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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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We go through life reaching certain milestones - b We go through life reaching certain milestones - birthdays, graduations, anniversaries - but there are few that we truly give to ourselves to dream big and adventure far.
 
Travel 80 by 80 was that milestone for me! It’s hard to sum up the experience of reaching my dream I have honestly planned most of my adult life around. It’s been a moment of reflection, excitement and true appreciation for the world around us.
 
What started out as a personal goal evolved into so much more than I ever expected. Along the way I may have collected countries, but more importantly I collected experiences, stories and moments with my family. This goal didn’t start out as being one I thought I would share, but having my family walk beside me every step of the way brought even more meaning to the journey. 
 
Though this goal is extremely personal to me, it wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of my husband and two kids. They encouraged their wife/mom to dream big, allowed her to take them to corners of the world they had never even heard of, embraced sleeping in strangers’ homes, traveled insane distances to sleep in a yurt or on remote islands, scaled mountains together, explored sights we had learned in history books and interacted with the locals to truly understand their way of life and beautiful countries.
 
This moment has been something I have been looking forward to for so many years. As I was packing up and feeling the last-minute stress before the trip, my husband said to me: “Today is a big day. There are so few multi-decade goals in life. Remember you didn’t do this for social media posts, marketing or other people.  This goal was personal. Soak it in. Be present. It’s a big deal. Enjoy it!”
 
So I did just that. I soaked it all in. Peru did not disappoint as my 80th country! 🇵🇪
 
And while this may close a chapter of reaching 80 by 80, it’s been too fun not to have another goal.  So maybe “another 80 by 80?!?” 😉
There is a reason why people are constantly flocki There is a reason why people are constantly flocking to Portugal - because it is as good as you’d expect it to be! While Lisbon is of course a must visit, if you have time in your travels try to add on another destination to explore here. 

My first few trips to Portugal were to the southern region of the Algarve when traveling in college, and a few years ago to Lisbon.  This past year I was fortunate to explore even more of Portugal and to learn more about this beautiful country.  Here are some places I would recommend adding to your visit to Portugal if you can:

🌄 Madeira
🍷 Porto
🍇 Douro Valley
🐟 Ericeira
🌊 Nazare
🏰 Obidos
☀️ Alentejo region

You can really find something for everyone here. For an active adventure, go to Madeira for some incredible hiking experiences along the levadas. The scenery here is truly incredible! 

For port tasting head to Porto and Douro Valley.  For a charming seaside town, Ericeira is for you.  For surfing enthusiasts Nazare is the place to be, but check ahead on the wave conditions because when we went it was as flat and calm as can be (pic 7).

If you want to explore the quaintest walled city, Obidos is a must visit and it’s only a short distance from Lisbon. Don’t forget to try a Ginja de Obidos here - a cherry liquor served in a chocolate cup!

The Alentejo region stretches from the sea to the countryside with rolling hills and gorgeous, historic villages dotted along the way.  One of our favorite stays on the trip was in Alentejo!

Tell me, do you have a favorite place you have visited in Portugal? And if you haven’t been, where would you want to go first? 🇵🇹
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 brok 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? 🦺
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We go through life reaching certain milestones - b We go through life reaching certain milestones - birthdays, graduations, anniversaries - but there are few that we truly give to ourselves to dream big and adventure far.
 
Travel 80 by 80 was that milestone for me! It’s hard to sum up the experience of reaching my dream I have honestly planned most of my adult life around. It’s been a moment of reflection, excitement and true appreciation for the world around us.
 
What started out as a personal goal evolved into so much more than I ever expected. Along the way I may have collected countries, but more importantly I collected experiences, stories and moments with my family. This goal didn’t start out as being one I thought I would share, but having my family walk beside me every step of the way brought even more meaning to the journey. 
 
Though this goal is extremely personal to me, it wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of my husband and two kids. They encouraged their wife/mom to dream big, allowed her to take them to corners of the world they had never even heard of, embraced sleeping in strangers’ homes, traveled insane distances to sleep in a yurt or on remote islands, scaled mountains together, explored sights we had learned in history books and interacted with the locals to truly understand their way of life and beautiful countries.
 
This moment has been something I have been looking forward to for so many years. As I was packing up and feeling the last-minute stress before the trip, my husband said to me: “Today is a big day. There are so few multi-decade goals in life. Remember you didn’t do this for social media posts, marketing or other people.  This goal was personal. Soak it in. Be present. It’s a big deal. Enjoy it!”
 
So I did just that. I soaked it all in. Peru did not disappoint as my 80th country! 🇵🇪
 
And while this may close a chapter of reaching 80 by 80, it’s been too fun not to have another goal.  So maybe “another 80 by 80?!?” 😉
There is a reason why people are constantly flocki There is a reason why people are constantly flocking to Portugal - because it is as good as you’d expect it to be! While Lisbon is of course a must visit, if you have time in your travels try to add on another destination to explore here. 

My first few trips to Portugal were to the southern region of the Algarve when traveling in college, and a few years ago to Lisbon.  This past year I was fortunate to explore even more of Portugal and to learn more about this beautiful country.  Here are some places I would recommend adding to your visit to Portugal if you can:

🌄 Madeira
🍷 Porto
🍇 Douro Valley
🐟 Ericeira
🌊 Nazare
🏰 Obidos
☀️ Alentejo region

You can really find something for everyone here. For an active adventure, go to Madeira for some incredible hiking experiences along the levadas. The scenery here is truly incredible! 

For port tasting head to Porto and Douro Valley.  For a charming seaside town, Ericeira is for you.  For surfing enthusiasts Nazare is the place to be, but check ahead on the wave conditions because when we went it was as flat and calm as can be (pic 7).

If you want to explore the quaintest walled city, Obidos is a must visit and it’s only a short distance from Lisbon. Don’t forget to try a Ginja de Obidos here - a cherry liquor served in a chocolate cup!

The Alentejo region stretches from the sea to the countryside with rolling hills and gorgeous, historic villages dotted along the way.  One of our favorite stays on the trip was in Alentejo!

Tell me, do you have a favorite place you have visited in Portugal? And if you haven’t been, where would you want to go first? 🇵🇹
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 brok 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 plane 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 here? It 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!
The second county I ever visited was Mexico. Same The second county I ever visited was Mexico. Same as my children. My first experience was traveling to Tijuana and Rosarito when I was a child on a family trip. Back then it was so easy to just pop over to Mexico for the day, especially when living in San Diego. We would volunteer in Tijuana, drive down to Puerto Nuevo for fabulous lobster dinners, or explore Baja California.

Some of my favorite trips in Mexico have been exploring locations before they became popular. La Paz is one of those places. In the 90s when we visited we stayed a bit outside the center and truly had the beach to ourselves. 

We visited a few years back and while there were so many new establishments and a lot more people, it still had its charm! La Paz in my opinion is still one of those undiscovered spots in Mexico. If you are from California it’s such an easy weekend trip. And if you have more than a weekend, add on Todos Santos - the most darling town and a fav hotel property of mine there!

When we visited again a few years ago we went in January so we could swim with the whale sharks! If this is something you have ever wanted to do, go here - it’s very regulated and just a beautiful  experience with these incredible animals! 🩵

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