Our travel motto: Go for quality instead of quantity. Experience more than to see more
Hi! We Are Matt And Monico
We met back in school, bonding over a shared dream: travel the world, live abroad, and collect stories (and maybe a few passport stamps). Fast-forward to now, and we’ve somehow managed to do just that—solo, for studies, and as a duo since 1999.
Yep, that was over 20 years ago—back when the internet sounded like a fax machine, and our trusty travel companions were fat paperback guides from Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. Booking accommodation? That meant queuing at hotel booths in train stations and hoping for the best.
In 2007, we packed our bags (again) and moved to Indonesia. There, we stumbled into the world of travel blogging. We kicked things off with a Bali blog, dishing out travel tips and hidden gems. Not only did we get to know the island inside out, but we helped fellow travelers craft their dream Bali escape.
And just like that, we were hooked. More trips, more stories, more blogs. Eventually, BootsandSandals.com was born— what began as two backpacks and a shared sense of wanderlust has grown into a family adventure—and a blog!
At BootsandSandals.com, we share tried-and-tested itineraries, smart travel tips, and hidden gems to help you plan your own epic escape.
How we love to travel
Back in our 20s, when our idea of “adulting” was questionable at best, we discovered the ultimate way to travel: by scooter. There’s something about the wind in your hair (or helmet), the interesting local smells (pollution included 😜), and the symphony of honks and engine roars that makes every ride an adventure. Plus, nothing beats the freedom of taking those spontaneous little detours—because who needs a set route when you’ve got two wheels and zero sense of direction?
Now, in our 40s, we’re still at it—only this time, we’ve upgraded to a family-sized adventure. Our son is finally old enough to ride along (and luckily, he’s just as obsessed with motorbikes as we are). More road trips, more chaos, more memories!
Of course, not every destination is scooter-friendly, but for us, travel has always been about movement—not sticking to one place, but discovering as much as we can along the way.
We’re also big believers in minimalist travel—packing light, collecting moments instead of souvenirs, and keeping our minds clear so we can truly soak in every experience. (Okay, fine, we might still buy the occasional fridge magnet.)
And while we do fly more than we’d like, we’re always looking for ways to travel responsibly—reducing our footprint while making a positive impact on the communities we visit. Because the best kind of travel leaves the world a little better than we found it.
Where We Lived and Traveled
Back in our student days, we didn’t just visit places—we lived them. Three months here, half a year there… because why skim the surface when you can dive headfirst into a culture? Long-term travel wasn’t just a phase—it was our crash course in how the world really works.
Those years abroad became our ultimate life hack: the world doesn’t just change your itinerary—it changes you. Now we’re forever chasing that expansion—the kind that comes only when you let the world challenge what you think you know.
Europe
📍The Netherlands – Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Maastricht, Den Haag, Delft, Leeuwarden
lived there most of our lives, currently living in Rotterdam (2024)
📍Belgium – Antwerp, Brussels
📍France – Paris, Le Havre, Lyon, Annecy, Lille, Amiens
📍Spain – Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Granada, Malaga, Valencia
📍Italy – Tuscany region, Venice, Puglia region, Matera, Rome, Bologna
📍Greece – Kos, Santorini, Lefkada, Corfu
📍Hungary – Budapest
📍United Kingdom – London, Oxford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Eastbourne
In 1999 we both did an internship in London and in 2009 we lived there together for 4 years. London is a very special place for us and we have returned many time over the years.
📍Germany – Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Munich, Hannover
📍Czech Republic – Prague
📍Poland – Warsaw, Poznan
📍Turkey – Istanbul
📍Portugal – Lisbon, Algarve region
Asia
📍Indonesia – Bali, Lombok, East Kalimantan, Java, North Sumatra
Monico has family, did her studies, and eventually lived a year in Indonesia together with Matt
📍Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Malacca, Tioman Island, Kapas Island, Perhentian Islands, Sarawak, Sabah
Monico lived here when she was young, Matt did his internship in Kuala Lumpur
📍Singapore
📍Thailand – Bangkok, Chiangmai, Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi
📍Japan – Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone, Osaka, Nara
📍Sri Lanka
Matt did his bachelor’s thesis on a feasibility study of a boutique hotel in Unawatuna Beach in 2003.
Australia
📍Queensland – Queensland, Kakadu National Park
South America
📍Ecuador – Quito, Guayaquil, Cotopaxi, Cuenca, Otavalo, Banos, Macuma in the Amazon
Central America
📍Panama – Panama City, Bocas Del Torro
Monico spent 6 months in Panama for her studies on one of the small islands in the Panama Canal
📍Costa Rica – Corcovado National Park, Playa Costa Verder
North America
📍New York
📍Hawaii – Oahu island
Roadtrips and Beach Life Here We Come
We’re the kind of travelers who can’t sit still—give us two wheels (or four), an open road, and we’re happy. Bonus points if the route loops around an entire island with jaw-dropping beaches because, let’s be real, pit stops should involve toes in the sand and a fresh coconut in hand.
After years of dreaming (and a few questionable map-reading incidents), we’ve narrowed it down to our:
Top 10 Bucket-List Road Trip Destinations:
Mauritius- Sardinia, Italy
- Sicily, Italy
- Corsica, France
Albania- Vietnam
- Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
- Bayern, Germany
- Turkey
- India to Bhutan
Our Ultimate Dream Travel Expereince are:
- Whale Watching
- Walk through the Red Wood Forest, California
- Check out Orang Utans in Kalimantan
- Visit Angkor Wat, Combodia
- Scuba Diving Sipadan Islands, Malaysia
- Explore Petra, Jordan
- Sleep under the stars in the desert, Morocco
- Go on a self-drive safari in Namibia
- Surf in Hawaii
- Discover the unique flora and fauna of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Why We Blog
Turns out, blogging isn’t just about bombarding people with vacation photos (though we do love showing the many gorgeous beaches). Here’s the real deal behind why we created Boots & Sandals:
✅ We’re Travel Matchmakers
Love planning trips? Us too. We share our wins (and uh, interesting detours) so you can skip the stress and dive straight into the good stuff.
✅ Dig Deeper, Travel Smarter
Blogging forces us to go beyond the guidebooks—so you get the real scoop, not just the Instagrammable fluff.
✅ Shoutouts for the Underdogs
When we find a killer guesthouse, a life-changing street food stall, or a tour that actually exceeded expectation, you will find them here! We love helping out local businesses.
✅ Freedom Fund
Let’s be real: passive income means more freedom to explore. We’ve tested all the side hustles (so you don’t have to). Our hard lesson learnt: never put all eggs in one basket…
The Bottom Line:
It’s not all hammocks and piña coladas. We’re dumping all our hard-won secrets at bootsandsandals.com because travel should be about freedom – not freaking out over your bank balance.
Follow Us On Youtube
For the past few years, we’ve been bringing our adventures to life on our YouTube channel. From epic road trips to potential “let’s move here” destinations, we’re sharing it all.
👉 Check out one of our travel videos here:
Want to see the world through our lens (and maybe find your next home abroad)? Hit subscribe and join the adventure!
Use the Contact Us page if you want to get in touch!
Have a lovely day! Matt and Monico