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Soaking in the colors and culture of Hoi An, Vietnam where every corner feels like a postcard and every lantern tells a story.
As we get older, the idea of "adventure" starts to look a little different. Our Gen-X bodies may not be as eager to hike to the top of a volcano, trek through a jungle, or throw ourselves out of an airplane. But that doesn’t mean our thirst for adventure has to fade.
For us, adventure has evolved. It might now mean immersing ourselves in a new culture, learning how to cook local dishes, strolling leisurely through beautiful cities, or renting a Tuscan villa and simply soaking in the sights, sounds, food, and people. Maybe it's a combination of both wild and crazy adventures mixed with slower-paced, relaxing experiences. But adventure isn’t always about heart-pounding, death-defying feats, it’s about discovering new places, meeting new people, and embracing the moments that make travel meaningful.
I think, as we age, comfort, simplicity, and a touch of luxury rise to the top of the list when it comes to travel. And let’s face it, we’ve earned it, right? Now’s the time to reward ourselves, not just with travel, but with travel that’s done right, with comfort and confidence.
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The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, where luxury meets whimsy by the sea.
We might not always have the means to pay for first-class tickets or stay at Ritz-Carlton hotels at every stop. But that doesn’t mean we have to settle for a youth hostel or budget motel. Teresa and I have found a way to approach our trips with a “High/Low” mentality. Maybe we splurge on a couple of special experiences, like a luxurious hotel, an upgraded flight, or a memorable meal. Then, we balance it out with more budget-friendly options for the rest of the trip.
To us, "luxury" isn’t defined by price. It’s about intention. We’ve stayed in budget accommodations that ended up being cleaner, more comfortable, and more welcoming than some so-called “luxury” hotels. Give me a clean, well-priced Marriott over an old, overpriced five-star hotel with more history than comfort any day. Sometimes, it’s the little things, like knowing we’ve made smart choices with our budget, that make a trip feel truly luxurious.
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The calm before the flight. Emirates Lounge access is one of those small luxuries that makes a huge difference when traveling long haul.
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Settling into Emirates Business Class on the iconic A380 champagne in hand, lie-flat seat ready, and every mile worth it.
A big part of how we make this kind of luxury travel possible is through smart loyalty programs. Airline status, hotel loyalty points, and of course, the almighty points and miles are key tools in our arsenal.
Now, I won’t go too deep into the world of points and miles here, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. Over the years, we’ve stayed in Marriott hotels for over 720 nights, which has earned us “Lifetime Platinum Elite” status. This gives us amazing perks like complimentary upgrades, lounge access with free food and drinks, and guaranteed late check-out (that 4:00 p.m. check-out at Marriott is gold, trust me).
We also keep at least Gold, if not Platinum, status with Delta. Although it’s getting harder each year, the perks, lounge access, free checked bags, and priority boarding are worth the effort. These status levels come with some great benefits, and I’ll definitely be diving deeper into that in a future post. But for now, just know that these perks make a world of difference when it comes to making luxury travel more accessible.
Speaking of luxury, we recently had the chance to fly Emirates Business Class for the first time, from Singapore to Dubai, and then from Dubai to Los Angeles. We flew on the iconic A380, and let me tell you, it was everything I had hoped for based on all the YouTube reviews I’d watched. And, yes, that experience deserves its own post, but for now, let me just say: it was worth every point and mile we used.
The total cash value of those flights (more than 23 hours in the air) was over $10,000, but we paid just a couple hundred dollars thanks to points and miles. For us, that’s the beauty of points: when you accumulate them wisely, you can enjoy premium experiences at a fraction of the cost.
Of course, I’m already eyeing the amazing First-Class products from airlines like Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Qatar, and Air France. I’m hooked. I wish I had unlimited points to experience those opulent cabins, but alas, they don’t fly routes that serve the U.S. (yet). Still, there are plenty of great options out there when we can’t get caviar and champagne at 40,000 feet.
Would I ever buy a First-Class ticket? Probably not. I’ve never done it, and I don’t plan to. But if we get an upgrade on Delta due to our status, that’s a nice bonus. We don’t spend money on premium cabins, but with points, we can enjoy them without the hefty price tag.
And sure, there will always be times when we need to fly on budget airlines like Ryan Air or EasyJet, especially for short hops around Europe. We've done it countless times. While they are no-frills, budget airlines, they’re perfect for getting from one place to another quickly and affordably. These low-cost carriers allow you to experience more countries in a single trip, which is one of the things we love most about Europe.
Leveraging low-cost carriers for maximum value is something I’ll dive into in a future post, so stay tuned for that. But for now, just know that budget travel doesn’t mean sacrificing adventure, it means finding clever ways to make the most of what you have.
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Pizza, sunshine, and cobblestone streets, we found our version of heaven in the heart of Rome.
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Wandering through Piazza della Repubblica in Florence where every step feels like a scene from a storybook.
At the end of the day, adventure looks different for each of us. It doesn’t have to be about extreme, adrenaline-pumping experiences. It’s about embracing the travel experiences that fit your style. Whether that means a comfortable flight, a stunning villa stay, or the joy of trying new foods in a bustling market. For us, travel is about balance: a little luxury, a little simplicity, and a lot of memories.
Adventure is what you make of it, no matter your age.