Venture Wild

Global Adventure Travel
Travel Tips

Taking On The World, One Adventure At A Time

Hi! We’re Kate & DJ, travelers, adventure seekers, and salty souls. We have been traveling full time for the past 7 years, and in that time, we’ve had some big adventures, and our fair share of misadventures along the way! 

 Like most good stories our starts with falling in love, takes some silly and entirely unpredictable twists, and ends with a cliffhanger (we’ve been known to make that last part literal) 

 Having been around the world and back we’ve picked up a few tricks along the way. Venture wild is a place for travelers, explorers, and anyone with an adventurous dream. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just dreaming about adventure, hang with us- inspiration abounds!

 

Travel History 

Countries

U.S. States

Continents

Miles Traveled

Recent Travels

Little bits of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. Catch our most recent adventures here!

How To Pack For Christmas Markets

How To Pack For Christmas Markets

What To Pack For The European Christmas Markets Carry On Only  Tis the season for Christmas Markets! Pipping hot mugs of mulled wine, twinkling lights, and magical December snow, a trip to Europe to visit the Christmas Markets is the ultimate holiday getaway!   ...

15 Tips For Traveling The World And Making It Out Alive!

1. Learn to Laugh instead of cry. Things will go wrong, that’s a guarantee, but how you approach it, is your choice.

 

2. Get lost, purposefully.The best experiences are waiting just outside your comfort zone.

Our Life

We’re Katie + DJ just two hopeless wanderers currently on a quest to explore North America in our rolling home 🚐! Our house may be small but our world is HUGE, and the best part is no matter where we roam, we’re never far from home!

Our Top Experiences Around The World 

1. Swimming With Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean reaching lengths up to 40 feet (12 meters) and weighing in at a whopping 21.5 tons

2. Road Tripping Down The Baja Peninsula

Mexico’s Baja Peninsula is a land like no other, filled with dusty road, massive cacti and home to some of the best wildlife viewing and surf spots

3. Cruising Through The Panama Canal

Over 1 million vessels have transited this artificially made wonder of the world, getting a chance to be among them is an awe-inspiring experience! 

@venture_wild
Kate & DJ | World Travelers

@venture_wild

Travelers 🧳 Adventure Seekers 🏄 and Salty Souls 🌊 On an Endless Trip Around The World 🌎. ⁣
  • No drones allowed in national parks? No problem. 😉❌✈️ 
 
As much as we love a good drone shot, can we all just start accepting the fact that drones are just not ideal (or legal) in a lot of locations? 
 
We don’t fly our drone half as often as we’d like anymore. Honestly, a lot of the countries we travel to have strict bans—looking at you, Morocco and Mexico. And even where it is legal, we often choose not to fly it because we hate disturbing other visitors who are just trying to enjoy the peace, or the conditions aren’t perfect and we’re constantly worried about an accident. 
 
That’s exactly why the Insta360 X5 has been such a relief lately—it completely takes that worry away. 
You just put it on the extended stick, and it totally deletes the stick from the footage. You get that epic, high-angle perspective that looks just like a drone shot, but completely legally and without bothering anyone around you or risking a customs headache. 
As a travel camera, it’s been a total game-changer for our peace of mind. And since it’s a 360 camera, you don’t even have to worry about aiming it or missing the shot while you’re out exploring. You just record, stay in the moment, and choose your angles later. 
 
Curious, how do you guys feel about drones when you’re out finding cool spots? Do they bug you or do you love the footage? Let’s chat in the comments 👇 
 
#gifted @insta360 @insta360_usa #insta360X5 #insta360 #travelcamera #ShotOnInsta360 360Camera nationalpark
  • How to spend the perfect day in the Florida Keys 🌴☀️👇 
 
If you’re planning a Florida Keys road trip or a sunny beach escape, listen up: the sun down here does not play. You will literally burn faster than a marshmallow in a bonfire. 🔥 
 
To survive the heat and keep the adventure going, we geared up at @REI before hitting the road. We genuinely used every single one of these sanity-saving essentials to stay cool and comfortable out on the water: 
 
    •    𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬: Our absolute daily uniform for UV protection without overheating. (@rei) 
    •    𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐬: The ultimate transition footwear for travel days, boat decks, and beach walks. (@chacofootwear)
    •    𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬: A non-negotiable for cutting the glare on that gorgeous turquoise water.  (@goodr)
    •    𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐏𝐅 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐬: Easy to throw in a pack and crucial for extra shade. (@turtlefur)
    •    𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐟-𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧: Better for your skin, and better for the ocean. (@sunbum)
    •    𝐎𝐫𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐬: Never leaving on a roadtrip without these perfect for exploring hidden mangroves and pristine flats.  (@orukayak)
 
🚨  𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭:  all of our exact gear items are heavily discounted right now during the REI Anniversary Sale. We rounded up the specific pieces we use on repeat so you don’t have to hunt for them. 
 
Want to level up your warm-weather travel gear while it’s on sale? 
 
💬 Comment 𝐒𝐔𝐍 and we’ll slide into your DMs with the direct links to our top REI sale picks for your next watery adventure! 🌊✨ . . .  
 
 
 
Florida Keys travel guide | Florida vacation inspiration | Adventure travel gear | REI sale picks | Beach vacation essentials | Key West road trip | Sustainable travel tips 

#gifted @rei @rockporch.creators #rockporchpartner #rockporchrally
  • UNPOPULAR OPINION: The best parts of Key West aren’t actually on Duval Street. 🤫(Seriously, tap that ‘more’ button right now, you’re going to want to save, this one) 👇 
 
If you think this island is just rowdy bar crawls and cheesy t-shirt shops, you’re missing the magic. Key West is one of those places that gets exponentially better when you slow down and find the hidden pockets. 
 
Here is your official non-touristy checklist of things actually worth doing: 
 
    •    Ditch the car immediately: Rent bikes. The island is incredibly compact, and pedaling through the quiet, historic side streets of Old Town to look at the pastel Conch cottages is a core memory. 
  
   •    Skip the hotel breakfast: Grab a Cuban coffee (a bucci or colada if you need a jolt) and a pastry early in the morning before the crowds wake up. 
 
    •    The ultimate day trip: Take the ferry or seaplane out to Dry Tortugas National Park. It takes a bit of planning, but snorkeling along those 19th-century fort walls in crystal-clear water is a total bucket-list experience. 
 
    •    A different kind of sunset: Mallory Square is iconic, but it’s packed. For a more laid-back vibe, grab a spot at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach or rent a kayak to paddle through the tangled mangrove tunnels as the sun goes down. 
 
    •    Do the classic stuff (but make it fun): Go say hi to the six-toed cats at the Hemingway House, wander through the peaceful Butterfly Conservatory, and go on a key lime pie tasting mission to find your favorite.  
 
 SAVE & FOLLOW: ✈️ Planning a Florida trip? Hit that little bookmark icon right now so you can pull this list up later. 
 
🗺️ If you love discovering the unique, hidden-gem side of bucket-list adventures and destinations without the tourist traps, come hang out and with us and hit follow @venture_wild 
 
#KeyWest #FloridaKeys #FloridaTravel #HiddenGems #DryTortugas 
 
 
  • The best part of travel is meeting the locals. 🤝 
 
We’ve explored over 40 countries, and while the landscapes are epic, the “locals” (aka the street dogs, suspicious cats, and curious critters) always steal the show. 
 
If you’re planning an adventure travel bucket list, these are the 3 best places in the world (that we’ve been) for wildlife encounters that actually lived up to the hype: 
 
📍 Seward, Alaska: Seeing Humpbacks and Orcas in their natural habitat is unmatched. If you want the ultimate Alaska boat tour, this is the spot. 🐋 
 
📍 Indonesia: Nothing prepares you for a Manta Ray the size of a bus gliding past you. It’s the peak underwater adventure. 🐠 
 
📍 The Coast of Mexico: Swimming with Whale Sharks (the ocean’s gentlest giants) and snorkeling with curious sea lions. Pro tip: The sea lions are slightly less “gentle” and way more mischievous! 🦈 
 
Still on our “Meet the Neighbors” Bucket List: 
* Waddling with penguins in Antarctica 🐧 
* An African Safari for the elephants 🐘 
* Orangutans in Borneo 🦧 
* Polar Bears in Manitoba, Canada ❄️ 
 
What’s the coolest “local” you’ve ever met on your travels? Meet us in the comments! 👇 
 
#AdventureTravel #BucketListDestinations #WildlifePhotography #ExploreTheWild #TravelDeep
  • POV: Your family thinks every flight is going to land you a staring role in a Netflix True Crime documentary. 🕵️‍♀️✈️ 
 
Let’s be real—the world is a lot less scary than the movies make it look. But when you’re ticking off bucket list adventures, a few smart habits go a long way in making international travel feel like a breeze. 🌍✨ 
 
Whether we’re exploring hidden gems or navigating a new city, these are our non-negotiables for travel safety: 
 
 •  Live Location: Always shared with family back home. 📱 
 
 •  Digital Prepping: Download offline maps before you lose service in remote areas. 
 
 •  The “Split Stash”: Keep emergency cash hidden in a separate spot from your wallet. 💵 
 
 •  Arrival Strategy: Never land in a new country without your first-night accommodation booked. 
 
 •  The Gut Check: If a situation feels off, trust your gut and exit. No questions asked. ✋ 
 
The world isn’t a scary place, but a little extra caution when your traveling allows us to go further and see more. 🏔️👣 
 
What’s the ONE destination your family is convinced will “definitely get you kidnapped”? 😂 Drop the place below! 👇 
 
#travelsafety #adventuretravel #travelhacks #bucketlisttravel #travelreels
  • Some days the best investment isn’t in your bank account… it’s in the plane ticket, the bucket list adventure, the ocean swim, the random detour, and the travel stories you’ll still be telling 20 years from now. 🌍☀️ 
 
Life moves fast. Your travel goals shouldn’t stay parked “for someday.” 
 
Take the trip. 
Order the meal. 
 Jump in the water. 
Book the adventure. 
 
Because memories age a whole lot better than excuses. ✈️ Whether you’re looking for unique stays or hidden gems, this is your sign to start exploring. 
 
Tag the friend who’s always down for one more adventure 🤝 
 
📍 Railay Beach, Thailand 
 
#bucketlistadventure #experiencsoverthings #hiddengems #travelstoke #adventureseeker
No drones allowed in national parks? No problem. 😉❌✈️    As much as we love a good drone shot, can we all just start accepting the fact that drones are just not ideal (or legal) in a lot of locations?    We don’t fly our drone half as often as we’d like anymore. Honestly, a lot of the countries we travel to have strict bans—looking at you, Morocco and Mexico. And even where it is legal, we often choose not to fly it because we hate disturbing other visitors who are just trying to enjoy the peace, or the conditions aren’t perfect and we’re constantly worried about an accident.    That’s exactly why the Insta360 X5 has been such a relief lately—it completely takes that worry away.  You just put it on the extended stick, and it totally deletes the stick from the footage. You get that epic, high-angle perspective that looks just like a drone shot, but completely legally and without bothering anyone around you or risking a customs headache.  As a travel camera, it’s been a total game-changer for our peace of mind. And since it’s a 360 camera, you don’t even have to worry about aiming it or missing the shot while you’re out exploring. You just record, stay in the moment, and choose your angles later.    Curious, how do you guys feel about drones when you’re out finding cool spots? Do they bug you or do you love the footage? Let’s chat in the comments 👇    #gifted @insta360 @insta360_usa #insta360X5 #insta360 #travelcamera #ShotOnInsta360 360Camera nationalpark
3 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
How to spend the perfect day in the Florida Keys 🌴☀️👇    If you’re planning a Florida Keys road trip or a sunny beach escape, listen up: the sun down here does not play. You will literally burn faster than a marshmallow in a bonfire. 🔥    To survive the heat and keep the adventure going, we geared up at @REI before hitting the road. We genuinely used every single one of these sanity-saving essentials to stay cool and comfortable out on the water:        •    𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬: Our absolute daily uniform for UV protection without overheating. (@rei)      •    𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐬: The ultimate transition footwear for travel days, boat decks, and beach walks. (@chacofootwear)     •    𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬: A non-negotiable for cutting the glare on that gorgeous turquoise water.  (@goodr)     •    𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐏𝐅 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐬: Easy to throw in a pack and crucial for extra shade. (@turtlefur)     •    𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐟-𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧: Better for your skin, and better for the ocean. (@sunbum)     •    𝐎𝐫𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐬: Never leaving on a roadtrip without these perfect for exploring hidden mangroves and pristine flats.  (@orukayak)   🚨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭: all of our exact gear items are heavily discounted right now during the REI Anniversary Sale. We rounded up the specific pieces we use on repeat so you don’t have to hunt for them.    Want to level up your warm-weather travel gear while it’s on sale?    💬 Comment 𝐒𝐔𝐍 and we’ll slide into your DMs with the direct links to our top REI sale picks for your next watery adventure! 🌊✨ . . .         Florida Keys travel guide | Florida vacation inspiration | Adventure travel gear | REI sale picks | Beach vacation essentials | Key West road trip | Sustainable travel tips #gifted @rei @rockporch.creators #rockporchpartner #rockporchrally
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
UNPOPULAR OPINION: The best parts of Key West aren’t actually on Duval Street. 🤫(Seriously, tap that ‘more’ button right now, you’re going to want to save, this one) 👇    If you think this island is just rowdy bar crawls and cheesy t-shirt shops, you’re missing the magic. Key West is one of those places that gets exponentially better when you slow down and find the hidden pockets.    Here is your official non-touristy checklist of things actually worth doing:        •    Ditch the car immediately: Rent bikes. The island is incredibly compact, and pedaling through the quiet, historic side streets of Old Town to look at the pastel Conch cottages is a core memory.        •    Skip the hotel breakfast: Grab a Cuban coffee (a bucci or colada if you need a jolt) and a pastry early in the morning before the crowds wake up.        •    The ultimate day trip: Take the ferry or seaplane out to Dry Tortugas National Park. It takes a bit of planning, but snorkeling along those 19th-century fort walls in crystal-clear water is a total bucket-list experience.        •    A different kind of sunset: Mallory Square is iconic, but it’s packed. For a more laid-back vibe, grab a spot at Fort Zachary Taylor Beach or rent a kayak to paddle through the tangled mangrove tunnels as the sun goes down.        •    Do the classic stuff (but make it fun): Go say hi to the six-toed cats at the Hemingway House, wander through the peaceful Butterfly Conservatory, and go on a key lime pie tasting mission to find your favorite.     SAVE & FOLLOW: ✈️ Planning a Florida trip? Hit that little bookmark icon right now so you can pull this list up later.    🗺️ If you love discovering the unique, hidden-gem side of bucket-list adventures and destinations without the tourist traps, come hang out and with us and hit follow @venture_wild    #KeyWest #FloridaKeys #FloridaTravel #HiddenGems #DryTortugas     
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
The best part of travel is meeting the locals. 🤝    We’ve explored over 40 countries, and while the landscapes are epic, the “locals” (aka the street dogs, suspicious cats, and curious critters) always steal the show.    If you’re planning an adventure travel bucket list, these are the 3 best places in the world (that we’ve been) for wildlife encounters that actually lived up to the hype:    📍 Seward, Alaska: Seeing Humpbacks and Orcas in their natural habitat is unmatched. If you want the ultimate Alaska boat tour, this is the spot. 🐋    📍 Indonesia: Nothing prepares you for a Manta Ray the size of a bus gliding past you. It’s the peak underwater adventure. 🐠    📍 The Coast of Mexico: Swimming with Whale Sharks (the ocean’s gentlest giants) and snorkeling with curious sea lions. Pro tip: The sea lions are slightly less “gentle” and way more mischievous! 🦈    Still on our “Meet the Neighbors” Bucket List:  * Waddling with penguins in Antarctica 🐧  * An African Safari for the elephants 🐘  * Orangutans in Borneo 🦧  * Polar Bears in Manitoba, Canada ❄️    What’s the coolest “local” you’ve ever met on your travels? Meet us in the comments! 👇    #AdventureTravel #BucketListDestinations #WildlifePhotography #ExploreTheWild #TravelDeep
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
POV: Your family thinks every flight is going to land you a staring role in a Netflix True Crime documentary. 🕵️‍♀️✈️ Let’s be real—the world is a lot less scary than the movies make it look. But when you’re ticking off bucket list adventures, a few smart habits go a long way in making international travel feel like a breeze. 🌍✨ Whether we’re exploring hidden gems or navigating a new city, these are our non-negotiables for travel safety: • Live Location: Always shared with family back home. 📱 • Digital Prepping: Download offline maps before you lose service in remote areas. • The “Split Stash”: Keep emergency cash hidden in a separate spot from your wallet. 💵 • Arrival Strategy: Never land in a new country without your first-night accommodation booked. • The Gut Check: If a situation feels off, trust your gut and exit. No questions asked. ✋ The world isn’t a scary place, but a little extra caution when your traveling allows us to go further and see more. 🏔️👣 What’s the ONE destination your family is convinced will “definitely get you kidnapped”? 😂 Drop the place below! 👇 #travelsafety #adventuretravel #travelhacks #bucketlisttravel #travelreels
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Some days the best investment isn’t in your bank account… it’s in the plane ticket, the bucket list adventure, the ocean swim, the random detour, and the travel stories you’ll still be telling 20 years from now. 🌍☀️ Life moves fast. Your travel goals shouldn’t stay parked “for someday.” Take the trip. Order the meal. Jump in the water. Book the adventure. Because memories age a whole lot better than excuses. ✈️ Whether you’re looking for unique stays or hidden gems, this is your sign to start exploring. Tag the friend who’s always down for one more adventure 🤝 📍 Railay Beach, Thailand #bucketlistadventure #experiencsoverthings #hiddengems #travelstoke #adventureseeker
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/6