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Passions and Places

A travel + outdoors blog

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About Ryan Victor

Born and raised in Montana, Ryan Victor is a lover of the outdoors and a passionate hiker, kayaker, and skier. After he and Jen got married in 2016, they quickly got rid of all their stuff and left their jobs in Boston to fulfill their dream of traveling the world. Now, they travel together (and occasionally separately) while working remotely, and housesit in many of the places they go. Ryan’s visited 20 countries, and his travel style revolves around getting far off the beaten path and finding adventure wherever possible.

What to Do in Cheyenne, WY: The Cowboy State Capital

January 25, 2025 By Ryan Victor Leave a Comment

A purple and yellow mural on a brick wall showing the outline of the state of Wyoming. Alongside the outline drawing are some horses, an eagle, and a rock formation.

Thinking there’s nothing to do in Cheyenne, WY? Think again! Wyoming’s capital is packed with history, food, outdoor activities, and so much more that you won’t want to miss.

Filed Under: North America, U.S., Wyoming

A Taste of Newcastle: Traditional Foods from North East England

January 15, 2024 By Ryan Victor Leave a Comment

Cardboard take out box with a cheese and roasted red pepper covered chicken breast surrounded by thin-cut fries, and small containers of cole slaw, chili sauce, and mayo.

British cuisine is…not exactly celebrated. But that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer! In fact, the North East city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne is famous for its unique regional dishes, so make sure you try some of these when you visit.

Filed Under: Europe, Foodie Travel, United Kingdom

7 Non-Touristy Things to Do in Bangkok for the Curious Traveler

January 13, 2021 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

Corrugated metal fence with yellow cat mural painted on it.

Looking for something a little different in Bangkok? From abandoned department stores to quirky museums, this list has got you covered.

Filed Under: Asia, Off the Beaten Path, Thailand Tagged With: Bangkok, Southeast Asia

A Sunfish & A Shipwreck: Diving in Tulamben, Bali

January 25, 2020 By Ryan Victor 16 Comments

Underwater photo of a sunfish next to a scuba diver blowing bubbles.

A dive to more than 100 feet below the surface? A sighting of a rare gigantic fish? A famous World War II-era shipwreck? Ryan’s Advanced Open Water course in Bali had a little bit of everything, and all of it was memorable.

Filed Under: Asia, Indonesia, Nature and Outdoors, Scuba Diving Tagged With: Bali, Southeast Asia

Bisbee, Arizona: The Funkiest Town You’ve Never Heard Of

January 3, 2020 By Ryan Victor 107 Comments

White brick exterior wall with tan mural reading “Historic Bisbee Est. 1880. Shoppes, Restaurants, Galleries, Museums, Lodging, RV Park, Queen Mine Underground Tour.”

Love funky artistic communities, laid-back hippie vibes, and lots of interesting history? Believe us when we say – Bisbee, AZ, is the town for you!

Filed Under: Arizona, North America, Off the Beaten Path, U.S. Tagged With: abandoned places, ghost towns

Our 5th Annual Wishlist of Cool Gear from Small Businesses

November 20, 2019 By Ryan Victor 8 Comments

Rows of small bags, piles of folded clothes, and items like a notebook, camera, umbrella, and U.S. passport, on a blue background.

This is our fifth (!) annual post on travel and outdoor gear made by small businesses. As always, these products are unique, sustainable, and high-quality, and shopping them supports entrepreneurs, instead of corporations.

Filed Under: Gear and Packing, Responsible Travel Tagged With: gifts, small businesses

Exploring the Best and Quirkiest Attractions in Jerome, AZ

July 19, 2019 By Ryan Victor 10 Comments

If you like offbeat towns, you’ll love Jerome, AZ. It’s home to a Claymation-esque museum and a massive stockpile of rusted out cars, among other unusual things – oh, and the town is purported to be haunted. It’s a quintessential road trip stop and an easy day trip from Phoenix, too.

Filed Under: Arizona, North America, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: abandoned places, ghost towns

Hanoi Free Walking Tours: See the Old Quarter Without Spending a Dime (or Dong)

July 9, 2019 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

Free tours can be hit or miss, but this one in Hanoi was top-notch! This walking tour of the Old Quarter covers many of Hanoi’s most fascinating sights and offers a chance to dive into their context. (Plus, the guides provide expert navigation through what must be one of the world’s most confusing and chaotic neighborhoods.)

Filed Under: Asia, Vietnam Tagged With: budget travel, Southeast Asia

Anaconda, MT: An Offbeat Stop on a Montana Road Trip

April 11, 2019 By Ryan Victor 13 Comments

An outdoor mural of buildings and the text “Historic Anaconda. Where Main Street Meets the Mountains.”

When we planned a road trip starting in Montana, we knew the little town of Anaconda would be one of our first stops. With some offbeat attractions and almost no other visitors, it was exactly the type of place we wanted to explore.

Filed Under: Montana, North America, Off the Beaten Path, Road Trips, U.S. Tagged With: abandoned places, ghost towns

Beyond Beerlao: Sampling Craft Beer in Laos

November 12, 2018 By Ryan Victor 6 Comments

We enjoy exploring the local beer scene wherever we travel, and we especially love finding microbreweries in unlikely places – like Laos. Ryan’s sampled just about all the beers available in Laos, and now he’s sharing where to find the best brews (and which ones to avoid).

Filed Under: Asia, Foodie Travel, Laos, Off the Beaten Path Tagged With: craft breweries, Southeast Asia

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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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