If you have followed Ashley and me on social media or our Naked Marriage Podcast for any length of time, you probably already know that we love to travel. We decided early in our relationship that we’d rather be rich in experiences than rich in possessions. Neither of us had traveled much while we were growing up, but we’ve made “adventures” a priority in our twenty-one years of marriage.
People often ask about our favorite places and travel recommendations. While we definitely have specific spots we love seeing as often as possible, I’d like to share a different kind of list with you. Much of this list could be customized specifically to your preferences. If you and your spouse make it a priority to share all five of these experiences, I firmly believe your marriage will grow stronger. Plus, you’ll have some epic pictures to show your grandchildren someday!
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The five places every couple should experience together are, in no particular order:
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The place of their ancestry.
Ashley and I have done the Ancestry DNA tests and found that most of our ancestry is traced back to the United Kingdom and Ireland. We’ve traveled to the UK and Ireland, and those have been some of the most meaningful trips we’ve ever taken. Not only do we love the landscape, the food, and the culture, but we also feel a unique connection knowing our ancestors called these places home. If you and your spouse will make a pilgrimage to the area of your ancestry, I believe it will be very meaningful for you both.
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Any of the 7 Wonders of the World
For our twentieth anniversary, we made a “Bucket List” trip to Peru to hike a portion of the Inca Trail and visit the ancient city of Macchu Picchu which is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The experience was epic! We loved connecting with travelers from around the world and seeing a place that has been globally recognized as a marvel. Look up the list of the 7 Wonders and plan a trip to see one (or more) of them. You won’t be disappointed.
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The Holy Land
Few experiences have enriched my life and my faith as much as traveling to the Holy Land and walking in the footsteps of Jesus. As a Christian, this pilgrimage was profound on so many levels, and now my Bible comes to life in new ways since I’ve visited the places where the Bible took place. Ashley and I are planning a group trip to the Holy Land for Summer of 2023. We’d love to share the adventure with you! If you’d like more info on our trip, please click here: https://dave-ashley.gordonbooking.com
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The National Parks
We love traveling to the National Parks! For both family vacations with the kids and adventurous getaways just as a couple, whenever we can see a National Park, we always enjoy it. The United States has some breathtaking beauty in its National Parks, but there are also hundreds of National Parks in countries around the world. Here’s a picture of us at Glacier National Park in Montana which is one of our favorite places.
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An XO Marriage Conference
This isn’t just a shameless plug! I wholeheartedly believe that couples who attend one or more of our XO Marriage Conferences have a great time and grow their marriage as a result. We also do a live meet-and-greet at most of these events and we LOVE meeting you and hearing your stories. Make plans to spend a weekend with us. I promise you’ll have a great time! Click here for our full schedule: https://xomarriage.com/conferences/
As a next step, talk to your spouse about planning a trip to someplace on this list. Having an adventure to look forward to on your calendar will help your mental health and your marriage. Keep sharing adventures together. Keep making memories! Keep growing. If you’d like stay connected to our family’s adventures (plus get plenty of free marriage-building content), you can follow us on Instagram @DaveAndAshleyWillis and also subscribe to The Naked Marriage Podcast.
