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Todd Smidt started traveling in 2010 and created Of Whiskey and Words in 2013 in the hope of inspiring others to travel and enjoy a nice glass of whiskey along the way.
After growing up in Nebraska and graduating college, Todd landed his first “real job” as a commodities trader but was soon faced with a dilemma of happiness versus responsibility. After a year, Todd had an “F This” moment and scoured the internet for travel jobs to fulfill his desires of travel and life abroad.
Shortly after an interview and a few months of waiting, Todd was off to Brisbane, Australia working on a cruise ship and spent the next six months sailing around the South Pacific. From there, he’s visited over fifty countries and embarked on memorable trips all over the world. From rafting in the Grand Canyon to watching the world cup in Russia, Todd’s adventures are an inspiration to new and veteran travelers alike.
Through his world travels, Todd learned the importance of living ambitiously by making life happen for himself. It’s all about intentionality and creating the life you want. Find your passion and relentlessly pursue its fulfillment in your life. Todd admits sacrifices will be made but the rewards will always be worth it.
For Todd, life is all about experiences and relationships.
Todd started Of Whiskey And Words as a road map to helping readers achieve their life’s greatest desires. Whether you emulate Todd and jet-set across the world or you chase your passion project to make it a full-time job, our dreams push us to improve ourselves and our relationships.
Whiskey
Whiskey is by far Todd’s favorite spirit, and I would hope so based on the blog name, but with a wealth of variety on the market, where does a newbie start?
For beginners, Todd breaks down the main distinct types of whiskey available at bars and liquor stores: Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, and Irish. There are more, but this is just the basics.
Admittedly, no one knows which types of whiskey they like until they try them. Visit a local bar specializing in whiskey and drink a pour or two to see what ignites your taste buds. Talk to the bartenders and pick their brains about what they like and a few cocktails to try. When Todd lived in Australia, he frequented a whiskey bar with over 600 different bottles of whiskey. Talk about a selection.
For bottles of whiskey under $50, Todd recommends:
- Buffalo Trace Bourbon
- J Rieger’s Kansas City Whiskey
- Basil Hayden Rye
- Templeton Rye
- High West Double Rye!
- Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon
Adventure Travel
Due to his passions, Todd’s trips focused on the active and adventurous side of travel, opting for long hikes outdoors than casual days in a city. For those looking for more adventure in their trips, Todd suggests making a list of the activities that interest you the most. From there, decide the importance and budget. Do you want to hike the entire trip or camp a day or two during a week-long trip?
For beginners who are dipping their toes in the water, try your favorite activities locally. Your first hike should not be in Patagonia, so don’t expect anything different from white water rafting, skydiving, and any other activity. This ensures the money spent on your trip is going towards experiences you will really enjoy.
For booking these adventures, lean on the internet. Dive into reviews, triple-check pricing, and perform your due diligence to ensure you pick the right excursion at the right price.
Pro-tip: Todd recommends private rooms in hostels to save on accommodation costs. If you are traveling with a larger group of people, book a whole dorm room and have the benefits of the full private room at a significantly cheaper cost. Focus your money on the activities of the trip.
Notable Resources from Todd
workaway.info – For finding jobs and free accommodation around the world
crateinc.com – Todd’s favorite rafting company
My Bucket list and Ideas for Yours
5 Spins on a Classic Old Fashioned Recipe
11 Best Bourbons for an Old Fashioned
Beginners Guide to Single Malt
How to Start a Travel Blog in 2021
A Defining Decade 27 Pieces of Advice for Your 20s and Beyond
My Roaring 20s and Why it’s Okay to be Selfish
What Makes a Bad Traveler
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Chris Kretzer has traveled the world visiting over 35 countries and eating his way through every city. With his wife Tiarra, they explore different food cultures and create food guides, podcasts, and travel articles helping everyone experience the world through food.