TC Travels

03/09/2025

Lace up your boots, ladies, we’re going on a hike 💅🥾💁🏻‍♀️

03/06/2025

Some places leave you in awe. Others fill you with adrenaline. Portugal gave us both, again and again 🇵🇹✨

We started in the Douro Valley, waking up in a wine barrel at Quinta da Pacheca, surrounded by endless vineyards. Mornings were slow, sipping port in Porto’s riverside cafes, but by afternoon, we were wandering its azulejo-covered streets, chasing golden sunsets over the river.

Then came Madeira, a completely different world. One morning, we stood above the clouds at Pico do Arieiro, the sky burning with sunrise colors. By midday, we were flying down the streets of Funchal in a literal basket, laughing the whole way. And by sunset? Floating in the volcanic pools of Porto Moniz, waves crashing around us.

Back on the mainland, Lisbon greeted us with its iconic yellow trams, sweeping city views, and nights that stretched till morning. We kayaked through the famous Benagil Caves, exploring hidden beaches along the Algarve. And finally, Sintra, where old towns led us to castles straight out of a fairytale.

Every day of this trip felt like a new adventure, a new way to fall in love with Portugal. And the best part? You can experience it all in just 7 days.

Full itinerary is now live on our website! 🔗

02/25/2025

Today, I said hi to a very old friend 🥹☕️🫶🏼

Writing to your younger self brings up a lot of feelings…

because that person is YOU. But, at the same time, it isn’t you, because they haven’t experienced everything that you have. You crave the ability to travel back in time to tell them what happens, and even though there will be hardships, you’ll grow like crazy. That even though you’ll be sad sometimes, you’ll find what makes you happy and do whatever it takes to chase it. You’ll also want to tell them to relax a bit, and to enjoy this moment while they have it, and to not take a second for granted.

This is your sign to live a life that your younger self wouldn’t think is just cool, but IMPOSSIBLE!

——
Poetry inspired by

02/20/2025

10 reasons you should make Jamaica your next trip👇

From floating down jungle rivers to diving into glowing blue waters, Jamaica is AMAZING!

Here are 10 adventures that’ll convince you to book a flight ✈️

1️⃣ Doctor’s Cave Beach – Unreal turquoise water & white sand and home to our favorite hotel pick
2️⃣ Dunn’s River Falls - Climb an iconic waterfall.
3️⃣ Rick’s Café – Cliff diving & epic sunsets.
4️⃣ Luminous Lagoon – Swim in glowing bioluminescence.
5️⃣ Martha Brae River Rafting – Float on a bamboo raft through paradise.
6️⃣ Pelican Bar – A bar in the middle of the ocean.
7️⃣ Jerk Chicken – The best smoky, spicy island flavors.
8️⃣ Blue Hole – Hidden waterfalls & cliff jumps.
9️⃣ Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee – Some of the world’s best coffee.
🔟 S Hotel Montego Bay – The most insane all inclusive carribean resort 🙌

Which one are you adding to your bucket list? ⬇️

02/05/2025

Traveled to a “dangerous” country to see what it’s really like 🇬🇹🫶🏼

Our time in Guatemala was nothing short of magical. From hiking active volcanoes and zip-lining above the canopy to paddleboarding on Lake Atitlán, we experienced it all. If you’re planning a trip, we have a fully detailed itinerary with logistics on our website!

1️⃣ Antigua Adventures & Volcanic Views
We landed in Guatemala City late at night and headed straight to Antigua. Staying at Selina Hostel, we explored the iconic Santa Catalina Arch and hiked Pacaya Volcano (marshmallows roasted on hot rocks included!). Don’t miss Volcano Pizza from David Garcia for a unique post-hike bite.

2️⃣ Living the dream at Lake Atitlán
After a scenic shuttle ride and boat transfer, we arrived at the stunning Casa del Mundo. Each morning here feels like a postcard come to life. We hopped between charming lakeside towns like San Juan and San Pedro. Tuk-tuk rides are an adventure in themselves!

3️⃣ Ziplining & Free Cervezas
Our favorite day started with a thrilling zipline tour near San Pedro Volcano, followed by smoothies in town. Later, we checked into the unique Free Cerveza Hostel, where sunset paddleboarding and a lively communal dinner made it unforgettable.

4️⃣ Tzampoc Resort & San Marcos Vibes
We spent a luxurious afternoon at Tzampoc Resort, soaking in views and sunshine by the pool. San Marcos, the hippie hub of the lake, offered cacao ceremonies and spiritual vibes.

5️⃣ Back to Antigua
After a peaceful yoga session on the lake, we returned to Antigua for one last exploration of its historic streets and stunning viewpoints, including Cerro de la Cruz.

This trip had adrenaline, peace, nature, and amazing culture. Guatemala, you stole our hearts! 💛

01/29/2025

01/26/2025

8 Days, 3 islands, endless memories: here’s our EPIC Hawaii Itinerary 🌴🌈

If we could hit rewind and relive this trip, we absolutely would. From chasing sunrises on slippery trails, to driving a manual for the first time in an old bus, to sleeping in a room with only 3 walls, this trip was packed with unforgettable moments. We found black sand beaches, stood on top to the ridges on the Na Pali coast, swam with dolphins in deep blue water, and watched the lava glow before dawn at Kilauea. Each day felt like a breath of fresh air for two travelers!

Whether you’re hiking on loose dirt next to thousand-foot drops or chilling by the ocean with a coffee, Hawaii is pure magic. We’ve made the fully detailed itinerary available on our website, so you can plan your own unforgettable trip with all the best spots and tips!

Which island are you going to first? 🌋🌊

01/23/2025

Why didn’t anyone tell us that NYC to Iceland is the same flight time as NYC to California 🤯✈️

We went on a very last minute trip to Iceland this past year and it absolutely did not disappoint. We kept it simple: booked a plane ticket, booked a camper van with @ (so we didn’t need to book a hotel AND a car, just one home on wheels!), and threw some outfits in our suitcase. Those simple and spontaneous trips are sometimes the best. Our itinerary went a little something like this ⬇️

Day 1: The famous blue lagoon for some relaxation, Skool beans (the coolest coffee shop in Iceland), explored the famous black sand beaches in Vik, and did THREE separate waterfall hikes. Then we made a night drive and saw the northern lights!!! Not bad for our first day!

Day 2: Checked off a major bucket list hike for us to Studlagil Canyon, checked out some geothermal springs and a HUGE crater, drove past a sheep farm, and cooked up a nice dinner in the van

Day 3: Started off with an epic hike on literal glacier and hung out by Glacier Lagoon watching the ice float by. We also stopped by diamond beach and hit up some local cafes to enjoy some classic Icelandic yogurt. After that, we headed back toward the airport and saw some lava coming from the erupting volcano. Another epic end to the day

We decided we were going on this trip less than 3 days before we actually went 🤣 traveling doesn’t have to be complicated! Half the fun is exploring and finding your way while you’re there 🫶🏼

01/20/2025

Utah’s national parks are epic, but the real magic lies beyond them. On our recent trip, we explored all of Utah’s bucket-list worthy gems! Here’s our 4-day itinerary packed with must-visit stops:

🚗 1. Pick up your ride
We rented a desert-rated Jeep Gladiator Mojave through (highly recommend for off-road adventures!)

💦 2. Mystic Hot Springs
Relaxing in colorful tubs at sunset? A perfect start to any trip.

🏞️ 3. Hanksville
The adventure town you need to visit! Think Moon Overlook, Factory Butte, and epic drone shots.

🍀 4. Leprechaun Canyon
Wide slot canyon vibes and sandy hikes.

🪐 5. Bentonite Hills
Alien-like mountains near the Mars Desert Research Station. A 4x4 must, but totally worth it.

🌟 6.
This spot is a vibe! Cozy cabins, incredible views, and…

🎥 7. Drive-in movie theater
End the day with old-school movie magic under the stars.

🌀 8. Peekaboo Slot Canyon
A fun hike with twists and turns—don’t forget to download AllTrails before heading out.

👻 9. Spooky Slot Canyon
The perfect companion hike to Peekaboo.

🚬 10. Cosmic Ashtray
A long and windy hike to one of Utah’s most surreal landscapes.

🏜️ 11. Bryce Canyon
We couldn’t skip at least one national park! The Navajo Loop trail’s switchbacks are iconic.

🧂 12. Bonneville Salt Flats
A dreamy, otherworldly stop to wrap up the trip.

Utah is pure magic, from hot springs to slot canyons, colorful hills, and beyond. Ready to plan your own ultimate adventure? Save this itinerary! 🙌

01/10/2025

Our hearts are with LA ❤️‍🔥

Looking back at photos from our last trip to LA is hitting us hard right now. The iconic streets, vibrant neighborhoods, and natural beauty we explored are now under threat from devastating wildfires. It’s heartbreaking to think of the people, wildlife, and landscapes being impacted in such unimaginable ways.

We’ve linked ways you can help in our stories and on our page. Whether it’s donating, sharing resources, or supporting local organizations, every little bit helps during this crisis. Let’s rally together to support LA and its communities 🫶🏼

01/02/2025

2024 in photos 🫶🏼

56,046 miles traveled, 29 flights, and 16 airports later, safe to say this year was one for the books. There’s one word that helped us wrack up these stats: yes.

2024 was the year of saying yes. It was about getting out our comfort zones and seizing opportunities that were presented to us. Sometimes it was scary, exhausting, or a bit pricey, but we’ll never regret:

🌴Renting a scooter from a stranger on the side of the road in Tulum

🏜️Climbing over the dunes in the California desert

✨Watching the northern lights from a glass dome in Finland

🧊Waking up in a camper van at glacier bay in Iceland

🎿Skiing through peaks of Utah on a bluebird day

🍰Eating pastelas de noches in the streets of Lisbon

🐫Riding a camel to a desert oasis in Morocco

🎈Riding a hot air balloon during sunrise in Cappodoccia

🥾Hiking our first 14,000 foot peak in the mountains of Colorado

🌇Watching the sunrise over Manhattan from 50 stories up

So here’s to bringing more of this energy into 2025. Great things happen when you COMMIT, say YES, and seize EVERY opportunity 🫶🏼

What are your 2025 resolutions?

12/24/2024

18 months ago, I asked my hiking buddy to marry me on the edge of a cliff in the Italian Dolomites. As I stood up from one knee, she leapt into my arms and bear hugged me, her way of saying YES, completely ignoring the thousand-foot drops around us. My hiking boots saved us with the slightest bit of traction, setting the tone for our adventure-filled engagement.

Leading up to the trip, I rehearsed what I’d say to Cara during sunrise on this bucketlist hike. All I could think about was what could go wrong, I might forget my speech, it could rain, we could get lost, or lose cell service and miss the photographers. But one thing I wasn’t worried about? Her saying no.

The night before, I texted our photographers the coordinates where they’d start following us and prayed the rain in the forecast wouldn’t show. We hiked to a mountain hut with 60L packs and checked into a shared bunk room with hikers from around the world. After a communal dinner, we put our bags on the top bunk and squeezed into the twin-size bed together, naturally.

At 4am, our alarms went off. Half-asleep from a mix of excitement and claustrophobia, we brushed our teeth, laced our boots, and started hiking in total darkness. By sunrise, the sun’s hues lit the sharp peaks of the horizon. “We’re here. This is happening,” I thought as we sprinted to the vista, like we always do at the end of hikes.

At the top, I grabbed Cara’s hands, and she immediately knew. “This is actually happening, right now?” she said as I dropped to one knee, pulling out the ring I’d protected like my life depended on it.

I told her I was certain of one thing: I wanted to spend forever chasing our dream to see the world from mountaintops, with the one person who’d hike again a million times just to watch the next sunrise together.

We spent the morning dancing, laughing, and crying in disbelief that life could get better. Now, we’re 8 months away from making it official, and I can’t wait to see you on that day.

Thanks for being my forever hiking buddy, Cara Joe
♥️ Tristan

📸

12/20/2024

Believe it or not, 2 years ago we didn’t even have a travel page. We were just college sweethearts who (maybe) wanted to see the world one day. In 2021, we had a tough conversation about taking a few days off for our first vacation since graduation 🙉

It happened over sushi. Cara wanted to rent a campervan and drive the California coast, and Tristan said, “you’re dreaming.” We ended up arguing passionately in public about how to make something so crazy work.

That night, we both went home and let the idea sink in. “When else are we going to do this?” we thought. Cara resourcefully found a campervan on for $250 a night, flights weren’t as bad as we expected, and we realized we could check off a bucket list item for the cost of a few date nights. “Are we doing this?”

…you bet we were ✈️

Three months later, we returned from our life-changing trip from LA to Big Sur, having experienced campervan living for the first time. Cara posted THESE 10 photos on her personal IG, and they went what we called “mini-viral.” Campervan pages started sharing our photos (without asking), and soon we were in touch with Outdoorsy, who wanted to feature our pictures.

Before long, we were campervanning across Utah, Washington, Colorado, you name it. We were hiking, taking “gallon showers,” and realizing how far one crazy idea can take you.

So here’s to chasing dreams, arguing over sushi, and saying YES to adventure ✨

12/12/2024

Cappadocia is one of those places that feels straight out of a dream 😴💭 From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by its unique landscapes, fairy chimneys, ancient caves, and sweeping valleys that seem endless. The highlight was waking up before sunrise to watch hundreds of colorful hot air balloons take off, painting the sky with magic. Standing there, coffee in hand, with the crisp morning air and a horizon unlike anything we’d ever seen, felt surreal ✨

But the beauty of Cappadocia doesn’t stop at the balloons! We explored underground cities, hiked through breathtaking valleys, and stayed in a cozy cave hotel that felt like stepping back in time. The combination of natural wonder and culture made every moment unforgettable. It’s a place that reminded us why we travel 🌏❤️

🐎📸 w/ &

09/25/2024

Today marks 18 months since the very first time I posted bald on social media on my personal Instagram account. It was a HUGE step for me, because no one even knew I wore a wig. Not having any hair was the absolute biggest insecurity in my entire life and my biggest secret. Being exposed to today’s beauty standards made it so difficult to love myself and feel confident in my own skin, especially seeing advertisements talking about how a woman’s beauty can be defined through her hair. I didn’t feel beautiful unless I had a wig on 😔

I am bald because I have Alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss that I’ve had since I was 5 years old and has no known cure. I spent 22 years of having Alopecia hiding underneath wigs, bandanas, and hats. I realized I had absolutely no photos of what I actually looked like, which had to change! Posting that picture for the first time was both terrifying yet unbelievably freeing at the exact same time.

Spending time in nature made me realize how beautiful everything is just the way it is and the way God intended it to be. Trees are asymmetrical, leaves are discolored, fruits and veggies can be lopsided, the list goes on. Yet, these imperfections are what make up all of nature. I committed to myself that instead of trying to alter who I was and what I looked like artificially, I would embrace my true, natural, organic, and authentic self 👩🏼‍🦲

So, here’s to accepting yourself just as you are because you are so perfectly imperfect and I absolutely beg you to love yourself today and always 🫶🏼

Yours with love and imperfections,
Cara 🦋

05/12/2024

Still so upset we missed the strongest solar event of the century but at least we got to see the aurora in Finland this year! Seriously though, how was everyone so prepared for this?! Here are some pics from Finland anyway 😊🙌💚

Did you see the northern lights last night?

04/22/2024

The 10 best photos we’ve taken on Earth 📸🌱🌎

The secret’s out, we celebrate earth day everyday, BUT today is special because we get to POST about it! 🎉 Earth is CRAZY guys! And if you think you haven’t seen enough of it, you’re probably right. This is your sign to visit a new country (or continent, if you’re feeling spicy) this travel season ✈️

Today we’re reflecting on how lucky we’ve been to be able to roam around and take photos of these natural masterpieces. Earth truly never ceases to amaze us on each and every trip, and we can’t wait to release our new country & continent list for summer. It’s going to be an exciting one 🚀

Location credz (in order):
Yosemite
Dolomites
Vermilion Cliffs
Bonneville Salt Flats
Antelope Canyon
Death Valley
Kauai
Badwater Basin
Sequoia National Park
Mount Rainier

Who are you inviting to one of these epic spots?! 🤔🗺️

02/20/2024

Love is in the air 🚁

The most epic way to see NYC is from 2,000 feet above in a doors off helicopter experience 🚁🤩

As native New Yorkers, we’re usually “been there, done that” when it comes to NYC sights, but we’ve never seen NYC like this before! We saw every famous landmark from The Freedom Tower, to The Staue of Liberty, to Central Park, to The Empire State Building, and everything in between! It was absolutely sick and a can’t miss if you’re visiting NYC 🍎🗽🌆