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Passions and Places

A travel + outdoors blog

  • Destinations
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  • Planning
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    • Gear and Packing
  • Travel Styles
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    • Road Trips
  • Responsible Travel

15 Long-Haul Travel Essentials: What to Pack for In-Flight Comfort

May 27, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 14 Comments

For many people, long plane rides are the worst part of travel, especially when you’re in economy class or have a red-eye flight. This packing list has all the airplane essentials you need for surviving long-haul flights. Stay healthy, rested, and entertained on your next trip!

It’s no secret that flying can be pretty miserable, but if you want to travel to distant destinations, there’s no way around it. Fortunately, you can make your next flight at least a little bit more comfortable by packing these items in your carry-on.

Filed Under: Gear and Packing Tagged With: flights

Getting Beyond Bourbon Street in New Orleans

May 6, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 9 Comments

New Orleans, Louisiana, is largely known for Mardi Gras parades and year-round parties on Bourbon Street and elsewhere in the French Quarter - but it has so much more to offer. It’s also a place visitors can learn about history, ecology, climate change, slavery, voodoo, and more. NOLA makes a great stop on a historical road trip through the Deep South with a focus on human rights and social justice issues.

During our human rights and social justice-themed road trip through the American South, we weren’t too sure how New Orleans would fit in. The Big Easy not only gave us a great time, it also turned out to be a really interesting place to explore history, culture, and ecology – a few of the things we’d come to the South to learn about.

Filed Under: Educational and Experiential, Louisiana, North America, U.S. Tagged With: American South, New Orleans, Travel Styles

A Human Rights + Social Justice Road Trip in the American South

April 25, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 18 Comments

Road trips just might be the best way to travel in the American South. Our trip through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama was focused on history, civil rights, human rights, social justice, and the environment. The route included New Orleans, Natchez, Birmingham, Selma, and more, with stops at some of the region’s best museums and monuments. See our full road trip itinerary, and get our best tips to plan your own visit to the South.

The South might not be too touristed, but it’s full of sites all Americans should see. Our Southern road trip taught us so much about this country’s past and about human rights and social justice, both historically and today. Relive the journey with us, and get some tips for planning a trip of your own.

Filed Under: Alabama, Educational and Experiential, Louisiana, Mississippi, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: American South, civil rights, human rights, New Orleans, Travel Styles

A Traveler Celebrates Earth Day: The Top Reads on Sustainable Travel

April 22, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 6 Comments

Whether you call it eco-travel, sustainable travel, green travel, or something else, this link round-up includes some of the best resources on travel, sustainability, and the environment - just in time for Earth Day 2017. This reading list has tips on vacation planning, destinations, animal welfare, and plenty of information on why we should care about how travel affects the planet.

Celebrate Earth Day 2017 with some of our favorite articles on sustainability and eco-friendly travel! Learn how travel impacts the environment, why it matters, and how to do your part to care for Mother Earth from the road.

Filed Under: Responsible Travel Tagged With: Earth Day, sustainability

Becoming “Digital Nomads:” Why We Quit Our Jobs to Travel

March 25, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 14 Comments

We finally quit our jobs in Boston to travel the world as digital nomads! Now we're in Thailand, engaging in long-term travel and working online for ourselves as travel bloggers and freelance writers. This is the story of our lifestyle design choices and why we're planning to travel in Southeast Asia.

We finally took the leap and left our jobs, apartment, and life in the U.S. to travel abroad and work as freelancers. Here’s the story of why we made this lifestyle change and how we’re starting our new lives as digital nomads in Thailand.

Filed Under: Long-Term Travel, Reflections Tagged With: digital nomad, Southeast Asia, Travel Styles

15 Totally Unique Airbnb Rentals for Under $50

January 6, 2017 By Jen Ambrose 8 Comments

Airbnb is a great option for accommodations when you travel. Staying with a host means getting a more local experience and gaining some insight into the culture, and Airbnb is often cheaper than hotels, making it popular for budget travel. Plus, many properties are really unusual and interesting, like tipis, cabanas, treehouses, yurts, and more. Check out our list of 15 totally unique Airbnb rentals that are under $50.

Airbnb lets travelers stay in all kinds of interesting accommodations around the world. Many of the best-known rentals are outrageously expensive, but there are plenty of great options for budget travelers, too. All the places on our list are completely unique but cost less than $50 a night.

Filed Under: Accommodations Tagged With: Airbnb

Touring the Local Businesses of Vermont

December 10, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 6 Comments

Vermont is known for its locavore movement and commitment to sustainability. The state has a vibrant local business scene, and many of its companies offer public tours. Visit a company like Ben & Jerry’s, Cabot Creamery, or Snow Farm Vineyard next time you travel to Vermont.

The commitment to sustainability and local production runs deep in Vermont, especially at the state’s small businesses. Witness it for yourself by visiting the Ben & Jerry’s Factory, the Cabot Creamery, or one of the many other Vermont businesses that make themselves open to the public.

Filed Under: Educational and Experiential, Foodie Travel, North America, Road Trips, U.S., Vermont Tagged With: Burlington, Lake Champlain, Small Businesses, Travel Styles

A Guide to the Best Yoga Studios in Boston

November 22, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 27 Comments

Boston is a city that’s conscious about health, wellness, and fitness, and there’s a yoga studio in nearly every neighborhood. Here’s our list of the best yoga studios in the Boston area (including options in the North End, Back Bay, Cambridge, Somerville, Allston, and Brighton), with classes in Vinyasa flow, Iyengar, Ashtanga, restorative yoga, meditation, and more.

Whether you’re an avid yogi visiting Boston or a Bostonian considering your first class, our guide to some of the city’s best yoga studios has everything you need to know.

Filed Under: Active and Healthy, Massachusetts, North America, U.S., Yoga Tagged With: activities, Boston, meditation, Travel Styles, yoga studios

The Ultimate Boston Bucket List

November 8, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 12 Comments

Boston, Massachusetts, is a popular travel destination in New England, and there are plenty of things to do in the city. After living there for four years, we created this bucket list to give you a local perspective for your next trip. Click to read about the city’s museums, markets, theatre, sports, breweries, outdoors activities, and more.

Whether you’re a native Bostonian looking for adventure, a newly relocated student wanting to explore your new home, or a first-time visitor to the city, this bucket list will help you make the most of everything Boston has to offer.

Filed Under: Massachusetts, North America, U.S. Tagged With: Boston, Walden Pond

7 Things to Pack for Eco-Friendly Travel

August 31, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 32 Comments

Eco-travel starts with what's in your bag. Here's a packing list to make your next trip more eco-friendly.

Make your next trip more eco-friendly from the moment you start packing your bag. The key? Anything you can bring that isn’t plastic and replaces using disposable items is a step toward reducing your environmental footprint. Here’s seven items to start with.

Filed Under: Gear and Packing, Responsible Travel Tagged With: eco-friendly, packing

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Close-up of a white man and woman both wearing black with trees in the background, and an overlaying green banner that says "Welcome!"

Hi! We’re Jen and Ryan, an American couple on a journey to travel the world while working from the road. We’re passionate about outdoor adventure, responsible travel, and getting off the beaten path. Passions and Places is a space for us to share our stories and tips with you, but most importantly, we hope to inspire you to seek your own adventure.

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