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Travel Photographer, Videographer, and Blogger
Sarah Marie Travel
TRAVEL BLOG
MY BLOGS
Writing has always been a secret passion of mine, and getting to write about my travels brings me just as much joy as photographing and creating vlogs does for my trips! So much of my own inspiration comes from other travel bloggers, especially Kiki and Ellie, and I wanted to share some insider tips and tricks from my own time abroad here! I hope you find these pieces useful as you traverse the world! Never hesitate to send me an email if you want 1x1 conversation or have a specific question. I am always happy to help! You can also visit each country page for more information. Enjoy!
TRAVEL BLOG
What to Do in the Westman Islands in Iceland
The Westman Islands are located near Vík off the south part of Iceland and are a MUST add to your travel itinerary. This archipelago is breathtaking with towering vibrant green hills and steep cliffs surrounded by strikingly blue water. In June when we went, there was abundant wildlife with hundreds of nesting birds and sheep roaming the hills. While the island is tiny, it also has plenty to fill your time on a day excursion from the mainland. Here are some of my top suggesti
Sarah Howard
Jun 143 min read
Best Six-Day Itinerary for Iceland
Iceland is a breathtaking country full of fire and ice – volcano eruptions, massive glaciers, and towering fjords that clash against the ocean. No wonder a visit is on so many people’s bucket lists! If you are planning a trip to Iceland, I have found that six days is a perfect window to see most of the highlights on and beyond the island. Check out my best six-day itinerary for Iceland below! Eldfell Volcano Loop Day One: Travel Day + Explore Reykjavík Depending on where you
Sarah Howard
Jun 146 min read
Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Iceland
Out of the few times I have visited Iceland, I have only rented a car once and it COMPLETELY changed how we were able to see the country. Iceland is a wild and rural island and aside from within Reykjavík and to and from the airport, there is extremely limited public transportation. If you want to see all the beauty Iceland has to offer, you are going to need a rental car to do it! Check out Why You MUST Get a Rental Car in Iceland (coming soon!) for my opinion on why renting
Sarah Howard
Jun 104 min read
Don't be "that tourist"
Everyone knows "that tourist" they saw on a trip -- the one that was too loud, disregarded local customs, and was disrespectful to locals. Being obnoxious aside, travel can be extremely harmful to local communities. Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru Tourism in general has been highly associated with colonialism and truthfully an intrusion on local land while exploiting all the country or city has to offer. It’s an extremely heartbreaking and dark history. There are countless articles
Sarah Howard
May 32 min read
Why travel with IVHQ?
International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ) is an amazing volunteer opportunity for individuals looking for a little more support while traveling internationally and getting to know the local community on a deeper level. To date, I have traveled with this organization twice. Roasting a marshmallow on a volcano in Guatemala! For my first trip, I volunteered to teach English at Kusko Maki, an English language center in Peru that offered free English classes for adults (and their kiddos
Sarah Howard
May 21 min read
Best excursions from Cuzco, Perú
There is an abundance of activities and sights to see in the historical city of Cuzco, but if you find yourself with extra time while in the area here are my Top Three Excursions from Cuzco, Perú. Day trip (or weekend) to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu There are several different ways you can visit Machu Picchu. When I visited, I went with the volunteer organization Maximo Nivel and IVHQ. We did a weekend trip, stopping in Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas
Sarah Howard
Mar 242 min read
Top Tips for Traveling Solo
Traveling solo is truly one of the most liberating things I have ever done, and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone! I remember my first truly solo trip (i.e., no volunteer or tour agency support) was to Paris, France, in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic. I was terrified to travel alone and having been raised in a painfully small town with just a few stoplights, I found the thought of flying across the ocean into an unfamiliar land paralyzing. Once I landed in Paris, my outloo
Sarah Howard
Sep 14, 20245 min read
Things to Consider When Visiting Batu Caves
Batu Caves is one of the most visited religious sites in Malaysia, and for good reason! This mountainous temple is home to several different Hindu temples – both at ground level and high up in the caves. Decorated with vibrant colors and enchanting music, a visit to Batu Caves is an absolute must during your time in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Here are some of my top things you should consider when visiting Batu Caves! Bring Water The humidity and heat in Malaysia are seriously n
Sarah Howard
Sep 12, 20243 min read
Best Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia absolutely stole my heart. When I first booked this trip, I had limited expectations and or knowledge of the beauty Kuala Lumpur had to offer! With an incredible multicultural environment, there are countless things to do in and around the city. Here are some of my top recommendations for your trip to Kuala Lumpur! Batu Caves and Hindu Temples My top recommendation I am sure will come as no surprise to many tourists – Batu Caves. Arguably the most highly visited site
Sarah Howard
Sep 5, 20244 min read
Best Things to Do in and Around Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona is certainly a tourist town, even the cruise ships dock bay at the Kailua Pier ! With that said, there are a bunch of little things that you can do around the city. Here are some of our top recommendations for visiting Kailua-Kona. Kona Kat Cafe - Spend a morning at the Kona Kat Cafe playing with cats and kittens while supporting a local business! The Kona Kat Cafe is located downtown, and hosts rescue cats and kittens in need of homes. You can even adopt one a
Sarah Howard
Jul 23, 20242 min read
Best Things to Do on the Big Island, Hawai'i
Check out some of the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii!
Sarah Howard
Jul 23, 20245 min read
Things to Consider When Renting a Car in Hawai'i
Check out some of the things to consider when renting a car in Hawaii!
Sarah Howard
Jul 23, 20244 min read
Why to Get a Rental Car for the Big Island of Hawai'i
Check out why I recommend you get a rental car for your trip to the Big Island of Hawaii!
Sarah Howard
Jul 11, 20243 min read
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