If you thought the Maldives was a just a boring, resort destination costing a you a fortune for an overwater bungalow, think again!

Yes there are bungalows that cost $10,000 + a night but the magic of the Maldives happens in the ocean! It’s some of the clearest, bluest water you’ll ever see.

The wildlife encounters are UNREAL. And the scuba diving is some of the best in the world. And if you stay on local islands, you can visit the Maldives at a fraction of the price you might expect!

Traveling the Maldives truly changed my life in a way no other country has ever before. It’s where I fell in love with scuba diving, free diving and all the ocean wildlife that I am now obsessed with!

I cannot recommend traveling here enough. Here’s 20 photos to inspire your trip!

If this looks like fun, join my next Maldives group trip! Stay tuned for all upcoming trips here.

The post 20 Photos To Put The Maldives On Your Bucket List appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Shop My Suitcase –
Favorite Travel Outfits

After 4 years of living out of my suitcase, I’ve had to be selective about what clothing makes the cut. Here you’ll find my favorite high quality, versatile clothing brands for each season.

And then some of my inexpensive but awesome Amazon finds at the end!

For Spring: Halara

These dresses are my all-time favorite item in my suitcase!

They have pockets, built in shorts and are quick drying. You can wear them for literally any occasion.

You can wear them hiking since the shorts prevent chafing. You can wear them on a hot summer day and not show any sweat because the fabric is quick drying and moisture wicking. They have a built in sports bra so you this one outfit is literally your entire outfit which saves so much in luggage space!

20 % off Halara discount code: emily9

For Summer: Flaxmaker

No company does unique and affordable summer, beach or resort wear like Flaxmaker.

I have several of their swim suit/cover up combos, they are to die for! Hands down my favorite swim sets I’ve ever owned.

If you want a totally unique swim look, check them out.

Long Sleeve Boho Suit

Buy Now

For Winter: Dope Snow

I love this company because they do really high quality cute winter jackets with matching beanies. They have a wide variety of colors and styles. The only problem is that they frequently sell out!

I ordered one of their jacket/beanie sets for my group trips to Iceland and was so impressed with the quality and fit. There are so many pockets and little features on the jacket that made me fall in love with it.

For Fall: Wicked AF

I came across this brand back in 2020 and have been wearing their clothes in my travels ever since.

My favorite is their high to low midi dress.

Hi-Low Midi Dress

Buy Now

This dress has been in my suitcase for ages and has traveled all around Mexico, Europe and the USA with me. The fit is super flattering and it photographs great!

Favorite Amazon Finds

All of these items I have personally purchased from Amazon and adore! Happy shopping

Columbia Hiking Boots

I’ve owned a lot of hiking shoes over the years but these are my favorite!

I’ve done multiple backpacking trips along the Superior Hiking Trail with these shoes and they have held up so well for years.

Plus I love the red laces and the color of the boot itself.

Hiking Boots

Buy Now

Florida Keys Tropical Set

I bought this set specifically for my Florida Keys trip and absolutely fell in love with it!! I often mix and match the top or add a jacket over top as well.

Tropical Set

Buy Now

Read: KEY WEST: 12 TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT

High Waisted Maroon Swim

This suit has been with me for a lot of my travels around Croatia and Florida. It’s super flattering and a great fit. It also provides a little more coverage for the days you don’t feel like wearing a teeny-tiny bikini.

Ruffle High Waisted Suit

Buy Now

Two- Piece Boho Set

I purchased this set just before traveling to Italy and it’s been a staple in my wardrobe ever since! The skirt is perfect for more conservative countries as well. And it’s easy to mix and match with other tops or cover ups!

Two Piece Set

Buy Now

Strappy Red One Piece

This suit is a favorite of mine! It comes in many colors and is pretty good quality given the low price point.

Strappy One Piece

Buy Now

I wore this suit during my stay at the TWA Hotel at the JFK Airport in New York!

Backless Maxi Dress

I have been obsessed with this dress for years and have it in multiple colors.

My favorites are the deep red and blue.

I originally bought the tan as well but returned it because the tan fabric was really sheer.

Backless Dress

Buy Now

Retro-Camera Phone Case

You might recognize this case from the hit Netflix show, Emily in Paris.

Truthfully, the case isn’t the highest quality (I don’t expect it will last for years…) but I love it!

I love that it has a strap. I never have to worry if I’ve set my phone down and left it somewhere. And as a photographer, I love that it makes my phone look like a retro camera. I get so many compliments on this case!

Retro Camera Phone Case

Buy Now

SuperStay Red Matte Lipstick

This is my go-to lipstick when traveling because the pop of red is so bright. It’s my favorite shade of red. And this brand is incredibly long lasting.

Even after a long day exploring in the sun, this lipstick is still difficult to get off before bed. It’s the perfect red lipstick for travel!

SuperStay Matte Red Lipstick

Buy Now

Packable Hiking Day Bag

This water-resistant bag folds down into self so it’s really easy to pack inside your luggage. It’s durable and unfolds into a full size backpack.

Plus I love the color options and it’s super affordable.

I used this for my day bag on the trek to Machu Picchu and it was perfect!

Packable Hiking Backpack

Buy Now

The post Shop My Suitcase: Favorite Travel Outfits appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Viral TikToks of 2021

In 2021, I began sharing my travels on TikTok. Until last year, I had only been posting on my website and my Instagram.

But over the course of the year, I had a number of videos gain traction online.

And it allowed me to continue growing this amazing community of travelers who follow my page, read my blog and now come with me on group trips!

So whether you found me through TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram or my website, I hope these videos help you plan your future travels. Happy wandering!

Year 2 Recap

My most viral video of all time racked up a staggering 3.4 million views. Never did I anticipate that when I posted it!

Read: 20 BUCKET LIST ADVENTURES FOR YOUR 20’S

Year 1 Recap

My second most viral video of all time was my recap of the second year living out of my suitcase. It’s been a blast creating these videos and looking back on all the great adventures.

The Wanderlust Rose Group Trips

In 2021, I hosted/led a combined total of ten trips! This was a huge undertaking for my first year as a small business. A massive thank you to everyone who supported me by joining a trip this year. It was such an honor to travel with you

• DOG SLEDDING IN MINNESOTA – GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS WEEK ONE
• DOG SLEDDING IN MINNESOTA: GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS WEEK TWO
• WOMEN’S CAMPING TRIP IN LUVERNE, MINNESOTA: GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
• ULTIMATE SOUTHWEST USA GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
• YELLOWSTONE GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
• SAIL CROATIA GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS- WEEK ONE
• SAIL CROATIA GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS- WEEK TWO
• SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
• NEW YORK ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS GROUP TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

To join a group trip, check out my “Travel With Me” page.

17 Tips for Egypt

Ever since I was a little girl, Egypt had been at the top of the my bucket list. And clearly, that trip resonate with a lot of YOU. Because it remains to this day, some of my most read articles, most reshared pins and most viewed videos.

Read: EGYPT- 18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Jobs That Pay You To Travel: Topdeck

If you’re interested in finding paid travel jobs, check out the entire series of “Jobs That Pay You To Travel” on my Tiktok page.

I’ve listed every travel job I’ve worked since beginning this journey, complete with tips & tricks to get hired/have a successful experience!

Read: 12 COMPANIES THAT PAY YOU TO TRAVEL- APPLY HERE FOR A TRAVEL JOB!

10 Things That Surprised Me About India

India is truly one of my favorite countries I have traveled.

Read: INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE HIGHLIGHTS

How To Get A Photo Alone At The Taj Mahal

This video received SO many comments about how I could have just photoshopped people out of the picture…and I could have. But what was magical about this morning was that I really did get to stand in front of an empty Taj Mahal all by myself. Which is incredibly rare!

If you can experience this landmark without the crowds, it’s so worth the early wake up.

Read: HOW TO GET A PHOTO ALONE AT THE TAJ MAHAL

Road Trips On A Budget

So glad so many of you found this video helpful Especially since in 2020 & 2021, people were traveling more domestically and road trips were super popular.

Read: 10 TIPS FOR A ROAD TRIP IN IRELAND & ULTIMATE SOUTHWEST USA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY – 7 DAYS

How To Get A Free All Inclusive Stay In Europe: Diverbo

If you’re looking for a great way to have unique travel experiences and offset your accommodation costs, check out Diverbo!

Read: HOW TO GET A FREE ALL INCLUSIVE STAY IN EUROPE: VOLUNTEERING WITH DIVERBO

Paris on a Budget: 12 Tips

It’s been a blast sharing my budget travel tips over the last year on Tiktok. I’m so glad they have been helpful for you guys!

Read: PARIS ON A BUDGET: 3 DAYS FOR JUST €100

Jobs That Pay You To Travel: Stoke Travel

Sharing my insider tips on getting a job/volunteer position at the legendary Oktoberfest!

Stoke Travel is a great company for budget travelers around Europe.

Booking a trip with Stoke? Use promo code THEWANDERLUSTROSE

Read: HOW TO GET AN EPIC JOB AT OKTOBERFEST

Thank you for an amazing year of support!

My account and community wouldn’t be what it is without YOU. So thank you for supporting my business, traveling with me, resharing posts and inspiring me constantly!

Happy new year and I can’t wait to see what we get up to in 2022!

Shop my 2021 travel favorites:

Foldable Carry On With Trolley Sleeve

Buy Now

Tripod

Buy Now

Cross-Body Phone Case

Buy Now

How To Travel The World On $50 A Day

Buy Now

The post My Most Viral TikToks of 2021 appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Halara promo code

Shop My All-Time Favorite Travel Dress
Halara Promo Code: Emily9

If you’ve been on a group trip with me in the last year, you’ve probably heard me raving me about my favorite quick-dry athletic dresses.

I wear them constantly when traveling because they mix and match SO well to make a huge variety of outfits. In addition, they are incredibly high quality and moisture wicking.

So if you’re hiking or spending all day out in the heat, you won’t see any sweat marks.

The dresses are incredibly comfortable for all activities whether it’s flying, hiking or just exploring a new city. You can shop a wide variety of styles on Halara under the “Athletic Dresses” tab under “Everyday Dresses.”

Use Halara promo code: Emily9 for 20% off!!

• For: Yoga & Studio, On The Move and Lounging.
• Halara Cloudful® Fabric, the top quality activewear fabric designed to feel as soft and light as a cloud.
• Featuring a side pocket for maximum convenience.
• 2-piece set, including dress and separate pair of shorts.
• Featuring removable pads for customized support only when and where you want it.
• Technology that ensures the fabric stretches with your body, no matter how you move. 4-way stretch offers ultimate mobility without wearing down the fabric.
• Breathable fabrics for indoor & outdoor activities so you can be sure to feel comfortable throughout your workout and throughout the day.
• Never worry about embarrassing sweat stains again with fabric technology that wicks sweats and other liquids.

Halara Skorts

Below you see me wearing two of my favorite Halara skorts. The first is the High Rise Irregular Ruffled Tie Front Wrapped Skirt” in Bologna, Italy during a food tour.

And the second is the “Everyday 2-in-1 Tennis Skirt-Marvelous” in Munich, Germany.

Use Halara promo code: Emily9 for 20% off!!

Shop my other travel essentials:

Backless Dress

Buy Now

How To Travel The World On $50 A Day

Buy Now

Travel Journal

Buy Now

Birkenstocks

My favorite travel shoe!

Buy Now

The post Shop My All-Time Favorite Travel Dress appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been a part of my travel journey, especially as I enter a new chapter running my own business and group trips.

Thank you to the 97 of you who traveled with me this summer+ the 3 weeks of dog sledding trips this winter. It’s been a crazy whirlwind of busy. But it’s starting to get a little *too* busy. And I am looking to bring on an assistant who will help out for just a few hours a week in exchange for free travel.

The ideal candidate

• Passionate about travel and excited by the idea of researching destinations
• Would be interested in doing a work exchange for a complimentary spot on a group trip and possibly coming as a plus one on sponsored trips
• Detailed oriented and trustworthy
• Assist in writing blog posts/generating content

Your role

• Work 2 hours a week
• Research travel destinations to assist in planning my personal/group travel
• Pitch tour companies for collaborations
• Pitch hotels in destinations for collaborations
• Send media kits/pitches to relative brands
• Assist in scheduling/booking travel

Benefits:

• The chance to earn free trips through work exchange *flights excluded
• Learn the ins and outs of growing a business, running a blog, and working on social media
• Potential to grow into a paid position

If you think this sounds like a good fit, APPLY HERE.

After you apply, I’ll be interviewing people to discuss in more detail what the role would entail and what trips you may be eligible for. I can’t wait to expand my team! Thanks for your interest

The post Assistant Applications: Apply to earn free trips! appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

Welcome to The Wanderlust Rose LLC. By accessing or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. These terms are designed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all customers and to clarify the scope of services we offer.

2. Services

The Wanderlust Rose LLC provides travel-related services, including but not limited to trip planning, accommodation arrangements, transportation bookings, guided tours, and other travel services. We operate as an intermediary between clients and third-party service providers.

3. Booking and Payment Terms

3.1 Booking Confirmation: All bookings are confirmed only after full payment has been received or per the agreed payment schedule. Upon payment, an email confirmation will be sent to the client.

3.2 Pricing: Prices are subject to change due to currency fluctuations, supplier changes, or other factors. The final pricing will be confirmed at the time of booking.

3.3 Payment Methods: We accept various payment methods, including credit/debit cards and bank transfers. A non-refundable deposit may be required for certain bookings.

3.4 Late Payments: Failure to complete payment by the due date may result in the cancellation of your booking without a refund.

4. Cancellations and Refunds

4.1 Client-Initiated Cancellations:

• Cancellations must be made in writing by email to bookings@wanderlustgrouptrips.com
• Cancellations made [90] days prior to the scheduled departure date will be eligible for a partial refund, as detailed below:
  • 90+ days: partial refund minus paid deposit
  • less then 90 days: no refunds
  • Deposits are never refundable.

4.2 Company-Initiated Cancellations: In rare cases, we may need to cancel a trip due to factors beyond our control, such as natural disasters, safety concerns, or insufficient bookings. In such instances, we will issue a full refund or reschedule the trip.

4.3 Refunds: Refunds are processed within [number of days, typically 30] days after the cancellation request is received.

5. Changes to Itinerary

While we strive to provide accurate and reliable services, changes may be required due to unforeseen circumstances, weather, or other factors beyond our control. The Wanderlust Rose LLC reserves the right to modify itineraries, schedules, and accommodations without prior notice.

6. Liability and Responsibility

6.1 Third-Party Providers: We act as an intermediary between you and third-party suppliers, such as hotels, airlines, and other service providers. We are not liable for any damages, injuries, or losses incurred by services provided by these third-party suppliers.

6.2 Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend that all clients purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellations, medical expenses, lost baggage, and other unforeseen events.

6.3 Medical and Safety: The Wanderlust Rose LLC is not responsible for any medical or safety issues that may arise during travel. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure they have the necessary vaccinations, medical clearances, and travel documentation.

6.4 Force Majeure: We shall not be liable for delays, losses, or damages resulting from events outside our reasonable control, such as acts of God, war, terrorism, strikes, pandemics, or natural disasters.

7. Passports, Visas, and Travel Documentation

It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that all travel documents (passport, visas, identification) are valid and meet the requirements of each destination. Failure to have the necessary documentation may result in denied boarding or entry, for which The Wanderlust Rose LLC is not responsible.

8. Conduct and Behavior

All clients are expected to act respectfully and responsibly toward other travelers, guides, and local communities. Any client displaying disruptive, abusive, or dangerous behavior may be removed from the tour without a refund.

9. Privacy and Data Protection

We are committed to protecting your privacy. Personal information collected during the booking process is used solely for the purposes of trip planning, reservations, and communications. We do not share your information with third parties except as required for travel arrangements.

10. Intellectual Property

All content provided by The Wanderlust Rose LLC, including but not limited to itineraries, images, branding, and digital assets, remains our property and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

11. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

11.1 Governing Law: These terms are governed by the laws of the [State/Country], without regard to its conflict of law principles.

11.2 Dispute Resolution: Any disputes arising from these terms or related to our services shall be resolved through negotiation, and if necessary, arbitration, in accordance with [jurisdiction] rules.

12. Amendments to Terms

The Wanderlust Rose LLC reserves the right to modify or update these terms at any time. Changes will be posted on our website and communicated to clients as appropriate. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of any changes to these terms.

Acknowledgment: By booking with The Wanderlust Rose LLC, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.

The post Terms and Conditions appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

So imagine my surprise when I logged into Instagram and saw I had been tagged in a post entirely recreating my travel photos. And quite accurately might I add! These hilarious renditions were captured in a single afternoon- proving you too can travel the world with just a bit of creativity.

Scroll below to get some travel inspo during these troubling times. And I can’t wait to see where you “travel” whilst in sweat pants lounging on your couch on god-only-knows- what day of lockdown!

Enjoy, I hope you get a good laugh out of these like I did

Egypt

Africa

Mexico

Indonesia

Sweden

Stay safe and healthy during these times!

Read: BACKYARD CAMPING- MY WAY OF TRAVELING DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC & CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: TRAVELING HOME FROM SPAIN DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC

The post These Hilarious Recreations Will Prove You Really Can “Travel” During Lockdown appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

An Apology For Using Unethical Animal Experiences

I’ve grown so much in the 18 months since I started traveling. I’m genuinely not the same person anymore. Although it’s been a relatively short time since I began my travel journey, I can feel the positive change in me. Exponential growth from new experiences, new people, new countries…

But one thing has always remained the same. I adore animals.

When I was little, I started a club at my school called “All Animals” where we hung out at recess with our stuffed animals and talked about anything pertaining to animals. We were very young so this ranged from anything like “Wow aren’t puppies cute” to “I want to be a dolphin trainer someday” to “Maybe we can ask our parents to donate some of our allowance to the World Wildlife Fund” and “Someday, when I’m a grown up- I’m going to go to AFRICA!!”

We had the best intentions, even though we called the group “AA” for short. Unaware that this was already the name of a very different kind of group. Little Emily could never understand why when I told people I started an “AA’ chapter at my elementary school, it was met with raised eyebrows. Oops.

Fast forward a decade and I’m about to start traveling. Again, with the best intentions. When I think about traveling to new countries, I can’t help but get excited about the wildlife there. Elephants? Zebras? Dolphins? So many amazing species we (obviously) don’t have in Minnesota.

And this is where I made a mistake…

Years ago, I swam with dolphins.

In Egypt, I briefly posed for a photo with a crocodile in captivity.

I fed an elephant at a place that offered elephant rides.

And I regretfully attended Running of the Bulls.

While many travelers do these things, I know better now. When I first began traveling I genuinely thought activities like “swimming with dolphins” were experiences that looked after animal’s welfare. I was uneducated about animal tourism and naively optimistic that people wanted to treat animals with care the way I did.

But after just one morning at Running of the Bulls, I learned the truth. I genuinely had not looked into the festival very much and simply knew it was a tradition going on for hundreds of years in Spain. Sounds cool right? Wrong. Because cruelty is not culture worth preserving. These poor bulls are tortured leading up to the festival and then die a slow, painful death for a cheering crowd. I won’t get into the details here but check out this article Peta wrote: 11 Reasons to Take the Running of the Bulls off Your Bucket List.

And while I wanted to partake in a street festival in Spain, the treatment of the bulls was something I simply couldn’t tolerate. I deleted my blog post about Running of the Bulls which I had published before attending and spent my time in Spain at the Stoke Travel Surf Camp in San Sebastian Spain instead.

Committing to a new lifestyle: ethical animal experiences ONLY and a vegetarian lifestyle.

So after the guilt I felt in Spain for being in Pamplona, I knew I could do better. I didn’t want to be someone who contributed to the harm or torture of helpless animals. You can visit a country and ethically experience it’s wildlife without forcing an animal to suffer. In fact, some of my best travel experiences have been from ethical animal encounters like safaris in Africa!

The New Standard for Animal Tourism

Rules for Ethical Animal Encounters:

• Animals must be free from discomfort with access to an appropriate environment for their size.
• Animals should be free from hunger or thirst with access to fresh water and an appropriate diet.
• Free to express normal behavior by having enough space, interactions with other animals of their own kind and proper care/facilities.
• Proper handling allowing animals to disengage from direct contact whenever they wish.
• Animals should be kept safe from any mental suffering, fear or distress.
• No direct contact with big cats- such as big cat walking, selfies with drugged big cats etc.
• No marine animals in captivity for entertainment purposes.
• Absolutely no elephant riding (while it may seem harmless, they trained and beat with a bull hook).

By following these rules for ethical encounters, there are still THOUSANDS of experiences you could have with animals while traveling. In the last 18 months, I’ve had a wide variety of wonderful, ethical encounters!

Ethical Animal Encounters I Have Enjoyed While Traveling

• Swimming with wild whale sharks in Mexico while maintaining a safe distance (Read about it here)
• Seeing elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and hippos in their natural habitat while on a safari in Africa (Read about it here)
• Observing wild sea lions in Mexico in their natural habitat
• Sunbathing by the wild penguin colony in their natural habitat on South Africa’s Boulder Beach (Read about it here)
• Airboat tours in Florida’s Everglades National Park – spotting wild alligators in their natural habitat
• Boat tours of the Louisiana Bayou to see alligators in the wild, not a cage
• Whale watching in California (Read about it here)
• Tiger safari in India at Ranthambhore National Park (Read about it here)

Airbnb’s Ethical Animal Encounters

After giving ethical animal encounters abroad a lot of thought, I was thrilled to see Airbnb coming out with a new section of their site and mobile app.

Airbnb Animal Experiences is a new program that will allow travelers to join in on more than “1,000 experiences co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates around the world,” Airbnb said in a statement.

Airbnb is upping the standard for the treatment of animals affected by tourism and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Time to say goodbye to unethical animal experiences!

Sign up for $15 Off Your First Ethical Animal Encounter of $50 or more with Airbnb for first time users!

Vegetarian Lifestyle

Why did I make the decision to go vegetarian?

• Compassion for animals: I truly believe nothing humane happens in a slaughter house and often times, animals endure terrible living situations while being raised for slaughter. So for my own personal beliefs, I will commit to 100% ethical animal encounters and refrain from eating meat. And I encourage you to research any animal experience to find out if it’s ethical before committing!

As difficult as it can be to come forward and say you made a mistake, I hope this can inspire you to be more ethical in your animal experiences abroad.

It’s a new year, time to do better for our animal friends

The post An Open Apology For Using Unethical Animal Experiences appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.

I’m always on the hunt for the best travel related products. From best travel shoes, to camera bags- I’m always searching for those great products that can withhold being carted through a dozen countries. But great travel gear isn’t always easy to come by.

Recently I came across Travelinspired through Pinterest and was obsessed with their “wanderlust” related products!

Shirts, sweatshirts, notebooks, home decor- all travel related!

Need a gift? The site makes it an easy one-stop-shop for the traveler in your life

And how cute are these travel mugs that look like camera lenses?

Travelinspired ships worldwide.

Use discount code ROSE19 for 20% off ANYTHING storewide!

My favorite Travelinspired pieces:

• Wanderlust Crop
• Wanderlust Tee

20% off all products with ROSE19

The post Travelinspired- Shop Wanderlust Travel Gear appeared first on The Wanderlust Rose.