Touting Time: SoulTravelers3

(pic source: http://www.soultravelers3.com)

Stop by the SoulTravelers3 home page, glimpse through their mission statement and you'll find this quote: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." It's a quote from Helen Keller, and you have to imagine the family behind the site took that absolutist outlook when they decided to embark on an around-the-world journey with no end in sight.

Beginning in September 2006, two Santa Cruz parents (who nickname themselves "Da Vinci" and "Jeanne D'Arc") took their five-year-old daughter ("Ms. Mozart") and embarked one-way from San Francisco to Amsterdam and haven't looked back since. Visiting the SoulTravelers site feels a little like visiting a self-help clinic--they're so geeked up on affirmation and spirituality that a less cheery reader might get nauseous--but their belief in their journey and values is just so gosh-darn charming and contagious you can't help but fall in love with their approach. As such, the SoulTravelers were just recently awarded "Best Travel Microblog" for their popular Twitter page and "Best Themed Travel Blog" by Lonely Planet.

The Soul Travelers are still exploring every nook and cranny of Europe, most recently in the beautiful beaches of Cinque Terre, Italy. Many of their photos place Ms. Mozart as the centerpiece of some of Europe's most storied destinations--imagine a more lively and huggable Flat Stanley--and the family's YouTube channel is even more exciting in that regard. Scope out this fascinating little montage, which has nearly 1 million views, and you'll watch as young Ms. Mozart plays her violin for onlookers throughout the world. It lasts for four and a half minutes, but the video is enrapturing and almost surreal, giving a stunning summary of just how much this crew has seen together. Hallmark, eat your heart out.

Their concept is so simple in theory, so why is SoulTravelers3 one of the most popular, award-winning travel sites on the net? Like most success stories, what is simple in theory is often much more difficult in practice--not only are they accomplishing their goal of traveling the world, but Da Vinci, Jeanne D'Arc and Ms. Mozart are consistent in their updates and friendly in their affect. Their style is particularly inviting because of its emphasis on family travel, which doesn't seem to have a truly authoritative voice on the web. Where I've Been hopes SoulTravelers3 inspires families everywhere to take a risk and go somewhere exotic, and salutes the trio for their unflagging commitment to their beliefs and goals. :)