On their first date, David started describing to Alexandra his plan to quit his job and travel around the world for a year. Without hesitation (and surprising them both) Alexandra blurted out “Wait for me.” He did. Three months after that first date they quit their jobs and embarked on a round-the world adventure together that would take them to Costa Rica, New Zealand, Thailand, India, Romania, France, Ireland, and more. They traveled together for a full year—and one year after they returned to San Francisco, they got married.
A Year Off is the story of their journey and their romance. It combines their personal story with inspiration and practical advice for would-be travelers looking to make their own tour. It includes real-world tips on putting your career on pause, planning your route, setting a budget, adjusting to life on the road, finding your “travel rhythm,” discovering the “traveler’s code” of generosity and hospitality, and finally making a soft landing when you return home. It shows that it is possible to step out of a high-achieving lifestyle for an extended, and transformative, adventure. Alexandra and David are now happily married and live in San Francisco with their daughter. They still travel frequently.
