Welcome to Two Empty Passports!
We are Robyn & Gavin, Slow Travel Experts trying to experience as much of this world as we can… one passport stamp at a time!
Traveling With Pain
You might be wondering why we decided to start a travel blog now, when the internet seems saturated with travel blogs and writers. But after reading A LOT of blogs, we realized, people are not like us.
Years ago, I was hit by a drunk driver. The accident left me with chronic back pain, sciatica, and fibromyalgia. These conditions require a lot of attention, rest, consistency, and rehabilitation. My pain affects every aspect of my life, including how I travel.
Living with this much pain can also be incredibly draining and frustrating. This is why I created the Rant & Rave section of the blog. Feel free to peruse my pain confessions and follow me on my journey!
Over the years, our travel style has changed to accommodate my chronic pain and fatigue, which impedes my mobility. Nevertheless, we want to have as many unique travel experiences as possible. I am determined to follow my dream of travel for as long as I can!
Gavin and I have a “no regrets” philosophy about life and approach our travel in the exact same way.
We are always planning our next big trip, which includes copious amounts of research on new destinations. Surprisingly, it is difficult to find relevant information that matches our travel style, limited time frame, budget, and most importantly, that fits with my physical limitations.
Enter: Two Empty Passports
Obviously, I am not the only person to live with chronic pain and fatigue, nor to travel with it. Nevertheless, I know that pain can hold you back from doing what you love. But it doesn’t have to!
We wanted to make sure everyone, including working professionals and those who live with chronic pain, can and should, travel the world. It is not impossible.
We know how to adapt travel plans to fit physical limitations and still get the most out of a destination within a limited time frame. After exploring 42 countries for 10 years together, we want to share what we learned.
So… we created Two Empty Passports to share our thoughts about the amazing destinations we fell in love with, the ones we struggled through and those we yearn to explore to one day!
Our goal is to provide useful planning and travel tips, interesting travel guides and detailed itineraries to countries around the world.
And for those of you that travel with chronic pain like I do… we felt it was essential to provide realistic and helpful tips on how to manage your pain while exploring this amazing world!
Most importantly, we hope our experiences and stories will inspire others to follow their own dreams and live a life of travel and passion, with no regrets!
Our Story in a Nutshell
We met while teaching at the same school in Canada, while both going through a divorce. We hit it off early and decided to spend the summer exploring beautiful British Columbia together.
One afternoon, we headed into town for lunch. Having traveled to Europe on my first trip abroad, I was constantly talking about my desire to visit there again. Before we knew it… we had finished our lunch, walked into a travel agency next door (how convenient, right) and booked 2 tickets to Germany for the very next day! What?!
It was a very memorable and romantic 3-week trip! We rode the Eurail throughout Germany and Italy, eventually ending up on the Amalfi Coast. If you can manage to travel together 24 hours a day… it must be true love!
Since 2012, we have explored 40 countries together. We lived the expat life for two years while teaching in China and then Malaysia, where we fell head over heels in love with Southeast Asia.
Then, we returned home and continued our teaching careers in Canada. Our sincere love for travel has taken us throughout Western Europe, Latin America, South America, and finally to Africa!
In 2017, with 20 family and friends, we got married in Italy, on the Amalfi Coast. It was absolutely breathtaking!
We are so excited to share our travel experiences with you… the good, the bad, and the ugly. We promise not to leave anything out!
Where We Have Been
We have traveled to 42 countries, lived in 3 countries, and visited 5 of the 7 continents.
Our yearly travels include 6 weeks of exploring a new country or region of the world, as well as a few weekend getaways in Canada, our home base, throughout the year.
We have a lot of info and experiences to share on the following destinations.
Asia
After living, teaching, and traveling in Asia for nearly 2 years, this incredible region has a special place in our hearts. There is something truly magical, over the top, and all-encompassing about Asia. And we can’t wait to go back!
🌏Cambodia – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
🌏China – Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshou, Guilin, Xian, Qingdao
*We lived in China while teaching at an International School in Qingdao in 2013-2014
🌏Hong Kong and Macau
🌏Indonesia – Bali – Depensar, Seminyak, Kuta Selatan, Ubud, Amed, Uluwatu, Sanur, Nusa Dua
🌏Japan – Tokyo, Hamamatsu, Nara, Wazuka, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Magome, Tsumago-Juku, Yamanouchi, Nagano, Azumino Wasabi, Matsumoto, Takayama, Shirakowa-Go, Toyama, Tadaya, Nagoya, Hakone, Mount Fuji, Gotema, Atami, Yokohama
🌏Laos – Luang Prabang
🌏Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Kuantan, Langkawi, Penang, Johur, Kota Kinabalu, Sebuyau, Kuching
*We lived in Malaysia while teaching at an International School in Kuala Lumpur in 2014-2015
🌏Singapore
🌏South Korea – Seoul
🌏Thailand – Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Ko Lanta, Erawan National Park
🌏Vietnam – Ho Chi Ming City, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Phu Quoc, Ha Tien
Living in China and Malaysia completely opened our eyes to the complexities, struggles, and triumphs of these two countries. This experience solidified our values and deepened our passion for exploring as much of this magnificent world as we can.
Asian Highlights
✔️temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
✔️speaking with monks in Laos
✔️cruising Ha Long Bay in Vietnam
✔️breathtaking Uluwatu Temple in Bali
✔️incredible Grand Palace in Bangkok
✔️mind-blowing chaos of Kuala Lumpur
✔️incredible Great Wall of China
Europe
Ahhh, Europe. We love so many things about this corner of the world – history, art, castles, squares, architecture, delicious wine…. we could go on and on! Plus, some of the best hidden gems we have discovered are in Europe.
Our first trip together was to Italy, and we fell deeply in love with everything Italian. Five years later, we got married on the Amalfi Coast and honeymooned in Tuscany. Can’t wait to share more on that later.
🌍Austria – Vienna
🌍Belgium – Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Ypres
🌍Czech Republic – Marianske Lazne, Prague, Terezin, Cesky Krumlov, Hulboco, Telc, Valtice, Mikulov, Lednice, Olomouc, Kutna Hora
🌍France – Paris, Versailles, Lille, Strasbourg, Metz, Colmar, Alsace Wine Region, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Eguisheim
🌍Germany – Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich
🌍Greece – Athens, Stemnitsa, Dimitsana, Lagkadia, Zygovisti, Mani Coast, Areopoli, Diros, Limeni, Greek Islands (Santorini, Crete, Sifnos, Milos)
🌍Hungary – Budapest, Szentendre, Eger
🌍Italy – Rome, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Pisa, Vatican City, Amalfi Coast (Vietri Sul Mare, Maiori, Ravello, Minori, Amalfi, Salerno), Puglia (Martina Franca, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Torre Dell’Orso, Marina di Novaglie, Lecce, Otranto, San Di Luece, Matera), Tuscany (Florence, Chianti, Gambassi Terme, San Gimignano, Volterra, Certaldo, Siena, Val d’Orcia, Cortona, Assisi, Ravenna)
*We have spent over 3 months in Italy and got married on the Amalfi Coast in 2017
🌍Luxembourg
🌍Malta – Valletta, Three Cities, Mgarr ix-Xini, Ramla, Victoria, Gozo, Dwerja Bay, Xlendi Bay, Mdina, Rabat, Popeye’s Village, Golden Bay, Dingli, Camino, Marsaxlokk, St. Julian’s Bay
🌍Netherlands – Delft, Gouda, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrect, Vollendam, Leiden, Kinderijk, Dordrecht
🌍Portugal – Lisbon, Sintra
🌍San Marino
🌍Slovakia – Bratislava, Roznava, Levoca, Banska Stiavnica
🌍Spain – Barcelona, Madrid, La Alberca, Bilbao
🌍UK – London, Lingfield
European Highlights
✔️canal towns of the Netherlands
✔️storybook villages of the Alsace
✔️the islands of Sifnos & Milos
✔️architecture & ruins bar in Budapest
✔️every single art museum in Paris
✔️getting married in beautiful Ravello
✔️romantic historic center of Cortona
Central & South America
We have only scratched the surface of Latin & South America but thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people, learning the language, and experiencing the various cultures in this unique part of the world.
🌍Bolivia – La Paz, Sucre, Santa Cruz, Amboro National Park
🌍Costa Rica – San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Liberia, Tamarindo, Manual Antonio
🌍Dominican Republic – Samana
🌍Guatemala – Guatemala, Rio Dulce, Flores, Panajachel, Antigua, San Pedro La Laguna, Quetzaltenango, San Marcos
🌍Honduras – San Pedro Sula, Copan Ruins
🌍Peru – Cusco, Lima, Urubamba, Pisac, Machu Picchu, Punta Sal
*We spent 2 months in Peru while learning Spanish in Cusco in 2018
Central & South American Highlights
✔️ziplining in Monteverde Cloud Forest
✔️hiking Amboro National Park
✔️Witches Market & Moon Valley in La Paz
✔️touring Machu Picchu in a rainstorm
✔️studying Spanish in historic Cusco
✔️humpback whales off the coast in Punta Sal
✔️visiting the Copan Ruins in Honduras
Africa
In 2019, just before the pandemic, we finally made it to Africa and crossed a huge item off our bucket list! Namibia quickly catapulted itself to the top of our favorites list.
Africa left its mark on us, and we have been yearning to return ever since.
🌍Egypt – Cairo, Alexandria, Siwa, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh
🌍Namibia – Windhoek, Otijwarongo, Etosha, Omaruru, Henties Bay, Swakompund, Solitaire, Sesrium, Sossuslvei
🌍Zambia – Livingstone
🌍Zimbabwae – Victoria Falls
African Highlights
✔️sailing the Zambezi River during sunset
✔️ viewing Victoria Falls from Zambia & Zimbabwe
✔️the most unique landscapes in Namibia
✔️best safari ever! Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras…
North America
Our most recent adventure was an incredible North American road trip with our dog, Leonardo. Starting from our home in Alberta, Canada, we drove through the USA and toured Mexico for 6 months… and back!
🌎Canada – British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories
🌍Mexico – South: Bacalar, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Cancun, Merida, Ciudad Del Carmen, Villahermosa, Manzanillo, Ixtapa, Acapulco, Huatulco, Tonala, Tapachula
🌍Mexico – Central: Cholula, Puebla, Atlixco, Cuernavaca, Mexico City, Pachuca, Huasca de Ocampo, Mineral Del Monte, Tepotzotlan, Santiago de Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, Bernal, Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Morelia, Mazamitla, Ajijic, Chapala, Guadalajara, Mascota, San Sebastian, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Lo de Marcos
🌍Mexico – Northern: Mazatlan, Culiacan, Los Mochis, Hermosillo, Guaymas, San Carlos, Nogales
*We spent 6 months living and traveling around Mexico in 2022
🌎United States of America – Washington, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, District of Columbia, Virginia, Illinois, Montana, Florida
North American Highlights
✔️discovering Pueblo Magicos in Mexico
✔️swimming the Yucatán cenotes
✔️incredible Zion National Park in Utah
✔️driving through Las Vegas
✔️wandering Montreal’s historic center
✔️amazing landscapes of Vancouver Island
✔️skiing in the Rocky Mountains
And yes, we have done all of this while continuing to teach, and with that annoying chronic pain and fibromyalgia I told you about earlier.
So, how do we do it?
The Excitement of Planning!
Actually, we LOVE planning every aspect of our travel adventures!
For us, it is crucial that we have a trip to look forward to during the year while we are teaching. Whether that’s a weekend getaway in our own beautiful country, or our big trip that we take each summer. We are always on the hunt for new destinations and cultures to explore.
When researching and planning our trips, there are a few key aspects we focus on:
- cost of travel within the country
- length of time to stay in each place
- best form of transportation
- sights do we want to explore
- any mobility challenges to consider
- impact on my overall comfort level
It can be challenging for us to find all the necessary information online, especially with regards to how certain activities and sights will impact my pain and fatigue.
One big reason we decided to create this blog was to make it easier for travelers, professionals, and individuals who live with pain or have limited mobility, to find this information… all in one place! After a lot of mistakes, I have learned what is needed when planning a trip with chronic pain and I need to share them!
For each trip we take, we create extensive itineraries that focus on each of these aspects. We hope sharing them will bring you as much joy and adventure as they brought us! Please check out our Destinations Page for detailed travel guides and itineraries.
Where We’ve Been Featured
We have been lucky enough to be featured in a few articles. Here is where you can find us!
Medium Magazine – Travel & Personal Growth: How Traveling Can Help Us Become Better Human Beings
ShoutOut Arizona – Meet Robyn/blogger
Tracking Happiness – How Robyn Thrives Despite Dealing With Anxiety and Chronic Fatigue
So… What’s Next?
For us… that means planning our next trip and adding new posts to our site! For you, well… hopefully, we provided you with a little background on ourselves, and some inspiration to help you start, or continue, exploring this fantastic world.
Want help planning a trip that aligns with your travel style, head to our Travel Planning Services.
Curious about my journey through pain, then the Rant & Rave section is for you! Get ready for some sarcasm and humor.
Ready to start planning your next adventure?! Then check out our Travel Tips section to get started.
Otherwise, head straight to our Destinations page and let your heart guide your exploration!
Stay in Touch
If you would like to contact us or have questions about any travel topic, we would love to hear from you.
Please go to the Contact Us page found in the top menu bar, or click this link. Although we will always reply to your email, please note that it may take several days for a response, we are teachers after all.
If you are interested in receiving updates on new posts or learning more about our travels, please join our FREE NEWSLETTER!
