Dear Curiosity

05/10/2020

Ever wondered how we are able to do so much traveling as college students?

We're breaking it down in our new blog post on hellodearcuriosity.com by showing you how we save on:

✈️flights
🏠accommodation
🚂transportation
☕food
🎡activities

What's one way you save money on travel?

HELLO fellow wanderers! A few of you approached us asking about how to travel on a budget because YES we are college students and NO we don't have the funds to do all the things and eat every single meal at a five-star restaurant. But, in Caela & I’s travels so far, we’ve come acro

02/10/2020

Our website is LIVE!

Since the beginning of COVID, quarantining, and restricted travel, we were at a bit of a loss as to what the future of Dear Curiosity would be.

But, after coming together and talking it out, doing some research (what's new), and taking things one day at a time, your favorite adventure duo decided that we're in this for the long run...and that means we need a website!

After many hours of designing and brainstorming, we're proud to officially release hellodearcuriosity.com to all of you— with the mission to show you that wanderlust is indeed within reach.

Click the link in our bio to peruse hellodearcuriosity.com and swipe right to read more about our story!

On our new website, you’ll find—
* Travel tips & freebies
* All of our top travel resources located in one page
* Where we've been featured outside of Instagram
* A fancy-schmancy blog (and three posts waiting to be read)
* Our store where you can find custom itineraries, budgeting spreadsheets, ebooks, and templates (coming soon!)

Wondering how you can support us now?

Share this post and tag us, then let us know your favorite part about the website!

Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to help you figure out your next adventure.

Cheers,
Liv & Caela

https://www.hellodearcuriosity.com/

your wanderlust is always within reach snag our 5 best tips for finding cheap flights Meet Caela & Liv. In short, we’re two girls with a heartache for the world who love helping others realize how accessible and intimate the world can be at the same time. You’ll definetely have something to talk...

28/09/2020

It's finally here! 🎉

These past few weeks, we have been working hard on building a website that's not only reflective of our brand but our mission as a whole.

This Friday, you'll get to peruse our platform that includes a blog, storefront, resources page, custom itinerary journey, and more!

Tag a friend and let them know how excited you are, and then share this post to spread the word! 🤗

21/08/2020

A little reminder as we head into the weekend. What's one trip you'll never take for granted again?

10/01/2020

Happy Friday, dear wanderers!

We were thinking of what to share for our tips of the week and decided on fun, original ideas of how to document your travels during your trip and after you return home!

1️⃣While you're traveling- Bring a journal and record all the special moments you encounter. On the way to your destination, write about how you feel and what you are most excited for, and on the way back, write about your favorite moments and highlights. Tape in museum passes and ticket stubs throughout the pages!

2️⃣When you're back- Grab some shadow boxes for Michael's and have fun making your own by filling it with your airplane ticket, metro passes, museum stubs, and any other keepsakes that will remind you of precious memories you made while away!

3️⃣While you're traveling- Record sound using the voice memos app on your phone. Capture the sounds of the city or nature, or even record your own voice talking about your thoughts or experiences during your trip!

Have you ever used any of these methods before or perhaps have one of your own? Share below!

08/01/2020

Anyone trying to go to Italy in 2020?

Explore the ancient ruins of Rome, take in the fashion of Milan and catch postcard-worthy sunsets in the countryside of Umbria with this value-packed 9-night...

08/01/2020

We are excited to announce...

Our Midweek Minute is back in motion!

What is the Midweek Minute?

It's a hand-written email created with YOU in mind...delivered right to your inbox! In it, you will find business updates, travel resources, travel tips, and our favorites (ex: what we are currently watching, reading, and listening to).

If you didn't receive the email today, make sure to subscribe using the link below to receive next week's!

https://mailchi.mp/a4284768e557/dearcuriosity

06/01/2020

WE'RE BACK! And boy does it feel good.

Wondering what we've been up to?
Today you'll hear from me, Liv!

I've spent December freelancing for my friend Tori, fighting sickness, galloping around NYC and DC with my boyfriend, Jack, soaking up all the holiday festivities before the New Year, and spending time with my family before I head back to Italy in a little over a WEEK!

That's right, I'm going back! I am traveling through a cultural exchange platform called Workaway. You can follow more of my adventure on my personal Instagram account, !

I hope you all had a lovely holiday season and a great start to the New Year! Lookout for Caela's summary next Monday!

06/12/2019

Its Fridayyyy dear followers! Whoop whoop!

We know a lot of you are either hustling through exams or preparing for exams and we just want to encourage you to keep going! And remember, all you can do is your best. At some point, you have to step back and breathe and let everything else go.

At the end of the day, you are more than your grades. You are more than that presentation, that group project, that assignment you did or didn't flunk. We are both big believers in the importance of looking after your mental health. And you should never prioritize school over taking care of your mind.

Sending lots of love your way!
- Liv & Caela

05/12/2019

Liv here. What's one place you are homesick for that you have NEVER been to? For me, it would have to be Norway. I REALLY wanna visit.

Caela and I are getting ready to send out a rough draft for a two-day itinerary for San Juan. We are SO excited for our client- she has a super special trip planned with her significant other!

Did you know that you get to review your itinerary before we deliver the final product? This ensures that all your needs are met. Email [email protected] for more info!

04/12/2019

It's Wednesday which means we are here to share some practical tips and tricks with YOU, our dear followers. Today, we thought we would talk about gift giving and pass along some ideas that are sure to be memorable AND won't break the bank! It's a win win!

1️⃣Grab a few https://cluetownbooks.com/ scavenger hunt books for your city and have fun solving riddles, puzzles, and more while exploring some of your favorite areas!

2️⃣Cook dinner with your sibling, significant other, or BFF and complete the night with a glass of wine and their favorite movie! Grocery shopping is only half the fun.

3️⃣Plan a trip for your family of significant other using Dear Curiosity! Pre-pay for the specific amount of days and we will send you a gift voucher that you can print out and deliver to whoever you wish! Don't forget about our Local List option as well- a curated list of activities for you to do in a particular city! It makes a great gift- we think so, anyway. :)

03/12/2019

We always tell people: keep your suitcase close. It goes along with our belief that travel will teach you and grow you in ways your hometown or classroom never will.

Did you know that January-March is usually the off-season for flights but still a GREAT time to take a trip? Hop on over to Venice for their annual Carnival. What about visiting Paris in the spring for the blooming of the cherry blossoms? The possibilities are endless.

Give the gift of travel this year (or treat yourself to a getaway) and let us do all the hard work for you!

02/12/2019

It's Monday. Anyone else suffering from the post-Thanksgiving blues? Yeah, us too. BUT we combatted it by putting up our tree last night and singing carols all night long.

I (Liv) haven't even begun Christmas shopping yet. I always put stress on myself to find the most perfect gift. I tend to lean toward stuff like concerts, wine tastings, and brunch dates. Things that require your time and attention. Because in a world like the one we live in, nothing is more valuable than that.

Who is the hardest in your family to shop for? Shhh I won't spill the tea!

29/11/2019

One of my favorite things about Paris is the abundance of flower shops that line practically every street! If you could have a bouquet of any type of flower, which would you choose?

28/11/2019

Happy Thanksgiving from Liv and Caela to you, our followers!

We hope you eat lots of pumpkin pie and turkey and enjoy the company of the ones you love most. Wherever you are from around the world, take some time to spread some gratitude today!

27/11/2019

It's Travel Tip Wednesday!
Since I spent the last week and a half traveling around with my family of 6, I thought I would share some tips I learned for traveling with a big group of people. Here we go!

1️⃣If everyone has iPhones, start a shared notes and title it with the name of your trip. Have everyone start adding things they wanna see, do, and eat to the list! This ensures everyone gets to do a few of their top favorite things.

2️⃣Don't plan your day by the hour and fill it with too many activities. In a large group, things are going to take longer than if you were just traveling by yourself. By having a few things on your list for the day, you aren't setting yourself up for disappointment incase you don't make it to everything. It also helps you focus on the people you are with over the checklist of things to see!

3️⃣Don't restrict yourself to saying all together 24/7! In Paris, I walked down the street to have a coffee while the rest of my family got ready. At another point, I opted for a museum over shopping. Just have a time and rendezvous point in mind so you can easily meet back up!

Have you traveled in a big group before? Have any other tips to share? Let me know in the comments!

26/11/2019

You know what we’ve been thinking about a lot lately?
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The importance of experiences over things. In a world where there are so many ads, commercials, and coupons telling you you need this that and the other, it’s easy to get swept up in materialism. But we believe getting into the mindset of prioritizing experiences over things is the #1 way to have a life full of adventure.
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As the holidays are approaching, why not bless someone with the gift of a curated vacation just for them? Get started by emailing [email protected]. ✨

25/11/2019

Liv here! I am back from the City of Lights so yo know what that means... you'll be seeing a lot of my Paris photos on here this week! I'm sitting back home in my favorite chair dealing with a minor cold and major jet lag! Looks like tea and sweatpants is the move for the next 24 hours.
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There are so many stories I could share about my recent adventures. I could talk about how a homeless person started hitting me on the train, how I scootered around the Eiffel Tower with my best friend, ate my weight in pastries and became a pro at the metro... the list goes on.
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I think one of the most valuable lessons I learned while away with my family is that everyone travels differently, and sometimes that can be tricky. I think it's important to check in with yourself from time to time and appreciate not only where you are, but who you are with. Because that's just as magical as everything else, but can often be overlooked when caught up on the bustle of it all. I am so thankful for my time in Paris and getting to show my family some of my favorite spots!

15/11/2019

Happy Friday, dear wanderers! Which time period would you teleport to this weekend? Let us know in the comments! 👇

14/11/2019

We are OVERWHELMED with the response to The Local List! The handful we have made and the few we are currently working on have proven to be such a helpful (and fun) asset during this busy season of the year. 🎄

Not sure what we're taking about?

The Local List is our best and newest offer we are dishing out for the Holidays. You answer 5 questions and we comprise a list of activities for you to do in a location of your choice.

This is perfect if you:
+ have a family reunion coming up and are too busy to research things to do
+ are craving something NEW to do in a place you've been before
+ have a trip coming up and want an unstructured list of places to explore
+ want to gift an adventurous friend with something unique that will support local businesses

Want to know more? email us at [email protected] ! 💌

13/11/2019

It's our favorite day of the week! Wanna know why? We get to share PRACTICAL travel tips that have helped us in the past to make for a smoother, more successful trip. Don't forget to bookmark this post so you can return to it when you need!

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Today, we are sharing our 5 Must-Have apps for International Travel:
1️⃣ Google Translate or Yandex (the offline version if you won't have cellular data)
2️⃣ WiFi map (find fast & free WiFi)
3️⃣ Google Maps or Maps.Me (both offer the chance to download an offline map of your destination)
4️⃣ for language practice. DM us for a free 7-day trial link and thereafter it's only $15/month!
5️⃣XE Currency: the best currency converter app out there!
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Any other apps that you would add to the list? Please share below!

12/11/2019

Liv here.

I'm off to Paris with my family tomorrow! We are making the long drive to Ft. Lauderdale and flying our tomorrow evening. I'll definitely be posting little snippets on my trip on DC when I can, but Caela will be taking most of the reins.

The reason we work so well with with each other is our open communication. We don't leave things to simmer and boil and then overflow, we address it out loud and are always encouraging and supporting, making sure neither one of us feels too much weight at once.

We believe in open communication with our clients, too. That's why every itinerary creation comes with a Discovery Call. We get the chance to talk 1 on 1 with your beautiful faces and hear from the heart what you want your trip to include. We also want to get to know you on a personal level! Pretty cool, right?

Okay- for those of you who have been to Paris, what are some under-the-radar things I NEED to see? Let me know!
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ONE LAST THING!
Make sure to sign up for our Midweek Minute --> The weekly newsletter created by us with YOU in mind!
Click here: https://mailchi.mp/a4284768e557/dearcuriosity

11/11/2019

There's something about slow travel that we are falling deeper and deeper in love with. Starting with a small list of places you want to see, and then spending hours sipping local specialties.

This is, in short, a summary of this past weekend during our trip to Asheville. Three girlfriends and a trip into the glorious NC mountains. Seeing the leaves in a whirlwind of color, ordering cappuccinos every few hours and talking about everything under the sun.

Some of our favorite places we got lost in time were:
1) Flora Asheville
2) Well Played Asheville
3) Ultra Coffee Bar
4) The Waterbird Asheville

What are some of your favorite places to practice slow travel?

01/11/2019

🌟 Introducing... The Local List. 🌟

Answer 5 questions and we will curate a list of unique activities for you to enjoy this holiday season. Let us help you discover new treasures in the hometown you though you knew like the back of your hand. 😉

I T I N C L U D E S :
+ A hand-designed downloadable pdf with
- 4 food options
- 4 free activity options
- 4 paid activity options
all for $25!
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The holidays are already busy enough. Let us take something off your Thanksgiving plate by giving you some new options to explore in a place with so much familiarity.

✨ Get started by sending us a Facebook message or emailing us at [email protected]! 💻

31/10/2019

This quote speaks volumes.

Let the words soak in. You are not guaranteed tomorrow, and there is some much left of the world to explore.

We are not only giving our clients a tailored itinerary to fit their unique circumstance, we are giving them a memory that will never be replicated ever again.

If there's a place you are yearning to explore, let us help you get there. No matter your budget, your group size, your pace, or your interests, we will take all to heart and curate a trip of a lifetime.

Want to know more? Email us at [email protected] or send us a message today.
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TOMORROW we launch our super secret holiday product! It's kind of a service too? You'll see very soon....

30/10/2019

It's Wednesday dear wanderers and you know what that means! Time for our weekly !
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This week, I want to give you some advice on how to stay PRESENT during your travels when the world is telling you everything must be captured, posted, and shared. These tips are not to restrain you, they are just meant to guide you to a more mindful experience. Let's dive in!

1️⃣Never post in real time. When you are relaxing back at your accommodation or are taking a break, THEN get out your phone and post that photo or video. Also, take Instagram stories but don't post them until the END of the day when you can sit down and do a "recap!"

2️⃣Make sure to stop and take in all 5 of your senses after stopping at a pretty landmark to take a photo. Give your eyes a chance to take it all in and lock it into memory.

3️⃣Pre-plan times during your trip where you will be completely "unplugged" and dedicated to only capturing 1 or 2 photos before putting your phone or camera away. These are really special because you will only have this special memory shared between you and your company, no one else.
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Do you have any boundaries or restrictions you like to enforce when it comes to staying present while away? Share below!

29/10/2019

What if you could rediscover the place you *thought* you knew in a whole, new way?
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Our secret holiday product is launching THIS Friday and it's going to allow you to do just that.
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It encompasses everything we as Dear Curiosity hold true-- including our belief that there is SO much to explore and uncover in your own backyard or your old stomping ground.
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Want more details? You'll just have to wait until Friday.

28/10/2019

As we head into Halloween week, I can't help but think about the masks we choose to shroud ourselves in on a daily basis.
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For a long time, I was wearing the mask of fear. And I think a lot of us still are. In the world we live in today, it's easy to let fear rule our lives. We attach ourselves to what we are comfortable with when really we are just fearful of what we do not know. Maybe I'm too optimistic for thinking there is a lot more good in the world than bad, but I know I won't compromise travel for what is comfortable or what is "safe."
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I say that studying abroad was the best and worst thing that's ever happened to me. It made me see so much of the world and at the same time, it made me realize how much there was STILL left to see. Life is short. If you feel a tug in your heart, follow it. There is always room for preparation and research, but there is no room for fear.

24/10/2019

So, what exactly gives us the credentials to plan a trip for you?This week, you'll hear from Caela. 1/2 of Dear Curiosity. ⠀
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I started traveling with my family at an early age. Both of my parents strongly encouraged the growth of my travel bug (possibly unintentionally), by always spending family vacations in different locations, both nationally and internationally. By the time freshman year of college came around, I already had my heart set on study abroad, and sure enough, the next summer, I was off to France, with two introductory language courses under my belt and not much else.

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Two years later, and I can genuinely report my ardor for wandering across the globe has only grown. With 21 American states and 14 countries stamped across my wayfaring history, I've been in almost every type of travel scenario you can think of, from planes to trains to boats to helicopters.

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Some of my favorite places:
-New York, New York
-Oxford & London, U.K.
-Amsterdam, Netherlands
-Munich, Germany
-Florence, Italy
-Lyon & Paris, France
-Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain

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Fun fact: I'm a foodie by heart and would LOVE to give recommendations for any of these places! 🙌🏻

23/10/2019

Caela's answer? French :) 🇫🇷 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It's time for this week's travel tips, and we're talking all about the small things (as in, the things you never think about until it's too late). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1. Check the weather BEFORE your trip! It's pretty amazing that we live in a time where people can (fairly) accurately predict the weather weeks in advance. Take advantage of it! The last thing you want is to have left your rain gear at home, only to find out it's the wettest month of the year at your destination. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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2. Regularly update your legal forms of identification. Travelers' safety is a big deal, and with that, comes higher levels of scrutiny from government officials. Even if you booked your flight to Seoul 6 months ago, if your passport isn't up to date, there's no chance you're getting on that plane. It's also a good idea to make copies of any ID you have, just in case your wallet gets pick-pocketed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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3. Don't forget to pack your chargers (including converters if you're going somewhere international). Imagine you're on your way to somewhere new and exciting. You have 8+ hours left of travel time before you get there. No problem, you downloaded 6 episodes of your favorite Netflix series to eat up the time. You pull out your phone or laptop and.....black screen, nothing, nada, zip. Oof, my heart aches for you. Until tech companies release a device that never needs to be charged, remember your power cords.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The truth is, no matter how much we try, we're always going to forget SOMETHING on a trip. Hopefully this list will help minimize the damage and the headaches. What's something you've forgotten on a travel journey? Let us know in the comments! 👇🏻