I think that anyone who has ever visited the Gatlinburg region, takes of piece of the area back with them in their heart.
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I think that anyone who has ever visited the Gatlinburg region, takes of piece of the area back with them in their heart.
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When you break a bone, life doesn’t slow down just because you have to. That can be a little tricky when it comes to travel. I’m sharing tips for traveling by air with a broken ankle.
…I LOVE dolphins! They have been my favorite animal ever since I was a little girl… but as a gal living in the Midwest, dolphins in their natural habitat are nowhere near. I was really excited when I learned that the Indianapolis Zoo had dolphins that you could see upclose.
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I joined Heather from The Food Hussy on a Taco Truck Tour with Columbus Food Adventures in Columbus, OH. I was excited about this for multiple reasons. Mainly because I LOVE Mexican food, taco trucks and any meal that I don’t have to cook.
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Today Dan from Points with a Crew is joining us to share his knowledge of budget travel for larger families using points. I think that you will enjoy his tips to help you maximize your budget and get the most out of your points.
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A visit to Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky was on my adventure list and I was SO EXCITED that we were able to cross off a visit during the final days in December.
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I want to introduce you to Shalee from Shalee Wanders. I met her a few years ago on a media trip and I instantly connected with her over our love for travel and adventure. We even auditioned for the Amazing Race together after only knowing each other for a few days! Her incredible pictures will inspire you to travel and explore more often. I asked Shalee to share about her adventures along with some of her tips for traveling in your 20’s.
What are the advantages of traveling in your 20’s?
Learning is the biggest advantage. Someone once used the term “reverse retirement”, and I completely agree with that concept. I think we should travel when we’re young because you learn about the world.
Traveling while in your 20s is also a freedom unlike any other. You can survive by sleeping in hammocks, eating freeze dried potatoes and living off very little sleep. I like to hike mountains and jump off cliffs—everyone in their 20s is slightly stupid enough to do things like that.
Share some of your favorite adventures so far.
It’s so hard to choose! A few weeks ago I did the east coast and had a blast, so that one is stuck in my heart at the moment. Australia was my first big trip and it opened me to a whole new world of travel. Yosemite was killer, I would be perfectly okay with being a hobo in Hawaii and Canada always blows my mind.
What challenges have you overcome to travel?
Managing and saving money was my biggest challenge. My background doesn’t include a trust fund or a family that can afford travel. When I left high school and moved away to start college, I was really lost. I wanted to travel, but could barely afford gas to go to work. Once I developed a saving method and found out travel was possible, I knew I was hooked. It saved me from a really difficult time in my life.
What are your tips to save money and finance your fun/travels?
Tracking where you spend your money is the most important way to save. A lot of people don’t realize how much their morning coffee costs overtime. If you’re spending $4 on Starbucks coffee 5 days a week, your total over one year is $1,040…that adds up to a pretty epic trip!
Before I had a travel credit card, I would pay in cash for almost everything. When I would receive any one dollar bills back, I would put them away and act like I didn’t receive that change. In 6 months I managed to save over $400 in single bills alone. It’s a really great method.
What adventure were you scared to try, but you did it anyway?
Hawaii was my first big solo trip and I was terrified. I left on my first plane without a secure place to stay once I landed. I really thought I may have to sleep in my hammock my first night there. Thankfully, it worked out and I had the time of my life!
What adventures are on your list right now?
America’s northwest, Iceland and Thailand! I’m headed to Iceland in August and couldn’t be more excited. America’s northwest is my last unvisited region in the United States and Thailand has a culture that really intrigues me.
What advice would you give to someone who thinks they don’t have enough money or time to travel?
You do! If you make travel a priority, there is always a way to make it work. Make the most of your weekends and travel regionally if you must. I don’t get to travel non-stop, I have school and another job to balance, but I make time. Too often we get caught up in school, work and society and forget traveling is always possible.
What are some of your favorite travel hacks?
Finding cheap flights is my specialty. When I booked the trip to Iceland, my ticket was $450 round trip—including a $65 baggage fee. I am flexible with my travel dates and use sites like Skyscanner and Wow Air, who can offer amazing deals.
I also rarely stay in hotels, unless I use Hotwire. I like to use Couchsurfing, which is an online community of people who let you stay in their homes for free when traveling. Hotels are often the most expensive part of a trip and I try to avoid them as much as possible.
What have you learned from your solo travels?
People will either think you are the weirdest or coolest person alive. It also allows you to open up and meet other travelers. It’s hard at times when something goes wrong and you have no one to lean on, but it’s part of the experience.
Most importantly, it taught me the world is not as scary as it seems and the number of good people far outweigh the bad.
What did you do to make sure that you were safe during your solo travels?
I always try to make smart choices and follow my gut instinct. I’ve never been put in a bad situation, so that is good. I think it’s really helpful that I’m not afraid to speak up and be a complete brat to anyone who thinks they can take advantage of the fact I’m alone.
Most importantly, it’s important to stay in contact with loved ones back home. I give addresses to every place I’m staying and contact them daily. Even when I don’t know where I’m staying until last minute, the first thing I try to do is send the info their way.
You take amazing pictures, what are your tips for capturing a great shot?
Thank you! I try to capture images that tell a story. I have an IPhone 5 and a Canon 70d. Some of my best photos are taken with my phone, so having a big expensive camera isn’t a must.
You can never take enough pictures on a trip and the best ones are sometimes the candid unexpected shots. I’m a big believer in the rule of thirds, which means that the subject of the photo should rarely be in the center of the shot. Lastly, I never use filters or big edits on my photos, I think over edited photos ruin the image.
Where do you find travel inspiration and adventure ideas?
Everywhere and anywhere. I find a lot through social media and other blogs. I also get ideas from others who have been places and recommend them. I have a giant list of places that I’ve seen or heard from somewhere that I want to go. It continues to grow every day! I love seeing a place—especially in the Midwest—that I never knew existed. It’s so exciting to start planning a trip to go there.
What is your blog about?
My blog focuses on adventure and budget travel for people in their 20s. I focus on destinations away from tourist zones that will bring travelers back to nature. My specialty is anything related to hiking, camping, adventure, the Midwest and mountains.
Right now I am based mainly in the Midwest and Michigan region, but will be moving globally next year. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store!
How can someone connect with you on social media?
I love connecting with followers! Anyone can find me on Instagram and Twitter , Facebook and my website Shalee Wanders.
Warmer weather means that travel season is near. Whether it’s spring break, a day trip or summer vacation, these travel hacks can help you make your next trip a less stressful.
Spring is finally here, and I’m teaming up with Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus to share five travel hacks that you’ll love, along with a great giveaway offer. One lucky winner will take home a Travel Pack from Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus valued at $150 (including a $50 Target gift card!)
1. Roll; Don’t Fold
As you pack, roll your clothes instead of folding them. You’ll be able to fit up to two times the amount of clothing by rolling them as you would by folding them.
2. Pack your “Iron”
And by iron, we mean Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus. The 3 oz travel size meets airline standards. Slip it into your carry-on bag, and with a simple spray, you’ll be wrinkle free all trip long. (It’s also a great fabric refresher if you have to wear your clothes more than once on vacation.) Click here to read more and grab a coupon.
3. Bring an Empty Water Bottle
After you get through security, several airports have filtered water stands to fill your bottle. You’ll also find that most airport cafes will gladly fill your water bottle as well.
4. Snap a Picture
If you’re checking your luggage, snap a picture of your suitcase contents before you leave the house. If the airline loses your luggage, you’ll be able to use the picture to prove the value of the contents.
5. BYO Blanket
Blankets on airlines are hard to come by these days – and they’re not always washed between flights. If you tend to get cold on planes, or you’re going to be flying overnight, pack your own blanket to stay comfortable.
One lucky winner will receive a travel pack valued at $150, including a travel tote, a Tervis Tumbler, Downy Wrinkle Releaser Plus and a $50 Target gift card.
Giveaway ends at midnight on Friday, March 20, 2015. Open to US and Canada.
Complete the form below to enter. Good luck!
During our visit to the Sandusky area, we had perfect weather for a snowcation. The snow was falling down slowly and it felt like we were walking around inside a snow globe.
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