A few of our favourite moments

Each destination you visit has something wonderful and unique to offer. Although some places are more special than others, if you battle to find something memorable at each location you need to ask yourself why you are bothering to travel.

If you wander off the traditional tourist paths, speak to the locals, or step back into a corner quietly observing all around you, you will easily find the treasures in this new terrain or culture.

Having said that, there are always a few standout moments you often recall – especially when you are witnessing some corporate chaos in a difficult meeting during your nine to five job. Everyone else is arguing and pushing their agenda, and you can sit back and think about a different world, silently smiling about the experience – good, bad and just bizarre.

Here is a list of five of our favourite things from our travels:

1. Sipping a pint in the local pub

Regardless of your personal preference, from a Guinness to a cappuccino, slowly sipping a drink in an Irish pub (in Ireland) and listening to the local banter is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. It is like looking through a window into a stranger’s community and understanding what it would be like if this were home.

Read more about our time in Ireland and the benefits of travelling to an English-speaking country here.

2. Stolen moments during tours

There are many benefits to taking an organised tour. You can often avoid long queues, and quickly access fascinating facts about your location. However, every once in a while you get the opportunity to separate yourself from your tour group and have a quiet moment to yourself. One such moment was on tour in Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia, Argentina while cruising the lake viewing glaciers. The cold was too much for most, and while they were all inside warming up, there was a chance to take in the serene magnificence of nature.

Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina

3. Lost in translation

Waiting for a good while at the station for the overnight train from Cairo to Luxor (Egypt), our guide suddenly started shouting ‘yalla, yalla’ (hurry up) after an Arabic announcement. The powers that be had decided that the train we were waiting for would now be directed to another platform, just as it was coming in. All us ridiculously over-packed tourists needed to grab our wheelie suitcases holding them awkwardly and start dashing down and upstairs, through the tunnel over broken and wet concrete to get to the other side of the station. It was very clear that having a local tour guide can make or break your travels in Eqypt if you don’t read or speak Arabic. You will get lost in translation.

Abu Simbel, Eqypt

4. The first time you enter St Peter's

We say the first time you enter St Peter's Basilica (Vatican City) because you will keep being drawn back to this phenomenal place. Nothing can prepare you for the first time you enter this majestic place of worship. It takes your breath away. Entering the colossal doors, the size and grandeur of the interior is overwhelming. You can spend hours here looking at the all the wonders, from Michelangelo’s well-known Pietà to the intricate tiling designs on the floors.

The passageway as you leave St Peter's Basilica

5. Lessons on life and love

Merida (Yucatan) was one of the cities we visited when touring Mexico. Soon after checking in at our hotel we walked down the street and selected a very mundane looking restaurant from the exterior. Being mid-afternoon and between meal times we were the only patrons in the entire place. As your eyes adjusted to the dark but ornate interior, you could see that the collection on display had been collected and cherished over many years, each item with a story behind it.

The restaurateur, Alberto, led us to a wonderful courtyard and was quick to bring us a large jug of cool Sangria. After asking us about our travels and upcoming wedding, Alberto shared his views on love, marriage and life. It was a special moment we will never forget - we hope to go back one day to let him know what an impact he made.

Note: having started writing this post we have realised how many special moments there are making it difficult to choose just a few. So watch this space for more of our favourite moments coming soon.