Travel has been at the heart of our lives for more than 20 years. Since our first round-the-world journey in 2005, we’ve travelled independently through more than 100 countries, lived abroad and experienced many different ways of exploring the world. Along the way, we’ve learned that the most rewarding journeys aren’t always the ones that go exactly to plan.
For us, travel is about curiosity, getting outside our comfort zone and being open to what we find along the way.
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Travel beyond the obvious
We’re naturally drawn to places that offer something different — whether that’s a lesser-known region, a local market, a mountain trail, a road trip through the countryside or simply a conversation with someone who sees the world differently.
We’ve visited many of the world’s famous destinations, but we’re often just as interested in what lies beyond them.
Travelling away from the busiest tourist routes can lead to more authentic experiences, fewer crowds and a better connection with the people and places we visit. It can also help spread the benefits of tourism beyond the destinations that already receive the most visitors.
Travel that challenges us
Some of our favourite travel experiences have come from doing things that initially felt unfamiliar. Living in different countries, learning new languages, travelling for months at a time and adapting to different cultures have all taught us to be more flexible and open-minded.
Travel doesn’t have to be about constantly ticking places off a list. Sometimes the most valuable part of a journey is simply learning to see things from a different perspective.
Slow, independent and more thoughtful travel
Over the years, our approach to travel has evolved. We still love adventure, road trips, hiking and discovering somewhere new, but we also appreciate the value of slowing down. Spending more time in one place, using local businesses, travelling by train or other forms of public transport when practical, and choosing experiences that connect us with local communities can make a journey more meaningful.
We’re not perfect travellers, and we don’t believe there is a single right way to travel. But we try to be more conscious of the choices we make and the impact they can have on the environment, local communities and the places we visit.
Supporting local places and communities
One of the things we’ve noticed repeatedly during our travels is how concentrated tourism can become. A handful of famous destinations can receive huge numbers of visitors while equally fascinating regions nearby remain largely overlooked.
Whenever possible, we like to look beyond the obvious and highlight places that deserve more attention. Staying in locally owned accommodation, eating at independent restaurants, working with local guides and exploring less-visited areas are simple ways travellers can help spread tourism more widely. And from our experience, these choices often lead to some of the most memorable journeys.
Travel is still about curiosity
Ultimately, that’s what keeps us travelling. We’re still curious about what’s around the next corner, what a place is like beyond its main sights and what we can learn from the people we meet.
Thinking Nomads is about sharing that curiosity — encouraging you to travel independently, explore beyond the obvious and experience the world with an open mind.