Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent

by Anne Howard

Written by the founders of HoneyTrek.com, this inspiring book reveals hidden-gem destinations and insider tips for unforgettable couples travel.

In these informative pages, Mike and Anne Howard--officially the World's Longest Honeymooners and founders of the acclaimed travel blog HoneyTrek--whisk you away to journeys of a lifetime. Drawing on their experience traveling together across seven continents, they curate the globe and offer tested-and-approved recommendations for intrepid couples, bringing culture, adventure, and romance to any couple--no matter their age or budget.

Chapters are organized by type of destination (for example, beaches, mountains, and deserts) to help travelers discover new places and experiences based on their interests. Each entry focuses on a specific region, getting to the essence of each locale and its one-of-a-kind offerings. The authors reveal the best time to visit, the best places to stay, and recommended activities--each with their own adventure rating to illustrate level of intensity. Special features include funny and insightful stories from the Howards' own adventures, expert advice from other renowned traveling couples, and tips to increase the romance and excitement at each destination. A large map shows every location covered in the book, and each entry has a locator map depicting the city and country. Both entertaining and informative, this book is an invaluable resource and inspiration for a lifetime of travel.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2017

Reviews

[Joshua Samuel Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lao Tzu famously wrote "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."

“Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent” is a unique contribution to the travel genre, resembling more a Choose Your Own Adventure book than a traditional travel guide. The authors describe themselves as “serial adventurers,” and after long years on the road myself, I agree with their advice of “plan less, get more.”

This is not a series of the oh-so-popular low-hanging fruit of listicles. Rather, it’s a series of suggestions for experiences crafted from the couple’s own journeys around the globe. From the Antarctic Peninsula to Western Greenland, the Mekong Delta to Galapagos, the couple have traveled by air and sea, crossed deserts, mountains and jungles, and even engaged in a bit of supernatural travel to keep things unusual.

I particularly liked the second-person tone of the book. Though the authors are accomplished travel writers, their writing doesn’t come across in the traditional “where we went and what we did when we got there” tone. Rather, it feels more like two friends stopping over for the weekend to chat travel over a bottle of wine. Part of this has to do with the layout, which is done not strictly by geography, but by passion subdivided into various places where said passions are best pursued. Mountains to oceans, jungles to temples, with a great deal in between.

The book is filled with useful travel information ranging from general tips on packing to more specific destination-based tips like cash vs. Credit cards, the ideal seasons to visit various places, stuff like that. Changing seasons are factored into their advice as the authors organize ideal destinations by the ideal month to visit them.

The authors also factor in different preferences by featuring other traveling couples in each chapter. YouTube stars, bloggers and other travel journalists and fellow nomads share their favorite activities for the reader to consider adding to their own itinery. Though written specifically to help other couples get the most out of travelling together (perhaps in the spirit of the old Africa proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,”) solo travelers will find this book inspirational, educational and fun to read.

[Erica Keckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard this couple interviewed on a travel podcast, so I had an idea of how their book was arranged. I really love their thought process! Rather than focusing on the names of places (and purposely avoiding mentioning famous cities you’re likely to find on your own), they offer experiences off the beaten path that are much more immersive. In addition to providing inspiration and, of course, beautiful pictures, they also offer practical tips and resources. I can see referring to this book again and again for ideas. It’s very well done.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my dreams I would do every single trip in this book. But since neither money nor constitution allows, I travel vicariously. The photos are beautiful, the suggested trips sound intriguing.
My one beef: I know you can't go everywhere on a dream vacation, but some awesome destinations were excluded. I guess that's for my own further research.

[Kevintipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is an airline based here that has a market slogan built around the idea “want to get away?” If you do, Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent might be the way to plan. Written by Mike and Anne Howard, creators of honeytrek.com, experienced a honeymoon to blow your mind and subsequently have led an incredible travel journey for over five years.

Their book isn’t a romantic getaway book featuring a few nights in a fancy motel, candle lit dinners, and all that as they make clear in the intro. Their book is about experiencing the sights, the places, the culture, the people, and more in locations all around the globe. Over 500 destinations are in this book. Also included are stories and tips from eleven of their favorite couples who share their passion to see and experience it all.

After a chapter on figuring out where you and your partner are with regards to travel, traveling as a couple, as well as other issues including and how to get some space to need it because no matter how much you love and care about your partner being with him or her 24/7 will make you a little crazy at some point, the book moves on to the traveling with each chapter based on natural features. If you want to experience mountains, you are in luck with the first chapter. Titled “Mountains” and starting on page 23 with a stunning picture of the mountain Torres del Paine in Chile, the book tells you all sorts of important information about this location.

Chapter One continues for nearly a dozen pages as it features other multiple travel destinations featuring mountains around the world. Each location has bullet points with “when to go” and “where to stay” and suggested “couple adventures” while there among other helpful suggestions. The pictures are impressive and give you an idea of what you are in for should you go to these locations. Chapter One concludes with “Top 10 Unbelievable Day Hikes” which are places you can hike to, have an incredible experience, and be back before dinner.

This same format continues throughout the rest of the book as chapters cover “Beaches & Islands” (Chapter Three), “Deserts & Dunes” (Chapter Seven), and “Road Trips” (Chapter Ten), among other types of natural features. For those who want an out of this world experience check out Chapter 11 titled, “Supernatural.” Mud pools, volcanoes, and the like are the focus of this chapter that starts on page 219 with Koh Ker, Cambodia.

Now that you are inspired and have some ideas, you need to plan. That is the goal of the “travel smart” section beginning on page 239 along with a chart telling you the best month for different places. For example, the artic peninsula is good this time of year. The authors offer a lot of advice and tips regarding matters such as what you need in your travel fund, making the most of your currency as well as airline points, and how to do the land travel portion of your trip. Packing for your trip is important as is lodging at the destination. They decipher the code words and explain how to set everything up.

An eight page “resources” list that spans the globe, a two page acknowledgements section, and a three page index brings this visually stunning and informative book to a close.

Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations On Every Continent is geared towards those of a young age that can go out there and do stuff. Advice about travel issues with kids, the disabled, etc. won’t be found in this book as it was not designed for such situations. It was designed for those who have the funds and the energy to go far beyond staying in a nice hotel to see London or Paris for a few days. This is a book designed for those who want to get to a place and really experience the people and culture. For folks that can and want to do that, Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent by Mike and Anne Howard is a very good book to begin the journey.






Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations On Every Continent
Mike and Anne Howard
https://www.honeytrek.com
National Geographic
http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2...
September 2017
ISBN# 978-1-4262-1839-2
272 Pages
$26.99


Material was picked up to read and review during a recent trip to the Lochwood Branch of the Dallas Public Library.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2018
Reviews and More
http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/

[Vartika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single page is awe inspiring and informative. Looking forward to living the pages.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're in a couple or not, this book provides countless ideas of places to travel. Mike and Anne left for their honeymoon and never came back, turning one trip into a lifetime of travel. Their guide covers every corner of the globe, including both traditional honeymoon destinations and adventurous spots that might not be on your bucket list until now. They also include activities for all types of budgets, travel styles, and landscapes. Makes for a great wedding gift!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike and Anne offer a great balance of adventure and relaxation in this travel guide, which is organized by activity rather than region. I ended up with quite a few new places on my must-visit list.

[Jathan Fink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indulgent spa days. Languid afternoons whiled away on sunny beaches and nights wrapped in high thread count sheets. Fine wine and epic meals served at Michelin star restaurants. While those things might be what some honeymooners dream of doing together as they enter the wonderful world of marriage, you won’t find those things described in Mike and Anne Howard’s Ultimate Journeys for Two. Rather, they invite you to venture off the beaten path and blaze new trails as you discover one another and the world around you.

Before I get into the book itself, it helps to know a bit about the authors. They never set out to become the world’s longest honeymooners. They were simply a young couple who wanted to use their youthful vitality to tackle their wish list of places they would like to see together. So they scrimped and saved and planned to spend a year abroad before getting back to life as most of us know it. The thing is, the travel bug bit them hard and they didn’t want to stop experiencing all the amazing things the world has to offer. So they started HoneyTrek, a travel blog chronicling their escapades abroad and encouraging other travelers to begin taking a few more detours as they ventured out into the world.

The book is divided up into eleven chapters based on the experiences the reader most likes to have, whether they love the mountains, floating down rivers, exploring islands, taking safaris, or are fascinated by history and architecture. Other chapters take you to the high seas, trekking over deserts and dunes, bundling up for the icy snow-capped tundra, looking for wildlife in the rain forest, taking road trips, or discovering ethereal supernatural phenomenon.

The best part about this book, and what separates it from other travel guides I’ve read is that it doesn’t direct readers to the same places every other book does. This volume really does encourage you to leave gaps in your schedule so that you can learn the rhythm of a locale and roll with it, so that you experience a place the way the natives do and thus build richer, more organic memories along the way.

I have to say that my absolute favorite section of this book though is the one called Travel Smart. Here, the authors not only discuss dream itineraries and when is the best time to visit each part of the world, but they get into the nitty gritty regarding how to financially plan your trip, the best way to book travel, how and what to pack, and they explain the different kinds of lodging you might encounter. They even teach us that it is possible to barter lodging or work your way around the globe, and trade dinner reservations at restaurants for a dinner party or maybe even share a meal with locals to get the full flavor of a particular vicinity. Personally, I had never even heard of many of these options, so they are all rather intriguing, and I can’t way to try some of them in the future!

Ultimate Journeys for Two is written in a vibrant, engaging manner that will really ignite your wanderlust and make you want to hit the road once again. It makes what may have seemed previously impossible now seem within reach, and you’ll love all the stories they tell along the way. If you’re looking to plan your life after COVID, read this book now so you can start making your own dreams of travel come true too.

As originally published at JathanandHeather.com

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more reviews and bookish posts visit https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent by Mike Howard and Anne Howard is a book consisting of short entries to places around the globe, focusing on couple activities. The authors are the founders of HoneyTrek.com, a jealousy inducing, and very long honeymoon trip.

Full disclosure: I thought this when getting the book, as my wife and I are always on the lookout for places.

I enjoyed the format of this book very much. Lots of fantastic pictures, which I would expect nothing less of a National Geographic book, and also informative essays.

This is not a romantic, couples gateways as one might think. The couple experiences the sights, places, cultures, and sometimes hardships (finding peanut butter in South America) which distinguishes traveling from just “going places”

Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent by Mike Howard and Anne Howard is undoubtedly not a traditional travel guide, actually it’s not a travel guide at all. This book allows the reader to skip in sections, and choose whatever trip or adventure they’d like to experience.

The authors’ travels are not written about in detail, quite the opposite. We really don’t read about much of their experiences, but more about recommendations for you and your significant other.

I love to travel, not just go places, and been to approximately ten of the many destinations in the book (and many not included). So… by all means there’s more to see and experience around the world.

The Howards are from my home state in New Jersey, and I especially loved the little sidebars of their anecdotes, those are what makes a trip memorable. I also appreciated the spotlights, also as sidebars, of fellow travel bloggers, an unexpected and wonderful homage to their circle.

The book does touch on topics which, as a couple, you should certainly think about ahead of time. Not only how to pick a destination, packing, saving, and airline points, but also how to find a bit of privacy when needed. On the bright side, if you survived a trip where both of you spend every waking moment together there’s a good chance you’re a good fit for each other.

This book certainly is meant to inspire couples find a destination. It is by no means a checklist (as much as I’d like it to be for myself), but a guide for young, childless couples, who are not bogged down by careers and domestication.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

These sorts of books serve a purpose, but not a practical one. Basically the message is that unless you can dedicate several months, ideally years, or your entire life to travel, you're not going to get much out of going to other countries, which I think is grossly false. I'm sorry that I only have 10 days and cannot waste 2 weeks travelling to some obscure landmark, just to prove a point.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with beautiful photos and lots of places to add to my bucket list. Lost one star because the ratings (1,2 , or 3 triangles) is never explained. In fact, since the first chapter is on mountains, I originally thought the triangles were about mountain height or difficulty, but when it continued past that chapter, I realized I was wrong.

[Sara Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the layout and organization for this book, it planned out all of the basics you'd need to know for your trip (what to do, when to go, where to stay, etc) and gave you a few "couple adventures" to go on while you're there. It's a perfect starting point if you're planning a honeymoon or vacation with your partner.

[Nicolette Orlemans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the personal and interesting recommendations that Mike and Anne Howard provide! This book not only makes discovering new destinations easy (even if vicariously), but I also love the recommended local activities that are highlighted per destination. I just may pick my next destination(s) based on what's in the book. :)

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I love to travel and we've never come across a guidebook with the incredible depth and breadth that this one does. It's filled with gorgeous photos and detailed information that will give you serious wanderlust. 5 stars!

[Jene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The layout is really useful

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of travel ideas for people who are very adventurous and athletic. This isn’t me so it didn’t inspire me, but it does have nice pictures.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pre-ordered this book by 'Honeytrek' as soon as I saw the announcement. I typically have faith in most things published by National Geographic and I thought the subject-matter seemed perfectly suited to my new way of life having gone from being a solo traveler to now part of a couple. I can be a harsh critic but I really enjoyed this guide. It gave me so many ideas for place I want to go now and experiences that I want to have when I travel. I'd recommend this book and have even bought copies for a few friends who are also part of couples. To be transparent, Mike and Anne are friends of mine.