Why We Travel

As you know from following our blog, we’re big fans of traveling. For the most part, other than the handful of trips to Iowa we take, most of our traveling is international, and we love it. The thrill of exploring a new place, new people, new food, new transportation systems…all of it. We’ve said it before and will say it again: in an increasingly disconnected world, traveling is one of the major ways we meet new people, learn and experience new things, and generally get a chance to connect and grow. It’s fantastic, and we highly recommend it.

International Travel Headaches

Still, international travel isn’t without its hurdles. Trans-Atlantic (or…gasp…even Trans-Pacific?!) flights aren’t for the faint of heart. It’s true that long-haul planes (the Boeing 777, 787, or the Airbus A380, for example, though there are lots of others) have made considerable strides in fuel efficiency, noise levels, and the like. However, while they’ve also made strides in steerage class (alternatively known as economy) seats, it remains a stretch to call them comfortable. They’re also getting more expensive each time we fly, and free upgrades to premium cabins are increasingly rare (though you can read about one of our upgrade tricks here).

Of course, then there’s always the decision about whether to check your luggage or only travel with carry-on bags, as we do. Additionally, depending on the state of global economics and the US dollar’s performance against other currencies, food, souvenirs, car rentals, and tours may also become more expensive. These aren’t reasons that’ll keep us from traveling, but they do have the nasty habit of limiting how much we can travel, as do our jobs. Lame.

Travel Closer to Home!

So, what’s a person to do who wants to travel but has limited means to go abroad? This may seem obvious, but it’s something we frequently overlook: there are lots of neat things to do here. Trouble is, there are so many things to do that it can quickly get overwhelming trying to decide what to do. Fortunately, a recent Christmas present from Jason’s parents has helped make this easier.

Have you discovered the Adventure Bucket List yet? We had seen this occasionally on social media, but knew nothing about it otherwise. It turns out, the good folks at Research International Outfitters have done much of the heavy lifting for us. We’ve only just started exploring ours, but the company has a Bucket List for 48 of the 50 states (nothing for Alaska or Hawaii, at least as of now). Jason’s parents got us the Bucket List for Missouri, and our Bucket List has 50 different adventures.

Each is a scratch-off card, which adds to the adventure/surprise feel of this. To help with your selection, the bottom of each card has hints: indoor/outdoor, Spring/Summer/Winter/Fall, price, time of day, duration, active/relaxed, and meals. The general area or town is also listed at the top of each card, so you’ll know where you’re heading, just not what you’ll be doing.

Oh, the Possibilities!

We’re excited to get started with this! Despite having lived in Missouri for almost a dozen years, we’ve done very little exploring here, which is why it’s at the top of our list of 2026 resolutions. We’re also close enough to Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Iowa that we might add a few more Bucket Lists to our collection.

As of now, our goal is to do at least one adventure each month. So, a single Bucket List box – which has 50 adventures – could easily last us a few years. Each Bucket List sells for $64.99, which, if the List lasts us 4+ years, is about $16.25 per year. Not too bad, and WAY less expensive than planning our trips to Europe (which are still happening, just to clarify).

Is this something you’ve seen or, even better, used? If so, let us know your thoughts.

Whatever your 2026 resolutions, and however much progress you make at achieving them, we wish you luck. Our best wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous, and adventurous 2026!

The post A New Year, a New Type of Adventuring first appeared on The DeBode Way.

Panic

As I stepped backward into thin air, my only thought was “Scotlaaaaaand!” Sigh. As someone very independent and used to doing most things myself, suddenly needing disabled travel advice was a whole new ballgame.

Don’t Panic, Research

Today, I’m looking on the bright side: I now know how to get around the UK with a busted leg. Fortunately, a previous student trip left us with a severely sprained ankle in the group on day one, so we knew where many of the lifts are located in Edinburgh and Oban, how to avoid some of the stairs and cobbles, and where to get ice. Disabled travel is not for the faint of heart, but it can be done and is 100% worth the trouble.

Once the orthopedist told me I could fly (or rather didn’t say I couldn’t fly, a major sigh of relief), I immediately went into research mode to figure out how to get around. At home, I had painful crutches (they were too tall) and a knee scooter borrowed from a friend. Neither were great options for the cobbles and stairs I knew I would encounter, so I went hunting.

Equip Yourself

After an extensive search of medical supply stores in Springfield came up short in the disabled travel category (it’s like they want you to stay home or something), I headed to Amazon as time was running out. There I encountered the iWalk and a set of folding crutches made for travel – brilliant! I ordered both, but later decided the iWalk was probably not the safest option for all the cobbles of Edinburgh (it has since become my farm chores tool, along with a good walking stick – Jason calls me Gandolf). So the iWalk stayed home.

Initially, I planned only to take my crutches, but didn’t feel good about that choice given the potential for slick cobbles and sore armpits. Then I stumbled upon someone asking about a mobility scooter for disabled travelers in a Facebook Group for Scotland Travel. What!? Genius! A quick search gave me a list of power scooters for rent in Edinburgh – who knew? The company I went with delivered and picked up the scooter from the hotel. Such an amazing service! In the end, we brought my knee scooter too, knowing the power scooter would be quite large, and many places in Scotland are small and involve at least a step or two to enter buildings. Surely I could get around on a knee scooter much easier?

So there I was, armed with my folding crutches, knee scooter, and the promise of a power scooter meeting me in Edinburgh. I also tried to find a power scooter in Oban but had no luck. This solidified my decision to bring the knee scooter, and I’m SO glad I did. Off we went! You can’t keep this girl down!

Getting to Europe: Planes

I was immediately discouraged at the Springfield Airport. I hadn’t considered they would make me remove my boot to go through security – ouch. However, they were very kind and pulled me aside to sit down and go through a personal screening with a female agent. That took maybe 20 minutes and with our TSA Precheck, we didn’t have to remove anything from our bags. Jason gathered my bags (the first of many, many times) while I got my royal pat down and then we were off to wait on our (delayed) flight to Chicago.

I requested assistance getting on and off the plane through our airline’s app but never saw anyone to help. Since I had my scooter, I didn’t push the issue because it’s such a small airport. Instead, I assumed I could easily roll to the gate and down the ramp to the door, and then awkwardly crutch my way onto the plane while they stowed my scooter below. I just needed a little extra time to do it. In theory, this shouldn’t be a problem if they let us board first, and let us get settled.

They did let us board first, but we were quickly followed by everyone else, because of the flight delay and hurry to get going. Plus they made me leave my scooter at the top of the ramp, so I had to use my crutches down the incline. As I hadn’t practiced with the crutches yet, this was terrifying and less-than-graceful. To get to my seat, I tossed my crutches ahead of me and used the ramp rails and seat arms to swing across the bridge and down the narrow aisles. I collapsed into my seat while the flight attendant watched. Nice. I was unimpressed and immediately nervous about the rest of the trip.

No one met us in Chicago with the wheelchair either – what the heck? Luckily my scooter appeared outside the plane’s door, so I folded my crutches, hung them on the handlebars, and took off up the ramp…and across the entirety of O’Hare, all on my scooter. This was a long, painful journey, but we made it to our gate as our flight to London started boarding. It took a little convincing, but since it was a larger plane, the flight attendants let me keep my scooter so I could get to the bathroom on our 8-hour flight. They stored it in a closet near the galley for me, so I only had to push my call button or send Jason to grab it when I needed to get up.

In London, I was met by a buggy! So apparently my online assistance request did work, just not in the States for some reason. The porter loaded my crutches, bags, AND scooter and whisked me to Border Control; I handed over my passport and sailed right through. Meanwhile, Jason walked the entire length of Heathrow because he’d been sitting for 8 hours and wanted to walk (they offered him a ride too). Unfortunately, my chariot ride ended at baggage claim, so once reassembled, we continued to the train into London.

Getting Around Europe: Trains

I hadn’t thought much about getting on and off the trains. It turns out, I should have requested assistance for that as well – mind the gap and all! We got lucky with the Underground, as all the stations we used had a lift or a ramp down to the trains. From there it was easy to roll onto the train. Once we made it to King’s Cross and had to get on the overland train there was much tsk-tsking from the station staff as I tossed my scooter up the step into the train, grabbed the handrails, and hopped one-legged up to the train. Was it safe? No. Did they like it? Also no, as they take Health & Safety very seriously in the UK. But I made it, so bonus points, right?

When we arrived at York station, I tossed my scooter off the train and hopped back down the same way. More tsk-tsking (also, some gentle applause and “Well done, you!” from others waiting to board that train). Once at our hotel, which was mercifully across the street, I requested assistance for the rest of our journey on the LNER train app. It worked! They had the ramp ready for me the next day and even moved our reserved seats into the disabled area so I had a place to store my scooter and put my leg up. It was glorious – and easy. As we arrived at Waverley Station in Edinburgh, they put the ramp down and I rolled off the train – easy peasy.

We arrived in Edinburgh a day ahead of our group so we could make the last few arrangements. Even though it was nearby, because of all the roadwork and sidewalk closures, we took a taxi to our hotel. The man at the taxi stand was so delightful; having never seen a knee scooter (nor had much of the UK as it turned out), he asked all manner of questions.

Getting Around Europe: Automobiles?

Lo and behold! My power scooter awaited us at the hotel! Amazing! I could have had it delivered to the station, but you had to arrange a specific time, pay an extra fee, and you never know if the trains will be on time (they usually are). Instead, they delivered it to the hotel, which seemed a better option. We didn’t immediately take it out since we had errands to run in tiny shops.

The next day, I used the power scooter to fetch folks from the train station and take them to breakfast while Jason met folks at the airport. I also took it on several “walks” throughout our stay and anywhere I knew we would have the space to accommodate it. Overall, it was bulky and a bit of a burden, so I learned to use my knee scooter on the cobbles for most of our expeditions. The key is to lean back, not forward on the knee scooter, so you don’t fly over the handlebars. I’m still glad I had the power scooter for some of our longer outings and recommend our rental company (listed below).

While in Edinburgh, we ventured to the countryside one day for professional photos, where I quickly learned my scooter does not do rocks or grass. I had to use it like a walker to get down the path to our shooting location where I spent two hours teetering on one leg or crutches in the tall grass on the side of a mountain. It must have been a sight; we have some funny photos of me trying to get around. But! I did it and the rest of the pictures are fabulous. We’re thankful our photographer was such a good sport.

By the time we boarded the train for Oban, I was a pro. I didn’t bother booking assistance with ScotRail because I had figured out how to get on and off myself. Our hotel in Oban was again right across from the train station (whoever planned this was brilliant – pats on the back!), so we didn’t have far to go with our group and bags. By now Jason’s arms were threatening to come off from trying to manhandle our bags all over Scotland. I felt bad about it, so I booked him an appointment with my massage wizard back home. He had to wait a few more days, but she fixed him up nicely.

Jason had work to do while in Oban and our friends were out of town, so I spent time exploring on my own. I took my scooter down the walkway of the bay to take photos and enjoy the view. Then I went shopping for most of the day and visited with the locals. That was fun and they were very kind. Fortunately, many of the shops in Oban are at ground level or just one tiny step up, so I had no problem getting around on my own. I stumbled upon the Jetty Gallery, full of works by local artists, and found a gorgeous etching that I decided should come home with me. Thankfully, Jason agreed and we returned to get it about 5 minutes before they closed on our last day in Oban. Whew!

We also rented a car while in Oban. This allowed us to scout for upcoming trips and visit friends in the country. We originally planned to take the car to the Isle of Mull for some hiking, but because of my broken leg, we decided to hold off for now.

After Oban, we took the train back to Edinburgh and spent our final night at a countryside estate hotel (which was amazing!). The staff met me as I stepped out of the taxi, putting a ramp down to get inside the hotel. While they did have a lift, it didn’t access all the rooms, so I used my crutches quite a bit to get up and down stairs. Also, our hotel had a bathtub! It was glorious to sit on the side of the tub to shower with the handheld instead of standing precariously on one foot in the shower. Incidentally, showering was the biggest frustration the entire time in the UK: the bathrooms are SO small I could barely get in with my scooter or crutches, and there was always a step up into the shower. If I had known I would need an accessible bathroom when I was booking rooms, it would have been much easier, as they are available in some hotels.

More Trains

We decided to take the train back to London, thinking it would be easier than flying. Unfortunately, the train journey turned into quite the event, as there was a fire on the tracks just outside London, so they made us get off the train in York. Another couple from our group was on the train ahead of us and they were given the options to wait it out, walk back to York Station, or get an Uber to London. They chose the latter.

Since we were at York Station, we were given two route options: take the train to Sheffield or Manchester. We opted for Manchester hoping it would be less crowded. We had to wait for the second train, as the first was packed. Once in Manchester, we ran (scooted furiously!) to catch the next train to Euston Station in London. Naturally, this was all during rush hour on a Wednesday afternoon. Madness! Finally, we made it to London, though 7 hours later than planned, and after the show we planned to see at the Vaudeville Theatre. Feeling rather bummed, we headed for Euston Underground Station to call it a day and head for the airport hotel. Except, it turns out Euston has no lifts, so we had to take a taxi to our hotel instead – that was a frightening expense! In hindsight, we could have taken a taxi to Paddington Station and caught the train to the airport, but you live and learn and sometimes don’t make the best decisions when you’re tired. It almost makes one wonder if the flight would have been easier.

The Way Home

The flight out of London the next morning was as easy as the one to London. They let me keep my scooter in a closet onboard again. As soon as we landed in Houston I was immediately reminded that the US is not very kind to anyone with a mobility issue. There was no wheelchair, again, after I requested it and double-checked that I had, so I scooted across the airport to Customs and Border Control. After that, you have to go through security again. In London, security was much the same as it was in Springfield: they pulled me aside, removed my boot, I got a pat down, and they swabbed my scooter while asking me to tell my best version of how I broke my leg. Very easy and cordial. In Houston, they literally screamed at me when I asked where to go with my scooter because it obviously would set off a metal detector. I stood, stunned, at the side of the line waiting for some direction since Jason had already gone through and was frantically trying to repack our bags. About 10 minutes later someone pulled me aside, took my boot and scooter to be swabbed, and told me to walk through the metal detector. Excuse me? I have a broken leg, I will not be walking anywhere! So there I stood, on one leg, for at least another 10 minutes while they swabbed my scooter, eventually brought it back to me, and finally pulled me to the side for a pat down. I was flabbergasted, frustrated, and fighting tears; I’ve never been treated so poorly.

The flight from Houston to Springfield was just as stellar as the one leaving Springfield two weeks earlier. Sigh. We had to board our plane outside, so I had to leave my scooter behind, again, and crutch my way up the ramp and onto the tiny plane, tossing my crutches ahead of me as I swung down the aisle on the armrests. But, as a bonus, we saw the northern lights above Springfield as we landed that night. I was exhausted, happy to be home, and even happier to sleep in my bed. It was a wonderful trip and I learned so much, but holy moly was I tired from all that extra work!

Lessons Learned

Overall, the UK is relatively accommodating to folks with mobility issues. It may take a little planning on your end, but it’s entirely possible to navigate the disabled travel options and folks are super helpful. As a plus, we’re confident we can accommodate someone with mobility challenges on our trips! There’s nothing like a crash course or on-the-ground training to boost your confidence, right? Right. Sometimes it can be a hidden bonus to be an anxiety-ridden overthinker searching for all the available options on a tight deadline. Skills!

I hope my story gives you the confidence to travel even if you have trouble getting around. There are so many assistance options and SO much world to see! Obviously, do what your doctor says and always opt for travel insurance in case you have further issues while on your journey.

*fist bump* You’ve got this. See you out there!

Resources

• Scooter Rental in Edinburgh
• TFL Journey Planner for London Public Transit
• LNER Passenger Assist Request for the London North East Railway
• ScotRail Accessible Travel Request for the train in Scotland
• Euan’s Guide for excellent reviews on accessibility in venues across the UK
• List of public toilets in Edinburgh with accessibility toilets.

Notes

• Lifts (elevators). Many old buildings in the UK cannot be retrofitted with lifts. Be sure to research ahead of time so you know what is available and reach out to ask questions as needed. Sometimes stairs are the only option.
• Accessible Toilets. Places serving food must have accessible toilets or point you somewhere that does. If you don’t see them, ask. Public toilets can also be found in bus stations, train stations, shopping centers, and department stores. You can apply for and purchase a radar key for accessible toilets if you have mobility or bowel/bladder conditions.
• Email Hotels. Stay in contact with your hotel about any help you may need. Many have disabled rooms, access to lifts, and additional assistance if you need it. Private rentals and Air B&Bs do not have this requirement, so contact your host to ask questions before booking.

Helpful Travel Accessories

• Folding Crutches
• Crutch Pads
• iWalk
• Knee Scooter
• Sleeping Boot
• Water Resistant Walking Boot Covers
• Waterproof Shower Boot
• Reusable Waterproof Bags for Ice

The post Suddenly Figuring out Disabled Travel for Beginners first appeared on The DeBode Way.

In the past, we’ve talked about our hunt for silence on flights, which, as far as we know, means noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. Truly, we never realized just how loud planes are until we started on this journey. But…gosh. So here we are. We’ve been through a few different models and wanted to pass along our two cents (assuming you’re familiar with the humble ¢).

Earbuds v. Headphones

Most people have thoughts about the earbud v. headphone discussion, goodness knows we do. Because you’re reading our blog, it seems reasonable to assume you’re curious about our opinion. So here it is: it depends, as different options have unique pros and cons. For us, it’s hard to beat the total immersion that comes with headphones. The model we have completely surrounds the ear, which, when it comes to noise-cancellation, is important. Yes, they’re bulkier. No, they aren’t easy to sleep in. Yes, they’re larger and take up more room in your luggage. Still, their ability to drown out the world around you is pretty remarkable. All of sounds…gone. That said, we’d be remiss to say earbuds aren’t worth the investment. It’s true, the noise-cancellation isn’t exactly as good as with headphones; however, they have other benefits that might sway their pro-to-con ratio. Probably most obvious, earbuds are much smaller, making it easier to sleep with them in your ears and easier to pack. Moreover, noise-cancellation technology is always improving, making them nearly as good as their over-the-ear counterparts.

Cut the Wire or No?

It’s also important to decide whether you want to spend the extra money on a wireless option or opt for an often lower-priced wired version. We’ve tried both. When it comes to wired options, we’ve stayed loyal to Bose. Our very purchase was in 2019, and, though now discontinued, they’re still great contenders. The biggest plus with a wired option is the noise-cancellation works considerably longer and when you run out of battery, they still function as regular earbuds. Keep in mind the wired connection is for the audio signal, not the noise-cancellation functionality. For example, our wireless headphones often last for 18-24 hours; after that they stop working entirely. By comparison, our wired earbuds last for well, technically ever. The noise-cancellation setting requires battery power and lasts about 8 hours, but after that they continue to work like regular earbuds. So, in our experience, the wired version has never not worked.

That said, we prefer the wireless versions. Yes, they’re a bit more expensive (but not always) and you do need to remember to recharge the battery before you head out. Yes, your flight may be longer than the battery will last. That said, not getting wrapped up in wires makes it easier to (try to) sleep. Also, if you’re plugged in, anytime someone needs to get out you have to pause what you’re watching/listening to, unplug, get up, let them out, sit back down, and reverse the process. Without the wires, all you do is get up. Beyond this, the other issue is that wireless options connect via Bluetooth to another device (e.g., your phone) which isn’t super helpful on most planes. Until recently, that meant we needed a cord to connect our wireless headphones to the plane’s entertainment system. Fortunately, we recently found a wireless transmitter device that plugs into your TV monitor and sends the audio to your wireless headphones/earbuds via a unique Bluetooth connection. Win! Of course, this means one more thing to purchase, carry, and charge. Fortunately, the device is small, about 2”x2”x1”. Also, newer planes have the ability to connect your wireless headphones/earbuds directly to your screen via Bluetooth, meaning the extra device might only be a temporary addition.

Battle of the Brands

When we first started our search for quiet on planes, our research showed one brand consistently outranked the others: Bose. So, our first purchase was Bose wired noise-cancelling earbuds, and they changed our world (made it quieter, in fact). Since then, Jason has bought a pair of their regular wireless earbuds (not noise-cancelling) and we both have their over-ear wireless noise-cancelling headphones (which Tasha thinks are glorious for focus when doing sewing calculations). More recently we’ve been curious about other brands as the technology seems to be improving and we’re always trying to pack smaller. After more research, we decided to go separate ways: Jason got the Soundcore noise-cancelling earbuds, while Tasha went with Raycon Fitness noise-cancelling earbuds to test out a Bluetooth earbud for flying. What we’ve found is there’s a reason Bose consistently tops the rankings: they’re awesome. Yes, they’re expensive, but they’re worth it. That said, the other brands were better than we expected, and because are less expensive than Bose, we think you should consider them in your search for silence.

In the following reviews, we factor in the quality of the noise-cancellation, battery life, the bulkiness of the product, the overall comfort, and the sound quality.

Bose Quiet Comfort

Bose stands out as the clear winner, at least for us. The noise-cancellation is remarkable; on the plane, both the headphones and wired earbuds drown out almost all the noise around us, from the drone of the plane engines to the crying babies a few rows back, even to the flight attendant asking for our drink order. From a comfort perspective, Bose is again our pick. Their over-ear headphones are cushions of pure bliss, encompassing your ear in soft comfort. The earbuds, as with most of the rest of their earbud options, have silicon ‘wings’ that hold their position in your ear (so they don’t spin and fall out) while still being comfortable from the time you put them in until you take them out. And because the wings maintain the earbud’s place in your ear, that creates a better seal which makes the noise-cancellation even better. The sound quality is also tops: really clear treble tones and deep, booming bases. All the stuff Bose is known for…all right in your ear. Bulkiness depends on which version you have, but in general, this is where Bose loses ground. Their headphones are similar to other brands, but their earbuds are large and stick out from your ear, which can make them more challenging to sleep in. All things considered, we’d rate our Bose models – both the earbuds (wired) and headphones (wireless) with an A. Unfortunately the wired earbuds have been discontinued, but you can still find refurbished sets on Amazon.

Raycon [Tasha’s New Earbuds]

Tasha ordered the Raycon Fitness noise-cancelling ear buds because she didn’t want to bring her bulky Bose headphones on our most recent trip. Plus we wanted to test a wireless version that wouldn’t break the bank. This meant she also ordered Bluetooth transmitters for both of us for the plane. Fortunately, the price was still reasonable with both the earbuds and transmitter.

While the noise-cancelling portion of these earbuds is definitely on par with Bose, you can still tell the difference between the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and regular modes. It’s just not immediately noticeable when you turn on the ANC like it is with Bose. It seems like they wait for sound to come through the earbuds from your device before they try to cancel the noise around you. Because of that, they don’t really work as earplugs when you’re trying to catch some shut-eye like our wired Bose earbuds do. She uses the Loop Switch earplugs for that now instead. The sound quality is decent. You won’t get that full base like you do with Bose, but they’re not tinny and completely acceptable. A very technical description from her.

The battery life on these is remarkable! We had FOUR flights (about 16 hours ON the plane) and between wearing them in her ears and giving them a quick recharge boost from the case during layovers, they never ran out of power. Then she continued to use them for tours and some quick video editing on her phone for 2 weeks and STILL didn’t recharge them – mostly because she forgot and they just kept going. The battery life is definitely a huge win for these. Maybe she can get the whole lawn mowed now without her headphones dying now. Woo!

The comfort level is also great. She also has a pair of Jabra Elite Active 65t earbuds that she practically lives in, but the battery life in those is only about 3-4 hours and they constantly fall out of her ears. The Raycon earbuds last at least 6 hours at a time, based on our recent overseas flight. They claim to last 12 hours on their own, plus an additional 44 hours for a total of 56 hours on one case charge. Holy smokes. The Raycons also feature a small fin at the top to hold them in your ear and come with 4 adjustable sizes to get the right fit. She keeps raving about how snug and comfortable they are.

The magnetic case is tiny, about 2”x2”x1”, and has a loop and carabiner to clip them onto your bag if you wish. The satisfying little snap when the magnet clips the earbuds into the case is a nice touch. They are also water/sweat resistant, which will be great for workouts (ha), or working outside in the sweltering Missouri heat and humidity. Plus…they came in purple. She’s happy.

Overall, we’re calling these a win. They get a B+ because the battery life and comfort are phenomenal, but the noise-cancellation and sound aren’t quite top of the game.

Soundcore [Jason’s New Earbuds]

Admittedly, this wasn’t a brand I was familiar with before doing some research, but it’s one I’m glad we found. The Soundcore Space A40 noise-cancelling earbuds are, in most ways, a winner. The case is small, measuring about 3” wide by 1” long or so. The earbuds are magnetically held in their case but are easy to remove when you’re ready for action. The earbuds come with a charging cable, but the instruction manual says the case accommodates wireless charging, though I haven’t tested this yet. The earbuds themselves are smaller than I was expecting, and much smaller than the Bose version. Because of their small stature, they fit down into my ear better than the Bose option, which makes it easier to sleep with them in (or…try to sleep). If you’re someone who prefers a lower profile to your technology, these might be the earbuds for you.

As for sound quality, these are better than expected and nearly as good as Bose. The treble sounds are clear and crisp, while the base is good; not quite as deep as with Bose, but still good enough to enjoy good sound quality in your tunes and movies. The A40’s have three sound options: a normal option (like using regular earbuds without noise-cancelling technology), a noise-cancelling option, and what I can best describe as a more focused version. The noise-cancellation is good, not quite as good as Bose, but given the lower price-point, it was much better than I was expecting. For the focused version, when I had them in and was talking to Tasha, it focused on and amplified her voice while quieting everything else. This had some trouble on the plane with the ambient noise, but could be a neat option to use in crowded places.

The battery life with these was pretty great, too, and lasted the duration of each of our recent flights to Europe. Once we touched down, I’d pop them back in their case and they were fully charged for our next flight. Plug the case in during the flight so it stays charged, and you’re good to go for the full travel day.

The one place that dropped my rating is in comfort level. At first, the A40’s were really comfortable and fit snugly into my ear canal, but after a few hours, my inner ear was sore, to the point where it felt bruised by the end of the flight. That made it a little tender when putting them in again for the next flight. It’s possible I had them pushed too far in my ear and/or had the wrong size end on them, so we need to experiment a bit more before giving a final opinion. Still, something to be mindful about.

Overall, Jason gives these a B rating, potentially a B+ if we can get the sizing sorted out.

You can find links to all the headphones and earbuds we’ve mentioned throughout the post or on the “Products We Recommend” page of our website.

The post The Hunt for the Most Elusive: Noise-Cancelling Silence first appeared on The DeBode Way.

Greetings friends! Can you believe it’s already June? I’ve been working furiously on a project that I think will really help streamline the travel products that we recommend periodically. And so…introducing the “Travel Product Recommendations from Jason & Tasha” section of our website! We hope you find it useful when you’re learning how to simplify your packing for carry-on only travel.

We’ve mentioned many of these products in previous posts, but I’ve also added tons of new ones, plus we take a little dive into staying healthy while you travel. I’ve been working with lots of our favorite small companies to pass along offers and discount codes to you. Woo hoo! Save those pennies for the fun parts!

If you are headed to Scotland with us in the near future (standby for additional dates), this is a great place to start when you’re wondering what to pack. Another great place is within the packing section of our blog.

We will do our best to keep these pages updated with discounts, codes, offers, and the correct product links.

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The post Our Favorite Travel Product Recommendations in One Place! first appeared on The DeBode Way.

We’ve talked a lot about our international travel packing list over the years, but THE biggest question we get about traveling is “How do you pack into only a carry-on and backpack? I could never!”

Our questions for you…take a look down, how many days have you been wearing those sweatpants or that t-shirt? Multiple? How about your shoes? Do you typically grab the same pair day after day? No judgment here, you’re among friends.

Clothing Calculus

Ok – hear us out. You don’t need to pack a brand-new outfit for every day of your trip. Truly. Outer layers can (and let’s be honest…will) be re-worn, a little laundry can be done for the layers closest to your skin before you hit the hay at night, and don’t you dare bring that pair of shoes you might wear once (unless it’s a special occasion).

Create a Capsule Wardrobe – things that mix and can be worn multiple times in various combinations so they can be restyled. It helps to stick with a color pallet where every piece can be worn with anything else in your bag. This means the brown OR black shoes, not both.

We typically pack 4-5 Days of clothes with the intent to wash them either at the hotel’s facilities or by hand in the sink or bathtub (or in our handy dandy Scrubba Bag). Tossing some laundry detergent sheets in your bag makes this super easy and it’s even easier if you stick to natural fibers or quick-drying fabrics (our favorite is Woolx – here’s a link for $20 off $50 or more). Leave the bulky items that take days to dry behind, and plan to do your laundry with enough time for it to dry before you move hotels. The heated towel racks in your bathroom (at least throughout Europe) double as amazing clothes driers, which makes this even easier and faster.

Our Lists

So, as we prepare to lead our first 10-day adult trip to Scotland (woohoo!!) here’s a look at what is on our travel packing list for October in Scotland. For reference, the temperature will average in the 40s and 50s this time of the year in Scotland, of course with some rain and wind, too.

Tasha – Capsule Colors: Black, Green, Purple, Blue

• 4-5 Leggings/Hiking Pants
• 4-5 Long or Short Sleeve Merino Wool Tops
• 2 Cashmere Sweaters or Cardigans (for dinners)
• 2 Dresses or 2 Dress Pants or one of each (for dinners – weather depending)
• 2 Pullovers
• 4-5 Pairs of Wool Socks
• 4-5 Underwear
• 3-4 Bras in Various Styles
• 2-3 Pairs of Shoes (Waterproof Hiking Boots, Waterproof Sneakers, Leather Flats)
• 1 Waterproof Jacket, Gloves, Hat
• 1 Set of Jewelry – Rose Gold – Studs, Earrings, Necklace, Watch

Jason – Capsule Colors: Gray, Red, Orange, Green, Yellow

• 3-4 Pants (two for regular things and 1-2 that are nicer for dinners)
• 5-6 Long or Short Sleeve Merino Wool Shirts
• 1-2 Button Downs or Cashmere Sweaters (for dinners)
• 2 Pullovers
• 5 Underwear
• 5 Pairs of Wool Socks
• 2 Pairs of Shoes (waterproof shoes for being in cities and nicer shoes for dinner)
• 1 Waterproof Jacket, Hat, Gloves
• 1 Watch

Note that this doesn’t include what we wear on a travel day, so if you plan that intelligently, that can give you additional options that don’t need to fit in your luggage (though it might on the way home, so keep that in mind). We always recommend wearing your bulkiest items on the plane (in our case that usually means hiking boots, a pullover, and jacket).

Also, nearly all of the above will fit into our carry-on suitcase (we currently are loving our new Monos Carry-On Pro Plus Bags <- $20 off $200 or more), which leaves our backpacks for everything else.

Other Bits

What about other stuff? As travel content creators and folks who often work from the road, our stuff load is a bit heavier than it needs to be for the typical traveler. Here is what we suggest if you don’t need to haul along your computer, textbooks, drone, tripod, and GoPro…

We’ve added links for our favorite items.

• Electrical Converter – we prefer this over an adapter, so we don’t have to think about what needs to be converted and what doesn’t. Ours is also a power strip so we can take one thing that lets us charge multiple things at once.
• ONE charging cable with different adaptor ends for phone/headphones/e-reader/battery etc.
• Portable Battery Pack
• Emergency Meds Kit – pain reliever, anti-nausea, cold/flu, Band-Aids, anti-diarrheal, electrolyte powders, stomach soother, and anything where you want a specific brand
• Vitamins/Medications
• Reusable Water Bottle (not glass)
• Laundry Detergent Sheets (sometimes we take our Scrubba washing bag, too)
• Travel Sized Lint Roller
• Travel Pillow
• Travel Steamer in dual voltage with an added adapter plug
• Reusable Shopping Bag (you will be charged for bags in most foreign countries)
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Small Purse or Day Bag or Sling Bag with RFID protection

For the most part, we’re each taking most of the above, so there are doubles of most of this. You don’t necessarily need to do that, but just have a backup plan in case something stops working.

Bathroom Essentials

By now your bag is getting full, but don’t forget your toiletries! If you’re not married to a certain brand, many liquids can be picked up once you reach your destination, so you don’t have to worry about getting them through TSA with the 3.4-ounce requirement. If you ARE married to a brand or need things like contact solution (ask your eye doctor for a couple bottles of the trial size), bring it along. You will save a ton of space if you only bring the amount you will use on your trip and pack into smaller, reusable containers (we like these from Cadence…a lot <- $20 off your first order).

Think basics. Don’t bring your 47-step skincare routine if you can help it. Basic makeup that fits in a small compact is ideal (Tasha doesn’t even pack makeup most of the time). If you’re joining us in Scotland, the rain makes hair products a joke. Embrace your easiest style. A can of dry shampoo can do wonders!

For most of the above, we (Jason and Tasha) agree, but toiletries is where we have different opinions. So, we’ve included some items in both lists, mostly due to brand preference: Jason is usually more open to getting more stuff when we land, while Tasha has more brand preferences and so likes to take some things with her that Jason doesn’t.

Things that can be found abroad:

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Soap/Body Wash
• Lotion
• Deodorant
• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste
• Dry Shampoo/Hair Spray/Gels

Things to pack

• Contact Solution
• Toothbrush/Paste
• Skin Care
• Deodorant
• Perfumes (use a travel-safe container)
• Brush
• Dry Shampoo/Hair Spray/Gels
• Dual Voltage Straightener/Curling Iron
• Feminine Hygiene Items

Fitting It All In

Now, as far as where to put everything in your bag, here’s how we do it.

There’s a good chance your rolling carry-on bag will be collected from you at some point to store below deck if you’re flying out of a small regional airport as we do. Because of that, we recommend keeping anything valuable or things you absolutely can’t live without (i.e., your medications, money, passport) in your backpack or personal item along with a change of clothes and anything you want on the plane during your flight.

If you’re looking to make your life even easier, consider finding a personal item (your backpack, for example) that has a strap that’ll let you sit it securely on the top of your carry-on as you roll it around the airport. This seems simple and maybe not a big deal, but it’ll save your back and knees more than you might realize.

In the end, travel is supposed to be an enjoyable experience and you want your focus to be on those experiences, not your luggage. So, if you really need something, or it gives you anxiety to go without, then figure out how to pack it in, even if that means you might need to leave something else at home. Still, you’d be surprised how much you don’t really need on a daily basis, or at least what you can go without for a week or so.

One last tip, because we know you’ll want souvenirs. Pack an light-weight packable duffle bag into your bags to use on the trip home (we use this one from LLBean). Even if you don’t come home with souvenirs, I swear our stuff never goes back into our bags the way we originally packed it and we need the extra space. You can check your rolling luggage on the way home (packed with your heaviest items) and use your duffle bag as a carry-on. Just make sure it’s not too heavy, because you’re losing your wheels when you check your luggage.

Take it from us: you’ll be so happy you packed light. We’ve been those people who overpack and then have to lug their entire life through an airport with almost no time between flights. Now we’re the ones who watch those people and wish they’d read our blog. No one wants to haul a heavy bag up multiple flights of stairs or pull it along cobblestones. Learning to whittle down our international travel packing list has made for a much more enjoyable experience for us and, we think, will do the same for you. Never once have we wished we brought more, always less.

The post What’s On Your International Travel Packing List? It’s Too Much. first appeared on The DeBode Way.

While small businesses are a major influence on the economy, this isn’t only the case in the US: the same is true for lots of other national economies. And just like it’s important to ‘shop local’ and ‘shop small’ here in the US, it’s equally important to visit the smaller, local businesses while you’re traveling abroad. In fact, some of our most memorable experiences (all good, we promise) on our adventures have come from visiting small businesses. The thing is, small businesses often don’t have the resources to compete with their larger counterparts, at least from a pricing perspective. Because of that, we expect to pay a little more when shopping at smaller, local establishments. Just like anywhere else, a higher price point generally indicates higher quality and/or a better experience. For small businesses, this almost always includes going above and beyond when it comes to customer service. As owners of small businesses ourselves, we completely understand how important each sale and interaction is and the heartfelt thanks for choosing our small business is truly genuine.

We’ve talked about each of the below stories in prior posts (linked below, in case you missed it), but it’s worth noting that all are small businesses and this is a major reason why we had such a great experience, would definitely go back, and are happy to recommend them for you if your next adventure takes you to their neighborhood.

Stay Local

We’ve talked before about the wonder that is Ardanaiseig Hotel over in Scotland. We’ve spent a decent amount of time there, have gotten to know the staff, and even renewed our wedding vows (seriously, have you seen the pictures?! Our photographer was local too!) at this impressive 19^th century manor house. What you might not know is that we met the former manager while she oversaw a different hotel just down the loch (erm, a lake for our American friends). That hotel, Taychreggan Hotel, is a small, independently run boutique hotel that’s nothing short of impressive. We only stayed there once, but we quickly fell in love with the entire area around Loch Awe, befriended the general manager, and formed a friendship that’s lasted the better part of a decade. Oh, and that general manager? Yep, she and her partner are locals and have now managed two other hotels in the area (Brander Lodge & The Great Western Hotel) and they are always our go-to for recommendations on other, less publicized things to do in the local area and all-around Scotland as well. They too strive to only use local vendors for their hotels and restaurants, keeping that pound in the local economy. They are shop small, shop local powerhouses in our book!

We were recently in Scotland (go figure, right?) last November and added a number of locally owned and family run hotels to our list of recommendations. You can read about them in the Scotland section of the blog (someday we’ll make you a proper list). While you’re at it, check out the France and Spain section for locally owned locations as well.

Learning the Ways of the Local Spirit

Next up is one of the neater, and more happenstance, local businesses we’ve worked with in Scotland. As Jason was planning a travel program to take a group of students to Scotland, he was coordinating with Oban Distillery, one of our favorites. If you haven’t been, we can’t recommend this place highly enough: their tour is among the best we’ve done (and believe us when we say we’re nearly experts in the distillery tours of Scotland), the staff are top-notch, and their whisky is nothing short of impressive. Here’s the thing, though: they’re also pretty small, one of the smallest in Scotland actually, operating out of only two stills. By comparison, popular Glenfiddich operates 28 stills!

Because Jason’s student group was going to be larger than one tour could accommodate, the staff member helping to get things setup gave a series of suggestions for things the other students could do before their tour (we had to split the group in half). Importantly, this wasn’t something Jason asked him for: he went out of his way to anticipate the problem and offer suggestions to get past it. What a guy! And naturally, all those suggestions fit our shop small criteria.

As it happens, one of his suggestions was to visit the Wee Wine Shop just down the street. He happened to know the owners and put us in touch with them, even sending the initial e-mail to get us all connected. And because he was the one who introduced us, the owners of the Shop were very responsive and friendly and gave us a great deal. It was there we learned about orange wine, something entirely different than any wines we’d tasted before. Have you heard of it? Do a little searching when you have a minute and rest assured it’s not made from oranges. Our visit to the Shop with the students was also quite the experience. As it turned out, one of the owners is a master sommelier and was able to explain the basics of wine to a group of business students who didn’t know much about selecting, pairing, or drinking it. Super helpful for those future corporate dinners. And again, had it not been for the connections we made from a different local business, we’d have walked right past the Shop, never knowing it existed. It is quite wee after all!

When in France, do as the Francs do

We’ve talked about the champagne houses of France in a different post, and we still laugh about how we found Champagne Gardet. We stumbled upon this a little differently than many of the other small businesses we’ve visited: no recommendations but instead responded to a message on Instagram. Yikes.

This actually brings up a valuable point: because small businesses often don’t have the same extensive marketing budgets as the larger companies, they have to get creative in how they spend their limited marketing resources. Almost always that means making great use of social media platforms and building an email list. Guilty. More on this below.

In any case, we were literally in the heart of champagne country and could have gone to any of the major champagne houses known around the world (Moet, anyone?). Sure, that was an option, but when we visited Epernay, even just walking in their building was intimidating. Compare that with our visit to Champagne Gardet, a much smaller and more intimate experience in a small village where a family member sat and chatted with us while tasting their champagne. As soon as we walked in the door, our host greeted us, showed us around, and then dropped us off on the patio with the menu of champagnes to taste. He then walked us through every aspect of the process from dirt to grape to bottle, how to taste it, what to look for, and everything in between. No one knew more about his product than he did, and his passion for his work was clearly on display and made for a better experience on our end. We walked away with a newfound respect and appreciation for champagne.

Going Small Scale Organic

Along similar lines, when we were in the Tours region of France – the heart of a different kind of wine country – we wanted a unique experience. So, after a little looking around Tasha stumbled on Château Minière. This is a woman-owned, woman-operated, organic winery that is notably smaller than most of the other wineries in the area. However, most of those wineries (all of them, in fact) aren’t organic. We try to eat as organically as possible back in the US, so it made sense for us to look for an organic winery, just to see how the process was different. To say we lucked out at Château Minière is an understatement: the staff were as incredible as the wine they produce. They even gave us a private tour of the vineyards, explaining every detail of their process, when and how it differed from other wineries that didn’t transition to organic, along with their plans for the future with biodynamics, running an Air BnB, and how they’re incorporating bees. Super interesting, really tasty wine, and an overall excellent experience due in no small part to the exceptional service we received from the staff. Plus, you can stay in the chateau! What! Next time.

The Ground Rules

Because small businesses are…well…small, sometimes it takes some creativity to find them. Most of the time, you can walk down the main street of the small town you’re in and find small businesses aplenty. But, to help get the best experience possible, we usually follow a few rules.

1. Whenever possible, ask for recommendations. From who? Literally everyone. We always ask the front desk staff at the hotel or the owner of the B&B where we stay. When you go out to eat, go on a tour, or grab a coffee for that mid-afternoon pick me up, ask for recommendations and look for that hole in the wall establishment. We’ve also found that lots of people will point you to the bigger, closer, more familiar brands, and to combat this we usually ask where they go for things. We’ve yet to be disappointed.
2. As I said above, most of the smaller companies don’t have tons of money to put into their marketing budgets and so often rely on social media pretty heavily for marketing. So, jump on your social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Pinterest…yada yada…) account and search for the town you’re in to see what comes up in the search functions. Often there is a local visitor’s bureau you can connect with to ask for recommendations as well. And if you loved your experience, be sure to share it on your social media!
3. Importantly, we never recommend (okay, rarely recommend) visiting a small business you aren’t sure about, especially when you have to go on a little drive out of the way to get there, like we did with the champagne house. So, as much as possible, do your research. Just because it’s a small business doesn’t mean no one has been there before. We usually head over to TripAdvisor and Google to type in the area and small business name to see what the reviews are. There might not be a ton of reviews, but odds are there’s something you can look at if they’re trying to get the word out. If it doesn’t seem right or other folks didn’t have a great experience, move onto the next possibility.
4. Go for a walk! Seriously, if you’re staying in town, get out of your hotel and walk around, popping into businesses that seem interesting. This often means wandering down a side street, off the high street full of tourist trap shops. Or, if you’re staying out of town at a B&B or something similar, ask the owner for directions to the nearest town, find a parking spot, and then go for a walk.

To be clear, we’re not suggesting you avoid the bigger businesses. We’ve had great experiences visiting some of the more iconic brands throughout North America, the UK, and Europe. Still, it’s easy to overlook the smaller businesses that might give you just as good of an experience, usually even better. And if you can connect with someone who will give you recommendations for more great, local experiences, why not?

So, just remember: it’s important to #shoplocal and #shopsmall here in the US, but it’s just as important to do the same on your adventures.

Happy travels!

The post Shop Small, Stay Local, Even While Abroad first appeared on The DeBode Way.

In earlier posts, we talk about how we do travel laundry, usually in the sink, on our longer adventures. Gosh, I started to type that we like to do laundry, but does anyone really enjoy doing laundry? Surely not.

Almost always we do laundry in our bathroom sink. Why? Because more often than not, laundry facilities are nowhere to be found. More recently, a friend introduced us to a new product that has made this much easier: the Scrubba Bag.

Scrub…what?

Rather than doing the laundry in the sink, like usual, this handy bag makes the process easier. Add your clothes to the bag and then your water and detergent. Roll the top down, clip the ends, open the vent to release the extra air, and voila: you’re ready to go (close the vent before moving on). The instructions recommend shaking the bag back and forth to really agitate things and mix the soapy water in with your clothes.

If you want a deeper clean, one side of the bag has a washboard-like texture (sadly, this is the closest to having washboard anything I’ll ever come) so you can rub the clothes back and forth over the textured dots. After this, we soak the clothes before rinsing them under running water. Repeat the process, dump the water, wring out your clothes, and hang them up to dry.

Our Verdict

Is this as good as throwing stuff in your washing machine? Of course, it isn’t. Is it better than our usual bathroom sink routine? Definitely. Easier on hands and wrists, too. And we really do think the clothes are cleaner. That’s a double win, folks.

Once you’re done and the bag is dry, it folds flat for easy packing. Remember: we’re all about adding to our adventures, not the fullness of our luggage, right? Right. Unless we’re bringing back adult beverages, but that’s a different post.

Where to Find Them

Be warned these bags aren’t cheap. We got ours on Amazon for around $60. Our size can fit a decent number of socks and underwear but could probably only hold a few t-shirts if that’s what we’re washing. We haven’t tried shorts/pants/jeans yet, as this size bag doesn’t look big enough for that. The bags do come in both smaller and larger sizes, which we might need to explore in the future. But for now, ours works nicely.

Oh, and remember: if you packed natural fibers like wool, those wet clothes will be dry clothes before you know it – especially if there’s an electric towel rack in the bathroom – and you’ll be ready to re-pack and get back to your adventuring.

The post Travel Laundry: The Unbelievably Easy Way with Scrubba first appeared on The DeBode Way.

As I sit here sipping my morning coffee, I’m reminded that I leave for Spain in about two weeks. Neat, right? You bet. Am I getting excited? Absolutely. I’ve told lots of people that Spain is a country I never intended to visit, but when an opportunity came my way, I said yes and completely fell in love with the country. Mountains? Yep. Beaches? Some of the best. Good food? Oh yea. Nice people? Hard to find nicer folks anywhere. Interesting cities? Yes. Architecture? Yep. Easy public transportation? Check.

Gosh, with all these good things, what’s not to love about Spain? Well… If you’re accustomed to drinking multiple cups of coffee each morning (okay fine, throughout the day), I’m not sure Spain will satisfy this craving, or at least it doesn’t for me. I’ll explain.

Here in the US, we’re spoiled because we can find nearly any kind of coffee if you look hard enough. And even then, you really don’t need to look that hard, right? Honestly, travel to any sized city and you can’t throw a rock without hitting about four coffee shops. Disclaimer: don’t throw rocks in cities. In my experience, this isn’t always the case when I travel abroad. I’ll also point out this is descriptive of Europe in general, not just Spain.

First, I’m not a coffee snob. Sure, there are times when I’m picky with my beverages (wine, beer, whisky…the important things), but coffee isn’t one of them, at least not usually. I don’t buy the bulk-size red or blue cannisters of coffee that we’re all so familiar with in the US, but I also don’t gravitate toward the super expensive artisan stuff either. When I walk into a coffee shop, I’m easily overwhelmed and so usually defer to my usual: black, drip coffee. But even that is getting complicated: do I want brewed coffee or a pour over? Maybe French Pressed? Honestly, I don’t taste the difference, so give me the one that costs less. I know, I know…I can hear the disapproving gasps from here. *shrug*

Trouble is when I’m in Europe I can never find brewed coffee. Walk into any coffee shop and ask for a coffee. What do you get? Espresso. Don’t get me wrong: I like espresso and espresso-based drinks just fine. However, first thing in the morning I look for the familiar taste of simple brewed, black coffee. Remember: I’m not fancy. Instead, anytime I ask for a ‘coffee’ in Europe, what I most often receive is an Americano. For those who don’t know, an Americano is a shot (or two) of espresso diluted with hot water. Just so we’re on the same page, this is not the same thing as brewed coffee, even if it does look the same. Espresso, in my semi-educated opinion, has a darker roast and so is more bitter than most brewed coffees. Could I add sugar? Sure, but that’s…not the point.

For a while, I got in the habit of taking instant coffee with me on my long travels. Instant coffee?! Surely you’re joking. I know, I know: instant coffee has a terrible reputation. However, I’m happy to say some companies are starting to crack the code on this and are putting out some decent options. Are they as good as fresh brewed? Certainly not. But they can come in handy when all you need is hot water. Also, you’re able to find these in the US and, because they’re dehydrated, pack easily for your adventures. Starbucks VIA Instant Pike Place is currently the best I’ve found.

Or you can learn to enjoy (okay, enjoy might be too generous a word) its stronger cousin while abroad. After all, when in Rome…

The post Coffee, the important stuff – staying caffeinated on your travels first appeared on The DeBode Way.

In a prior travel technology post we talked about the benefits of noise-canceling earbuds for flights. Seriously, they’re amazing. You really can’t appreciate how loud a plane is until you’ve experienced noise-canceling technology…and then have to go without it. As we explained earlier, our first foray into the world of noise-canceling things was our Bose QuietComfort Noise-Canceling Earbuds. Lots of folks asked why we opted for earbuds rather than headphones, and our main answer was focused on their smaller size, which is helpful given our preference to travel only with carry-on luggage. However, Jason recently purchased a pair of Bose QuietComfort 700 Noise-Canceling Headphones, so now we’re able to compare the two.

Cost.

Headphones. When I bought them from BestBuy, my headphones cost $255.65 and were on sale. I suppose if you did enough sleuthing, you might find them less expensive somewhere else, but make sure you factor in the value of your time when doing all that looking around. Their regular price is $379, so I feel like I got a pretty good deal. Along with the carrying case, there’s a small compartment that includes an audio cord and a charging cable. The charging cable is USB-C and does not come with a wall adaptor. The audio cord is mostly for flights: the headphones have a Bluetooth connection to your devices, but most planes don’t have that capability…yet. Until then, you can use the cord to connect the headphones to the plane’s in-flight entertainment system, or you can purchase an additional Bluetooth adaptor unit like an AirFly for the cordless experience.

Earbuds. We got these a few years ago, so while we don’t remember what we paid back then, they currently go for $350. Along with the carrying case, the wired earbuds also come with a small USB charging cord, though they don’t come with a wall adaptor for the cord, or at least they didn’t when we got them. Also, be aware the cord ends in a regular headphone jack, so if you want them to use with your phone, you might need a dongle to convert it to either USB-C or the end that works with your iPhone.

Battery Life.

Headphones. I’ve been impressed with the battery life of the headphones. When fully charged, they can last for around 20 hours of noise-canceling bliss before needing a recharge.

Earbuds. I’m not actually sure how long the noise-canceling ability of the earbuds last, but it’s a long, long time. I’ve taken them on day-long travel adventures and never need to recharge them. I’ve even waited for a few days, used them again, and still didn’t have to recharge them. Fortunately, if the battery does die, you’re still able to use them like regular earbuds; not the case with the headphones.

Comfort.

Headphones. When you first put them on, the QuietComfort 700s are really comfortable. The parts that cover your ears have lots of cushy padding, so there’s no rubbing or hard surfaces to irritate your head handles. The band that goes over the top of your head is similarly padded, so it won’t hurt when it rubs against the top of your noggin. On a recent flight from Chicago to Edinburgh, Scotland (about 7 hours), the headphones remained comfortable the entire time. The only minor exception is if you’re wearing a ballcap: beware that the headband will put pressure on the button (is that what it’s even called?!) at the top of your hat, which can make your head a little sore. However, at least in my experience, that happens with all headphones, not just these.

Earbuds. Do your earbuds stay in? Yea? Good for you; wish I could say the same. Unfortunately, almost all the earbuds I’ve tried seem to wiggle their way out of my ear. This happens more when I’m up and moving around (or mowing, for example), but still seems to happen when I’m sitting down. Fortunately, the smart folks over at Bose seem to have a solution to this program. On their earbuds, there’s an extra piece of silicone that presses against the inside of your ear, holding the bud firmly, though comfortable, in place as long as you have them in. As good as that is, I can only have them in for around 4 hours until my ears start getting a little sore, and this is true both at regular times and while traveling and on flights.

Noise-Canceling Quality.

Headphones. The only way to describe this is an immersive experience. Once you slide these babies on (and remember to push the noise-cancelling button), the whole world fades away, or at least the sounds it makes. Or well, that’s mostly true. The thing is, the padding that goes around your ears that makes these so comfortable is also the thing that somewhat undermines the headphones’ noise-canceling abilities.

For example, if you’re wearing a hat, the slight difference in the surface where the end of the hat meets your head creates a small gap that can let noise in. In other words, you need that padding to create a seal around your entire ear for optimal noise canceling. It’s still good even with the small gap, but not as good as without.

This particular model of headphones also has 10 levels of noise-canceling. I’m not sure why you’d ever want less than a level 10, but the option is there if you want it.

Earbuds. Contrary to what I was expecting, I think the earbuds are actually better when it comes to noise-canceling ability. Why? Well, the folks at Bose had the good sense to create a funnel-shaped end on the part of the earbud that goes into your ear canal. That means the sound you want to listen to is channeled directly into your ear rather than played around your ear as with the headphones. All the silicone pieces of the earbud also create a pretty effective seal around your inner ear, making for a better noise-canceling experience. That all makes it easier for the noise-canceling technology to actually do its job. Because of that, I’d give a slight nod to the earbuds over the headphones in this category.

Also, unlike the headphones, the earbuds have a single noise-canceling level: on or off.

Sound Quality.

Headphones. Bose is known for the quality of its sound, especially the base, and these headphones do not disappoint. Putting them on and watching a movie or listening to music creates something like a surround sound-like experience, allowing you to get fully immersed in whatever you’re doing. As with the noise-canceling levels, there are a few other functions you can play around with to customize your experience.

Earbuds. Again, regardless of what you have, if it’s a Bose product the sound is going to be top-notch. These earbuds are great, as are our other Bose earbuds that aren’t noise-canceling. Are they as good as the headphones? No. Why? I’m not sure. Maybe the bigger size of the headphones (read below) give the engineers more space to pack in more abilities and features. Maybe it’s just my ears. Either way, while the sound is great, it’s not as immersive as with the headphones.

Size.

Headphones. As we alluded to earlier, the headphones are bigger and bulkier than the earbuds. A lot more. For me, that means if I’m trying to sleep on the plane (ha!), it’s not happening with my headphones on. Yes, they also take up more space in my backpack, though not as much as I’d expected. The ear cups fold out to the side, so the case they come in is relatively flat and makes for easier stowage.

Earbuds. Obviously, there’s no way for headphones to take up less space than earbuds, so no surprises here. Our earbuds come in a small zippered hard-ish shelled pouch that’s super easy to toss into a bag of nearly any size. They also fit nicely in the pocket of the seat in front of you. Yes, yes, I know how gross those are. That’s what Clorox wipes are for.

Overall Thoughts.

In the end, which option you go with is largely up to your personal preference. As I’ve said above, it’s hard to go wrong with a Bose product, so you’ll be well taken care of regardless of which way you go. That said, if you’re someone who has trouble sleeping on planes but still gives it the good college effort, the headphones might not be for you. However, if you’re able to sleep sitting up and/or with a neck pillow, it might not be a big deal. If, like me, you’re someone who continually gives the stink eye to the people sleeping on your flight, this difference might not matter at all to you.

Speaking strictly about price, I don’t think there’s a big enough difference to influence the purchase. You get what you pay for, so if you’re not willing to spend much on noise-canceling technology, just beware. On the other hand, if you view these as an investment in your comfort while traveling (or whatever you do with them), and are willing to spend the money, the prices are close enough that you can go either way.

The post Silence in the Skies: Which Noise-Canceling Technology Reigns Supreme? first appeared on The DeBode Way.

When we first started traveling, it wasn’t uncommon for the smaller B&Bs we’d stay at to either not have internet, or only in common areas. Think about it: it wasn’t that long ago that the major hotel brands only had hardwired internet connections in their rooms. Today that’s the stuff of nightmares. Fortunately (or not, if you’re wanting to unplug while away), that seems to be changing, allowing folks to stay connected wherever they go, at least for the most part.

However, if you’re one the rare folks who like to make regular phone calls while abroad, things can get expensive quickly if you don’t make a plan before you leave. So, let’s chat about a few things we do to help keep those costs down.

Stick to Wi-Fi

First, we try to stick to Wi-Fi-based calling as much as possible. While in Europe we’re big fans of utilizing WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, both of which work via Wi-Fi and don’t need a mobile network connection. WhatsApp is our default, as it has better encryption and is more widespread in Europe. Facebook messenger is still used, but not as frequently, at least in our experience. Both platforms let us send instant messages to the people we want to chat with, and let us call (voice or video) back home to check in. As long as we have a Wi-Fi connection, we’re set. And, like I said earlier, Wi-Fi is plentiful where we’ve been in Europe, and when it isn’t, we can take our own TravelWifi and be fine.

Verizon TravelPass

If you want the security or peace of mind of being able to make phone calls on your travels, in our experience there are two main options. We should note that our mobile carrier is Verizon (because its the best rural coverage in the US), so the following is exclusive to them. Still, it’s worth checking with your carrier to see what your options are and the prices for each. My understanding is T-Mobile and Sprint include a bit of international coverage in their normal plans.

What we’ve used the most is what Verizon calls their TravelPass. This plan, which isn’t really a plan as much as an option you can turn on/off in your account whenever you like, lets you use your regular phone plan (data, talk, and text messages) while abroad. It’ll charge you $10 per day of use ($5 per day in Canada or Mexico) and be advised that a ‘day’ is defined as a 24-hour period of time. For example, if you use your plan at 4.23pm, you’ll get a text message from Verizon letting you know your TravelPass has been activated and you’re good until 4.22 the following day. As of the writing of this post, Verizon notes that TravelPass can be used in more than 140 countries.

International Calling Plans

If you don’t want to hassle with the TravelPass and prefer more certainty about what your bill will be when you get home, Verizon also has a pre-paid international monthly plan. They used to have more options, but as of now it looks like the only international plan they have will run you $100 for the month per phone (even if your trip is only a week). It includes unlimited data, 250 minutes for calls, and unlimited texts. If you exceed your 250 minutes for phone calls, you will be charged $0.25 per minute beyond the 250 included with your plan. This, of course, is on top of the plan you use at home.

Pay-As-You-Go

This isn’t something we use and only suggest using it in emergency situations. These rates, which can be expensive, kick in when you don’t have an international calling plan and travel to a country not covered by the TravelPass (with Verizon, anyway). To make a call, expect to pay between $0.99 to $2.99 per minute, texts can cost you $0.50 to send, and your data can cost $2.05 per megabyte. These rates are as of the writing of this post and may have changed by the time you’re reading it.

International SIM cards

Using a new SIM card is something we haven’t done since we try to share a wifi plan, but especially when we’re in Europe, it seems there are plenty of folks who use this option.

First, a Subscriber Identity Module, or SIM, card is what allows you to be on your carrier’s network (you already have one in your phone). In other words, that little card is what tells Verizon’s network, in our case, that our phone is a Verizon phone and is authorized to access the network. It’s also what prevents our phones from jumping onto another carrier’s network (AT&T, for example). When you go abroad, you have the option of purchasing a new SIM card for your phone. You can either purchase a physical SIM card when you get to a new country or you can purchase an eSIM card online before you go. If you purchase an eSIM card, you virtually add it to your phone’s network settings and switch it on when you get to your destination. Easy peasy.

Most of the SIM cards come with a plan, a set number of minutes and/or gigabytes of data you can use. Some SIM cards are only useful in a single country, while others (usually more expensive) can be used in multiple countries (e.g., the entire EU). Above all else, make sure you keep your physical home SIM card in a safe place and be sure to put it back in your phone before turning it on again when you get home. Similar for the eSIM, make sure you switch back to your home SIM card already in your phone before you power down for your flight home.

This seems like a great and easy option to use you phone abroad, and it is! The company we use for our mobile hotspot also sells eSIM cards but we haven’t given it a try because it will double the total price for us. Each phone requires its own eSIM card number and it can only be used once. Currently, we share the data on one mobile hotspot and have gotten along just fine.

An example: with an eSIM we would get 20 GB of data for 15 days for $40, times two for data only = $80.
Our current hotspot from the same company is 4 GB of data for 15 days for $27 total, which is significantly less data, but it’s plenty to get us between WiFi locations.
It boils down to just how much data you think you will use. Keeping in mind, this is just data, no calling or texting plan, so you still need to use the WiFi messaging apps for everything.

Our Recommendation

If you’re familiar with our blog and the way we travel, you’ll know we try to keep our costs down as much as possible. This gives us the ability to travel more or splurge where we really want to. That same mentality applies to how we use our phones when traveling abroad. Here’s our usual routine:

1. When we get on the plane taking us out of the US, we turn off our mobile data before putting our phones in airplane mode. Why? Because if you don’t, when you land in the new country and take your phone out of airplane mode, it’ll automatically turn your data back on. If you’ve already purchased an international plan, then no worries, but if you haven’t, it’ll immediately start your first TravelPass session (if you have Verizon) and cost you $10. However, if you turn your data off before turning on airplane mode, when you take your phone out of airplane mode, your data will stay off.
2. As much as possible we stick to Wi-Fi. Almost without exception, the hotels, B&B’s, Airbnb’s, and so on will all have Wi-Fi available, and frequently for ‘free’ (it’s not free, it’s just included in the price you’ve already paid). This lets us stay in touch with family and friends, check e-mail, plan routes, and so on.
3. If we need an internet connection after we leave the hotel, we take our TravelWi-Fi hotspot with us. For the most part, we use this with Google Maps for navigation, as it’s less expensive than renting a GPS unit from the rental car company.
4. If we really need to make a phone call or connect to the internet and for whatever reason Wi-Fi either isn’t available or isn’t working, we use the TravelPass option from Verizon. Be warned, though: while Wi-Fi is more and more plentiful on your travels, your data plan might not be. At least where we go, data connections are frequently unreliable and spotty (that’s part of why we go to those places in the first place!). Also, if you do this and have Verizon, you have to turn the TravelPass option on via your online account.

Operating this way lets us save a lot of money when we travel. For example, a TravelWi-Fi plan with our mobile unit might cost us $30, but it will give us plenty of data for our trip for BOTH of us to use. Most of the time we end up not using it all because we do things that take up a bunch of data (like uploading pictures) on the Wi-Fi at our hotel. So, we can easily be gone for a 12-day trip and only spend that one-time $30 for Wi-Fi. If we used TravelPass every day, we’d spend $120, or we’d have to fork over $100+ if we paid for a pre-paid international plan.

In the end, be smart with your money and know your options. Do whatever makes you comfortable, but also know there are lots of options that can help keep you connected. Or…not.

Happy traveling!

The post How to Use Your Phone Abroad Without Breaking the Bank first appeared on The DeBode Way.