INSPIRATION
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Regardless of what your big if is, there is probably a community of people out there to support you and to help you achieve your goal. When we started pondering “what if we quit our jobs to travel” we found many helpful blogs and like-minded people in the travel community. Below are just a few of the people that have inspired us, provided great advice through their site and some “newbies” that are just starting to live their ifs with round the world trips starting in 2012. Whatever your place is in the travel community the dozen blogs listed below are worth your time.
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TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHERS
These travel photographers are some of the best-of-the-best professionals. They capture moments, places and scenes in ways that transforms photos to works of art. Visit their sites to get ideas for your own photos and just admire but beware, you may find hours flying by.
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RTWers SETTING OUT IN 2012
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Several years ago, Capitan and Clark picked up 22 letters in the Galapagos and plan to hand deliver them as they travel around the world (read story here). Clearly one of the best ideas for a RTW trip out there. It will be fun to watch the videos and read stories of their unpaid courier mission.
Departing in March 2012, Fancy Travel has an ambitious schedule to hit Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America in roughly 12 months time. Looking forward to reading about their adventures and finding out what the highlights are from their busy ’round the world itinerary.
David and Toby are two Texans embarking on their ’round the world trip in January 2012 with an educational bent. Not only are they planning on producing videos as they go, they are planning on sharing them with elementary school students to affect positive change in how students view other cultures and landscapes. They have an action packed trip planned starting in New Zealand.
GQ Trippin is on a nine-month RTW trip, leaving California behind for Asia, Australia and New Zealand. They are self-professed foodies who are looking forward to sharing every story and morsel they come across on their trip, along with sharing our desires for some quality Mexican food along the way.
Mike and Ashley are a traveling couple that quit their jobs, threw the travel timeline out the window and took off on their trip in July 2011. Mike was an engineer in his pre-travel life and Ashley was a math teacher, this combination is probably what led to them keeping track of so many trip statistics. I don’t know another travel blog that tracks how long they have spent underwater (as of December 2011, 33 hours and 22 minutes). Looking forward to seeing what other statistics they rack up.
Ted and Bethany have a long history together and will be taking their relationship on the road starting January 5, 2012. Bethany a landscape architect is looking forward to places and ecosystems and Ted is looking forward to meeting the people in those places. Looking forward to reading about their around the world discoveries.
The travelaholics are a couple that share our sentiments about long term travel, rather than live in regret, travel while you’re young. They take off on their big trip in June 2012 and plan to start in Iceland before heading onward to Europe, Africa, India, South East Asia, Australia and finally South America. It will be fun to follow them as they make the transition from 9-5 to full time travelers.
Kim and Brian are leaving for their ’round the world trip in June 2012 and what’s most exciting about their trip is that encompasses two big ifs they are both taking the plunge to travel long term and for Kim it is also giving her a chance to pursue her writing. It will be fun to see where their trip takes them from their start in Ecuador and to watch Kim’s writing evolve as they go.
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ENDURING VAGABONDS
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Gary Arndt started traveling in 2007 and hasn’t stopped since, reading his blog you can’t help but think “this guy gets it”. He knows why you travel and the information you’re looking for, he also tackles some tough travel issues with excellent insights. Gary is more than knowledgeable about travel and is a fantastic all around resource for everything travel.
Jodi is a former lawyer traveling and eating her way around the world to prove that even attorneys can have fun. Since taking off in 2008 she hasn’t looked back, transitioning from corporate life to a nomadic lifestyle. Her travel insights and great travel tales make her website both informative and entertaining.
Matt is a 30-something traveler that has been traveling since 2005. He is out to prove that if he can travel the world you can too. The content on his blog is informative and comprehensive, featuring country guides that give you an idea of how to budget for each country and what to do while you are there. A great place to visit for inspiration regardless of how long you want to travel.
Americans that recently returned from Iran, Dan and Audrey have been traveling since 2006 and are still married, which is a feat in itself. They have an extraordinary website packed with travel tips, beautiful photos and wonderful stories. They have a way of really diving in deep to each place they land, connecting with local people and proving the world is not as scary as it seems on the 5 o’clock news.
Earl has been traveling for over 12 years with no end in sight. He funds his travel addiction through a combination of odd jobs and is happy to tell you how you can do the same. His fun and approachable writing style make his blog a really fun read.
Nellie’s travel resume is impressive with several years of guide book writing and globe trotting under her belt she is a great resource on anything relating to travel. Her excellent photography and detailed blog posts are definitely worth checking out.
Caz and Craig have been traveling around the world since 1997 and love to share tips as well as engage the travel community. They are very active on facebook and twitter helping to inspire travelers. Their fun approach to globe trotting makes for a great read.
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OTHER GREAT TRAVEL READS
As much as we wish we could list all the travel blogs, we haven’t found them all…yet. If you are a new, seasoned, old or young travel blogger let us know and we’ll add a link to your site.
