Meet Isabel | The Sunny Side of This

You may have seen Isabel around the interwebs before. An expat in Slovenia, she has been sharing her adventures on The Sunny Side of This ever since she made the big move across the pond. From Mexico to Slovenia, Isabel shares the best travel bits from around the globe. She even co-hosts Wanderful Wednesday, a weekly link up for all things travel. I decided it was time to get to know Isabel a little better. 

Tell us about The Sunny Side of This! 

The Sunny Side of This is a blog I started as a way to document my journey to Slovenia, The Sunny Side of the Alps. My boyfriend (now husband), who is Slovenian, proposed after a couple of years of being in a long distance relationship. At the beginning, I wrote about more wedding/LDR things and as I started to settle into life in Slovenia I was desperate to explore this beautiful country that now I call home.  At the same time, I started getting emails of people asking me about travel in Slovenia or Mexico and alas, my "serious" blogging began. Now The Sunny Side of This is a travel/expat blog about all my adventures (and mis-adventures) of my life in Slovenia and abroad.

What is your hometown Hermosillo, Mexico like?

The polar opposite of Slovenia, actually. It is the capital of Sonora, a state part of the Sonora-Arizona desert. So yes, it is full of cacti and desert life! The coolest perk is that it has a beach less than 100km away (that is still part of our city), that has warm water all year round (Thank you, Gulf of California!). The weather is pretty extreme and it is hot mostly all year, but the people are the nicest. Even though it is a "capital" (the 16th biggest in Mexico to be exact with over 800k inhabitants), you still get to have a simple kind of like where you know everybody and you always feel at home.

You are now living in Slovenia. How did you end up moving to Europe?

I fell in love with a Slovenian :) I lived in Europe before for my exchange semester, and I sore that I would never fall in love with a foreigner, but well.. here I am. Now I am finishing up my masters and have a job at an online business publication, things really went according to plan and better! I'm really happy I took the leap and followed my heart. 

Where in Slovenia would you recommend for a first time traveler? 

I would actually recommend people to stay for a week in Slovenia. People usually spend half a day in Ljubljana after being in Bled. Now, don't get me wrong, Bled IS a fairytale and Ljubljana is a cozy and beautiful European capital. But there is so much more to Slovenia that will leave you breathless. I would say visit Logarska Dolina, and the Soca Valley. Those places are like something out of a movie set. 

What is the biggest cultural barrier you’ve come across since living in Slovenia?

Well people are much quieter and reserved here than in Mexico. They are very warm and welcoming though but I'm naturally talkative and giggly person, so often hard for me to understand if they are just being polite when they are being serious or if they just don't like me. It is usually that they are just being polite (I hope!).

If you could do one holiday destination over again (good or bad), what would it be and why?

I don't know if it is good or bad, but I wish I would've traveled within Mexico more. I mean it is a huge country anyway, it is not like I would've been able to explore the whole place. But I would've liked to go to Oaxaca and La Huesteca Potosina before I moved to Europe. I will make it work somehow though, those places are on TOP of my bucket list. 

FIND THE SUNNY SIDE OF THIS

Blog | Bloglovin | Facebook | Instagram 

READ MORE FROM THE SUNNY SIDE OF THIS 

10 Things You Didn't Know About Sonora, Mexico 

What You Need To Know Before Dating a Slovenian Guy

6 Tips on How to Get Your First Travel Blog Sponsorship 

Meet Caitlin | Southern Exhilaration

I am so pleased to introduce y'all to the wonderful Caitlin from Southern Exhilaration! Another Southern Belle, Caitlin calls Atlanta home. Even though she works in PR, she's able to find time to travel the world (and take some amazing photos while doing it)! She's all about spreading that Southern charm, so without further ado lets get to know her!

Tell us about Southern Exhilaration!

Southern Exhilaration, in a sense, is all about leaving a little southern charm wherever you go. I not only share the charms of southern experiences, but also my travels throughout the United States and around the world. So, pull up a chair, grab a glass of sweet tea (or your favorite beverage), head on over to my little corner of the Internet and stay awhile.

What is your hometown, Atlanta like?

The Atlanta area has been my home for 10 years, off an on. It’s a diverse city. You can experience a mix from the pre-Antebellum charm of Roswell to skyscrapers of downtown, and everything in between. The area offers a wide range of walking and biking trails and outdoor areas to explore. The city is full of trees, parks, culture, sports, museums, universities, food festivals, art shows and music galore. Visitors complain about the traffic, but I love that every weekend there is something going on of interest. There is so much to see and do - the list is endless when it comes to Atlanta and its surrounding areas.

You have said that travel is the only thing that makes your richer. In what ways do you make travel a priority in your life?

Making travel a priority can be difficult when you work a full-time job. At the beginning of every year, I schedule time to go on trips and cross items off my bucket list. Some years it’s a full-week of vacation to a foreign land, like Romania, and then some years it’s a long weekend to a new city, like Philadelphia, New York or Austin. In addition to purposely setting aside time, I also set a travel budget for the year to make sure I don’t go too crazy and not have the money to pay those pesky bills. Busy lives get in the way, so planning is essential to prioritizing travel.

What is one of your favorite destinations in the South you believe deserves more credit?

This is a hard question. The South has so many charming places. I am pleased to see one of my favorite places experiencing a recent resurgence of interest. Birmingham, Alabama offers a thriving music and restaurant scene as well as sports, art, history, botanical gardens, and is successfully inserting charm into many long-neglected areas, like Railroad Park.

What is the biggest travel advice you’d offer to people who also work full time jobs?

The best advice I can offer is to make travel a priority. Set a date with yourself and keep it. You don’t have to use all of your vacation time or extra income going on extravagant trips. But, definitely make sure you set aside the time to go somewhere new, even if it is a weekend trip to another part of your state. If you don’t like traveling alone, look into some of the group travel opportunities (I have liked traveling with National Geographic) or take a friend.

If you could pick one holiday destination to do over again (good or bad), what would it be and why?

If I could pick one holiday destination, it would have to be the 10-days I spent in Europe with my cousin. We crossed three countries off my list, and I just loved getting the extra time with him. It was an absolute dream, and I loved every minute of it! I think my favorite part of the whole trip was climbing to the top of Notre Dame for the sunset.

FIND SOUTHERN EXHILARATION 

Blog | Bloglovin | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 

READ MORE FROM SOUTHERN EXHILARATION 

Ketchikan, Alaska 

The City Different {Santa Fe, NM} 

Biltmore Estate 

Travel Tips & Advice | Casey from Land of Marvels

A few months back I introduced you to the lovely Casey from Land of Marvels. Land of Marvels, or True Colours back in the day, was one of the first travel blogs I began reading before I even considered writing my own! Casey and her blog have provided me with numerous tips on travel over the last few years. Her advice is enlightening, yet always sincere. From Amsterdam to Hawaii, it is obvious Casey knows the ins and outs of travel. I recently asked her a few questions to get a better insight on what goes into traveling Land Of Marvels style. 

1 | What motivates you to keep travel as a priority in your life?

Travel has always been a huge part of my life ever since I grew up as an expat kid in the Middle East.  But as an adult, it’s definitely a balancing act to keep regular travel a priority, both time-wise and financially.  It’s just something that my husband and I really enjoy, so we’ve figured out ways to make that our priority.  While some of our friends are buying big houses or going out every weekend, we’re putting that money away and dreaming of where to jet off to next.

2 | How do you research a destination?

Usually we start thinking of our trips about 6+ months in advance just to work it into our work schedules.  And generally we have an idea of where we want to head to next.  But we sit down and look at photos we’ve saved or go over options.  Once we have our destination decided on, then I do a ton of research!  I start by looking at blogs, at Wikipedia, at Pinterest.  Once I have a pretty thorough overview of the place, then I head to booking flights first.  Even then though, I watch airfares for a few weeks at least, and look at flying in and out of different airports to get the best deals.  Then I move on to hotels, then activities last.

3 | Once you have chosen a destination, what steps do you follow before leaving?

Once we have our destination set and I’ve got flights and hotels booked, then I work on a day by day itinerary over the next several months.  I’ll keep doing research or mark anything that comes up that I see.  We personally like to have a plan when we travel (different for everyone) as it allows us to see a lot more if we’re organized.

4 | What are some of your favorite sites and apps that help you plan any trip?

I love Tablet Hotels for hotel research!  I’m a big fan of boutique hotels with great design (I am an Interior Designer afterall!) so Tablet filters out the big chains and just gives you options for boutique hotels.  I almost always book my hotels through hotels.com though because their loyalty program is so great.  I also love Orbitz and have had really great customer service from them over the years!  FlightTrack is one of my go to Apps while traveling to keep track of flights and gate numbers - it’s always up to date before the airlines!  And using airline apps and Passbook/Wallet to access mobile boarding passes is a must!

5 | When you are visiting a new destination do you find yourself in touristy spots or places off the beaten track?

Honestly, it ends up being a healthy mix of both.  While we generally do prefer to get off the beaten path more, we do end up spending time as well in the tourist areas, because after all, they are famous spots for a reason!  But a balance of the two is the key to a great and unique trip!

6 | You travel quite frequently for work. How do you allot yourself time for both work and pleasure when on a working trip?

I travel a lot for work.  Whether it’s jaunts across the Atlantic to South Korea or to Honolulu, I end up doing about 6-7 work trips per year.  One of my favorite ways to see more of a place while you’re traveling for work is to get up early and go for a walk around the city before everyone is up.  When I travel to Seoul, I wake up to see the sunrise every day and head out to wander a new section of the city.  It’s easier to get around when it’s quiet and empty and you’ll get to see a lot more.  Then grab a coffee on your way back to the hotel and then head out for your workday.  Another great way to see more is to have dinners in different areas so that you get to see more.  I also love letting my work colleagues take me around when I’m traveling for work as you’ll get the true local scene through them!

Land of Marvels is always my go to blog when trying to plan a holiday, so make sure to check Casey out!

FIND LAND OF MARVELS
Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest 
Snapchat | cmart1015

READ MORE FROM LAND OF MARVELS
An Ode to the Third Culture Kids
Let's Talk Blogging: How to Introduce Yourself
Secrets of Booking Travel: Airfare


What are some travel tips you would add?
xoxo

Meet Christianna | Expecto Adventures

Happy Monday everyone! 

I am super excited because today I'm introducing y'all to a relatively new girl in the travel blogging world! From Washington to South Carolina, Christianna loves documenting her adventures around the US as well as sharing traveling tips and advice. I am so happy I have been introduced to her blog and can't wait to follow along her future adventures through her musings on Expecto Adventures! 

1 | Tell us about yourself!

I’m Christianna, and I just started the blog, Expecto Adventures, with the goal of inspiring weekend travels. I love green tea, sunsets, reading, adventures, dresses & language.

2 | You recently went on a cross-country road trip where you visited 11 states and drove almost 3,500 miles! What possessed you to take on such a daunting yet thrilling adventure?

I had to! My job relocated me from California to Georgia, and I chose to drive rather than fly. It was just me and everything I own on the open road for three weeks, which gave me a lot of time to reflect on where I’m going, both figuratively & literally.

3 | What were some highlights on your cross-country road trip?

Prior to my roadtrip, I’d never left the West Coast, so everything was new and exciting to me! I especially enjoyed spending my 22nd birthday in Las Vegas, experiencing the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, and all the kind strangers I met along the way.

4 | How do you go about planning your getaways? Are you a “go with the flow” type of person or do you prefer to have every detail mapped out?

A little bit of both, but I lean towards being pretty organized. I always have a general idea of my itinerary for the day, but I’ve learned that things happen out of your control, and some of my best adventures have come unexpectedly. You can read more about how I plan a trip here!

5 | What is the best piece of advice you would tell other travelers looking to explore America?

Just do it! America is an expensive place to travel, yes, but there are so many tips & hacks to not spending a fortune. Each of the 50 states is unique in its own way, and there are so many things to experience in this country. Don’t pass up the opportunity to explore the USA!

FIND EXPECTO ADVENTURES
BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM  | PINTEREST

READ MORE FROM EXPECTO ADVENTURES 

How I Plan a Trip

A Weekend Getaway to Charleston

My Summer Roadtrip

Happy Monday!
xoxo

Meet Casey | Land of Marvels

I am beyond excited to introduce you to Casey today! One of the very first blogs I ever began reading, Casey is the brilliant writer behind Land of Marvels. From travel advice to stories about growing up in the Middle East, Casey's post are guaranteed to be truthful and informative. Her frequent hang outs include Paris, Hawaii, and America's west coast. How can you not develop wanderlust after scrolling through Land of Marvels? To get to know the voice behind the blog, I asked Casey a few questions about her travels around the world. 

1 | Tell us about Land of Marvels.

Land of Marvels is a travel blog based around the idea of sharing this incredible world we call home.  I envision the space to be everything you need to plan a trip somewhere: travel tips, travel guides, honest posts about what might happen while traveling, and information all about destinations all around the world.  Travel is my passion and Land of Marvels is all about sharing that passion.

2 | What is your hometown of Portland, Oregon like?

Portland is an amazing city!  It’s very European in nature and how people look at their lives here, it’s definitely more of the “work to live, rather than live to work” mentality.  It’s also very green as is most of Oregon and there is a really high priority on living a clean, sustainable life here, which I love.  It’s also an amazing city with a rich culture of accepting everyone for who they are… another trait I love about my hometown.  It’s a city that still is one of the best kept secrets in the US…. though is getting more and more popular for tourists!

3 | You grew up in the Middle East as a third culture kid. How has that influenced your decision to make travel a priority in your life?

My childhood in the Middle East completely shaped who I am and continues to shape my adult life each day.  It’s a part of my life that taught me so many lessons about the world and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Travel for me is just normal, seeing the world seems like the common sense thing to do.  Maybe because I grew up that way, but I am finding more and more that it’s just the essence of who I am.  My curiosity and passion for the world may have started with my travels as a child, but it’s definitely morphed more into what my life really means and what it adds to my life as an adult.

4 | What is one of your favorite destinations that you believe deserves more credit?

I find that India often gets a bad wrap from travelers.  People are overwhelmed by the whole sense of India and it often seems daunting to even think about traveling there, but Udaipur, India is one of my all time favorite destinations and I wish more people would visit there!  It’s such a stunning country and Udaipur in particular is just breathtakingly beautiful.  It’s often the places that seem the most overwhelming to visit that change you most if you give it a chance!

5 | What is the biggest travel advice you’d give to first time travelers and expats alike?

I think the best travel advice to give anyone is: have an open mind.  If you travel thinking everything is going to stay in one little box, you’ll go crazy.  Acknowledge and accept that traveling in its very nature is about something different than what you know.  If you can embrace that and keep an open mind, travel will change your life in the best possible sense.

6 | If you could pick one holiday destination to do over again (good or bad), what would it be?

Rome makes the top of this list of “do-over” locations.  We had a bad experience on our trip to Rome a few years ago and it’s taken us a while to want to return.  Though I think we’re finally at that point and are going to try it again next Spring.  It’s one of those places that I would do really differently the second time around, so hopefully we’ll like it more the next time we visit! 

FIND LAND OF MARVELS

Blog | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest  

READ MORE FROM LAND OF MARVELS
An Ode to the Third Culture Kid
The Truth About Traveling: Seeing More vs Experiencing More
What Kind of Traveler Are You?