This week we join the powerhouse traveling couple howfarfromhome as they explore the world together. They traded their homes and corporate jobs for nomadic life and haven’t looked back. Read how a one year sabbatical turned into five years (and counting) of exploring the world together one country at a time. Let’s join them on their journey as they share their insights into the rewards and challenges of traveling as a couple.

Name

Chanel & Stevo

Originally From

South Africa

Current Country

Croatia

How many countries have you lived in?

Well we’ve been non stop traveling for 5 years now. Before that we lived in South Africa. These days we try stay in a country for a month at a time, taking in all it has to offer.

What made you decide to start your travel journey versus living in one place?

We were working for a few years and we both decided to take a sabbatical. We wanted a change in routine and a change of scenery and to be honest it was only supposed to be a year long journey but it slowly became our lifestyle. We saved up enough money to cover us for 9 months of travel but over time we began to get freelance jobs and that sustained us.

What advice would you give to other couples who travel together on their nomadic journey? Are there any cardinal rules you live by?

Yup its really tough but at the same time it's very rewarding. We've only spent 2 days apart in the last two years haha so their is definitely strain on the relationship but at the end of the day we get to experience all these amazing moments with each other so that makes it worth it. We don't really have rules but we never go to sleep angry with each other, we always sort it out. We have learnt each others love language over time and we always communicate no matter how stressed we are.

How many countries have you visited?

58

Since you've been to so many places. What has been your most favorite and why?

It's really impossible to have a stand out favorite as each country is so different. We love absolutely love Japan and Namibia and even those two are so so different. We love Japan for the beautiful culture and food, Namibia for the stunning landscape.

What brought you to your current country?

We wanted some down time and the off season here in Croatia is fantastic. Great weather.

What is your favorite thing about Croatia?

The weather and beaches.

Least Favorite?

We miss our friends. We meet so many people but having close friends nearby is so important and we miss it.

What is your biggest challenge about living in another country and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge would be setting ourselves up, it’s always tough in the beginning. Figuring out how the city works, best place to get groceries and how to get around.

Where would you like to visit next?

Mexico, we would love to visit because we have heard such great things and we have not been before.

What fuels your wanderlust? What inspires you?

Curiosity about other cultures and how they live fuels our wanderlust. We always want to see more and after traveling to all these countries it really makes the world feel small.

What advice would you give to other expats or travelers?

You have to be willing to sacrifice a lot in order to make it work. Living in a new country has its challenges and the grass is not always greener so have an open mind and don’t give up. You will soon settle in.

Do you see yourselves settling down anywhere in the near future? Or do you see yourselves continuing on living in different places?

We definitely want to settle down sometime but how we settle will be different to how we were settled before. Finding that balance of work and travel and family time will be key. Its something we are working on :)

Learn more about Chanel & Stevo

Wanderwoman Diaries: Conscious Coupling