Zipkick Bloggers: Amber and Eric Hoffman

 

 

 

 

Zipkick Bloggers: Amber and Eric Hoffman: With Husband in Tow

Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

Our first trip to Asia in 2006 was eye opening. We toured Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Before that we had traveled to Europe and within the US, and liked the idea of travel. But seeing Angkor Wat, and the National Palace in Bangkok just really showed us how different the world was. We caught the bug.

If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

I would love to do a food and wine tour of France. It’s a cuisine that has intimidated me. I want to do it right, with the top restaurants and top wines, learning about the history of both while we explore. And, I would prefer not to get a bill at the end. I’m also dying to do an African Safari, and imagine myself in one of those luxury tree houses.

What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

Bunging jumping in New Zealand in 2009. During that trip we had a no fear philosophy. But, when I was up on that ledge, jumping off a perfectly safe bridge, into a deep canyon with jagged rocks below, I thought “what the heck am I doing?” It took me a good five minutes, with the employee coaxing me into it before I jumped. Well, I more walked off the platform and shot straight down. It wasn’t an attractive jump, but I did it.

What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

Almost every day I use Google Maps, XE for currency conversion, and Google Translate. When we are in a city with Uber, we use that a lot too, to avoid having to take taxis in a country where we don’t speak the language.

What place do you wish more people have seen?

Emilia Romagna, Italy. Everyone goes to Rome, Venice, or tours Tuscany, but the food in Emilia Romagna is amazing. Great wines like Lambrusco and Pignoletto, traditional balsamic vinegar, parma ham, prosciutto, and parmigiano regiano cheese – all from Emilia Romagna! And, the Emporda wine region in Spain, which has fabulous unknown wines and the most Michelin Star restaurants per capita in the world, including the best restaurant out there. And, that creative cuisine has trickled down to offer some amazing Catalan and Spanish food. But we travel on our stomachs, so for us, it’s all about the food travel.

When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

I’m surprised almost every day. There are so many articles about how scary and dangerous the world is, but we’ve had so few problems while traveling through 70 countries. Instead, we are more often met with smiles by people who just want to learn from us as much as we want to learn from them.

I am a zipkick blogger because….

When Mr. Scott Eddy tells us to do something, we listen.

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