DESTINATIONS
From family vacations to bucket-list adventures, explore the places we've loved around the world. Along the way you'll find practical trip-planning ideas, travel tips, and the memories that made each trip unforgettable.
✦ Bucket List
◎ Cultural
▲ Adventure
👥 Family
These tags are our way of organizing the places we’ve been - based on our own experiences and interests, along with how we think others might experience each destination.
AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST
SOUTH AFRICA
✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
It's hard to overstate just how beautiful South Africa is. With stunning scenery, incredible wildlife, and some of our favorite adventures, it quickly became one of our favorite destinations. Few places balance excitement and natural beauty quite so effortlessly.
MOROCCO
👥 Family ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
From colorful markets to the vast Sahara Desert, Morocco was an interesting place to explore. We spent our time wandering local shops in Marrakesh, enjoying delicious food, and taking a camel ride through the desert - an experience that's hard to forget.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural
Dubai is a city that never seems to slow down. We explored the city after dark, visited the iconic Burj Khalifa, and enjoyed incredible food along the way. The combination of its nonstop energy and ultra-modern feel made Dubai unlike anywhere we had traveled before.
BOTSWANA
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Botswana gave us a front-row seat to some of the most unforgettable wildlife we've ever seen. Staying along the Chobe River, we explored by both land and water safari, spotting animals up close in their natural habitat. We also visited a nearby sanctuary, experienced life in a local African village, and even ventured into neighboring Zimbabwe to continue the adventure.
ZIMBABWE
✦ Bucket List ▲ Adventure
Zimbabwe was all about heart-pounding adventure. We boogie boarded the mighty Zambezi River, swam to the edge of Victoria Falls, and embraced experiences that pushed us well outside our comfort zone. It's a destination for thrill seekers and one we'll never forget.
TÜRKIYE
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Türkiye checks all the boxes: family-friendly, adventurous, culturally rich, and full of bucket-list experiences. We explored the bustling streets, bazaars, and mosques of Istanbul, soared above Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, and visited Izmir to wander ancient ruins. Throw in amazing food, teas, and spices, and you have a destination with a little bit of everything.
ASIA
VIETNAM
👥 Family ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Vietnam surprised us in the best way possible! From old-world Hanoi and peaceful scooter rides through the nearby banana fields, to the magical scenery of Halong Bay, the beaches of Danang, and the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City, this country is filled with adventure, history, and unforgettable experiences!
JAPAN
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural
Japan is one of our favorite countries in the world - and one we keep coming back to!
We've explored Tokyo as newlyweds, wandered the temples of Kyoto and the streets of Osaka, and returned years later to experience it all again through our son's eyes.
From incredible food and breathtaking scenery to the kindness of the people and endless things to see and do, Japan somehow exceeds expectations every single time.
SOUTH KOREA
👥 Family ◎ Cultural
With its vibrant neighborhoods, colorful lights, and incredible street food, South Korea was an exciting place to explore. We spent our days wandering Seoul, visiting museums and local landmarks, and soaking in the energy of a city that feels deeply connected to its culture and traditions.
INDONESIA
👥 Family ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Indonesia was beautiful and made even more special as part of our honeymoon. With lush jungle scenery, bustling markets, beautiful beaches, and laid-back coastal towns, we found ourselves immersed in the culture at every turn. Incredible cuisine, scooter rides, and even surfing made Indonesia the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and relaxation.
TAIWAN
👥 Family ◎ Cultural
Taiwan is one of Asia's best-kept secrets. From the bustling streets of Taipei and vibrant night markets to tea houses perched in the hills and the charming seaside town of Jiufen, this island is equal parts exciting, beautiful, and incredibly welcoming.
EUROPE
UNITED KINGDOM
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural
For history lovers, it's hard to beat London. This was my first solo international trip, and one that helped renew my love of travel as an adult. I spent my time exploring iconic landmarks, wandering through museums, and visiting sites that have shaped centuries of British history. Between the history, culture, and seemingly endless things to see, London was the perfect place to start exploring the world on my own.
HUNGARY
👥 Family ◎ Cultural
Hungary charmed us with its blend of history, culture, and holiday spirit. We wandered Christmas markets, cruised the Danube for incredible views of Budapest, toured St. Stephen's Basilica, and enjoyed an unforgettable performance of The Nutcracker by the Hungarian National Ballet. Its close proximity to Vienna makes it an ideal stop on a Central European adventure.
PORTUGAL
👥 Family ◎ Cultural
Portugal was one of the most surprising places we visited. We arrived not quite knowing what to expect and left wondering why more people don't talk about it. From the charming coastal town of Porto and the stunning Douro Wine Valley to the busy streets of Lisbon, Portugal offered a little bit of everything. Beautiful scenery, amazing food and wine, rich history, and a deep love of soccer made this destination an unexpected favorite.
BELGIUM
👥 Family ◎ Cultural
Belgium was the perfect destination for a Christmas getaway. Festive streets and bustling Christmas markets set the scene as we explored the city, visited the surprising and iconic Atomium, and enjoyed family-friendly attractions like Mini Europe. A train ride to the medieval city of Bruges rounded out a trip filled with holiday charm and beautiful scenery.
AUSTRIA
👥 Family ◎ Cultural
Austria felt like stepping into a Christmas postcard!
We spent our time in Vienna wandering festive streets and Christmas markets, touring Schönbrunn Palace, and learning about the city's rich musical history. Better yet, it's an easy train ride from Budapest, making it a perfect addition to a Central European itinerary.
NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
BELIZE
👥 Family ▲ Adventure
Belize - where adventure meets relaxation! We explored ancient Mayan ruins and kayaked through jungle rivers near San Ignacio, then slowed down in Caye Caulker with sandy streets, turquoise waters, and a laid-back island vibe.
MEXICO
👥 Family ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Our experiences in Mexico have centered around its beautiful coastal destinations, where stunning beaches, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere made it easy to unwind. From the dramatic coastline of Cabo to the turquoise waters of Cancun, we've found Mexico to be an accessible and enjoyable getaway with plenty of sunshine, culture, and adventure along the way.
OCEANIA
FRENCH POLYNESIA
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ▲ Adventure
French Polynesia was as beautiful as you hear about, read about, and see in the pictures. Lush greenery, towering mountains, and blue water stretch as far as you can see. We stayed in Moorea, which gave a true small-island feel and was easy to explore by driving around the island. We spent our days on boat excursions and, if you're lucky enough to visit during whale season like we did, you may even have the opportunity to swim with whales. We also took a 4x4 guided adventure into the mountains for incredible 360-degree views and visited a vanilla plantation. Come here for the beauty and relaxation, but know there's plenty of adventure waiting too.
SOUTH AMERICA
PERU
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Peru delivered some of the biggest adventures we've ever taken. We explored the streets and markets of Cusco, experienced the history and mystery of Machu Picchu, climbed Huayna Picchu for incredible views from above, and spent a night in a glass pod suspended 1,300 feet over the Sacred Valley. Add in colorful Andean culture, memorable food, and spectacular mountain scenery, and Peru easily ranks among our favorite trips.
CHILE
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Chile took us to one of the most remote and fascinating places we've ever visited: Easter Island. After a quick stop in Santiago, we flew thousands of miles into the Pacific to explore an island filled with towering moai, volcanic landscapes, and beautiful coastline. From watching the sunrise at Ahu Tongariki to walking among the statues at Rano Raraku and taking in the views from Rano Kau, Easter Island truly feels like nowhere else. It's remote, beautiful, and absolutely worthy of its bucket-list reputation.
ECUADOR
👥 Family ✦ Bucket List ◎ Cultural ▲ Adventure
Few destinations have lived up to the hype quite like Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. We went from standing in both hemispheres at once in Quito to swimming alongside sea lions and penguins, encountering giant tortoises, and exploring islands unlike anywhere else on Earth. Every day felt like a new adventure.
BOLIVIA
✦ Bucket List ▲ Adventure
Our trip to Bolivia had one main goal: bike Death Road. We came for the adventure, and the roughly 40-mile ride down one of the world's most infamous roads absolutely delivered. Starting high in the Andes, we descended along narrow mountain roads with steep drop-offs, waterfalls, and incredible views along the way. Bolivia has plenty more to explore, but for us, this trip was all about doing something a little crazy - and living to tell the story.