Hey Reader,

It's Lia and Jeremy from Practical Wanderlust, that disaster-prone travel blogging couple. You signed up for our newsletter because you're the best! Here's everything we've been up to, plus all the new content we've published since our last newsletter.

Psst: You'll want to display images for this email because otherwise stuff is gonna look kinda funky.

Happy March! Er, and April, almost.

It's been a crazy couple of months, y'all.

We squeezed in a full week of travel at the end of last month, spending a wonderful week driving Highway One and camping in our new camper van on the ocean in Morro Bay and in the redwoods in Big Sur. ​

Then, for good measure, we headed into the Sierras for a visit to Yosemite National Park. We're calling it the goodbye trip, because we really might not see any of these places again before we move to Kentucky this summer! You can see exactly what we did, and get a lil camper van tour, in our Instagram Story Highlights.​

Lia is currently 38 weeks pregnant, which means, oh my god, this baby could come literally any minute now. But honestly, other than the carpal tunnel, constant bladder pressure, brain fog, and exhaustion? She's feeling pretty great!

We've both been frantically trying to tie up loose ends at work and make sure everyone has what they need to function for a while without us, because we're each taking maternity leave starting next week!

Which means this will probably be the last you hear from us for a while. We're going into full-on baby prep mode (our house is currently a disaster that is not fit for human residency) and then full-on survival-with-baby mode. Jeremy's mom will be staying with us for a few weeks to help keep us alive and sane(ish) but we might not be in a space to share anything with anyone for a couple of months!

So while you'll still get emails about new posts pushed out by the amazing Practical Wanderlust team, baby news is gonna be few and far between for a little while. Definitely make sure you're following us on Instagram because IG stories are probably the first way we'll be sharing baby updates!

Sooo next time you hear from us, we'll have a baby... Ahhh! Wish us luck!

Lia & Jeremy (& Mulan)

Psst - have you gotten your booster shot yet? If not, go get it ASAP!

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Here's what's new on the blog this month:

​The Ultimate 2-Week Costa Rica Itinerary ​

Volcanoes and hot spring rivers. Misty cloud forests. Howler monkeys swinging through the treetops. White sand beaches. On this epic Costa Rica two week itinerary you’ll be visiting three national parks; hiking in cloud forests, rainforests and jungles; snorkeling and swimming in crystalline waters; traversing the tree canopy on ziplines and hanging bridges; exploring volcanoes, canyons, hot springs and rivers; and befriending sloths, monkeys, macaws, toucans, and more! Read this post »​

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​Allbirds Tree Skippers: Are they really worth it? Our honest review

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Once in a lifetime, a pair of shoes comes along that is so comfortable and versatile, it replaces all of the other shoes in your suitcase: the Chosen Shoe. In the of case of my husband and I, that shoe is the Allbirds Tree Skippers, and yes, we are that disgusting married couple that wears matching shoes. That said, are they perfect? Well, there are a couple of downsides you'll want to be aware of. In this post, we'll cover everything you need to know to justify the cost of these shoes - or talk yourself out of buying them. Read this post »​

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​19 Fabulous Things to do in Napa Valley, California ​

Napa Valley is a lot of fun, and that's not just the wine talking. But is there anything to do in Napa besides drinking a lot of really good wine? Well, yes! There's rugged mountains, steamy hot springs, rolling vineyards, hot air balloons, incredible food, and even a few spirits - both the drinks AND the ghosts! Here are all the best things to do in Napa. Read this post »​

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​9 Magical Places to Visit in Michigan in the Winter​

Ice-glazed lighthouses. Glittering ice caves. Snowshoeing between wineries. A Bavarian village? Michigan in winter is a cozy blend of vibrant cities, charming towns, and pristine wintry wonderland. The cold, snowy winters are ideal for exploring blanketed trails, cozying up in a museum, or warming up with a drink in a heated igloo. Here's where to visit in Michigan in the winter!. Read this post »​

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Here are a few sales and travel deals we've seen recently!

• Earn 2X Bonvoy Points with Homes & Villas by Marriott International! Marriot Bonvoy members who book a private home with Homes & Villas by Marriot International between March 1-31, and complete their stay with check-out on or before April 30, 2022 will earn 2X Bonvoy Points! Points will automatically appear in the Marriott Member's Account 3-6 weeks following the completion of their stay. Earn 2X Bonvoy points by booking today!​
• ​Waterlust is raising prices on March 31. Waterlust is the awesome ethical marine-biology-supporting swimwear line that makes our beloved swim leggings (read Lia's review here), and we received news that due to supply chain issues they'll be raising their prices across the board on March 31st. That means if you've been on the fence about buying a pair, this is your last chance to get all Waterlust products at their current prices! I'll be stocking up on another pair of swim leggings and a matching swim top. Shop now before prices go up.​

Spring is starting to show its face, and we're looking ahead to the best places to visit in the Spring. Here are some of our favorite Spring destinations for optimal weather enjoyment!

• California Dreaming: Barking sea lions. Salty air. Waves crashing on critter-filled tidepools. Driving Pacific Coast Highway is the most beautiful road trip in the entire world (we're biased, but it's true). And this is the perfect time of year to be on it, planning it or about to do it! This post is the perfect 10-day Highway One itinerary, or pick and choose where to visit from our favorite 32 stops on Highway One .
• Spring destinations in the USA: April and May are the perfect months to visit destinations that are hot the rest of the year - like the South! We recommend planning a trip to Savannah, New Orleans, Austin, or Louisville this time of year, while the weather is pleasantly warm.
• Long Haul Planning: Summer is a fantastic time to visit Ecuador! Take a look at our guide to B​anos, an adventure town 2 hours from Quito, and our complete guide to the Galapagos Islands by land. Think you need to book an expensive cruise to see the Galapagos Islands? Think again! It's WAY cheaper to island-hop your way through Santa Cruz, Isabela Island, and San Cristobal! We also have the perfect packing list for the Galapagos to help you prepare.

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I'm gonna be honest with y'all: we are two husks of humans right now, just trying to frantically finish up work and prepare our lives for this new baby. The level of intellectual and cultural stimulation we are currently at is binging 90 Day Fiance. Just utter trash.

And it's not just our minds consuming trash, either: last week we did a mini supermarket sweep to stock up on every nostalgic junk food from Lia's childhood so that she can enjoy them with her temporary stem-cell-induced food digestion superpowers before her body goes back to being insanely sensitive to anything that comes in a package. Who needs nutrition?! Not 38 week pregnant people, that's for sure.

Even Mulan has given up her usual activities in favor of obsessively making sure that Lia is OK and giving her gentle, constant snuggles. Apparently dogs can sense the hormonal changes that happen right before labor begins ... uh oh ...

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That's all we've got for now, and for the next little while. We'll see you on the other side!

Have any tips or advice for us for surviving the fourth trimester? You can click reply and email us directly. We swear we're not just incredibly advanced and attractive robots - we do actually read & respond to your messages (and we love getting them)!

Until next time,