Accommodations, Tours, Nomads, Planning Kevin Hoctor Accommodations, Tours, Nomads, Planning Kevin Hoctor

How We Decide What’s Actually Worth It When We Travel

Ep.193 Every 'yes' in travel is actually a 'no' to something else. Some tradeoffs look simple, but after years of full-time travel, we’ve learned that the most famous experiences aren't always the right ones. In this video, we’re sharing the internal process we use to decide what’s actually worth it. It’s impossible to see everything. So how do you choose what matters?

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Food, Tours, Culture, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor Food, Tours, Culture, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor

I’ve been wrong for 63 years

Ep.192 They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. After 63 years, Kevin was convinced that was true. Then we went to Nelson, New Zealand. We didn't go for the epic views or the famous peaks. We went to see what it felt like to actually slow down for 15 days. What followed was a series of unexpected moments, from a discovery in a local factory to finding a community that held us through a difficult loss.

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Tours, Accommodations, Food Kevin Hoctor Tours, Accommodations, Food Kevin Hoctor

Is Rotorua, New Zealand Just a Stop for Hobbiton?

Ep.191 Most travelers treat Rotorua as a quick stop on the way to Hobbiton, but is that a mistake? We slowed down to experience the geothermal landscapes, Māori culture, and the town’s deeper history as the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand. Instead of zip lining or spa hopping, we chose meaningful moments to see what staying actually feels like.

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Tours, Food, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor Tours, Food, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor

Why Auckland Deserves More Than a Stopover

Ep.190 Most travelers rush through Auckland, but we discovered there’s far more here than meets the eye. During our nine days in the city, we found wild coastlines, meaningful cultural experiences, and small everyday moments that completely reshaped how we saw New Zealand’s biggest city. If you’re considering a trip here (and we hope you do!), we share what we spent at the end.

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Tours, Culture, Food, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor Tours, Culture, Food, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor

We Almost Skipped Tasmania… BIG Mistake

Ep.187 Tasmania wasn’t originally part of our Australia plan. It’s an island off the mainland, and honestly, we just didn’t know much about it going in. But once we started learning about its history—especially Port Arthur—we knew it was a place we wanted to experience for ourselves. This was the version of Australia we hoped to find!

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Tours, Food, Culture, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor Tours, Food, Culture, Accommodations Kevin Hoctor

Why Melbourne Feels Different Than Sydney

Ep.185 Melbourne surprised us in ways we didn’t expect. It wasn’t through landmarks or highlights, but through how the city actually works and feels. In this video, we share what stood out most, the moments that changed how we experienced the city, and what we learned by paying attention to daily life, people, and place. If you’re curious about Melbourne beyond the checklist, this is our honest take.

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Health, Tours, Nomads Kevin Hoctor Health, Tours, Nomads Kevin Hoctor

This Week Didn’t Go as Planned

Ep.176 Sometimes travel doesn’t go the way you plan…and not for the reasons you expect. We finally made it to one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, a place I’ve dreamed of seeing for years, and let’s just say, the week didn’t unfold quite the way we imagined. In this episode, we talk about the not-so-glamorous side of full-time travel, how we handle the curveballs that come with life on the road, and the small shift we’re making in next year’s plans because of it.

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Food, Tours, Culture Kevin Hoctor Food, Tours, Culture Kevin Hoctor

The Most Beautiful Town in Bosnia You’ve Never Heard Of

Ep.173 Mostar, in Herzegovina, is often called Bosnia’s most beautiful city. It looks like a postcard, but the layers run deeper. It’s often a day trip, but we decided to stay a week. There was so much we had to discover about its beauty, its history, its people, and traditions. We didn’t just visit Mostar. We tried to understand it — and we’d love for you to come along.

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Tours, Food, Culture Kevin Hoctor Tours, Food, Culture Kevin Hoctor

The Most Famous Mountain in Armenia Isn’t Even There

What happens when a country’s most famous symbol isn’t even within its borders? We spent two weeks in Yerevan, Armenia chasing Mount Ararat, the country’s national symbol and the mountain tied to Noah’s Ark. Along the way, we explored the city’s pink-stone streets, its food and markets, the Cascade Complex, and the moving Genocide Memorial. Our search took us outside the city to the Arch of Charents, Garni Temple, the volcanic cliffs of the Symphony of Stones, and the rock-hewn Geghard Monastery.

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Nomads, Packing, Money, Tours Kevin Hoctor Nomads, Packing, Money, Tours Kevin Hoctor

We traveled 1000 days straight. These are our top 10 lessons

Ep.169 After 1000 days in a row on the road, we stopped chasing a checklist and started listening for the story each place wants to show us. In this episode, we share the ten small rules that changed how we travel—simple shifts that make trips calmer, easier, and more memorable. They’ll work whether you have a long weekend, two months, or are a full-time traveler. See what changed and how you can use these ideas on your next trip.

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Tours, Accommodations, Culture Kevin Hoctor Tours, Accommodations, Culture Kevin Hoctor

Is Gozo Worth Visiting? Here’s What We Found

Ep.161 Gozo is often described as quieter and slower than Malta’s main island, and that made us almost skip it. But we’re so glad we didn’t. We take you along for two day trips—one with our daughter (featuring a detour to the Blue Lagoon and Comino) and one just the two of us. We’ll show you how we got around, what made the biggest impression, and why some retirees are choosing to live here.

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Accommodations, Tours, Food, Culture Kevin Hoctor Accommodations, Tours, Food, Culture Kevin Hoctor

Is Malta Europe’s Most Overlooked Destination?

Ep.160 Malta may look like a sunny beach escape, but we included it in our travels because it’s so much more. We spent a month here and uncovered ancient sites, sacred traditions, and small daily joys that took us by surprise. From a 5,000-year-old underground temple to a powerful religious procession, we’re sharing what we spent, where we stayed, and whether Malta might just be Europe’s most overlooked cultural treasure.

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Tours, Accommodations, Culture Kevin Hoctor Tours, Accommodations, Culture Kevin Hoctor

Mexico City: Ruins. Murals. Guac?!

Ep.156 We came for the tacos… and stayed for the pyramids, the hidden murals, and the deep history of Mexico City. There was so much we didn’t know before we arrived — but this sprawling, fascinating city had layers to uncover at every turn. In this episode, we share our personal highlights: where to stay, how to get around (with mobility ratings), what surprised us most, and exactly what we spent during our two-week stay.

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Tours, Accommodations, Food Kevin Hoctor Tours, Accommodations, Food Kevin Hoctor

San Miguel de Allende 🇲🇽 We Didn’t See THIS Coming!

Ep.155 We arrived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico just in time for a 400-year-old festival and left completely enchanted. In this video, we explore the art, history, and hidden layers that make this city unforgettable. From rooftop views and revolutionary roots to indigenous traditions still alive today, San Miguel surprised us at every turn. We’ll show you what moved us most, share mobility tips, and break down exactly what we spent.

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Tours, Accommodations, Food Judy Hoctor Tours, Accommodations, Food Judy Hoctor

Two Day Trips, One Big Lesson: A Costa Rica Travel Story

Ep.153 Costa Rica’s one of those places you picture in your head—wild jungles, crashing waves, colorful creatures. Why did we base ourselves in the capital city of San José and was that a mistake? That question led to two day trips, and one big lesson we didn’t see coming.  In this video, we’ll share what surprised us, what we would do differently next time, the unforgettable places we explored—and how much it all cost.

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Tours, Accommodations, Culture Judy Hoctor Tours, Accommodations, Culture Judy Hoctor

Valparaiso and Viña del Mare Shocked Us with their Coastal Beauty | Chile Travel Guide

Ep.151 These two coastal cities sit side by side — close in distance, but very different in feel. Valparaíso is colorful, creative, a little gritty, a little chaotic, but packed with charm and history. Viña del Mar is more relaxed and polished, with palm trees and long beaches and a little bit flatter, if you want to kick back and relax.

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