Updated June 1, 2020.

I don’t know about you, but I am missing travel something FIERCE! And I’m also a little bit afraid of running out of blogging material. Is that too honest? Either way, I am grateful for the travels and adventures I’ve had up to now. Travel has given me so much, and I love everything about it. Here’s the short list!

Someone Else Makes the Bed

This is what makes travel a vacation for me. As a travel blogger, I’m always “at work” when I travel, never “on vacation.” When I’m home, I’m working on the blog anywhere from three to ten-plus hours a day, seven days a week, and doing the housework, too. I don’t mind it, of course, because this is the life I’ve chosen and that’s what it takes to live my dream. That’s why having someone else make the bed is so important to me in my travels. Having someone else make the bed is the ultimate in luxury for me!

This is also one of the many reasons why I dislike vacation rentals. In fact, if we do happen to be staying in a vacation rental (or in a bed and breakfast or hotel and somehow we missed the cleaning crew) my sweet husband Steve will make the bed for me while I’m in the bathroom or run out for something, so that when I come back the bed it made. That’s love, y’all.

Read next: Legendary Hotels of the World

The Planning Process

I just love to plan. I know that’s the worst part for some people, but this is by one of my favorite things about travel. I like to find the most efficient itinerary so we’re not back tracking and can see and do as much as possible. I like to research the best places to eat and the “must try” foods at my destination. I like to find out how to avoid crowds and feel like I have the whole place to myself. I like to make lists, send e-mails, and plan as much as possible without over scheduling. Maybe I’m a nut. But I love it!

Don’t worry! It’s ok that it won’t be roses every time.
Here’s why Perfect Trips Aren’t Planned.

The Element of Escapism

Wouldn’t we all love to escape the COVID-19 extravaganza right about now? This is perhaps the thing I miss most about travel at this moment. When we wanted away from D.C. during the 2017 Inauguration Weekend, we went to Guam. When we want to get away from it all on our anniversary, we go to Hawaii. When we want to get away from the D.C. winters, we hop over to Singapore. But when we’re under stay-at-home orders, we can’t escape. I love you, Escapism Travel.

Travel happy on these 5 Trips for Positive Vibes.

My Self-confidence

Travel has given me my husband, my creative outlet, and my joy over the years, but most importantly, it has given me confidence. Other places have interested me since I was maybe four or five years old. I traveled a little in the eastern U.S.A. with my parents over the years and went on a couple of mission trips with my church youth group when I was younger, but that first solo trip sealed the deal for me. That first trip was the first time I realized that I could do it! I could make it on my own. It gave me the confidence to know that I could do it on my own. I will always be grateful to travel for that.

Wondering if solo travel could do the same for you? Check out my Solo Travel Page!

Earning and Using Award Miles

This is an element of travel for which I can thank my sweet husband! He was already on top of the airline miles game before we even met. In fact he flew eight members of his family from San Diego and Seattle to our wedding in the D.C. area (the rest drove from Pittsburgh) just using his award miles on United! Now we’ve both earned top-tier 1K Status with United, he crossed over the Million Mile mark, and last year alone we flew to England, Italy, Morocco, Colorado, and Tennessee all using miles! This is a fun part of travel because reaping those rewards can be so sweet.

Ready to give the points and miles game a try?
Here’s your Beginner’s Guide to Earning Airline Miles
and Beginner’s Guide to Earning and Using Credit Card Points!

Earning and Using Hotel Reward Nights

I’ve stayed in hostels. I’ve stayed in vacation rentals. I’ve spent the night on friends’ couches. I’ve even stayed in seedy motels because that’s all work would pay for (not missing my old “real” job these days!). But the game changed when I married my husband. He likes to stay in nice hotels. As in, luxury hotels! And he’s earned it. Want a complimentary upgrade? Play the game. Want a free room? Play the game. Want to hang out on the executive level with free food? Play the hotel rewards game!

Need in on this game? Check out the Beginner’s Guide to Earning Hotel Rewards!
And while you’re at it, take a look at where you could stay,
like these Legendary Hotels of the World!

Trying New Things

I know, I know, you like your rut and you don’t feel stuck there. But I do. It’s nice to have a routine, but it’s exhilarating to shake things up! One of the best parts of travel for me to try the local food, go to the top attraction to see why it’s a big deal, find out what makes a place special and then go experience it for myself. I’m always willing to eat the most local thing on the menu. I love going up in a hot-air balloon to see the most magnificent sight. I was excited to ride in a tuk-tuk with a Cambodian boy who doubled as a tour guide! You don’t have to like it, but you might if you try it!

Need some inspiration? Check out Quick Whit’s Best Travel Experiences!

A Change of Scenery

I love traveling for a change of scenery. Don’t get me wrong, I never get tired of the D.C. skyline, but change can be good for the system. D.C. is exciting for a history lover like me, but it doesn’t have Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Tennessee is home, but it doesn’t have Hawaii’s beaches. America is beautiful, but it doesn’t have Germany’s Medieval castles! Every place is exotic to someone. Find your exotic.

Speaking of scenery, check out my favorite Views from the Window Seat!

A Change of Pace

Again with D.C., it’s exciting, but it’s also non-stop (well, until COVID-19). That’s why we choose an island to visit every year for our anniversary. We want the change of pace. Taking a break from our usual go-go-go lives helps us to reconnect and really look at each other. Not in a “here with you in quarantine” kind of way, but in a “look at how much fun we are together” kind of way.

Read on: 10 Trips for Couples

Making Memories

Most importantly, perhaps, is making memories. I love travel for the memories it brings. I’ll never forget going to the Sydney Opera House, doing the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb, and swimming at the Great Barrier Reef on Steve’s and my first ever trip together! I’ll always remember that time we almost didn’t make it out of Quito because of a volcano explosion! And that unexpected helicopter flight over Maui and Molokai with our friends who did our pre-marital counseling will always be a highlight of my life! Travel memories stick with us in a very unique way. What memories will you make when this COVID-19 Quarantine is over?

Love a good list as much as I do? Check out my Top 10 Travel Hacks, Top 10 Packing Hacks, and 10 Life Changing Trips! And take a look at my Travel Tips Page for everything you need to travel your best.

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