If this is your first time hearing about Let’s Go Together, the first podcast from iBestTravel, welcome! Every week our podcast introduces listeners to people around the world who are redefining and reshaping what it means to be a traveler. We’ve heard from folks with physical disabilities who refuse to accept them as limitations, like Jesse Billauer, a man who climbed Machu Picchu in a wheelchair. Moreover, we’ve welcomed stories from widowed women embracing solo travel, plus-sized travelers, and every type of person in between.
This Week’s Episode
On this week’s episode, host Kellee Edwards—an influential traveler in her own right—introduces Gabi Meit and Shanna Sciara, the New York-based couple behind the well-regarded LGBTQIA+ travel blog, 27 Travels. Gabi and Shanna travel the world together, aiming to inspire other LGBTQIA+ individuals to experience travel.
How Their Journey Started
Gabi and Shanna’s journey began when they met at Cubbyhole, one of the last remaining lesbian bars in the U.S. The two bonded over their shared passion for travel and, after six months, embarked on their first trip together to Philadelphia.
“Since Gabi is a photographer and I’m a videographer and video editor, we naturally began documenting our first trip,” Shanna mentioned. During this trip in 2016, they recognized that their talents were creating something special. “We thought, maybe we should just create a separate Instagram to share our travel adventures,” she recalled. Thus, 27 Travels was born right after their initial domestic trip.
A Valuable Resource for Travelers
Fast forward over four years, and 27 Travels has transformed into a vital resource, especially for the LGBTQIA+ community. In this episode, the couple shares their experiences traveling as a lesbian couple.
“When traveling as a lesbian couple, we are always more aware of our surroundings and the people around us,” Gabi noted. “As women, we must consider how we are treated in various regions, whether domestically or internationally.”
Traveling Beyond Comfort Zones
Throughout the episode, they explore some of their favorite destinations, discuss the challenges of traveling to less accepting areas, and the importance of visiting such regions rather than just LGBTQIA+-friendly ones.
“We’re not solely focused on visiting places that are LGBTQ-friendly or inclusive. We still travel to countries like the Philippines, which may not be as welcoming, because there are LGBTQ individuals there whose experiences are equally valid,” Shanna said. “We believe travel should be accessible everywhere.”
Listen to Their Insights
To dive deeper into their journeys and insights, tune in to this week’s episode of Let’s Go Together, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.
Tanner Saunders is the Associate Digital Editor at iBestTravel. He enjoys traveling with his boyfriend. Follow along on Instagram @Tizanner.
