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Destinations: Explore the World’s Most Inspiring Places with Closer Lives

Banner image for "Jenn and Leon" featuring the couple smiling with a city skyline at dusk in the background, and text promoting their digital nomadic travel and lifestyle vlogs and blogs.

Destinations

CURRENT LOCATION: Thailand

NEXT LOCATION: Canada

We are world traveling digital nomads currently on country number 42!

This blog is for you if you enjoy relationships, history, getting to know local people & communities, are looking for travel & tourism, culture, cuisine, digital nomadic how to's, tips, tricks & recommendations.

We travel both budget & bougie and also review restaurants and our AirBnb stays!

Jump to where you want to go

About Us

Since the very first time we met in person in Australia we have been scratching our travel itch!

 

We visited 14 countries in 2019, spent 2020 touring Canada and went on to start traveling full time in early 2021.

 

Our adventures began with a 6 month stay in Mexico, before spending 5 months in Georgia (the country), 3 months in Turkey and 3 months in England. Eastern Europe and Egypt followed, before we began working our way over to Japan and Thailand in Asia! We have since visited no less than 12 countries in Asia in 2023!

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Check out some of our latest posts below, or keep scrolling for our destinations,

packed with useful tips, important things to know and places to see!

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Country Guides

Check out our comprehensive Country Guides with all you need to know before you go, including our latest posts, must-see places, interesting facts, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, cuisine, connectivity, visa information, useful links and much more!

Our first ever visit to the Asian continent began in December 2022 with a week in Japan, before going to Thailand for Christmas. We did not expect to spend a year in Asia, but we loved our experience so much that we ended up visiting 12 countries throughout 2023! Tap any photo for your FREE Country Guide!

An illuminated traditional Chinese pavilion and bridge in front of modern skyscrapers, with a large Chinese flag overlay at the base.
Large metal sculptures of a man and woman beside a Ferris wheel, with the word "Georgia" and the country's flag visible. clear blue sky in the background.
A person in traditional Japanese clothing and a large hat walks through the red torii gates at Fushimi inari shrine in Kyoto, Japan.
A traditional Korean palace with intricate wooden architecture under a blue sky, framed by blooming pink cherry blossoms. the words "South Korea" are overlayed at the bottom.
A collage of Malaysian landmarks featuring the Petronas Towers, a modern building with a blue dome, and the "Malaysia" logo, set against an evening sky.
Vibrant street scene in Taiwan featuring a bustling market with colorful signs, traditional architecture, and the Taiwan flag.
A magnifying glass focusing on a map showing parts of southeast Asia, including Thailand and Vietnam, with the label "Asia" at the bottom.
Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia reflected in water under a blue sky, with "Cambodia" superimposed at the bottom.
The Taj Mahal at sunset with "India" text overlay and a reflection in the front water canal.
Monas tower in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a tall white spire atop a symmetrical platform, surrounded by a circular patterned courtyard under a clear blue sky.
View of Fort Santiago's entrance in Manila with the Philippines flag overlayed at the bottom.
Golden buddha statue in a meditative pose with "Thailand" text superimposed, set against a vivid blue sky and lush greenery.
Aerial view of Singapore featuring the iconic Marina Bay Sands, Art Science Museum, and surrounding bay area with text "Singapore" overlay.
Terraced rice fields in Vietnam, featuring vibrant green layers with a bold red area in the center, surrounded by lush hills under a sunny sky.

Traveling in Asia: Our highlights from 12 countries in 12 months

Graphic showing globe marked with Asia map, text "traveling in Asia 12 months 12 countries," over backdrop of lush rice fields.

Join us as we recount our whirlwind journey that spanned 12 countries in 12 months, chronicling the highs and lows, the unexpected delights, and the occasional challenges of traversing the vast and varied tapestry of Asia.

We not only provide our personal insights and stories, but also fun facts, a detailed account of our travels and tips on how to make the most of your time in Egypt. We hope you join us on our journey and get inspired to explore the world! Egypt is just the beginning, stay tuned for more additions to our African Adventure!

After meeting on Instagram, Jenn had already pre-booked a cruise leaving from Australia, and after 3 months of online chat we decided to join up together. We spent a week on the ship, stopping off at Vanuatu and New Caledonia, then returning to Sydney and taking a flight back to England. Here is our story!

Vintage-style map of Africa with prominent labeling, set against a textured beige background.
Egypt
Close-up of a globe showing the continent of Australia and nearby regions with the word "Oceania" overlaid in bold text.
Aerial view of the Sydney Opera House with a boat nearby, overlaid with the Australian flag and the text "Australia.

We celebrated our engagement first with a trip to the lovers city of Paris, before heading out for a week long road trip that saw us see another 5 countries across Europe. We then went on to Canada, not returning back to this continent for nearly 2 years. We came back in June 2022 and reeled off another 5 countries which included Türkiye, Albania, Italy and North Macedonia. We love Europe, and we are sure you will too!

Magnifying glass focused on a map of Europe, highlighting various countries in detail.
A nighttime view of Tower Bridge in London, with illuminated blue lights and a bold "England" text overlay featuring a union jack design.
Statue of Skanderbeg on horseback, with Albanian flag and modern buildings in the background, under a partly cloudy sky. text "Albania" overlays the image.
A grand, well-lit historic building with columns and arches at sunset, featuring the text "Your guide to visiting Germany" alongside a map and flag of Germany.
Famous Belgian buildings at dusk with a highlighted map overlay and the word "Belgium" at the bottom.
Illuminated Hungarian Parliament Building at night with a blurred sky and Hungary's flag superimposed below.
Panoramic view of a harbor in Cyprus with boats, clear blue water, and surrounding buildings under a bright sky. text "Cyprus" overlaid at the bottom.
Italy
Stone bridge and historical buildings in Skopje, North Macedonia, with a national flag overlay.
Promotional image for Scotland, featuring a stormy coastline with rugged black rocks, turbulent sea, and a distant lighthouse under a moody sky.
Vibrant multi-colored buildings with the word "Türkiye" on a foreground sign in Balat, Istanbul.
Stone bridge over a river with a house covered in red ivy, set against a backdrop of trees in autumn colors, and a Wales flag overlay.

In case you haven't checked out our story, we’re an international couple – Jenn is Canadian and Leon is British – who met on Instagram through our shared love of poetry. In 2019, Leon moved to Canada and we embarked on a road trip across the entire country. After the Covid pandemic, we moved to Mexico and explored 10 cities in 6 months. Through these guides, we share our tips and tricks on how to explore the world while keeping a budget. Join us on our adventures throughout North America!

 

Close-up of a map focusing on North America, with countries marked and labeled; the words "North America" overlay the image at the bottom.
Scenic view of Moraine Lake in Banff National Park, Canada, with turquoise waters and snow-capped mountain peaks, featuring a prominent "Canada" logo.
El Castillo pyramid at Chichen Itza in mexico with a semi-transparent Mexican flag overlay on the left side.

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Travel Resources

Book Your Transport E-Tickets with 12Go

 

12Go is an online travel booking platform that specializes in transportation options in Southeast Asia and Europe. It offers a wide range of travel choices including trains, buses, ferries, and even flights. Known for its user-friendly interface, you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for your desired journey.

Discover the World with Klook!

 

Unforgettable experiences await with Klook, your go-to platform for booking amazing activities, attractions, and transportation worldwide. From thrilling adventures to cultural explorations, Klook offers a diverse range of options to suit every traveler. Enjoy seamless bookings, exclusive deals, and expert recommendations as you create lasting memories. Let Klook be your travel companion and unlock the wonders of the world!

Special Offers for You

 

Save, Earn, & Explore! Find amazing sign-up offers specially curated for you with travel (Klook, Trusted Housesitters, Expedia, Simbye e-SIM), teaching online (Cambly), shopping (Amazon), drop-shipping (Printify) and more! We have partnered with brands we use and trust, to help support you on your journey.

Image shows two people on the left and a list of travel resources including Wise, Trusted Housesitters, 12Go, Turo, Amazon, KOHO, Expedia, Klook, Walmart, Cambly, Printify, GigSky, Simbye eSim, and PI Network.
A couple taking a selfie on a beach in Thailand.

Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives

We plan to see, learn, love and share as much of the world with others as possible. That is why we created Closer Lives, to create a community for like-minded individuals and to help bring the world a little closer together through poetry, history, storytelling, healing, art, purpose and community.

 

If you'd like to join us please sign up to our website; the social part is still in the process of being developed but currently you are able to post, share and interact. We'd love to have you here with us!

 

PLUS when you sign up you will receive a welcome bonus of 20% off ANYTHING from our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium.

 

Shop our inspirational range of suitcases, backpacks, phone cases, clothing and more, exclusively designed by us, with worldwide delivery.

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