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OFF-BEAT DIY TRAVEL + AFFORDABLE LUXURY

Two Carry-ons
One Bucket List

Hi, we’re Shal & James — your go-to for off-beat DIY travel adventures, quirky facts, and guides packed with detail and indulgence. 

 

If your dream trip involves sipping sunset cocktails and  kayaking through emerald coves, you’ve just found your people. This blog is your go-to guide for travel that’s equal parts adventure and indulgence — where historical gems, jaw-dropping landscapes, and unforgettable local eats collide with boutique hotels, private guides, and affordable luxury.

We’re here to help you ditch the cookie-cutter tours and discover the world like a savvy insider — without sacrificing comfort or blowing your savings. Think immersive, slow travel with a splash of style: the kind of journey where you can hike to a hidden temple by day and crash into a plush bed by night.

Because real travel doesn’t mean roughing it or going full digital nomad — it means knowing when to splurge, when to save, and how to make every moment (and £ € $) count. Expect entertaining travel diaries, honest advice, actionable itineraries and a few AI-powered hacks to make your own planning easier.

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DIY DOURO VALLEY FROM PORTO

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Our Travel Bucket List

We want to go everywhere (of course), but here’s what’s currently topping our ever-growing travel bucket list—packed with "once in a lifetime" adventures, UNESCO gems, and a splash of indulgence. We hope our bucket list provides you travel inspiration to dream big, roam far, and follow along as we tick them off one by one!

About Us

Shalon and James on their hotel balcony during 2 days in Lake Bled

Hi! We’re Shal and James, travel-obsessed couple, adventure co-conspirators, and affordable luxury enthusiasts.

 

For 15 years, we’ve been on a mission to explore the world in style — 48 trips, 29 countries, 82 UNESCO sites and counting.

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