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GLORIOUS GETAWAYS TRAVEL

Making Your Dream Vacation A Reality

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LET'S PLAN YOUR TRIP!

... because every vaction should be Glorious!

From Honeymoons and Destination Weddings to personally tailored European Tour's and everything in-between.

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ABOUT GLORIOUS GETAWAYS

Tammy's (Owner) love of travel began 35 years ago when she honeymooned in Acapulco. Since then travel has been an important part of her life. In 2006 she decided to combine her event planning experience along with her destination knowledge and began Glorious Getaways Travel, LLC. Tammy enjoys the personal interaction with her clients and the wonderful relationships that she has established while helping them create special memories with their loved ones. Her experience will ensure a great getaway whether you are heading to the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe or Disney. Her favorite getaways to plan are Honeymoon and Destination Weddings and Group Travel such as Corporate and Incentive Travel as well as multi-generational family groups.

Tammy is an Accredited Cruise Counselor with the Cruise Line International Association – CLIA, as well as an Accredited Travel Agent with The International Air Transport Association. She is a certified specialist with Sandals Resorts, AMResorts, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Lines; she is also a Karisma Gormet Inclusive Vacation Specialist, and a Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist.

She has set high standards for all of her own trips and it is with this same standard that she will plan your trip.

Tammy and her husband Andrew have raised three daughters who are all married with children of their own. Of course, they all love to travel.

Why I Still LOVE to Travel

Exclusive travel specials.

The World at Your Fingertips

Because every couple has a unique personality, your honeymoon should not be exactly the same as anyone else’s. I will take the time to meet with both of you to discover what your dream honeymoon is.

Maybe it is lying on a beach somewhere under a swaying palm tree or sailing on the high seas to an exotic destination.

To some it may be rappelling down a waterfall or hiking the Piton Mountains.

Maybe you have always dreamed of sightseeing in Italy or exploring the Greek Isles. 

Whatever your dream is, we will customize a honeymoon that is perfect for you. It’s your dream, but it is my job to make it happen.

DESTINATION WEDDING

Have you ever considered a destination wedding but did not know where to begin? I would love to meet with you to help you plan this very special day.

As a destination wedding specialist I can take all of the guesswork out of your decision and assist you from start to finish.

I will also take care of all of your guests personally so there is no added stress on you. 

A honeymoon or destination wedding is the most important trip you will ever take.

Let me share my 35 years of travel experience with you to make sure it turns out exactly the way you always imagined it would.

ALL INCLUSIVE RESROTS

Imagine never having to reach into your pocket to pay for anything while on vacation? What could be better to get you in the “vacation mood”?

This is why All-inclusive resorts are so popular. Imagine all of your meals, snacks, entertainment and a number of engaging activities are included for one attractive price. Taxes, gratuities and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are also covered, as well as a number of daily services, including room service.

Most all inclusive resorts offer several fine dining options. There are many wonderful All Inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean.

Can you say “Ahhhh”?

MULTI GENERATIONAL TRAVEL

Fun for the whole family in the same Place!

I know firsthand how special a “Getaway” with the whole family can be. Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Kids, Grand-kids, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and close friends, all leaving their cares behind and taking time to really enjoy each other.

We can take all of the guesswork out of these groups. Ensuring you end up at the right place where everyone will enjoy their trip.

Whether you are making memories on a cruise, a beach, the Grand Canyon, trekking through Europe or riding bikes on the Great Wall of China, we will make getting there easy and stress free. After all, making memories is what we are all about

GROUP CRUISES

Sound Complicated?

Glorious Getaways Travel will work directly with you to help plan, sell & organize your cruise event. We will assist you with promoting your event through varied marketing materials flyers and postcards. We will answer all questions and handle all aspects of booking and accounting.

We work directly with the Cruise-lines in reserving staterooms and all meeting space as well as all event planning while onboard. Group cruises promote good will as you travel with like minded people. You will make memories that last forever on a “once in a lifetime” vacation experience.

EUROPEAN TOURS

Is Europe on your “bucket list”? …. We can take care of all of the arrangements for you. There are many European – Cruises, Escorted Tours, and Independent travel. We can even arrange a private chauffer driven tour so you can see Europe at your own pace. Maybe your bucket list includes Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Paris, Ireland, Greece, Egypt Israel or Russia? Have you dreamed of a romantic gondola ride with your love on the Grand Canal in Venice?  How about snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef or a hot air balloon ride above the Outback in Australia? Maybe you always dreamed of a five star safari in Africa? Riding a camel in Egypt or simply eating a croissant at a French cafe while gazing at the Eiffel Tower? No problem, we work directly with these destinations and have contacts that will ensure you end up at the right place. We will advise you on all of the proper documentation needed for each country. We will even give you a list of proper dress codes and “customs” of the countries that you are visiting. We will arrange your personal escort that will meet you at the airport and take all of the guesswork out of your adventure. Whatever your budget, we make sure your trip truly turns out to be a “trip of a lifetime”.

Why South Dakota's Wind Cave National Park is a marvelous two-for-one special

Wind Cave National Park may not be the only national park with a cool cave , but that doesn’t make it any less special.

“I think the caves are a little bit like people,” said Tom Farrell, chief of Interpretation at the park. “They're all a little different. They have their own story to tell.”

Wind Cave, for instance, is the sixth longest cave in the world and among the most complex.

“Larger caves (are) spread out over a larger area. We’ve got 167 miles of cave crammed under 1.2 square miles on the surface,” he said. 

And that's not all there is to see at the Wind Cave. Here’s what else travelers should know about the latest national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series .

What is so special about Wind Cave?

“We have the best example of boxwork found anywhere in the world,” Farrell said. “I like to brag we had the best boxwork in the solar system because the Mars Rover sent back some pictures that kind of look like crude boxwork, but ours are better.”

He compared the honeycomb-like calcite formations hanging from the cave’s ceilings and walls to fragile peanut brittle.

“Unlike a stalactite and a stalagmite that could continue to grow if they had more water dripping on them, these things, once you break them, they're broken, so they’re very rare and very delicate,” he said.

How much does it cost to get into Wind Cave National Park?

It’s free to enter Wind Cave National Park, but there are fees for ranger-guided cave tours . Most tours cost less than $10.

Can you go into Wind Cave without a tour?

No. “It’s too dangerous,” Farrell said. “Either people would crawl off trail and get lost,or people could vandalize the cave, so to protect the cave and protect the visitor, you’ve got to go with a ranger.”

Guided tours range from the 30-minute Accessibility Tour to the Wild Cave Tour, “where we give you a hardhat, elbow pads and knee pads and take your crawling in the cave for three to four hours,” he said. 

How big is Wind Cave National Park?

Wind Cave National Park spans roughly 34,000 acres above ground. Below the surface, its namesake cave extends at least 167 miles. Farrell said there are around 3,000 leads still waiting to be explored.

“We're gradually expanding and learning a little bit more about the cave,” he said. “It's an exciting place to be.”

Just don’t follow your GPS to get there.

“You will get lost,” the park’s website warns in bold letters. “Many GPS units locate the park visitor center north on South Dakota Highway 87. The coordinates for the Visitor Center are N43 33' 22" W103 28' 38".

The park is about 11 miles north of Hot Springs, South Dakota. The nearest commercial airport, Rapid City Regional Airport, is more than 60 miles away in Rapid City.

How long do you need at Wind Cave National Park?

“If it's just going to explore the cave, you could do it in half a day,” Farrell said. “If you're going to go hiking or whatnot, you definitely need at least a day.” There are more than 30 miles of trails in the park.

Travelers should note that the cave itself is closed this summer to allow for elevator updates. Instead of guiding visitors into the cave, rangers will lead interactive virtual tours in the park auditorium, allowing visitors with mobility impairment or claustrophobia to view parts of the cave they may never experience otherwise.

There’s plenty else to see above ground, including black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, elk, and “a very unique bison herd.” 

“This time of year, it's great because they have new calves that are cinnamon-colored,” Farrell said. 

Additionally, new exhibits are expected to open at the park’s visitor center later this summer, sharing more of the Native history of the land. 

“If you can't find something that you're passionate about here, you're just not trying,” Farrell said.

Who are the Native people of Wind Cave National Park?

More than 20 Native American tribes are historically tied to the land, according to the park:

• Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation
• Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe
• Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma
• Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
• Eastern Shoshone Tribe
• Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
• Fort Belknap Indian Community
• Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma
• Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
• Lower Sioux Indian Community
• Northern Arapaho Tribe
• Northern Cheyenne Tribe
• Oglala Sioux Tribe
• Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
• Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
• Rosebud Sioux Tribe
• Santee Sioux Nation
• Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
• Spirit Lake Tribe of Fort Totten
• Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
• Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) Fort Bethold
• Upper Sioux Community
• Yankton Sioux Tribe

What are some fun facts about Wind Cave?

Farrell shared these five facts about the park:

• For the Lakota people, this is their origin site where they emerged from underground and where bison were born into Lakota oral history. 
• Wind Cave National Park played an important role in helping save bison from extinction with the reintroduction of 14 bison from the Bronx Zoo in 1913. 
• Esther Brazell was hired as a park ranger at the cave in July of 1916, making her the first female park ranger in the National Park Service.  
• Wind Cave National Park is the sixth-oldest national park in the system and one of the oldest caves in the world, making it a place where one can be fully immersed in ancient earth.
• This national park is still being explored. Cave explorers are continuing to find more rooms and passages.

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Glorious Greece

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Places You’ll See

• Introduction
• Day 1 Athens - Arrival
• Day 2 Athens City Tour (Optional)
• Day 3 Athens - Mykonos
• Day 4 Mykonos
• Day 5 Mykonos - Santorini
• Day 6 Santorini Volcano Cruise (Optional)
• Day 7 Santorini - Departure

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What's Included

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Dates & Availability

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• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• Saturday 22 Jun, 2024 Friday 28 Jun, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,770 Confirm Dates
• Saturday 13 Jul, 2024 Friday 19 Jul, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,397 Confirm Dates
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• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 21 Sep, 2024 Friday 27 Sep, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,397 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 5 Oct, 2024 Friday 11 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,770 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 19 Oct, 2024 Friday 25 Oct, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €1,770 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Currency € Euro Greece

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, D, M. As a traveller from South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Greece. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Greece. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 16th August 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 16th August 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Culture Holidays Private Limited. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Culture Holidays Private Limited will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
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• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Culture Holidays Private Limited. Please familiarise yourself with the Culture Holidays Private Limited payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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7 tips for visiting bourbon distilleries and traveling the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

So you’ve caught the bourbon itch, and you’re eager to travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail .

Cool — but so have hundreds of thousands of other people, too.

The Kentucky Distillers Association reported 2.55 million visits to Kentucky’s distilleries in 2023, and visitors came from 48 states, 20 countries, and six continents. Kentucky bourbon’s popularity has boomed over the past decade, and craft distilling and the tourism industry has blossomed alongside it. The demand means walk-in tours and tastings aren’t always available and reservations for lodging, experiences, and dining are often encouraged.

If you plan to travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail , come prepared.

Ahead of the summer travel season, The Courier Journal reached out to tourism officials in Louisville, Bardstown and Frankfort to distill down just how far in advance you should hammer down your plans.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Ready to hit the trail? Here's what to know about planning a Kentucky bourbon adventure.

Is there a time of year when Kentucky Bourbon Trail is less busy?

The end of winter, generally, tends to be the least busy time to visit Kentucky, but in recent years, many distilleries have seen an uptick around the winter holiday season and even in January, February and early March.

When should you book a tour at a Kentucky bourbon distillery?

Tourism officials recommend booking tours at least a month in advance, but this largely depends on the distillery you want to go to. Distilleries individually release calendars for booking dates, some distilleries, like the ever-popular Buffalo Trace Distillery (which is not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail), opens bookings two months in advance and offer a waitlist. Other distilleries have calendars that extend out three months or more in advance.

Officials suggest researching the distilleries you know you want to visit first, figuring out when those calendars will be released, and booking those must-see experiences as soon as possible. Set calendar reminders in your phone, so that you can circle back when the time comes.

When should I book a hotel or Airbnb for a trip along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

If you're planning a trip for a weekend in April, early May, September, or October book ahead as much as possible. In most cases, you can find accommodations in Frankfort with about two weeks' advanced notice. Bardstown officials recommended booking at least 1-2 months in advance. For major events, such as Bardstown's Kentucky Bourbon Festival in September, some people secure rooms a full year ahead of time.

When should I make a reservation at a Kentucky bourbon distillery restaurant?

In general, officials recommend booking a dining reservation at least two weeks ahead of time. Distillery restaurants, typically, operate fewer hours than traditional restaurants, so their reservations will be scarcer. If you’ve already secured a bourbon experience at a distillery, try to book a reservation that coincides with it.

When should I book a tour company to help me travel the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Again, officials recommend locking this down as soon as possible. Many tour companies open up their calendars for booking as much as a year in advance.

How many Kentucky bourbon distilleries can you visit in a single day?

Tours typically range from 30 to 90 minutes. As you're planning your calendar, make sure you’re watching how closely you stack them and what your travel time between distilleries may be. Many distilleries have cocktail bars and gift shops, so even if you have some lag time in between, you will almost certainly have somewhere interesting to linger.

The closer the distilleries are to each other, the more you can visit in a day. Louisville, for example, has several distilleries within walking distance of each other, and in Lexington, you can hit three distilleries back-to-back at the Distillery District . Travelers will need a car or tour bus to get around distilleries in Bardstown or Frankfort. 

A leisurely traveler can hit about three in a single day, whereas a more thorough planner might go to five.

What are the hidden gems along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Smaller craft distilleries tend to be easier to book a tour with than internationally known brands. Distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour may have more availability than the traditional Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

For example, Whiskey Thief Distilling Company in Frankfort still offers walk-in tours, but they recommend you call ahead.

Many newer or smaller distilleries are not on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail such as J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery in Frankfort as well as Louisville's Buzzards Roost and NuLu Whiskey Company .

Bardstown Bourbon Company and Castle & Key also operate tasting rooms in downtown Louisville.

Features columnist Maggie Menderski writes about what makes Louisville, Southern Indiana and Kentucky unique, wonderful, and occasionally, a little weird. If you've got something in your family, your town or even your closet that fits that description — she wants to hear from you. Sometimes she writes about bourbon, too. Say hello at [email protected]. Follow along on Instagram @MaggieMenderski.

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The advantages of solo travel with group tour operators.

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Solo travel is on the rise.

Traveling solo is a profoundly liberating experience. It offers the freedom to explore at one's own pace, delve into personal interests, and embrace new cultures without compromise. However, navigating international destinations alone can sometimes be daunting. This is where group tour operators come in, providing a structured yet flexible travel experience that ensures safety, companionship, and deep cultural immersion. Trafalgar Tours is one operator that attracts a large number of solo travelers.

The Benefits of Group Tours for Solo Travelers

Traveling solo, but with a tour operator, provides comfort and security.

1. Safety and Security:

Traveling solo can occasionally raise concerns about personal safety, especially in unfamiliar territories. Group tours offer the reassurance of a structured itinerary, professional guides, and a group of fellow travelers. This structure minimizes the risks associated with solo travel, such as getting lost or encountering unsafe situations.

Travelers make meaningful connections with other travelers when on a group tour.

2. Social Interaction and Companionship:

One of the challenges of solo travel is the potential for loneliness. Group tours provide an instant social network of like-minded travelers. This social aspect can enrich the travel experience, fostering new friendships and shared memories. For solo travelers, this means not only having companions to share the journey with but also the chance to connect deeply with people from diverse backgrounds.

3. Expert Guidance and Local Insights:

Group tours are typically led by knowledgeable guides who are experts in the local culture, history, and geography. This expertise provides solo travelers with valuable insights that might be missed when traveling independently. Guides can offer recommendations, translate languages, and navigate cultural nuances, enhancing the overall travel experience.

4. Convenience and Peace of Mind:

Planning an international trip can be overwhelming, with logistics, accommodations, and activities to organize. Group tour operators handle these details, allowing solo travelers to focus on enjoying their trip. This convenience is particularly beneficial for those new to solo travel or visiting a country with complex logistics.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, the appeal of shoulder season travel.

The appeal of shoulder season is cheaper tours, less crowds but still plenty of fun.

Booking a tour during the shoulder season—the period between peak and off-peak seasons—has distinct advantages, especially for solo travelers. Tour operators have more availability and the group size is smaller—in some cases half the size—during shoulder season.

1. Fewer Crowds:

Shoulder season typically sees fewer tourists compared to the peak season. This means less crowded attractions, more personal space, and a more relaxed travel experience. Solo travelers can enjoy popular sites without the overwhelming crowds, making it easier to connect with the destination and fellow travelers.

2. Better Value:

Traveling during the shoulder season often means lower prices for flights, accommodations, and tours. Group tour operators, including Trafalgar, may offer discounts or special deals during these times, making it a cost-effective option for solo travelers.

3. Pleasant Weather:

Shoulder seasons often offer milder weather, avoiding the extremes of summer heat or winter cold. For instance, traveling to Vietnam in the shoulder season means pleasant temperatures, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.

Picking a Destination

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in northern Vietnam.

There are so many places to go, but for many travelers it’s hard to narrow down the list. For solo travelers, picking a far-flung local like Asia, is appealing because it’s something many people want to do but it seems daunting to go so far alone. One of Trafalgar’s most popular itineraries in Asia is Vietnam.

1. Immersive Cultural Experiences:

Trafalgar’s Vietnam tour is designed to provide deep cultural immersion. Travelers have the opportunity to explore bustling cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, visit historical sites such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, and experience the serene beauty of Halong Bay. These experiences are enriched by knowledgeable guides who share the stories behind each destination.

Hoi An in Vietnam is a favorite city for many travelers because it's so picturesque.

2. Unique Insider Experiences:

One of Trafalgar’s standout features is its “Be My Guest” experiences, where travelers are invited into the homes of local families to share a meal and learn about their way of life.

3. Hassle-Free Travel:

Trafalgar takes care of all the logistics, from accommodations to transportation and activities. For solo travelers, this means less time worrying about details and more time enjoying the journey. Accommodations are selected for their quality and location, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout the trip.

Vietnamese women selling and buying fruits on floating market, Mekong River Delta, Vietnam.

4. Social Atmosphere:

The group dynamic on Trafalgar tours fosters a sense of community. Solo travelers are welcomed into a friendly, inclusive environment where connections are easily made. Whether sharing a meal, exploring a market, or enjoying a guided tour, the shared experiences create lasting bonds.

5. Flexible Options for Solo Travelers:

Trafalgar understands the needs of solo travelers and offers options like single room supplements to ensure privacy and comfort. Additionally, their small group tours are ideal for those who prefer a more intimate travel experience.

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Glories of Greece

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Experience the Olympic Heritage and Ancient Grandeur of Greece on a 1-Week Guided Tour

Explore the ancient Acropolis in Athens and indulge in an authentic cooking demonstration in Olympia, as a local chef prepares a feast from locally farmed produce. Replete with lashings of olive oil and Greek cheeses you’ll master moussaka and tzatziki, before experiencing Greece in all its glory. From the Temple of Athena and the Arch of Hadrian in Athens, the gargantuan pinnacles of Meteora near Kalambaka beckon. Guided by your Travel Director, you'll ascend the ancient rock formations of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit one of the historic monasteries at the top. Explore where the Olympic Games began in 776 B.C at the Temple of Zeus and in the city of Mycenae, take in the giant Cyclopean stones before discovering traditional Greek pottery methods at the Mycenae Pottery Studio.

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Start Athens, Greece. End Athens, Greece.

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A millennial and her husband left San Francisco and embarked on 'a grand nomadic tour of the US.' She shares why they ended up moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee.

• Rachel Pohl and her husband left San Francisco and traveled around the US for around a year.
• They ended up looking for a place to settle down when Pohl was pregnant.
• While they thought Durham, North Carolina, would be the answer, Chattanooga, Tennessee, ended up being their home.

San Francisco is the home of the Golden Gate Bridge, the setting for "That's So Raven" and "Full House," and host to a robust ​​ professional and business services workforce.

It's also an expensive city and has seen more people moving out than in for somewhere else in the US.

Rachel Pohl, 34, who lived in San Francisco for several years, and her husband, Jesse Rosenthal, are just two of the people who left. After traveling around the US for around a year, they're happy having settled in Chattanooga , Tennessee . Pohl said while she was also happy in San Francisco and enjoyed living there, she's "grateful to call Chattanooga home" in her current phase of life. She and her husband moved to the city of more than 180,000 people in late 2021.

They had been considering moving away from California for quite some time before leaving San Francisco in the fall of 2020.

"It's very expensive, of course, difficult to buy a house, raise a family," she said. Pohl said they also wanted to live closer to family and wanted to be somewhere with a "slower pace of life" than the more fast-paced, large city of San Francisco, home to over 800,000 people .

"I think just the overall situation, livability there because of the cost of living is more difficult than smaller to mid-size cities," Pohl said.

The California wildfires in August 2020 were another reason the two decided to leave. "Around that time, we were thinking, let's get out of California. It's time," Pohl said.

'A grand nomadic tour of the US'

Amid remote work flexibility during the pandemic, the two ventured out of San Francisco and decided to explore the country to see the sights and decide where to settle down. "We did a grand nomadic tour of the US," Pohl said.

They packed up their things and put some stuff in storage. Pohl said goodbye to the city she had called home for years and where she met her husband. The two of them headed to Airbnb locations throughout the US.

Montana was one state they visited. Chattanooga was another place they got to see on their trip, and she found it was "very beautiful and lovely."

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"It was springtime, and the flowers were blooming, and I thought, 'this is a nice place,'" she added. While she and her husband continued on, they eventually ended up moving there after roughly a year of travel because they wanted somewhere steady after finding out Pohl was pregnant. Pohl said she and her husband liked the size and Chattanooga's energy.

"It felt like there was enough and a lot going on for the size of the city, but not so overwhelming," she said.

They did end up in Durham, North Carolina, in the summer of 2021 before Chattanooga, partly because of its potential work opportunities. However, Pohl said they simply weren't feeling that location.

"We thought if we could pick to go anywhere, basically, in the US, we want to love it, and we want to feel great about our decision," Pohl said. "So we decided at that time to come back to Chattanooga. We hadn't been back since the spring."

The family-friendly location and other pros of being in Chattanooga

Pohl likes the access to nature in Chattanooga.

"We love to go on hikes and go by the river and go paddle boarding," she said. "We love to go to playgrounds and parks with our son. All of that is very accessible."

Pohl said people are also friendly in Chattanooga, and she thinks it's a family-friendly location. She has also found the people are more diversified in terms of jobs, as opposed to the dominance of tech in the San Francisco area.

"I was meeting entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry and people doing all kinds of things," Pohl said about Chattanooga. "It felt approachable and accessible here to do that."

Chattanooga is also much more affordable for homebuyers than San Francisco. Realtor.com noted both San Francisco and Chattanooga as buyer's markets at the moment, where the "supply of homes is greater than the demand for homes." While that may be the case, Realtor.com also shows the median sold home price in Chattanooga is far below that across the country in San Francisco — $347,500 and around $1.1 million respectively.

"It is just much more accessible to buy a lovely larger-sized home in Tennessee and Chattanooga," she said. "Your dollar goes much further here. We had looked at potentially buying a house in California and just in the end thought this makes no sense because of the cost, because of the distance to family, and just kind of the whole situation we felt like, let's go yonder."

While Pohl is happy living in Tennessee, she misses the cuisine in San Franciso and access to some national parks nearby. Pohl noted to BI she had visited San Francisco since moving away, mainly for work. And while she does love the energy in Chattanooga, there's just something about the energy in California, too.

"It's such a beautiful state," Pohl said about California . "Sometimes I miss a little bit of the energy, but again, I feel like that was an active part of my choice to leave being in a big city, but there's so much innovation happening there around technology and AI. So sometimes, from a work perspective, I miss that."

Have you moved out of San Francisco or somewhere else in the US? Reach out to this reporter to share your moving experience at [email protected] .

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