travel – Pedis-n-Passports

Mom, You’re Way too Old for Instagram

January 31, 2018February 1, 2018pedisnpassports

Two years ago this February, my mom started an Instagram account. When my brothers and I found out,we were a bit upset to say the least. Ok, seriously pissed off. There was no way she was going to be creeping on us. Moms and other old people should know their place… Facebook. Go tell the world how to make precious Pinterest Pumpkin napkin rings, or brag about the money saving organic, gluten free, vegan mangoes you found at Trader Joes. Anything! Just stay the beeeeep away from Instagram! Everyone knows Instagram is solely for those 25 and younger. It’s clearly written in the Millennium Code Book for dummies.

Do Not Be Afraid To Travel Abroad

August 21, 2017August 21, 2017pedisnpassports

For all of my fellow Americans who are afraid to travel abroad due to the possibility of a terrorist attack, please, I beg of you, stop worrying! While I really try to empathize, I can’t help but feel frustrated with the lack of knowledge, information and logic. Despite the absolute horror and tragedy of each individual situation, the overblown daily paranoia spewed by our media only promotes irrational fear. I’m hoping the following facts help to alleviate any of this misguided fear.

Five Unavoidable Truths of Our Travels

May 19, 2017May 19, 2017pedisnpassports

No matter where we travel, these five events occur with 100% certainty. Although we plan diligently, try to stay organized, and healthy, we’d bet all our international currencies these things will take place on our next trip. Read more →

Travel–An Addiction or a Passion?

March 11, 2017March 11, 2017pedisnpassports

Can a person honestly be addicted to travel, like alcohol, cigarettes or gambling? Is wanderlust the needle of the nomadic junkie? Well, Brooke and I are not sure if neuroscientists and psychiatrists would concur, but there is definitely a euphoria that occurs as we hear the rhythmic clicks of the airplane seatbelts, and dopamine levels certainly elevate as a fresh stamp is pressed into our passports.

View of Cuba from our Flight to Grand Cayman

Five Tips for A Successful Mother-Daughter “Girls Getaway” Road Trip

January 12, 2017pedisnpassports

There’s nothing quite like the adventure of a mother-daughter road trip– no stressful boarding times or missed flight connections. Just fill up the tank and head out on the open road–Thelma and Louise, hopefully minus the conclusion. Furthermore, with airfare being obscenely expensive, and many flights already booked for 2017, Brooke and I have decided that a Spring Break road trip is the ideal plan for a budget-friendly girls getaway. It’s actually a right of passage for a teen girl and her mom. We’re still pondering the direction our car will head–East to Niagara Falls, West to the Grand Canyon, South to Gulf Shores, or North to Mackinac Island. We may end up playing a little game of spin the compass, but even though we haven’t decided where the road may lead, we’ve come up with 5 essential tips that will ensure a successful trip when hitting the road!

How To Choose Your Travel Destinations

November 17, 2016November 17, 2016pedisnpassports

The most popular question we’ve been asked since we’ve started blogging:

How do you decide where you want to travel?

Of course time and budget play key roles in this process, but with so many choices, how does one possibly whittle things down to any decision at all? Spin an inflatable globe? Blindfold Brooke and have her pin the tail on the map? Throw darts at our scratch map? Yes, we’ve tried all of these but there has to be better ways to make such globally sound decisions:)

Our Top Ten Tips For Traveling Light and Carefree–No Matter What The length of Your Trip May Be

October 6, 2016October 7, 2016pedisnpassports

Packing light is essential for a relaxed and stress-free vacation. There are always mishaps that occur when traveling and the last thing you want is to deal with is lugging multiple cumbersome suitcases along with you as you travel.

When I think back to dark days of packing ignorance when almost every article of clothing from my closet was stuffed into numerous suitcases, paying $50 fees for an overweight luggage and carrying heavy bags through cities, up flights of stairs, on and off buses, I have to laugh at myself. Furthermore, more than half of the items I packed were never used or worn. I truly believe I have finally mastered the art of packing light for our travels.

Easy Ways To Save Money For Travel

September 17, 2016September 18, 2016pedisnpassports

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Starting right now, for one month, track every dollar you spend on discretionary items. Leave nothing out–every single triple venti iced, sugar-free, vanilla latte with soy milk, every spontaneous shopping spree, every midday snack from the vending machine or drive-thru, all of your other indulgences such as drinking, smoking, movies–jot it down to the penny. After the month is up, come back to this blog and continue reading.

Three Profound Life Lessons From a Mother-Daughter Travel Blogging Team

September 12, 2016October 6, 2016pedisnpassports

Written by: “Kristen and Brooke Abroad”

My teen daughter and I have always shared a wanderlust heart, so we recently decided to start blogging about our experiences. Over the course of this year, through our reflections, we have learned three greatly profound life lessons that we would have never realized if we didn’t share our passion for travel.

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1. Don’t Put off ‘Til Tomorrow A Plane You Can Catch Today

I cannot tell you how many people, including family members thought, (and probably still think) I am verging on utter insanity. Comments such as “When are you going to get this travel thing out of your system?” or “Why aren’t you using your travel savings for upcoming college bills?” have been verbalized hundreds of times since our blog began. While these questions have made me ponder my sanity for a minute or two, they have honestly given vivid clarity to my beliefs: Life is short; the world is a gift. I will never be one of those people who wait until they are retired to travel, for we all know, well too much, how those stories end. As Brooke so eloquently stated, “Always eat your ice cream before it melts.”

Brooke’s Helpful Hints for Traveling With A Gluten Allergy or Intolerance

September 9, 2016October 6, 2016pedisnpassports

fruits1 Last spring I ended up in Emergency Room three times in a week with the worst stomach ache I’ve ever had in my entire life. My parents thought it had to be my appendix or gall bladder. After numerous tests, the doctors could find nothing wrong and sent me home with painkillers. A week later, the pain was so unbearable and I began vomiting blood (sorry if tmi) and this time I was admitted into the hospital for four nights. After extensive testing, and thousands of dollars in medical bills (sorry Mom and Dad), it turned out that I have a gluten allergy. Read more →