Living Big Travel

15/11/2020

Hi friends, Mary here - at Living Big Travel. You might have noticed our radio silence the past few months. Like you, there has been a lot coming our way (ya know, , , , , , + more.) I’ve used this time to digest and evaluate what all this means for Living Big Travel, our partners around the world, the future of the travel industry and me personally. Here’s what I believe to be true:

* While the pandemic is keeping many of us close to home right now, I believe that the natural curiosity you have to see/share the world remains strong!
* As the world opens back up, and you feel comfortable traveling, our team will be here and ready!
* The challenges we’re facing around the world and in our communities call on ALL OF US to take action: advocate for the kind of world you want to live in, acknowledge your privilege and bias, and be kind to one another.
* We no longer feel like social media is the best way to stay connected to you. So for the time being, we will not be updating or maintaining our Facebook account, and instead will be using our email program to share updates and stay connected.

If you haven’t subscribed to receive periodic emails from us please do so by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3kzGhUY

Look for emails landing in your inbox every few weeks that introduce you to new corners of the world - their traditions, people and places, help you really lean into your love of travel, and stay connected to what’s happening in the world of travel.

We heart you, and look forward to this new chapter!

- Mary + the LBT team

25/06/2020

Penny for your thoughts?!

As a result of the Pandemic travel has changed quite a bit in the last few months, and we'd love to hear from YOU! Please take 5+ minutes to complete this survey so we can better understand who you are, your travel concerns, needs and dreams! Your feedback will help us as we navigate how to best move forward supporting you and fellow travel-lovers!

SURVEY LINK: https://forms.gle/uQXWqHo7LaJW26e4A

04/06/2020

Hey friends, this is Mary writing today. I started Living Big Travel 8 years ago with the intention of helping connect your curiosity for people, cultures and experiences with fun adventures and trips across the globe. But when the Pandemic forced us all to slow down, and pause traveling to far away places, many of us were disappointed.

But you know what? Even though the Pandemic has had a devastating impact on my business, I’m not even disappointed any more because I think it’s an opportunity for all of us to channel the curiosity that drives our passion to travel the globe in a different direction - and that’s at our own communities.

The time is now for all of us to PROACTIVELY put in the work to bring racial equity to our home, community and by extension - when we can bring this message along in our travels - the country and world.

So while we’re all staying a little closer to home this year, will you join me and do your part to work towards racial equity?

VOTE: don’t miss an opportunity to vote, and check to make sure your registration is up to date!

LISTEN: find opportunities to listen to people who look different than you, and live life differently than you, so you can start to see the world through a new lens.

ADVOCATE: peacefully protest, advocate for legislation, donate, sign petitions, share resources, evaluate where you spend money and what businesses you support, and more.

LEARN: read books/watch documentaries/listen to podcasts to further your understanding of different cultures and the history that led to this moment in time. And bring this message to your kids, family and community.

And finally, please be aware, be curious and be open to the discomfort that comes with making significant shifts in our culture.

30/04/2020

What travel memories are you reminiscing of today? "I started this morning flooded with memories of my most recent trip to Peru. On this trip, with 10 other women, we hiked the Inca Trail for 4 days/3 nights to Machu Picchu. I was reminded of the feeling of fresh mountain air, persevering through something that was really hard (and at times, scary!) and the encouragement and support shared among the women in the group, amazing guides and porters. Oh and the beers and pisco sours at the end :) Such a special trip. Thank you and XOXO to everyone that was part of it!" - Mary Cecchini

29/04/2020

🇳🇿 Head on over to our Instagram Stories for a road trip through New Zealand! (but here’s a quick preview!)

22/04/2020

Do you have an AirB&B booking coming up? Learn more about how to cancel, (if!) and how to get a refund and more...

21/04/2020

Question: where else should I consider traveling in Italy (except to/in addition to the big 3: Rome, Florence and Venice)?

21/04/2020

Hi friends, this is Mary (👇) While we’re not traveling, and doing our part to slow COVID-19, I’ll be sharing videos throughout the week answering your travel questions, serving up travel inspiration and offering care and comfort for your wanderlust desires as best we can, during this transition time. What questions do you have? How can we help? Drop us a message here, on Instagram or via email ([email protected])

14/04/2020

🇹🇭 Flooded with happy memories, and gratitude, for past travels to Thailand. ❤️

06/04/2020

🇻🇳 A walk down travel memory lane, by Mary: "to start: I think my belly hurt from laughter for about a week after hosting a March 2019 trip to Vietnam! There are just too many fun memories to fully describe, so this post is dedicated to the 11 women that joined for this adventure. You’ll know the stories between all of these notes :) And if I’ve left any out, by all means add your additions in the comments below!"

- BANH MI QUEEN! Go ahead, close your eyes and imagine those flavors.
- “Why is it that I keep seeing Babyface when I click on every picture?!” - Cheryl
- Watching Jill do the robot dance — it was obvious this wasn’t her first time…
- The feel of the air as you cruised on the back of a motor bike.
- Dancing in the Hanoi hotel bar with Jill, Nancy and Momi.
- Momi strutting through BeBe Tailor.
- Getting stuck in the mud while kayaking with Cheryl, and trying to recover our flip-flops! (I'm sorry!)
- Susan’s ’so-so’ lantern making :)
- The smell of the night air walking around Hoa An.
- How cute was the MySon guide’s mullet? I don’t feel like we talked about this enough.
- Have you ever had a more delicious black-tar-looking soup out of a bucket on the street?!
- Hearing about Liz’s meltdown in the big public market
- Susanne finding Cheryl on the "street” (AKA outside our hotel) lost.
- Sipping coffees on your balcony in the Ha Long Bay area.
- Nancy’s hilarious snorts. You’re so precious :)
- Cindy’s ‘I’ll try anything once!’ attitude.
- BOGO cocktails on the boat deck. Is it always happy hour?!
- That Hoi An hotel pool, and swinging breakfast seats!
- Kristin helping me with Insta stories (thank you roomie!)
- Lora’s contagious enthusiasm for egg coffee + salt coffee
- After getting her glasses fixed (day 2) Cheryl saying ’so this is what Hoi An looks like?!’
- Impromptu photoshoot on the beach. Werk it.
- The squeal of excitement everyone made when Ms. Linh gave us kitchen tools to take home (on par with the sound heard on Oprah’s ‘favorite things’ show)
- How sweet were those International Women’s Day gifts from the hotel!?
- Jackie - seeing you pull back the curtain and OWN chartreuse
- The snappy Hanoi guide (literally)
- Watching Cheryl do the whip + nae nae to the music at MySon

So much love to you all!

WHAT TRAVEL MEMORIES ARE LIFTING YOU UP?

02/04/2020

So many possibilities....
(via Travel + Leisure)

If you're stuck at home reminiscing about your favorite trips, there's no better time to find a new way to use your travel photos.

01/04/2020

✨SELF CARE + POSITIVE MEMORIES✨ sharing from Mary Cecchini, "I’m full of gratitude, now more than ever, that my work with Living Big Travel has brought me to the Swiss Alps over the years, and I’ve been able to share the experience with dozens of amazing women. Today I find myself dreaming of those mountains, trying to recall the fresh mountain air that would fill my lungs with every deep breath (and there are many while hiking those mountains!) the curious cows and goats we met on the trails, how it felt to push my body further than I thought possible, the warm and kind guides, hotel staff and people I’ve met there, and the views. THOSE VIEWS. The mountains have always brought me a strong sense of peace and calm, and been a grounding force for my own mental health. Gosh, I miss those mountains a lot right now. I hope you enjoy these photos and videos, and they bring you some of the same comfort they’re giving me today."

What travel experience are you thinking about a lot these days? What travel memories are giving your comfort? We’d love to hear and share. We all need it.

30/03/2020

WHERE IN THE WORLD: can anyone name this destination?!

UPDATE: Becca Grugan was the first to correctly identify these photos as Pamukkale, Turkey. Learn more about this UNESCO protected site, formed by calcified waters, here: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/485/

28/03/2020

✨Taking a moment today to relive, and find gratitude, for past adventures. Do you have a travel story to share? Post to our wall, tag us () or drop us a note at [email protected].✨

"In 2018 I was in Croatia during the mens World Cup. On my last night in Dubrovnik, Croatia upset Argentina 3-0. I watched the game from a local Irish bar in old town (I swear Irish bars are in every city around the globe!) among locals, tourists and the group of women I was traveling with. It didn't matter what country we all called home; that night we were rooting for Croatia! The energy in that small bar was electric with bartenders pouring beers as fast as they could, fans spilling out onto the small walkways and stone steps that cover the city, and fans waving flags and singing the Croatian National Anthem along the Stradun into the night. It was such a beautiful moment, to be there during a major world event, and to witness such positive national pride around sport. " - Mary Cecchini

Do you remember that night Kathleen S., Patricia Koss, Heidi B., Jackie B. (although you were sick this night!) Jill D., Juli M., Cindy B., Antoinette V., Newsha T. and Roberto Pinčević?!

27/03/2020

✨Taking a moment today to relive, and find gratitude, for past adventures ✨
"In May 2018 I traveled to Kauai with a group of women. The trip was full of magical moments, but one of my favorites was an afternoon outside making flower crowns with . On our beautiful lanai facing the ocean, our group sat around a large table learning the history and art of leis and flower crown-making from our generous teacher (Elvrine) using our hands to manipulate the beautiful local flowers and greens, sharing stories and laughter with each other, sipping white wine spritz cocktails, and enjoying the ocean breeze and light music that filled the air. That night we had a beautiful dinner at sunset, and we all wore our flower crowns. This was such a special day, and one I'll always cherish!" shared by Mary Cecchini

Group: Erika Tower, Kristin Rennels, Lisa Underkoffler, Deb Regan, Debra Bushey, Jenna W., Vicki K., Cheryl L. and Kathy M.

12/03/2020

I feel ya, my Peruvian horse buddy.
Today is tough. This month has been tough. And it’s probably going to continue feeling like this for a while longer. Holding a bucket of mixed emotions is difficult and uncomfortable, but please try to stay calm, stay safe, care for one another, and make decisions that are best for you, your family and community. ❤️

09/03/2020

Thank you BuzzFeed for including Living Big Travel in this round-up of travel companies for women who love to travel!

Scheming on an upcoming girls weekend, or a road-trip with your Mom, sister, BFF's? We'll help you bring the trip to life, with no planning hangover. 😘

If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate International Women's Day, we got you.

08/03/2020

Everyday, especially on , we want to give much-deserved👏to the team at . This team helped relaunch last summer, and their creative magic has found its way into a variety of change-agent brands, companies doing purpose-driven work, and fellow woman-led businesses. 🙌🙌🙌

07/03/2020

🇩🇪 Cheers to the weekend, or in German - Prost! 🍻

06/03/2020

🇻🇳 We love hearing our clients are happy with their trip; thank you David and Aviva for sharing your experience with us! We can't wait to help you plan your next trip to Asia. "Mary planned an absolutely killer trip for my wife and I to Cambodia & Vietnam last year this time. We placed ourselves entirely in Mary's hands, esp for the Vietnam part, and are so glad we did. Will def hire Mary again!"

04/03/2020

☀️ A view worth hiking for ~ Malibu, California @ Malibu, California

03/03/2020

The global impact of the Coronavirus is being felt in many facets of our lives, including travel. We’ve received many requests for resources and advice, and want to pass along the following blog post that details useful resources to help you evaluate the situation and what it means for your travel plans. Please keep in mind that the situation is evolving daily, so I recommend you stay aware, stay informed and stay calm.

In the past few weeks there has been a lot of questions and dialog about Coronavirus, and the risks and impact on travel. And rightly so; anytime there is a health situation that impacts a global community of people, it gets our attention.

25/02/2020

Dear New Orleans: we love your energy, your amazing food, the warmth of your community and live music, and can’t wait to return. Enjoy celebrating Fat Tuesday! XOXOX, Living Big Travel

24/02/2020

✨The Living Big Travel DREAM TEAM✨ Welcome Ruby, Nicole and Sammy to the team! Learn more about the team of women helping bring your adventures to life: https://www.livingbigtravel.com/our-team

18/02/2020

14/02/2020

L.O.V.E. is all around in NYC’s and neighborhoods. (And lots of ❤️ to for creating !) @ Mercado Little Spain

13/02/2020

🌇To combat that small strip of light that wakes you at the crack of dawn....

11/02/2020

If not, we're going to try and tempt you :)

Our team of blog contributors is growing by one! Please meet our newest contributor, Sammy, who backpacked for six months through South America!

“At 21 I packed up my life into two backpacks and set off for a trip of a lifetime! I am thrilled I chose South America as my destination for my first backpacking trip, from the weather to the people and unbelievable landscapes. I did my best to sum up my top five favorite things about traveling through South America and I hope it inspires you to consider it for your next trip! Saludos (Cheers) - Sammy."

Read her top five: https://bit.ly/38iTpsh

06/02/2020

🇮🇸 When the Icelandic vibes of meet Portland at the new restaurant at . @ KEX Portland

24/01/2020

🍻Cheers to the weekend! Or 'chone gaow' as you’d say in Thailand 🇹🇭, while drinking something to keep you cool, or a Singha or Chang beer to help with the delicious (but often SPICY!) street food!