Travel the world and stay for free!

You all know we LOVE to travel the world, so I’m always looking for ways to minimize cost and maximize travel time:) Over a year ago a friend introduced me to an amazing community called Home Exchange, where you can swap homes with others around the world. But it’s so much more than just swapping homes…you can accrue “Guestpoints” by renting out your home to other on the site (while you’re on vacation or out of town), and then you can use those Guestpoints to book other homes! 

Now, if you’re skeptical because you feel like you don’t live in a desirable place, or wonder “who would want to stay in my home?”…all I can say to that is “you’d be surprised!!”. 

We do not live in a tourist destination, or really anywhere near a tourist destination. But we have had SO many requests to swap homes or people asking to rent our home for a few days to a few weeks! A lot of these people have family members in our town, or have just wanted a peek in to our American lifestyle! I have been blown away by the number of requests we have received! Think of it kind of like Airbnb with no money involved! 

The other thing is that you accrue so many points when you sign up you could literally just sign up and use your points to take a vacation! It’s amazing!! 

If you’re interested in signing up or at least checking it out, I’d love for you to use my link below! We BOTH get points when you use my link, it’s a win win!  

For more about our experience and FAQ's about Home Exchange, see my blog post here! 

In the meantime, you can check it out here:

HOME EXCHANGE LINK

Make sure to put in my Code for the extra perks...my code is: kathryn-e99fc

Please let me know if you have any questions! You can leave a comment below or DM me! 

We have been using it for almost a year now and have had nothing but wonderful hosting and guest experiences!! Truly, people around the world are so amazing, generous, and kind. Happy Travels! 

How to Plan a Trip

 One of the overwhelming questions I receive on a weekly basis is, "how do you plan your trips?" It's a great question! Before I race off towards the finish line on this one, I want to say this... There is no one "right" way to plan the trip of a lifetime…you have to do what works best for YOU! Today, you'll get to see a bit of an inside peek to how Kev and I plan our trips...(I wrote this a few years ago when Kev and I were planning our trip to Turkey and Greece, but I've updated it and all the info is still relevant!)

First of all, you are in luck, because we are actually planning our trip to Turkey right now, so all this information is fresh on our minds! Kevin and I get so excited to plan trips {it literally gets my adrenaline running!} that we always make a date about it. We'll pick a fun coffee shop or restaurant, bring all of our travel books and computers, and make a day of it. To plan our trip to Turkey, Kev and I drove down to Crystal Cove by Newport Coast, went on a hike over the beach, then came back and started planning at the Starbucks across the street!

Here's a bit of a step by step planning guide we use:

1) Figure out where you want to go: This in and of itself can be HARD, as our globe has no shortage of breathtaking places to explore! However, most of you probably have a bucket lists of a few countries you've always wanted to visit. Narrow it down to a few, and then start researching what might be the most economical option for you. This coming summer, Kevin and I knew we either wanted to go to Turkey or to Eastern Europe. We started doing our homework, and realized that the flights {with our credit card miles} were WAY cheaper to fly into Istanbul, Turkey than they were to Prague, Czech Republic {in fact the flight to Prague was twice as expensive as to Istanbul}. This made our initial decision a no-brainer!

Other issues you may want to take into consideration include:
- weather {the weather in Turkey will be warmer this May than in Eastern Europe, so the sunshine weighed in our decision)
- cost of living {by and large, our US dollar will stretch a bit further in Turkey than in Eastern Europe…it's still Europe after all!}

2) Country Overview: Once you've picked the lucky country {insert conffetti and happy dancing!}it's time to get an initial feel for the country at hand! The details for the trip can wait, because right now it's time to figure out generally what cities and areas you want to visit in the country. The best way to do this in my opinion is to consult travel books, get your google search on, and interrogate your friends!

Travel Books: You may think spending $30 on a travel book is overrated, but it's not my friend, it will actually give you magic powers {and not all books are created equal…Rick Steve's is my favorite, then Lonely Planet is usually a solid choice). Good travel books usually give suggestions of where to go if you are in country for "one week" "two weeks" or even sometimes "three weeks". Kevin and I are going to be in Turkey for 2 weeks exactly, so we consulted our Lonely Planet Turkey Guidebook, and checked out what they recommended for a 2 week trip. This was the first time we started hearing about the towns of interest that we needed to keep on our radar, like Ephesus or Cappadocia. This will really help you narrow down the important places you will want to go.

Google: You can also consult Dr. Google himself. Type in something like "two week itinerary in ____". I typed "two week itinerary in Turkey" or even "best places to see in Turkey", and again, it helped give me an overview of some of the best places to see.

Friends:  The best advice often comes from people have already "been there, done that!". We just had friends that went to Turkey last year, and so we made a point to get together with them. Over lunch at their house {of Turkish food nonetheless!} we asked them tons of questions on where to go, what to see, and what their favorite activity was! The information they gave was invaluable! We are even staying at some of the hotels they mentioned as being memorable:)

3) Map your Route: Once we figured out the best places to travel to, we stated to map out our route in the calendar. We knew we would start in Istanbul, so we blocked out 3 days on our google calendar in Istanbul. Then we put 2 days in Cappadocia, 1 in Pamukkale, 2 in Ephesus, and 4 on the beach. Even though at this point we didn't have any details, getting it mapped out by the days helped us to visualize where we were going and the nature of our 12 days in the country.

4) Details Details Details! Once we had our route mapped out in our calendar, we started diving deeper into the planning process. We divided and conquered. I was nominated to look for lodging in each city, and Kevin  was nominated to figure out our transportation from city to city. Here is how we worked on our respective jobs:

- Lodging: 2 things are key when it comes to booking lodging…1) Know where in the city you want to stay {so you don't end up in the boondocks or a seedy part of town} and 2) get an idea for the average price of lodging in that specific area, so that you don't get ripped off. To figure out what part of the city to stay in, google it! I figured out very quickly the good neighborhoods in Istanbul to stay in. To get a good feel for pricing in the city, I started on Agoda.com (We also love booking.com).  In my case, hotels in Istanbul are CRAZY expensive {even though everything else in the country isn't costly}. So, I decided that I would check out AirBnB as an alternative. What I found was awesome! There were great rooms for rent in stunning parts of town that saved us a lot of money! In the end, we rented a room from AirBnB that only cost us $33 a night {as opposed to $75 in a janky hotel!} I used agoda.com to book the rest of our accommodations in the other cities we are staying in! The great thing about Booking and Agoda is that you can accrue points the more you purchase through them, and very soon we will have a free night of lodging somewhere!! {for more tips on booking lodging, click here}

- Transportation: Kevin was a boss at booking transportation in country. He googled everything {including reviews for each company we ended up purchasing tickets with, to make sure it was credible!}. He first googled "domestic airline flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia". This took us to Turkish Airlines, and we purchased flights very easily! {do your research on what airports are best to fly out of, etc.}. He then googled "buses from Cappadocia to Pammukale" and boom, it took us to a website of a bus company and we were able to snag tickets. Google makes things so accessible…use it…love it…become friends with it! :) {For more tips on booking transportation, click here.}

- Activities: I must say, Trip Advisor is bar none in this area. We LOVE Trip Advisor for figuring out all the local treasures and activities that are worth doing. For instance, in Dublin two years ago, Trip Advisor told us to book a dinner called "Food, Folklore, and Fairies" at an old pub, and it ended up being my favorite thing in Dublin! For our Turkey trip, we are using Trip Advisor to figure out what tours we should take, if the hot air balloon ride is really worth it, and what we should do along the coast! Your guide book can also help you with this!! And remember when I said the guide books are magic? One of their greatest strengths (in my humble opinion) is that most guidebooks have walking tours in them. This gives you the opportunity to give yourself a tour that is free and at your own pace, and is still jammed packed full with wonderful information!



Here are a few more tips on making your trip as smooth as possible: 

1) Calendar your trip: On our computers, we calendar our trip onto google calendars. We put our flight information, bus information, pick up times, etc. into the days where we are utilizing transportation. We put all our hotel confirmation numbers and addresses into the calendar as well. Having ALL the information in one place is super helpful in case you need to pull it up at a moments notice!

2) Manilla Folder the Important Information: To make our trip as smooth as possible, Kevin and I utilize what we fondly refer to as the "manilla folder". We put any important documents into this manilla folder, and carry it with us in our backpack or suitcase. In this folder we usually put:
- Copies of Passports and drivers licenses {just in case}
- A print out of ALL our hotel confirmation and plane/bus/rental car tickets and info
- Driving directions from google maps if we are renting a car and need to get from here to there
- Contact List of phone numbers and addresses of friends we may be visiting in the country

3) Pack for the weather: I'll be sharing more on packing soon, but make sure you do some research on what the weather will be like when you are there.

4) Read up: This should go without saying, but the more homework you do before you leave, the better you'll understand the country! Sometimes I'll read books {both fiction and non fiction} or watch movies to learn more about the country. Kevin and I are total travel nerds and will often watch "Rick Steves" videos on the destination we are going {you can find them on youtube}. The more you know about a place, the more you will appreciate the people, the architecture, and it's unique place in history.

I hope this was somewhat helpful for you guys! If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to ask!! And if you think of something I missed, I would LOVE to hear it. How do YOU plan your trips?

Have a sweet day friends:)
love Katie

How to avoid being a travel snob

I've noticed that seasoned travelers tend to fall into one of two categories. Fortunately, most people fall into the first category of being a kind and considerate traveler, low on judgement and high on awe and curiosity. However, there are always a few of travelers that are a bit…umm…snobby in their attitude.

To be fair, I've totally done all these below at one point or another, so I'm not above any of my own advice. We're humans and we're going to mess up, but that doesn't mean we can't become better, love deeper, and walk more humbly on this earth!

So, in an effort to cultivate myself as a more compassionate, kind, loving, conscious traveler, I give you ways to avoid being a travel snob….

1. Don't judge the way other people travel. 
Everyone is unique, therefore everyone travels differently. Some people run on $10 a day and stay at cheap hostels, others love to cruise, and then there are those that wine and dine at only the best. The bottom line is, there is no "right" way to see the world. A few years ago, Kevin and I met a couple who had traveled extensively through parts of the world. In the course of our conversation, they made numerous judgements about what they felt was the only way to travel (as if all other ways of traveling weren't as good).  To be honest, Kevin and I walked away feeling more judged than inspired by their travels.  So here's the point of this paragraph…don't judge others. Some people love to plan their trips ahead of time, and others like to be spontaneous. Both are good!  Be kind and embrace the fact that what works for you is great, and what works for others is also great.

2. Avoid Making blanket statements about different cultures
When I was living as an English teacher in Thailand, I took a weekend trip by myself to visit an island called Koh Chang. When I reached the island, I hitched a ride on a songthaew (a taxi, where all the passengers sit in the back of the truck). When I climbed in, there was about 8 other tourists my age. As we were riding along, one of the British tourists said "Americans never leave America, they hardly travel". Now up until this point I had not opened my mouth, so I suppose they all assumed I was European.  So, I piped up and said "well, actually, I'm American and I travel quite frequently, as do a lot of Americans" and went on to explain my thoughts on that subject. The British guy apologized, and was rather embarrassed for his remark. To be a thoughtful traveler, we can't make generalizations about cultures. And secondly, just because we've been to a country doesn't make us an expert on that culture. Notice and observe, but unless you've done your research, stay away from making blanket statements regarding someone's worldview and customs!

3. If a friend shares she is traveling to a particular country you've visited, don't immediately interrupt her  story to talk ALL about your experiences traveling there. Don't make it about you! 
Learn to engage with others as they prepare for a trip. Ask them questions about their adventure…"what will you be doing?", "what cities will you be traveling through?" or "what are you most excited about?". Resist the urge to bring up 501 stories about your time in the particular country. Once you've made them feel heard, casually mentioned that you too have travelled there. Chances are, they will want to know all your advice and will use you as a great resource. But so often, as seasoned travelers, we get caught up in the fact that we've been there too, and then leave little room for them to talk about their trip. It's important to make a connection point, but don't do it at the expense of them not feeling heard.

4. Don't constantly "country drop"
Have you ever been with travelers that want you to know how "seasoned" they are? I suppose they assume that if we knew how much they've traveled, we'd like/respect them more. Sometimes I want to say I GET IT! YOU'VE TRAVELED A LOT…AWESOME! Like i've mentioned, I've totally been guilty of this in the past, so it's understandable. It's easy to find an identity in traveling, but if our identity in traveling requires us elevating ourselves because of how many countries we've been to or experiences we've had, then it's not a kind way to relate to others. Just because one person has been to 50 countries and the other person has been to 2, means nothing in terms of their value. They are both just as valuable as human beings. Savor your travel memories in your mind, but don't use them as points towards your self-esteem.

I hope this inspires us to be kinder travelers and friends. Traveling should be a space of curiosity, wonder, awe, relationship-building, excitement, collaboration, rest and exploration. It should not be a place of judgement or competition. We're all in this beautiful world together, so let's encourage, listen, and engage with each other in lovely ways, knowing that we are all valuable for who we are, not for where we've been or what we've done!!

Happy Tuesday!

5 unexpected travel items I bring on every trip

I get a lot of emails asking me exactly what I pack on trips. Mostly, my suitcase and carry-on are filled with the usual items…clothes, toiletries, camera, snacks, passport/documents, credit cards, etc! However, there are a few items that I naturally carry with me on every trip that may not be so obvious! I thought i'd share some of them below:

1. Thank You Cards: Kevin and I do not travel without these!! Traveling opens a whole new realm of relationship, whether you are staying in a friend/family member's home, or even using AirBnB or couch surfing. When people open their home to you, they are doing more than offering a place to sleep. They are opening a very intimate space in their life, and inviting you in! What a privilege that is! Before every trip I buy a pack of Thank You cards and throw them in my suitcase! Before we leave, we always take a few minutes to jot down our appreciation and leave it for our hosts! (Can you tell how much I'm passionate about this?!?!…#exclamationmarkhoarder)

2. Ear Phone Splitter: This one is clutch when you are traveling with a buddy! Kevin and I tend to download a bunch of shows on our Kindle that we'll watch while we ride on long bus or train trips! While in Turkey last year, Kevin and I had numerous over night buses. We downloaded Sherlock onto our Kindle, and then utilized our ear phone splitter so we could both watch the same show at once! It sure beat having to share a set of ear phones!

3. Deck of Cards: The honest truth about traveling is that sometimes you have to wait. You wait in the airport, you wait in bus terminals, and you wait in lines…lots of them! One of the best ways to have a good attitude and forget about the incessant waiting is to play cards! We'll grab a deck of cards out of our backpack, pick a game, and soon forget that we were waiting for something! Card games are also a great way to meet new people! A few years ago my sister and I were in Greece just hanging out at a restaurant, enjoying the ocean view. We were playing cards, and soon a few British guys came to join our game and a few hours later, we had made new friends and new memories!

4. Zip Lock Bags: This one sounds random, but can be So helpful in a bind. I usually try to throw a few zip locks (one gallon bag as well as a few smaller bags) in my suitcase. Things I've used them for on previous trips….wet swimsuits, dirty shoes, dirty underwear,  cosmetic or skincare products if they break or explode, and for extra food I might want to keep and take with me! Having an extra bag can come in so handy!

5. Sunscreen: Ok, so this one might seem like a no-brainer, but you have NO idea how many times Kevin and I have forgotten sunscreen and had to buy it abroad. We now have a cupboard at home filled with sunscreens we've picked up all over the world, haha! So... moral of the story is, don't forget your sunscreen in the first place! Even if you don't think you'll need it, bring it!

Any other random items YOU bring when traveling? I'm so curious!!

Happy Monday lovelies!!

Europe by Season: Where to Go and When

Factoring in weather, the amount of other tourists, and cost, here's a quick guide on where to go in Europe based on the time of year you can visit.   Hi! I'm Margo from The Overseas Escape. For the past two years my hubby and I have lived in Germany and used the opportunity (by way to RyanAir and Airbnb!) to experience some of the best sights in Europe. From prost-ing at Oktoberfest to sailing in the Greek Isles, we love being active, eating well, and good ole house wine. Now, we're on to our next big adventure - backpacking through Southeast Asia! On my blog I share travel stories, tips, and photography. Blogging is my outlet and I love it, especially because it's allowed me to meet truly lovely people like Katie! 

SPRING

Bright blooms and brisk mornings mark the onset of favorable weather throughout Europe. Expect near ideal traveling conditions by mid-May, coupled with lingering budget-friendly low season prices. 

Highlights:

For BLOOMS go to one of the world's largest tulip festivals in Lesse, Netherlands. Still shoulder season for Venice and Paris weather will be fair and the cities will be yours to enjoy (without the swarms of other tourists). The Amalfi Coast comes to life with flowers and vibrant blue water. It's also the perfect time of the year for boating, hiking and exploring nearby Capri. May is the sunniest time of the year in Bergen, Norway. Surrounded by 7 hills and 7 fjords, Bergen easily makes the UNESCO heritage list with a spectacular harbor and timber-clad houses. Lisbon, Portugal offers travelers sunshine, culture and an endless list of things to do, eat and explore. Be sure to check out Quinta de Regaliera in Sintra. Famous among honeymooners (and everyone else too, for that matter), Santorini, Greece is wonderfully mild and still peaceful in late April. Be sure to watch the sunset in Oia like I did!

Also Visit: 

Barcelona Spain, London England, Amsterdam Netherlands, Dublin Ireland, Bergen Norway, Seville Spain, Cinque Terre Italy

Celebrate:

St. Patrick's Day in Dublin, Queen's Day in Amsterdam, Le Feria de Abril in Sevilla

SUMMER

The peak tourist season throughout Europe (most European schools pause for summer break on July 15), avoid the big cities and head for off-the-beaten-path destinations in search of genuine interaction with locals and beautiful landscapes. If possible, avoid travel in August as you'll face either long lines or complete closures with many Europeans taking the entire month off!

Highlights:

Every week in July and August is Yacht Week in Croatia. Cruise through the beautiful Croatian islands with your pals and 50 other yachts for a week long party. Summer is the perfect time to explore, so head to the mountains! Visit beautiful Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland for its charming European village nestled in the shadow of the Swiss Alps.  Head to Surf Camp in Portugal! Lavender season in Provence, France is in full bloom by late June. Explore the region by car to truly enjoy the rolling purple fields, UNESCO villages, and famous gastronomy. Take a road trip through western Ireland, passing the charming towns of Dingle and Kenmare and the rocky coast of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is unlike any other.

Also Visit:

Oxford England, Hallstatt Austria, Annecy France, Lucerne Switzerland, San Sebastian Spain, Berlin Germany, Menton France, Copenhagen Denmark

Celebrate:

Bordeaux Wine Festival, Wimbledon, Yacht Week in Croatia, Tour de France, La Tomatina in Spain, Fringe Festival in Edinburgh

 

here's why you need to drop everything and go to lauterbrunnen, switzerland 💙

A photo posted by Margo (@margo.paige) on May 19, 2015 at 8:16am PDT

FALL

My favorite time of year for traveling in Europe - shoot for September to enjoy the wine harvest and booming festival season. The crowds have passed, yet the weather can still be ideal for touring and outdoor activities.

Highlights:

Nothing beats joining the fun of Oktoberfest in Munich. Remember your dirndl and lederhosen! Stop by Cinderella's famous Neuschwanstein Castle afterwards for a true taste of Bavaria. Barcelona and nearby Montserrat make for an amazingly scenic autumn getaway. Be sure to tour the famous La Sagrada Familia during your visit.  Autumn leaves in Prague make the city unbelievably romantic and beautiful.  Still not ready to bid farewell to the beach? Book it to Corfu, Greece to savor the remaining sunshine and feta.  Nerja, Spain on the Costa Del Sol is a favorite among Spanish vacationers and should be for you too! White washed buildings and beautiful beaches, the lingering sun still heats up this gorgeous coastline. 

Also Visit: 

Santorini Greece, Prague Czech Republic, Rome Italy, Barcelona Spain, Annecy France, Mosel Valley Germany, Colmar France

Celebrate:

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in Germany, Concurs de Castells in Spain, Oktoberfest in Munich 

WINTER

Winter is the ideal time to get a true taste of European culture - whether in a museum, tucked into a cozy cafe, or embracing a piping hot mug of gluwein (mulled wine) at one of the many Christmas Markets across the continent, settle in and experience that tangible charm that we all love so much. 

Highlights:

London, with it's famous broadway productions, museums, and pubs, the city is perfect for a winter visit. Be sure to stop by The Shard for a glass (or three) of wine, high above the city! Sip hot mulled wine in the closest thing to the North Pole at one of Europe's beautiful Christmas markets. My favorites are: Strasbourg, France, Heidelberg, Germany, Vienna, Austria or Bruges, Belgium. Hit the slopes in Garmisch, Germany or Chamonix, France.  For the party-lovers, Carnivale in Venice, Italy is unlike any other celebration in Europe. An added bonus: the city is almost totally yours if you get there early.  Budapest, Hungry. A city of spas, relaxing in the steam baths is the perfect way to warm up mid-winter.

Also Visit:

Salzburg Austria, Innsbruck Austria, Chamonix France, Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany, Budapest Hungary, Tenerife Spain, The Black Forest (Hinterzarten) Germany

Celebrate:

Iceland Airwaves, San Miniato Truffle Fair in Italy, Christmas Markets throughout Europe, Salzburg Music Festival 

3 Ways to Cope in an Overwhelming Travel Moment

I write a travel blog, and for all intents and purposes, I show the pretty parts of our adventures because there are many. But what you don't tend to see on my blog is the CRAZY SUFFOCATING CHAOTIC moments (and sometimes hours) where I am rendered a hot hot mess of anxiety. Let's face it, between language barriers and currency and catching buses and planes, and traffic and just PEOPLE, it's not all roses. It's frustration, and sweat, and tears, confusion, and sometimes anger. 

So in an effort to be completely real and transparent (and hopefully helpful) I thought I'd share with you 3 things I do in an overwhelming situation that help me cope with my anxiety. 

To give you a real life example, let me share with you an instance that happened a few weeks ago in Haiti. My friend Katharine and I were headed to the beach town of Jacmel, and were told that the buses only leave when they are full, there is no time of departure. Once the bus fills up with people, it goes on it's merry way. 

Well, Katharine and I got to the bus around 8am, bright eyed and bushy tailed. We happily climbed aboard. Within seconds a million people were selling us different items (junk food, flashlights, clothes, etc), poking my arms through the window and giving us their best sales pitch in Creole. Outside my window ladies were cooking over open charcoal fire (which basically meant I was getting the black lung) and the other side of the bus was filling up with car exhaust from the outside traffic. Did I also mention it was like 100 degrees (with 100% humidity!)and my face was melting off? About an hour and a half in, I was SO overstimulated and wanted to cry because I honestly thought the bus was never leaving. The bus seemed full...but oh no...they could still squish 20 more people on! 

At this moment, I thought about my options. I could cry, but it really wouldn't do any good. So I pulled out some distress tolerance skills that I use with my clients (as i'm a therapist), and decided I'd put them into action. 

Here are 3 steps that help tremendously in a stressful moment: 

1. Accept the Situation for What it is:  One of the worst things you can do in a stressful situation is to start thinking "I should have done ______" or "if only I did ____". You will beat yourself up and depress yourself if you think about what you should have done differently. Remind yourself that the situation is as it is, and at the moment, there is nothing you can do to take back the past. In my situation, I had to accept that we were on this bus until it left, and that I needed to be ok with that. The bus was eventually going to get us to where we wanted to go, and I had the capacity to wait just like everyone else. As soon as I accepted the situation, I started to calm down a bit. 

2. Distract Yourself: In the heat of the moment, we often want to lash out at someone or something and blame them for our misfortune. Distract yourself instead. Distraction doesn't mean you avoid the situation, it means you allow yourself to calm down before you do or say something you regret. While I sat on that bus, I could have blamed my friend Katharine for choosing this bus (which really wasn't her fault at all) or I could have screamed at the bus driver to get the show on the road. Neither would have been helpful (or respectful for that matter!). Instead, I pulled out my book and started reading. It just so happens that my book was incredible, and soon I was sucked into the story and almost forgot about the chaos around me. I found my anxiety subsiding, and my acceptance growing. This put me in a WAY better mood, and allowed me to do #3....

3. Laugh about It: One of the best coping strategies when frustrated or overwhelmed is to use humor. When you are in a situation that is so absurd and ridiculous, laugh. Laughing is the best medicine, right? Laughing allows you to have some perspective on the situation, and eases your body tension to put you more at ease. At this point in the trip, Katharine and I started giggling hilariously at the insane situation. We ended up waiting 3 HOURS before the bus even pulled out, and the actual drive to Jacmel is only 2 hours! But we were able to make fun of the situation, and it made it SO much more enjoyable!! 

Next time you find yourself ready to pull your hair out (or someone else's hair), remind yourself of these 3 easy steps! Accept...distract...and laugh! 

What do YOU do to stay sane in crazy moments?? 

PS- Yesterday marked the 1 year anniversary since Kevin's heart attack. I have no words for the gratitude I have that God spared his life and gave me another 365 days with my best friend. You can read more about the scary experience here. Feeling thankful! 

Our 3 week South East Asia Itinerary

Kevin and I travel a lot. But whenever we mention our South East Asia trip, we both get this twinkle in our eye, the kind that says "that was really the best trip ever". We never rate our trips, because we do love every where we go. But there was something about this trip that was incredibly special. I wanted to share with you the places we went, the hotels we stayed at, and the activities we did, because they were just so…magical. *sigh…i'm getting all nostalgic on you…*

Kevin and I chose to visit Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam in a 3 week span, with one week in each country. If you have more time, I would add Laos on to the trip! If you have less time, I might just subtract a country.

Thailand 
Kevin and I had been to Thailand before this trip, hitting up the major places to see such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and closer islands such as Koh Samet and Koh Chang. Because of this, we decided to spend our week in Thailand in a place we'd never traveled.

Railay Beach

Kevin and I had been living in Nepal prior to our 3 week trip throughout SE Asia. Therefore, on coming to Thailand, we were absolutely exhausted, both physically and mentally. Because of this, we wanted to find an oasis to completely unwind and just relax. And we found Railay Beach, and it was absolutely perfect. This is the closest place i've found to heaven on earth, and I can't even tell you how much I loved it here. It has the most beautiful beaches, gorgeous and economical accommodations, and was quiet and peaceful (unlike some of the surrounding islands which are known for being party magnets!).

Getting to Railay: We took a domestic flight from Bangkok to Krabi (you can find cheap tickets on Air Asia!). Once in Krabi, take the shuttle to the port of departure for Railay. You will then get into a longboat, and be shuttled over to Railay Beach. RB is not an island, but a peninsula that you can't get to by land.

Days Needed: We stayed on Railay 4 nights and 5 days. It was the perfect amount of time for us, as we needed to recharge before we tackled the rest of SE Asia! Two days we stayed on Railay Beach, swimming and reading and eating and swimming some more! One day we spent on Phra Nang Beach (a 5-10 minute walk away!) and one day we did a speed boat tour through all the islands. If you are in a time crunch, I would say you need a minimum of 2 days!!

Where to Stay: I'm not kidding, some of my favorite accommodations ever were on Railay! We stayed at the Railay Garden View Resort. We paid $20 a night, and had our own bungalow that was absolutely adorable, updated and clean!! Every morning we would sit in the dining room area that overlooked the beach and drink coffee and just soak in the view. The staff is super nice too!

To see more of our time in Railay, click on the posts below!
Railay Beach
Phra Nang
Speed Boat Tour  & snorkeling {Koh Phi Phi, Maya Bay, Bamboo Island}

Cambodia

From the minute we stepped foot in Cambodia, we felt welcome. We just fell head over heels in love with the people, and the sights…wow, don't even get me started! So, so good. We started our Cambodia introduction in Siem Reap and then went on to the capital of Phnom Penh.

Siem Reap

Hands down my favorite place in Cambodia. This sweet little town is both laid back and also bustling with action! Siem Reap is the jumping off point for seeing one of the great wonders of the world…Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples!

Getting to Siem Reap: We took a bus from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia. It only leaves once a day in the morning, so arrive with plenty of time to buy your ticket! Go to Mochit Station, and ask around for the bus to Siem Reap. The ticket costs around $25. Since you are crossing international borders, you will need to get a visa. Kevin and I bought our visa online (e-visa), but you can also buy your visa at the border crossing.

Days Needed: We stayed 3 nights and 4 days in Siem Reap, and it was perfect. The first full day we spent visiting the majestic temples! (Angkor Wat, Bayon, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, etc). It is absolutely majestic, but also tiring! After a full day of temples, we felt satisfied. So the next full day we hired a tuk tuk driver to take us out into the country side! We visited a lotus pond, Ton Le Sap Lake (with the floating villages) and stopped at a country restaurant filled with hammocks. It was a perfect day!

Where to Stay: Don't stay anywhere else but the Golden Temple Villa!!!! This place is incredible! For $12 a night you also get a free 30 minute massage, complimentary snacks and drinks, and a computer lab with free wifi! The grounds are just gorgeous, with a garden, hammocks, and their restaurant is amazing. We so enjoyed our stay here and would go back again and again!

To see more of Siem Reap and the surrounding countryside:
Siem Reap
Angkor Wat
Lotus Pond
Ton Le Sap Lake
Hammocks and hikes


Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh truly surprised me. As the capital of Cambodia, with a violent history, I suppose I was expecting something a bit more undeveloped like Kathmandu (where we had been living). But instead, we found a bubbling, vibrant and friendly city with wide boulevards and regal monuments (a product of being a French colony).  We found the people to be so kind, and the history incredibly heart breaking. Our time in Phnom Penh was life changing. 

Getting to Phnom Penh: From Siem Reap, Kevin and I took a mini-bus to Phnom Penh. I believe it took us around 6-7 hours, but that was an hour faster than the bus! 

Days Needed: We spent two nights and three days in Phnom Penh. It felt like the right amount of time. We spent our only full day starting off with the genocide monuments, with the Tuol Sleng prison and the killing fields. Both powerful, but hard. We then explored the markets, the river walk, and the palace (which was gorgeous!). 

Where to Stay: We stayed at the White Linen Boutique Hotel, which we chose very carefully and consciously. Because Cambodia has a huge problem with sex-trafficking, especially among little girls, we chose the White Linen because it supports an organization called The Daughters of Cambodia. The DOC works with women who have been trafficked, helping them heal from their trauma as well as teaching them job skills. Therefore, the workers of our hotel were young rescued women training for a future in hospitality. This hotel was incredibly gorgeous, and I'd totally recommend staying there! 

To see pictures and read more about our time in Phnom Penh, click here. 

Vietnam

Vietnam has quickly climbed to one of my top favorite countries in the world! Growing up in the USA,  Vietnam is so closely tied to the Vietnam war, that like most people, i'd never thought of it as a tourist destination. However, after hearing so many of our friends sing the country's praises, we were curious to explore there. And are we ever glad we did! Vietnam is absolutely stunning, diverse, fun-loving, colorful, and the food is off the hook! I could not recommend it more!!

Hoi An

Even though every where we went on this trip was special, Hoi An was just magic. Kevin and I both looked at each other numerous times in our 4 days here and said "we could move here". Hoi An is a sleepy backwater town with SO much culture and SO much yummy food! It is the perfect mix between quaint little city, and gorgeous beach! We biked every where, ate delicious food, and relaxed for hours on the sand and in the stunning waters! 

Getting to Hoi An: Coming from Cambodia, it took some planning to make our way across the border into Vietnam, and then up the country to Hoi An. First, if you fly into Vietnam you can get a visa on arrival. However, if you take a bus, you need to get a visa ahead of time (at least as an American). Kevin and I went to the Vietnamese embassy  while we were in Holland, and secured our visas. We took a bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Min City in Vietnam. It was a janky bus filled with many hilarious memories, and 6 hours later, we made it. Once in Ho Chi Min, we took a domestic flight up to Da Neng, where our hotel picked us up and drove us the 40 minutes into Hoi An. It seems complicated, but it actually went really smoothly! 

Days Needed: Stay as long as you can!! Once you come to Hoi An, you will never want to leave. We stayed 3 nights and 4 days, and we still felt like there were things to do and see! We rented bikes and a scooter and were able to see a lot of the surrounding countryside, beaches, and canals! 

Where to Stay: We stayed at the Botanic Garden Homestay and loved it. It was between the town and the beach, which was a nice compromise. It was quiet and had beautiful gardens! I think we paid around $30! 

To see more of Hoi An {and trust me, it was a photographer's dream!} see {Day 1} and {Day 2 & 3}

Halong Bay 

If ever there were a dream world, Halong Bay would be it. I looked forward to cruising Halong Bay our entire trip, and it did not disappoint. We spent our days kayaking, eating delicious food, meeting new friends from around the world, swimming, and soaking in the breathtaking views! Do not miss this incredible place! 

Getting to Halong Bay: From Hoi An, we took a flight from Da Nang to Hanoi. From Hanoi, your cruise company will come and pick you up at your hotel and drive you out to the launching point (about a 4 hour drive). You will cruise around for 1-2 days, and then they will drop you back at your hotel in Hanoi. 

Days Needed: You have the option of doing a 1 night cruise or a 2 night cruise. We chose the 2 night cruise and could not have been happier with that decision! Here's why…on the 2 night cruise you actually get to go further into the bay than anyone else. You get a full day of swimming, kayaking, and lounging. Everyone that only paid for the 1 night cruise did not want to leave and was a bit jealous that we were staying! Go for the 2 night cruise!!! 

Where to Stay: Well, in Halong Bay you have the choice of a LOT of different boat carriers. We chose the Halong Dragon which was a mid-range ship. I think we paid $175 a person (which included the pick up and drop off in Hanoi, lodging, food, and excursions! A great deal!). Our friends chose the Marguerite Junk (which is a step ahead of ours) and they loved it! As a tip, you'll save money if you book your ship when you arrive in Hanoi! 

To see more pictures and read more about our time in Halong Bay, click here. 

I hope this was helpful for you! If you ever have any more questions, don't hesitate to email me!! I truly hope you get to explore South East Asia…it will take your breath away! 

Happy Monday! 

How to culturally enhance your travel

Kevin and I don't travel just to travel. We travel to become learners and friends with the world. 

It is very easy to travel to a new place, check the "sites" off your list, and move on, without ever truly digging deeper into the culture. But Kevin and I have found that the real magic and charm of entering a new world, is to become both a learner and a friend of the place and the phenomenal people that live there. With some intentionality, it is actually quite easy to do, and as a result, you will have a pocket full of stories and treasure of new friends!

Below are some ways you can culturally enhance your next trip:

Meet and connect with Local People!
The best way to gain traction in a new city is to sit with the locals that live there! They are the experts:) Here are some of our favorite ways we've met new people:

1. Through your vocation: My dad is a rice farmer, and well connected in the industry. Growing up, whenever we would travel the world as a family, he would always search for the contacts of rice farmers in that country. And you know what? The local contacts were ALWAYS delighted to host us! We stayed in a rice farming towns all over the world, it was wild! If you find yourself in a niche industry, use your contacts to see if you might be able to connect with someone in that field. You will have a storehouse of cultural knowledge at your doorstep!

2. Through your church or faith community: Whenever we travel, Kevin and I always network with friends to see if they know anyone doing ministry or non-profit work in that country! Before taking our most recent trip to Turkey last month, we were given some Turkish contacts that we promptly emailed. This led to meeting up with one friend in Istanbul, and the other in Izmir. I have to say, these were two of my most favorite days of the trip. As people of faith, Kevin and I were so encouraged and moved to tears by the way we saw God working in Turkey through these wonderful people! In another instance, when I was a sophomore in college {almost 10 years ago, yikes!} my best friend and I traveled to Croatia to visit some missionaries there. I couldn't believe how much we learned about Croatia in those four days because of our excellent {and fluent!} tour guides! Whatever faith community you belong to, there will probably be a network of people you can contact to meet up with!

3. Social Media: In the age of rapid globalization and instant connection via instagram and specifically blogging, it may be that you have contacts in other countries that you didn't even know! I once instagramed that I was visiting a particular city, and one of my blog readers emailed back and asked if I could meet up with her! Obviously you need to use your common sense on this one {and screen people and meet in a public place!}, but most of the time your readers will be genuine wonderful people willing to show you around town! A few weeks ago I instragrammed that I was thinking of visiting South America, and I had numerous followers in different countries welcome me to their city and offer to show us around! Amazing!


4. Exchange Programs: If you plan to live somewhere for a longer amount of time, consider an exchange program. In college, I studied abroad in Siena, Italy, and chose to live with a family (instead of getting my own apartment with other Americans). This was an amazing experience where I was welcomed in to the home of an Italian family, and I learned all about growing my own vegetables to make the freshest pasta sauce and pesto! Not to mention, my language skills rapidly developed!

5. Couch Surfing and AirBnB: Both these sites allow you to be the guests in someone's home {couchsurfing is free, and AirBnB you pay a fee}. Kevin and I have used AirBnB quite frequently, and have met some really wonderful people. In Turkey, we stayed with a French man, and one night we sat out on the balcony with him, drinking French wine, and hearing him talk about his time living in Turkey. It was so fascinating seeing the city through his eyes! He was helpful in giving us tips on where to visit  and what to do! Our stay here was so much more personal (and cheap!) than a hotel!!

6. Family: Obviously it is a huge bonus to have family around the world. I feel extremely blessed to have many family members that live in Europe, and they are by far the most fun and spirited people to stay with. However, many of you probably do have family members abroad, you just don't know them. Considering doing some genealogy tracing to find your relatives! This could be a fun project to do as a family, that could really lead to some incredible connections!

7. Volunteer/Serve: As you already know, the world we live in is not fair or particularly kind to everyone. There is widespread poverty, human trafficking, disease, lack of food and water, etc. that plagues our globe. Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone and SERVE somewhere. Teach English! Join a team building water wells in Africa! Build houses in Mexico! The list is endless. And in the process of serving, you will meet the most incredible people and have your eyes opened to the realities and daily life for millions around the world. You will be changed, and leave with new friendships and perspectives! Our time living in Nepal changed our life!

8. Immersion Classes: Sign up for a language program or a cooking class! When I was living in Thailand, my cousin came to visit and we took a cooking class. It was so much fun, and we really received a deeper glimpse of the culture through their techniques, fresh ingredients, and spices! We laughed and had a grand ol' time eating the fruits of our labor with our new friends!


Educate yourself! 

There are resources at your fingertips to learn about the countries and cities where you are traveling! Take advantage of this opportunity, and you will deepen yourself in a special way.

1. Read Books: Almost all of us can get a library card where you have access to FREE books, friends! And if you want to buy books, we have incredible deals on amazon.com or other great websites! Google books that give you a taste of the world you are traveling to. Before we moved to Nepal, I read a book called "The Little Princes" by Connor Grennan. It was a fantastic read {that I would recommend to anyone!} and gave me a deeper understanding of the issues facing Nepal. I was able to think more critically and deeply because I did my research before we moved abroad.

2. Watch Movies: Not all movies are super educational, but they will at least allow you a foray into a country you know nothing about. When we were in Vietnam, Kevin bought the movie "Good Morning Vietnam" {with Robin Williams}, and while it was a comedy, it also gave me the smallest glimpse into certain issues during the Vietnam war. I think I appreciated the Vietnamese people all the more after I watched this. Before visiting the Normandy beaches, in northern France, Kevin and I watched the entire HBO series of Band of Brothers (about the D-Day invasion on the Normandy beaches). It was incredibly sobering to watch this before entering such a sacred place, where lives were lost for the sake of freedom. Utilize Netflix {and google} to find films that take place in the country where you are traveling.


3. You-Tube: You know you are a travel-nerd when you and your husband watch "Rick Steves" videos on a Friday night for fun! Rick Steve's has the best European travel books around, and he airs specials on different European countries. You can find almost all of them on youtube, and they are humorous, fun, and a great resources if planning a trip!

4. Talk to Friends: The best way to learn about a country is to chat with people who used to live there, or friends who have visited! Find out where your friends stayed, if a city was "worth" the visit or not, and what type of transportation they would suggest. Those who have been before you, know the best way:)

I hope when planning your next trip, you will intentionally look for ways to culturally enhance your journey! Years down the line you probably won't remember too many of the "things" you bought or even the names of the towns you stayed, but you WILL remember the people you met and the culture you immersed yourself in:)

Happy Travels!

Credit Card Miles for Travel: A word of caution

You all know I sing the praises of using credit cards to explore the world {see here for living proof!}. However, the other day, a reader sent me a message asking me if Kevin and I just rack up credit card debt in order to get miles. The alarm bells started tolling, and I knew I needed to address this issue.

Our stance on credit card debt is a NO TOLERANCE rule! We never ever spend what we don't have in the bank. Debt is one of the worst things you could possibly get yourself into {for many reasons!}, and we have been lucky enough to avoid debt at all costs!

Kevin and I have 3 different miles credit cards. However, we have paid off every single credit card statement we've ever received. This is key. If you are in debt now and are tempted to get another credit card, don't. Pay off the debt you have, and then think about ways you can keep yourself from falling into debt in the future. Our policy is "if we don't have it, we can't spend it". Kevin keeps a tight watch on our bank accounts so that at all times, we know what our capabilities are.

Traveling is wonderful, but not at the expense of debt.

If you are interested in what credit cards we have,
how we pay for each credit card,
and where we've flown using each credit card,
see my post here!

Happy Wednesday friends:)
love Katie

ps- a month till we fly to Turkey {using our Chase Sapphire Preferred Card!} 

How to Travel while working a 9-5 job!

One of the biggest questions I get asked is "how do you find the TIME to travel?". You may have assumed that I have just been frolicking around the world with no responsibility to my name, but this just isn't so. Since being out of college, i've worked a full-time job for 6 out of the 8 years! So I can totally relate to your travel woes concerning time. It can be tricky, but it is absolutely do-able!!

Here are few tips and tricks to maximize the time you do have to travel:

1. Utilize Holiday Time
This might feel like a given to you, but if you do plan to travel abroad, you need at least a week, and every "day off" counts! When I worked full time, this enticed me to plan trips around Memorial Day in May, and Labor Day in September (Holidays where the travel expenses don't skyrocket like they do at Christmas, etc!). Kevin and I would plan a flight that would leave Friday night after work, and get back the following Sunday. Because Monday was a holiday, I only had to take 4 days off work! This certainly helps stretched those 14 vacation days further!!

2. Take Advantage of Comp Time
This was my biggest source of finding extra days to travel. My job at ELI required me to do a lot of out of the office work on weekends or after working hours. I spoke at churches on the weekend, conferences during the week, or college groups after work hours on the week days. This allowed me to accrue quite  a few comp days that I could use at a later date. When Kevin and I took our big 21 day UK trip, we went over Memorial Day (getting one free day) and I used my comp time, and ended up only officially taking 4 days off! If you are in a position that requires some out of the office work, save up your days to use for a bigger trip!

3. Talk to your boss about taking unpaid time
Some employers allow you to take unpaid time off! If this is the case, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT *ahem* utilize it! Obviously, the down side is that you will not get paid for a few days, but the upside is that you will be having the time of your life exploring and making memories that last a life time!! HELLO! Not a bad trade off!! Remember, travel is all about priorities, so check with your employer to see if this is a possibility!

4. Ask about "working remotely"
Depending on your job, you may be able to work from a remote destination. A few years ago, my family took their annual family vacation to Santa Cruz. I so badly wanted to go for a few days, so I worked it out with my boss to "work-from-home" Thursday and Friday, and then stay for the weekend with my family. Even though I worked from 9am-5pm in the beach house those days, I was able to enjoy dinner and a lovely evening with my family that I wouldn't have gotten had I just arrived on Saturday! This can be a great option if it's available to you:)

5. Find a job where you get to travel
This for me was one of the greatest avenues for travel. Obviously when I worked as an English teacher in Thailand, weekends and school breaks were a great way for me to explore more of Asia. When I worked for ELI, I got to explore Africa on a deeper level. My trip to Africa was considered a "work trip" so travel and work meshed hand in hand. It can happen, so don't rule it out!!

6. Work part-time
I know this isn't available to everyone, but my last year of working at ELI, I moved from full time to part time, at 28 hours a week. Those 12 extra hours certainly gave me more wiggle room to help plan travel! I was off work on Fridays, and having one more extra free day was all I needed to stretch my vacation days farther! That year I was able to travel to the UK, Alaska, Germany and Greece, all because I had one less day a week I had to account for!

Know that it's so totally do-able to travel the world while working full time!! In my 6 years as a full-time employee, I was able to get about 16 stamps in my passport!  I'd love to hear how some of you have managed!! Happy Traveling!

love Katie 

If you love to travel, here's the latest in my Travel Series!! Happy Traveling:
How to Pay for Travel:
Part 1- Prioritize your spending
Part 2- Travel Credit Cards
Part 3- Food
Part 4- Teach Abroad
Part 5- Accommodations
Part 6- Transportation 

My favorite "Small"Cities in the World