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Travel 80 by 80

Travel 80 by 80

Encouraging Family Travel

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Kids swinging on over the water swings

Want To Travel Somewhere Besides Hawaii – Try the Bahamas!

Caribbean/Central America

For families on the US west coast, travel to Hawaii is a no-brainer for the first "big" trip with kids. You can quickly reach Hawaii with no layovers, English is the spoken language, and no currency ... Read More about Want To Travel Somewhere Besides Hawaii – Try the Bahamas!

Overwater swings in Exuma

The Bahamas: So Much More Than Atlantis

Caribbean/Central America

The Bahamas were never on my list of a country I wanted to visit. I perceived the country as being overrun with tourists, the coastline littered with hotels, and I truly felt that I would feel like I ... Read More about The Bahamas: So Much More Than Atlantis

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Hi! I'm Laura - a travel advisor and world explorer with 79 countries visited and counting. I hope the stories, tips and itineraries I share inspire you to plan that trip you've always dreamed of. Welcome to Travel 80 by 80! Read More…

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Spain is one of those countries that just makes me Spain is one of those countries that just makes me happy! Their beautiful culture, the importance of family, their way of life, wonderful food and of course the incredible towns to explore - you can’t help but be happy here. 
I was lucky to study abroad in Sevilla for four months in college and get a glimpse of the Spanish way of life. They definitely do it right! What I love about Spain is the incredible options of things to do and how every area has its own special flare. Barcelona is so different from Sevilla and Mallorca so different from San Sebastián. And so many unique traditions in each town. A few years ago, I brought my family back to Sevilla for a visit. I had stayed in touch with my Spanish friend during my time abroad there and this was the first time our families were meeting. 
How graciously they welcomed us into their home and gave us the most beautiful experience of the Sevillana culture. We got to experience the Feria (Sevilla’s annual festival) in a typical Sevillana way - dressed in Flamenco dresses, eating tapas and dancing the night way in the casetas. It was a true glimpse of the Spanish culture and it simply made me happy. If you haven’t been to Spain yet, put it on your list to go experience the Spanish way of life and enjoy their beautiful culture! 🇪🇸❤️
I’ve been to Monaco twice. First time I was a br I’ve been to Monaco twice. First time I was a broke college student and only visited for the day. Second time I was newly married, probably still fairly broke, and again only visited for the day. I think the next time I go, I need to explore longer! 😉 Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, so yes, even if you only have a day to explore here it’s 100% doable. On my second visit here, we travelled from Nice. With the motor scooters we rented for the day, we rolled into Monaco thinking we were hot stuff. 🛵 That lasted all of .05 seconds when we went to park our scooters by the fancy Ferraris out front. The vibe in Monaco is beautiful, elegant and ultra-luxurious. We may not have fit in as well with our backpacker clothes and empty wallets - but we enjoyed spending a leisurely day strolling along the waterfront, passing by the palace and envisioning a world of dreams here. Fun Fact: Did you know that citizens of Monaco are not allowed to gamble in the casino? 🇲🇨
On my first visit to Switzerland I went to Interla On my first visit to Switzerland I went to Interlaken and stayed mostly in that town. Little did I realize what was only a 20 min train ride away! A few summers ago we returned but this time explored further. Switzerland is undeniably one of the most beautiful places I have been. I remember just sitting, staring at the mountains and thinking this just seems so unreal. The raw beauty of nature here is just jaw-dropping insane! I’ll let the photos do the talking here! ❤️🇨🇭
I recently returned from a trip here with my husba I recently returned from a trip here with my husband. The last time I visited was in 1994, which is kind of crazy considering how many times I’ve had layovers here. It was fun to explore the town maybe in different ways than I did back then. I think the one lesson I learned from this most recent trip is you don’t always have to recreate what you did on a past journey. I remember on my first trip visiting Zaanse Schans, a town located about 25 miles from Amsterdam. Honestly I don’t remember how we got there on my first visit and I remember there being some difficult moments. This probably should have been a sign not to try again. 🤦‍♀️ We hired e-bikes and set off on our ride that the bike rental shop said should only take about 30 minutes. Well an hour into our ride we had a small bridge to cross and 4 minutes left to the destination. After crossing the bridge a construction worker stopped us and told us we could not continue on. 🚧 The road was torn up and unfortunately this was the only way to reach the town. Frustrated is a kind way to describe how I was feeling. We could see the town across the water, but there was no way to reach it. Like with any trip, there will be moments things don’t go as planned and moments of pure frustration. While I was sad not to get there, we did end up exploring a new town I had yet to visit and did enjoy a lovely bike ride. And when we returned the bikes to the bike shop and told him about the construction he just smiled and said that’s pretty normal around here! So, if you plan to visit Amsterdam and want to do a bike ride, maybe consider riding around central Amsterdam and to the nearby parks. And if you decide to venture further please check construction maps! Any construction related travel mishaps you have had? 🦺
My first official “long distance travel on a pla My first official “long distance travel on a plane to a new country” didn’t happen until I was in my junior year of college and was flying to Europe to study abroad. I did not grow up traveling internationally, and this first solo international adventure kickstarted my love for exploring new destinations, new cultures and meeting the local people. I was simply captivated. There are a couple of things that stick with me especially about Paris. I remember my parents had a small statue in their room that was a replica from the sculptor Rodin. When I arrived to Paris I knew that I must visit this museum. That has become one of my favorite places to visit while there. Not only of what it reminds me of, but the beauty of exploring an outdoor museum tucked away into a corner of Paris that might not be on everyone’s list to explore. And if you have kids, it can keep them quite entertained! Paris was also a place that held so much importance for my son. At age 3 years old he was obsessed with it! It all started from a photo he saw in a store but this boy was Eiffel Tower crazy! Getting to take him to Paris to show him the Eiffel Tower in person years later and seeing his face light up at first look will always be etched in my memory. Giving that gift of experience to my son is one of my most treasured travel moments. ❤️ Don’t dare to dream and make that travel dream a reality.💫
Next up is Canada! 🇨🇦 Can you see a trend he Next up is Canada! 🇨🇦 Can you see a trend here? It definitely makes sense these were the first couple of countries I visited. In high school I was lucky to experience a week-long camp just north of Vancouver. Work took me to Toronto and back to Vancouver and I remember really liking Canada. But it wasn’t until I visited Banff that I fell in love! Seriously if Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are on your list - please go! I’ve seen a lot of incredible destinations in this world but there is something especially magical about this area. I visited in the fall on a woman’s retreat and I absolutely loved traveling this time of year. The leaves are changing colors, the weather is great for hiking, it’s calm and it’s truly captivating. I’d recommend a week of traveling here if you can. There is just so much beauty to absorb!
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Let’s do a little math.  A family of 4 books a Let’s do a little math.  A family of 4 books a trip to the Dominican Republic over the December holiday.   One member of the family gets sick (ear infection) right before the trip. Family decides to push out the trip by two days in hopes the sickness clears up. When family went to rebook their air tickets did they: A) Go up in price B) Decrease in price C) Stay the same in price but offer a better route D) Decrease in price and offer a better route (Try to answer poll first before reading below for answer) 😉 If I had this question on a math test in school I would have answered “A” and surely would have failed. Because can you believe it, the answer was “D.” Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected our flights that we changed at 11pm the night before we were scheduled to depart, and pushed out to depart on December 23, would be lower priced. So yes, we got a refund) AND offered a better route home! Don’t expect this scenario to work on your next travels because this is not normal, especially right around the Christmas holiday.  I guess it was our Christmas present! Have you ever switched your flight last minute and gotten a better deal because of it? ✈️ #travelwins #decembertravel #holidaytravels #familytravels
Does January motivate you? The first of the year k Does January motivate you? The first of the year kicks off, and we are “supposed” to feel refreshed, have set goals, and be ready to tackle the year. But honestly, when January rolls around, I’m unwinding from December and seem to always take a break this month. Probably not the best way to start the new year, but it is what it is. So, I like to pretend that February is really the start of the new year for me 😊 So with that, I’m going to kick off my own new year starting today. And look, I’m even one day early before Feb hits, so how’s that for motivation! 😂 With the new year comes resolutions for many. For me, I try to do a word each year. I had a couple of ideas, but the one that has stuck and I think will work the best for me is UNCOMFORTABLE. While it may not be the most positive sounding or enthusiastic of words, it truly is what I need to embrace in the new year. Uncomfortable meaning I need to be okay with putting myself out there, doing things I might not like (i.e. showing my face on my IG stories), and being okay if things maybe are a bit messy. I want to embrace the uncomfortable because only when I do that and try new things will I see the needle move. So if you see me trying new things this year (albeit slowly), whether it’s on this IG space or elsewhere, come along for the ride. Do you hit the ground running hardcore in January, or does it take you a while to adjust to the start of the new year? 📸: Jessica @wechoseadventures #wordoftheyear #newyearintentions #newyearmindset
Of course I know the right thing to do is to get o Of course I know the right thing to do is to get outside and clear my mind, but Google Flights is where I always end up. 😂 Honestly, there is something quite calming to me about searching for flights and seeing what is available. And then if a trip ends up getting booked that is the ultimate icing on the cake! Does anyone else do this?? 🙋‍♀️ #travelobsessed #googleflights #travelplanning Google Flights, Travel Planning, Stress Relief, Book a Trip, Travel booking, Trip Planning
Each year I put together the Twelve Days of Christ Each year I put together the Twelve Days of Christmas - Travel style to take us on a virtual journey around the world. Thanks to all of you for following along on this journey this year, and past years too! Here’s my final compilation. Merry Christmas! ❤️💚 I hope 2024 brings you all wonderful new adventures and can’t wait to see where you explore next! 🌎❤️ 🎶 Original piano audio from my son #12daysofxmas #showthemtheworld #familytravels #gooutandexplore #familieswhotravel
Let’s end the “Twelve Days of Christmas” - T Let’s end the “Twelve Days of Christmas” - Travel style with some color! ❤️💛💙 Thank you all for following along these past 12 days. This is just a small thing that I enjoy doing every year and I hope you’ve had some fun with it too. Happy holidays all! And now to go plan some more trips, so I have more photos for next year’s Twelve Days of Christmas 😉 🎶 On the twelfth day of December The travel world gave to me 🎶 ✏️ Twelve pencils standing 🛞 Eleven tires balancing 🛶 Ten canoes waiting 🦌 Nine impalas walking 🏛️ Eight arches curving 🍉 Seven watermelons sitting 🐄 Six cows grazing 🎨 Five paint cans 🎭 Four water puppets 🛖 Three overwater huts 🪑 Two lounging chairs ⭐️ And a starfish in St. Lucia’s Caribbean Sea When we were visiting Italy a few years back, we explored the cutest town in northern Italy. This particular home had a fence made out of pencils, the home was made to look like books and so many other literary touches. It definitely was a fun place to stop at as we explored these charming towns. Do you have a favorite home you’ve seen before on your travels? #exploringitaly #travelfinds #travelwithfamily
Only two days left for my “Twelve Days of Chris Only two days left for my “Twelve Days of Christmas” - Travel Style. And I feel like it’s only fitting if I include a Christmas-themed photo! 🎄This was from a trip we took to Costa Rica many years ago.   🎶 On the eleventh day of December The travel world gave to me 🎶 🛞 Eleven tires balancing 🛶 Ten canoes waiting 🦌 Nine impalas walking 🏛️ Eight arches curving 🍉 Seven watermelons sitting 🐄 Six cows grazing 🎨 Five paint cans 🎭 Four water puppets 🛖 Three overwater huts 🪑 Two lounging chairs ⭐️ And a starfish in St. Lucia’s Caribbean Sea While we have only spent a few vacations over the actual Christmas holiday, there have been many trips we have visited the week before or after. And one of my favorite things is to experience how different cultures celebrate and even decorate for Christmas during this time.  Here in Costa Rica, we stumbled upon this little park that had a variety of Christmas trees utilizing everyday objects - such as these tires, or water bottles or trash bags.  Talk about getting creative with your recycling! Where have you traveled to that you noticed a unique Christmas tree that might not look like the one you have at home?  #christmastravels #visitcostarica #costaricatrip #aroundtheworldtravel #familieswhotravel
It’s kind of a must that I include a photo from It’s kind of a must that I include a photo from Lake Louise in this series, as I think you all know how impressed I was with the Banff region. So for our tenth day we are heading back to Lake Louise for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” - Travel Style.  🎶 On the tenth day of December The travel world gave to me 🎶 🛶 Ten canoes waiting 🦌 Nine impalas walking 🏛️ Eight arches curving 🍉 Seven watermelons sitting 🐄 Six cows grazing 🎨 Five paint cans 🎭 Four water puppets 🛖 Three overwater huts 🪑 Two lounging chairs ⭐️ And a starfish in St. Lucia’s Caribbean Sea I know I inundated your IG feed over the past few weeks with my Banff posts, but there was a reason - it’s just so spectacular you kind of have to go!  I had seen endless photos of Lake Louise and always wondered if it would live up to the hype.  It 100% did and so much more so!  It’s stunning to see the lake and mountains from the shore, but getting on the water makes it even that much more incredible. Sitting in your canoe in the middle of the calm lake, absorbing the beautiful nature surrounding you - it’s just one of those moments you’ll want to experience. You can rent canoes from the Lake Louise boathouse from late May/early June until early/mid October.  Keep in mind it’s on a first come first serve basis (unless you are staying at the Fairmont Lake Louise) so I recommend getting there as soon as it opens. Plus the morning is such a wonderful time of day to be on the water. Would you want to canoe here? #lakelouisecanada #visitbanff #canoelakelouise #banffadventures #traveladventures
I can’t believe we are nearing the end of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” - Travel Style. Today we venture to Kenya for the most amazing wildlife sightings. 🎶 On the ninth day of December The travel world gave to me 🎶 🦌 Nine impalas walking 🏛️ Eight arches curving 🍉 Seven watermelons sitting 🐄 Six cows grazing 🎨 Five paint cans 🎭 Four water puppets 🛖 Three overwater huts 🪑 Two lounging chairs ⭐️ And a starfish in St. Lucia’s Caribbean Sea Did you know impalas are medium-sized antelope? If you are going on an African safari you will be sure to see many of these on your daily excursions. Just sitting in the jeep and watching these animals go about their lives in their beautiful environment is truly a bucket-list experience. It’s pretty cool how incredible this world is! #kenyasafari #safarikenya #visitafrica #safariwithkids #kidswhotravel
Day 8 for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” - Tra Day 8 for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” - Travel Style we are heading to Antigua, Guatemala. This is yet again another incredible town to wander through and get lost in its beauty.  🎶 On the eighth day of December The travel world gave to me 🎶 🏛️ Eight arches curving 🍉 Seven watermelons sitting 🐄 Six cows grazing 🎨 Five paint cans 🎭 Four water puppets 🛖 Three overwater huts 🪑 Two lounging chairs ⭐️ And a starfish in St. Lucia’s Caribbean Sea Antigua, Guatemala is such a lovely town to explore.  Cobblestone streets, volcanoes in the distance and gorgeous churches and ruins around every corner.  This is the Convent of Saint Teresa de Jesus and its history is quite fascinating. It was built as a convent to house nuns but after devastating earthquakes, it became a winery, a patio for drying coffee and even a men’s prison. I’d say they sure got creative in how they used this space.  Have you been to Antigua, Guatemala before? #visitguatemala #guatemalatravel #seeingtheworld #travelingtheworld

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