Ep 184 w/ Adventures of Matt + Nat (Part 1) – Travel Partners for Life, A Passion for Travel & A Thousand Places To See Before You Die

In this episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I sit down with my good friends Matt and Nat, the adventurous duo behind Adventures of Matt and Nat. In Part 1 of our conversation, we dive into their love story with travel, from early adventures across the USA to discovering Greece and beyond.

We talk about how they managed to visit all 50 states in a single year, the moment they realised they were the perfect travel partners, and how travel shaped both their relationship and their outlook on life. Natalie shares what it was like growing up between Germany and the U.S. with an airline pilot father, while Matt opens up about his first big road trip that ignited his wanderlust.

We also explore their passion for food, culture, and history, how they balance fast-paced itineraries with meaningful experiences, and why having a home base matters even for full-time travellers. Along the way, we discuss their unforgettable group trip to Greece, hidden gems like Nafplio, and the inspiration they found in the classic book "A Thousand Places to See Before You Die."

This is a story about adventure, partnership, and the joy of discovering the world together—whether it’s local road trips, exploring America’s national parks, or travelling abroad for the first time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Matt and Nat completed the challenge of seeing 50 states in one year
• The story of how they became travel partners for life
• Why growing up in different cultures shaped their approach to travel
• Insights into their first big international trip and what they learned from it
• Why Greece, Nafplio, and the Peloponnese left such a big impression
• The importance of finding balance between fast-paced trips and slow moments

Check out Matt & Nat's amazing content below.

YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AdventuresofMattandNat

Website - adventuresofmattandnat.com/click-me

Patreon - patreon.com/AdventuresofMattandNat

Instagram - instagram.com/adventuresofmattandnat

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Timestamps

00:00 The Journey Begins: From 50 States to YouTube Adventures

02:57 Exploring Greece: A New Travel Experience

06:02 Nashville: The Heart of Music City

08:56 Travelling Roots: From South Carolina to Germany

11:43 The Impact of Early Travel Experiences

14:40 Finding Travel Partners: The Vegas Connection

17:31 The Road Trip That Sparked Wanderlust

20:42 The Balance of Home and Travel

23:29 Careers in Travel: The Airline Perspective

39:09 Navigating the Airline Industry

39:45 Transitioning from Music to Travel

41:16 Evolving Travel Styles

44:14 The Importance of Local Travel

51:35 Accommodation Preferences

56:04 Types of Travel Experiences

01:03:39 Exploring 'A Thousand Places to See Before You Die'

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] 

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Cheers, James.

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