up last month and have felt a little giddy everytime we spend money on the card. The best we could get was with an American Express card which isn't taken everywhere and even after copious research is still no where near as good as the deals you got. But hey, every little counts! Ooh and we are coming out to LA in Jan next year! Hoping to do a west coast roadtrip- see you then ;) x
ReplyDeleteWoooohooooo! That's SO exciting! I also love traveling- airports are one of my favorite places to be because 1)They're all so different and exciting and 2) it means Im getting on a plane!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to hear all about it!
This sounds so exciting! Were looking into going to Turkey in July so I am looking forward to reading about your trip!
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING! We just got our first set of Chase United credit card a few months ago and I am dying to have enough points to go somewhere! I am so excited for you! Turkey??? Incredible.
ReplyDeleteAhhh I have such a big smile on my face! I feel the same way about traveling. It just makes you feel alive! So excited for y'all!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow--you guys must be so excited, getting ready for that trip!
ReplyDeleteI immediately went and looked at that card! I am so signing up!
ReplyDeleteYay!! So pumped for y'all!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great deal. I love Turkey - the architecture, food, views are all so amazing!
ReplyDeletehttp://liveitinerantly.com/
Such a great news! I've been in Istanbul last September - incredible city! I'm sure you'll like it.
ReplyDeleteAHHH! Have so much fun!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI should clarify... I'm aware that you aren't leaving today. But I just mean, have fun planning and preparing and packing and dreaming! It really is half the fun of the trip! :)
DeleteInstanbul sounds incredible! I can't wait to hear about how you plan trips :)
ReplyDeleteOhh! So sweet! I can't wait to see and hear all about your trip! I'm so jealous of that Chase card you have, wish we had something that awesome up here!
ReplyDeletei'm going to meet you there : ) as i told you before, that's been our favorite points credit card and has paid for a lump sum of our rv updates! hallelujah!
ReplyDeleteWhat a deal, and what an amazing trip! I'd love to visit Turkey some day!!
ReplyDeleteKisses from Buenos Aires xx
http://amateandarottweiler.blogspot.com.ar/
I would love it if you would do a post on "how to pack", including your best recommendations on bag styles and types. I love your practical tips and I am trying to use them to travel more! :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWowza! After I read your post on getting miles points, I was astounded--and now even more so! That is a crazy price for round trip tickets. I am looking into it.: ) I can't wait to hear what the trip is like!
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ReplyDeleteWasn't awake and that was from a past year... for those that also want to check out Turkey, but don't have air miles stocked up - Turkish Airlines does run sales from select US cities round-trip to Istanbul on occasion in the $500 range. More rarely United does also.
ReplyDeleteSO exciting!
ReplyDeleteThat is so exciting!!!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about traveling, it really does leave you feeling re-energized and inspired! I can't wait to hear all about your trip in May!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Turkey last year and really enjoyed that time. I've also been on amazing trip to Cappadoccia there and spent wonderful 2 days! People are really open and helpful. And landcapes are just breathtaking :) It's a place worth to visit for sure :)
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting! I've only been to Marmaris in Turkey but it was a great place!
ReplyDelete$350 round trip!!!! that's a steal!!!
ReplyDelete:) hope you guys have SO much fun!!
Yay for travels and double yay for cheaper travel!!! Have such a fun time lovely :)
ReplyDeleteYes, that is what we do. Credit Card miles and it works like a champ. In May I'll be going home for a few weeks, my husband meeting up with me later and it's all paid for with miles. Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteTurkey?!? That's so exciting! Can't wait to hear about your trip
ReplyDeleteLittle Blue Backpack
excited for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been feeling restless lately too. I have some changes at work going on so I can't go anywhere until fall but I def love planning trips almost as much as going on them. Planning and the building excitement definitely helps me feel less stressed in my day-to-day life. So excited for you and Kevin. Can't wait to hear all about the trip!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so inspired! I was actually just looking at the sapphire card this morning. I've got the travel itch too!
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine just got back from Istanbul and I am so incredibly jealous that you are going there! I've been thinking about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and I think just might be just the push I need to get me to be ok with getting it!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! What a nice surprise to be able to plan the trip of your dreams!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are expats living in Turkey (Ankara). We love it here! There's so much to see, explore, and eat. :) You'll have a blast, I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteYay! How exciting! :) And double yay for cheap tickets!
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