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Leader of the pack! As I lead my own journeys around this amazing planet, I hope my actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, explore more, question more, & become more...
Me & My Dad, Summer 1984, driving to Alaska from NY. ⠀ Baby's first ad-vAn-ture! ⠀ My parents (both teachers) had just finished the school year in June 1984, and I was only 6 months old. With no real backseats in the van, my dad took my car-seat and bolted it to the van floor (in between the two front seats & behind the armrest). ⠀ We drove from NY to Alaska... then put it on a ferry/cruise from Alaska to Vancouver... then drove down the west coast to Mexico... then back to NY. It took the entire summer, but a travel-nut was born. ⠀ You created this, dad. From before I could even walk, you taught me the life of camping, living in a van, exploring, and traveling the world! THANK YOU!! ⠀ And now... you have Instagram only to keep track of where I am in the world HAHA ⠀ From a different continent: Happy Father's Day, Dad! ♡♡♡
So it's been exactly one full month since I posted anything... Not as any goal or for any significant reason, but just because I'm out living life! I find it nearly impossible to post quality photos and write about them while continuously on the move and connecting with people - even if I pick up the phone for one minute to check-in, I feel extremely rude (same when I'm home, but even more so while in other cultures). ⠀ This past month, I've been hanging out in London, roaming around Morocco, and eating everything in Italy! ⠀ ★ London had sun, and parties to celebrate the sun... ★ Morocco had a city that was entirely blue, nice beaches, and the Sahara Desert! Oh, and it was Ramadan when I was there, so that was really interesting to experience. ★ Italy has the most amazing history, stories, architecture, art, and food... ⠀ And in the midst of all that, I lost my favorite hat AND I dropped my phone (both during my first day in Italy) and now I can hardly see anything on the phone's screen... which REALLY doesn't help when trying to look at pictures! Ugh.. I might have to try to buy a new phone while I'm traveling (that will not be fun). ⠀ What a crazy 30 days... ⠀ It might be another 30 days for another picture =/ I'm sorry for that, but I love all of you guys who are following my adventure! ⠀ Headed to Northern Italy tomorrow night! Then to Slovenia & Croatia!
Back in Europe, and it feels so good! ⠀ Picture is from when I lived in Mallorca ♡ ⠀ London pictures coming soon!
TRAVEL TIP » TRAVEL BOOTS / SHOES ⠀ Get good travel boots/shoes that are great for walking, exploring, and going out at night! ⠀ Traveling entails a great deal of walking, all day, and for a good part of the night. I, quite literally, live in these boots! The only time you won’t see me wearing them is if I’m snowboarding or in the ocean. These boots are made for walking, and exploring! They are leather, which just softens and gets even more comfortable over time. ⠀ I have walked all over the world in these boots, so OF COURSE, the sole eventually wears out. No worries - I get them re-soled about once per year (depending on how much traveling I did that year)... That usually costs about $20 - totally worth it! ⠀ You can’t re-sole sneakers! And, honestly, these boots are more comfortable than sneakers (which I NEVER wear). Sneakers to me look so gross… Imagine you’re in a fancy place overseas, in a dress, looking cute, and then you’re wearing sneakers, haha.. Yuck. I wear my boots with dresses when I’m traveling and I think it still works and looks cute. ⠀ I mean, Lara Croft wears badass boots, raiding temples, and she’s hot all the time. Works for me!
Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
TRAVEL TIP » CRUISES (CHEAPER THAN FLYING) ⠀ This is the best kept secret! ⠀ Take a Trans-Atlantic cruise from USA to Europe: 2 weeks, all inclusive, island hop along the way, and it’s cheaper than flying! ⠀ Hurricanes hit the Caribbean around June and continue until about September. Therefore, cruise ships in the Caribbean need to be moved so that they are not destroyed if a hurricane hits. Because of this, twice per year, cruise ships need to be “relocated” and are moved across the Atlantic Ocean - and just because a cruise is being moved and not traveling on a typical route, doesn’t mean they can’t pack it full with people! It costs millions of dollars to move a ship with or without people (cruise ships are like floating cities)… so of course they’re going to try to fill it to, at least, break even. ⠀ Around the month of April, cruise ships are moved eastbound (usually to Europe) – away from the Caribbean and potentially treacherous weather. Around the month of November, cruise ships are moved westbound – back to the Caribbean to continue their Caribbean tours. These crossings across the Atlantic Ocean are called “TRANS-ATLANTIC CRUISES” and are really cheap! ⠀ A two week cruise usually costs over US$2000 (and often even over US$3000) per person!  However, a Trans-Atlantic cruise of the same two-week-vacation is only around US$400-US$750! ⠀ When I did the relocation cruise, it cost me $419. To get to Europe, this was a cheaper option than flying AND, for two weeks, I was eating steak and lobster, lounging by the pool, exploring Caribbean Islands and Canary Islands (off the coast of Africa), enjoying room service, and  basically being pampered 24 hours per day. I know that cruises fall on the opposite end of the spectrum as backpacking, and that each side of the spectrum might make fun of the other… But, boy, let me tell you, after backpacking for months at a time, I LOVE cruises!! ⠀ I'll throw the link in my bio'... Scroll to the bottom and click the button to search for Trans-Atlantic cruises... I made it one click & super easy =) ⠀ Or go to HoleStories.com & search "CRUISE" ⠀ #TRAVELTIPS✈
Sunset/Beach strolls in El Salvador. I walked as far as I could then spotted this small bar - the only way in was from the beach steps. I drank some cold beer and watched the sky and sand change colors. And I guess if you're here when it's high tide, you're forced to stay a little longer and drink until low tide - oh darn... Life here is pretty chill.
TRAVEL TIP » CLOTHING (MULTIPLE USES) ⠀ Wear clothes in multiple ways! ⠀ The best way to pack for a long trip, is to try to find clothes that you can get creative with. A shirt that is comfortable enough for a hike, and cute enough to go out on the town is a good start… but what about a shirt, that can be worn as a scarf, skirt, hat, or purse?? A few pieces like this, and your combinations for an outfit are endless - not just to look cute, but out of necessity while traveling… depending on the day and what’s in store ahead. When traveling for an extended period of time, and only having a carry-on, this has been absolutely essential for me! ⠀ Leave the rompers at home, ladies! It takes up the same amount of space as 2 articles of clothing, but limits your options to just one outfit/use (boring… and a stupid use of precious space)! The only “one piece” (top and bottom together) that I sometimes carry with me is a super light, little black dress that can be worn on the beach, or out on the town with cute earrings. ⠀ Pictures » one shirt worn a few ways… ⠀ ★ Hat ★ Shirt ★ Skirt ★ Scarf (not pictured) ★ Bag » Turn inside out. Take a hair-rubber-band and tie around the bottom. Flip back to normal and use arm holes as the bag’s straps. ⠀ How do YOU get creative with your clothing when traveling? I’m really curious and always trying to make up new looks with single pieces =) ⠀ Check out more #TRAVELTIPS✈