Ambitious Hippies

In this episode of Ambitious Hippies, we’re joined by special guest and my trusted travel agent, Rachel Hornaday from Central America Journeys and Luxe Crafted Journeys. Rachel is an expert in luxury travel and played a key role in saving our Costa Rica trip when we had to escape from an ayahuasca retreat!

We chat with Rachel about how she helps plan seamless and unforgettable vacations and discuss where we could go on our next adults only trip

We dive deep into two incredible travel destinations: Belize and Thailand. From private island getaways to jungle adventures, Rachel shares her insider tips on how to plan the perfect vacation for couples, families, or anyone looking for a little luxury in paradise.

Contact Rachel directly: [email protected]
https://centralamericajourneys.com/
https://luxecraftedjourneys.com/

In this episode, we cover:
Rachel to the Rescue: How Rachel saved our Costa Rica trip and booked us into the Four Seasons.
Belize: Exploring the best of Belize, from Mayan ruins and caves to private island retreats and jungle adventures.
Thailand: Discovering the beauty and chaos of Thailand, including elephant sanctuaries, Thai massages, and a monkey showdown!
Planning Your Dream Vacation: Why using a luxury travel agent like Rachel can turn any trip into an unforgettable experience.
The Cost of Adventure: Breaking down the budget for luxury trips to Belize and Thailand.
This episode is packed with travel tips, wild stories, and plenty of laughs. If you’re ready to plan your next dream vacation, you won’t want to miss this!


0:00 Welcome to Ambitious Hippies
0:30 Introduction to Rachel Hornaday and Luxury Travel
2:00 How Rachel Saved Our Costa Rica Trip
4:15 Exploring Belize: Mayan Ruins, Jungle, and Private Islands
8:30 Waterfall Rappelling and Jungle Adventures in Belize
12:00 Transitioning to Thailand: Chaos, Culture, and Affordability
16:15 Thai Massages, Elephant Sanctuaries, and Island Hopping
21:00 The Monkey Attack: Rachel’s Wild Thailand Experience
26:00 Planning Your Dream Vacation with a Travel Expert
29:30 The Cost of Luxury: Belize vs. Thailand
35:00 Final Thoughts and Travel Recommendations
37:15 How to Connect with Rachel and Plan Your Next Adventure

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

[WATCH US ON YOUTUBE] 

"This is your Captain speaking" and in this episode of Ambitious Hippies, we take you to 30,000 feet (but not the Mile High Club) and share our top tips for making your flight as enjoyable as possible... especially as a couple. Michael wrestling on a plane, smelly feet, window/aisle debate and the worst flight we have ever been on-- we belly laugh and hold nothing back on this one! 

In this episode, we dive into:

• Turbulence and Control: How we handle turbulence and tips to ease anxiety.
• Packing Essentials: What to wear and why you should never underestimate airplane temperatures.
• Airplane Etiquette: From choosing your seat to how to handle bathroom breaks, here's what you need to know.
• Dealing with Annoyances: Food, Feet, and our worst plane experiences.
• Michael wrestling on a plane 

Prepare to laugh, learn, and let go of your flight anxieties with us! Whether you’re gearing up for your next trip or just love listening to travel stories, we’ve got a seat reserved for you.

🔗Links & Resources:

• Subscribe to Ambitious Hippies for more travel tips!
• Follow us on Instagram: [Insert Link]
• Visit our blog for more flight tips and travel adventures.

Keywords: Flying Tips, Airplane Etiquette, Travel Hacks, Flight Anxiety, How to Enjoy Flying, Ambitious Hippies, Air Travel Essentials, Frequent Flyer, Travel Tips, Stinky Feet on a Plane

Chapters: 
Welcome to Ambitious Hippies
0:24 Introduction to Flight Tips
1:45 How to handle turbulence as a control freak 
4:30 Starting a wrestling match 
6:45 Packing Essentials for a Comfortable Flight
9:15 Airplane Etiquette: Window or Aisle? What not to do
11:50 Michael's pet peeve and the Worst Plane Experience
17:45: Chaos couple and asking for help 
22:00 Final Thoughts: Why Flying Is a Great Adventure
25:00 Not the Mile High Club

Thank you for flying with Ambitious Hippies! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your highlight from this episode. Let's stay wild, friends! 🌟✈️

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

Today I'm sharing the hilarious story of the secret hike, Kachina Tree and how we felt like Navy Seals in the process. Not as easy as we initially thought this is the behind the scenes travel story of how we finally made it to Sedona's hidden cave where The Kachina Tree is!!

WATCH FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE

Download your Sedona like a Local Guide


00:00 - Introduction: Sedona Adventure Begins
01:00 - Becoming a Local in Sedona
02:24 - The Secret Hike Plan
04:01 - Setting Out Early for the Kachina Tree
05:44 - The Wilderness Boundary: A Rocky Start
07:23 - Climbing and Scrambling Through Sedona
09:03 - Discovering the Hidden Kachina Tree
10:38 - Getting Lost and Finding Our Way
13:23 - Celebrating and Realizing We're Lost
14:23 - Navy Seal Moment 
15:29 - Final Thoughts and Travel Inspiration

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

This is the story of what happened on our 19.5 hour road trip with 3 animals, 2 humans and 1 U-Haul to spend 106 Days living in Sedona for the winter.

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE

Download your Sedona Like a Local Guide

In this episode, we dive into:
- Our Laughable Packing Procrastination: Hear about our chaotic last-minute packing for two humans, two dogs, and one cat, plus all our work essentials!

- The True Crime Podcast Adventure: Discover why we chose a true crime podcast to keep us alert during our night drive through Kansas and the eerie encounters that ensued.

- Navigating the Wilderness: Learn about our strategic bathroom breaks, handling hyperactive pets, and driving through the dark, deserted highways of Western Kansas.

- Unexpected Encounter: Experience the suspense and humor as we stop at sketchy gas stations and interact with mysterious locals.

- Arrival in Sedona Feel the energy shift as we settle into our new home, encounter local wisdom, and begin to adjust to the unique Sedona vibes.

- Finding Balance and Grounding: Listen to our reflections on slowing down, embracing stillness, and the transformative power of Sedona’s energy.

Whether you're planning a trip to Sedona or just love a good travel story, this episode is packed with humor, insights, and real-life experiences. Don’t miss out on the lessons we learned and the magic we discovered in Sedona!


Chapters:
0:00 Welcome to Ambitious Hippies
0:21 Intro to Our Sedona Trip
1:02 The Packing Fiasco
2:15 Last-Minute Preparations
4:00 Entertainment on the Road: True Crime Podcast
7:00 Driving Through Kansas at Night
10:30 Eerie Gas Station Encounters
14:00 Managing Hyperactive Pets
17:19 Midnight Road Trip Reflections
20:00 Reaching New Mexico at Sunrise
24:00 First Day in Sedona
25:00 Slowing Down to Sedona Vibes
27:00 Grounding and Adjusting to Sedona
30:00 Reflections and Closing Thoughts

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

Imagine spending months training for the Inca Trail's intense altitude and 4 day, 26 mile, 14,000 feet hike for it to be CANCELLED as you driving to the entrance. 

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That's exactly what happened when Michael and I when in Peru. The adventure didn't stop there-in this episode I break down the magic that happened while we were in Peru and the beauty that comes with being prepared for anything and letting the universe surprise you... WITH A REAL LIFE SHAMAN. 


0:00 - Introduction: Embracing Life's Adventures 

1:00 - Childhood Story: Overcoming Challenges 

2:24 - Altitude Sickness & Change of Plans 

5:44 - Discovering Shaman Town & Meeting a Shaman 

7:01 - Magical Experience with the Shaman 

9:23 - Unexpected Discoveries in Peru 

12:38 - Conclusion & Travel Inspiration

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

While in Peru I sat down with Author, Historian, Guide and Peru Native Omar Aragon to learn more about his journey with Ayahuasca in Peru and how that drastically altered his life. Plus he shared his theories of Machu Picchu and shares insights on Peruvian culture and where you should go and what to consider when traveling to Peru.

Hit me up on socials if you want more interviews with our guides and experts on the show! 

Join the Ambitious Hippies Insiders Email List

0:00 - Introduction: Adventure with Omar
1:14 - Omar's Background: Professor, Historian, and Author
2:11 - Omar's Ayahuasca Experience in the Amazon Jungle
3:53 - Heading to Machu Picchu: Omar's Theories and Facts
5:13 - Exploring Peruvian Culture and History
7:55 - Road Trip Stories: From Epic Sights to Unexpected Moments
11:06 - Omar's Personal Transformation and Ayahuasca Insights
16:30 - Business Insights: Balancing Work and Travel
25:05 - The Magic in the Mundane: Everyday Adventures
30:05 - Reflecting on Adventure: Life Lessons and Inspirations
36:00 - Top 3 Bucket List Destinations
41:47 - Conclusion: Embracing Today's Adventure

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

This week on Ambitious Hippies we are sharing the story of the most Instagram-able place we have ever been to and the many lessons we learned in hiking up to 16,300 feet in elevation in Peru!

[WATCH US ON YOUTUBE FOR THE FULL EXPERIENCE]

Tune in to hear Michael and I share how challenging the hike was starting at 14,000 feet, Michael’s ability to just raw-dog life with zero preparation needed and why you need to add traveling to Rainbow Mountain in Peru to your bucket list! 
We also share some tips on how to prepare for high altitude hiking and what happens when you don’t!


0:00 Welcome to Ambitious Hippies
0:22 Why Rainbow Mountain 
1:02 Preparing to leave for Rainbow Mountain 
2:15 Early Morning of the hike
4:00 Choosing the Short Hike or Long Hike 
5:00 Getting into Rainbow Mountain 
7:00 Starting the Hike at 14,000 Feet
10:00 The altitude challenges and how the hike went 
14:00 Reaching the Summit of 16,300 Feet
17:00 The Views of Rainbow Mountain
20:00 Take as many pictures as you possible can 
23:00 Descending the mountain and Final Thoughts
25:42 Share your stories with us!

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

In this episode we are sitting down with Alex Street to discuss his 8,100 mile road trip across Canada and the U.S. with his family of 5 in a mini van. Alex shares his story of adventure, why he chose the places they did, his favorite spots and more. This episode was recorded at the end of his mother-in-law's battle with cancer that he briefly discusses towards the end and shares how that has affected his perspective on life.
This episode is dedicated to Alex's Mother-in-Law who chose joy and always paid it forward. Today go out and spread some good out in the world.

WATCH US ON YOUTUBE

Connect with Alex: https://www.alexstreet.ca/
Follow Alex on Instagram


0:00 - Introduction: Adventure with Alex Street

0:24 - Alex Street Joins the Podcast: Getting Amped Up

1:06 - Relaunching the Podcast: The Adventure Begins

2:11 - Alex's Epic Road Trip: 13,000 Kilometers Across North America

3:23 - The Curiosity Behind Adventure

5:02 - Personal Transformation Through Travel

7:55 - Road Trip Stories: From Epic Sights to Unexpected Moments

11:06 - Road Trip Essentials and Survival Tips

16:30 - Business Insights: Balancing Work and Travel

25:05 - The Magic in the Mundane: Everyday Adventures

30:05 - Reflecting on Adventure: Life Lessons and Inspirations

36:00 - Top 3 Bucket List Destinations

41:47 - Conclusion: Embracing Today's Adventure

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

Welcome to another episode of Ambitious Hippies!
[For the full experience WATCH US ON YOUTUBE]

Today I'm sharing the unforgettable story of my adventure in Mykonos, Greece. This trip was our answer to a long season of navigating our fertility journey, embryo retrieval and successfully having 3 healthy embryos after years of trying naturally. 
This story from Greece is embarrassing and hilarious and I hope it makes you laugh and finally has you booking that sexy summer vaca you need too!  Enjoy!

0 - 2:36 - Intro to Greece and my thoughts on traveling to Europe

2:36 - 6:21 - IVF Treatment and how we landed on Greece

6:21 - 9:57 - Beach day in Mykonos with an unexpected twist

9:57 - end - Adonnis the Bodyguard story and my embarrassing moment the next morning

In This Episode:

• Travel Inspiration: Hear about my wild and transformative trip to Greece, and why saying yes to adventure can lead to the most unforgettable experiences.
• Embarrassing Stories: Laugh along with me as I share some hilarious and cringe-worthy moments from my travels, including an unexpected chokehold incident.
• Personal Reflections: Learn about my journey through IVF and how it led to a much-needed hot and sexy summer vacation.

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫

This week we are traveling to Costa Rica and these are the top travel tips + some of stories that happened like a night time jungle walk WITH SNAKES!

[WATCH US ON YOUTUBE] 

Catch up on the other Costa Rica Ayahuasca epsiodes here:
Part 1 https://youtu.be/7yhNgmM7y5o
Part 2 https://youtu.be/opWn1h6a8RI

Despite some wild experiences, Costa Rica remains one of my top three travel destinations outside the United States. And that's saying A LOT because we have traveled all over the world! 
Join me as I share why this makes it in my top favorite places, packing and travel tips, and must-dos for an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica 🌴✨

00:00 - 1:22 - Introduction and Costa Rica landing in my top 3 places
01:22 - 4:53 - Packing Tips for Costa Rica
04:53 - 13:00 - Green Pit Viper Story
13:00 - 15:42 - Closing Remarks/Outro

🌐 Connect with Us:

• Website: Ambitious Hippies
• Instagram: @ambitioushippies
• Watch us on YouTube
• Follow us on Substack
• Join the Insiders only email

If you love the episode make sure and leave us a 5 star rating and review, it's the only way we know you are digging the podcast. Share with your friends, be a joy influencer and the one that inspires your circle to take the damn trip already!

As always, stay wild, friends! 🌿💫