Hello Reader,

Can we ask you a question?

What does community mean to you?

Right now, Jess is back in the UK working, while Julia is volunteering at a holiday spot in the Swedish countryside. 17 days until we meet up in Bilbao for a week's holiday!!

After that, we'll be apart again. Julia's heading back to the US to apply for her UK spouse visa, while Jess goes back to work in England. We always knew this time apart was part of the process, so we're both making the most of it.

One thing it's reminded us of is how important it is to find your people, wherever you are.

Within a couple of days of arriving in Sweden, Julia already had people to swim in the lake with, play pool with, and chat over coffee. It got us thinking about all the different communities we've found while travelling.

Here are three that have made a huge difference for us.

🌍 Worldpackers

It isn't something we use all the time, but it's been a lifesaver this summer. It's helped Julia keep travel costs down while experiencing a completely different side of Sweden. Because you're living and working alongside other travellers, conversations happen naturally, and it's hard not to find someone you click with.

💬 Facebook groups

Before we visit somewhere new, we'll often join Facebook groups for that destination. They're brilliant for asking questions, finding travel buddies, discovering local events, or getting recommendations that never make it into guidebooks. One of our favourites was a Sumatra travel group, which gave us some of our best tips before and during our trip.

📱 Hostel WhatsApp groups

Some of our favourite travel memories started because someone dropped a message in the hostel WhatsApp group asking, "Anyone want to hike tomorrow?" or "Who's up for dinner tonight?" If your hostel has one, join it. You'll usually find the QR code at reception or in communal areas, and it's one of the easiest ways to meet people, especially if you're travelling solo.

We're already thinking about how to find that same sense of community once we're finally living together in the UK. Hiking groups, book clubs, local sports… wherever we end up, we'll be looking for people who enjoy the same things we do. Julia already has her eye on a local "Bitch & Stitch" craft night in Stockport.

Travel has taught us that community isn't always about where you are.

It's about finding people who just get you.

Where have you made your best travel friends? We'd love to hear your story.

Speak soon,

Jess & Julia