About

Hi and Welcome!

I want to share something with you that might surprise you!

One thing for sure: You don’t need to travel far and wide to discover the magic in every day.

For me, travel and adventure is not a luxury, but a necessity. Especially during the global pandemic when I realized that even though we were restricted to where we can go, I could still find adventure in every day.

And I don’t mean the kind of adventures like Base Jumping off El Capitan in Yosemite or free diving in the Bahamas.

Stepping out of my normal daily routine and doing small adventures such as listening to birds chirp, taking a walk in my neighborhood, people watch or stargazing was something I overlooked entirely as I languished during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

But when I started to have these adventures daily, and even looking forward to new adventures, it allowed me to feel carefree and truly ALIVE. Which continued to inspire me to do bigger and greater adventures.

But most importantly, I found that this is when I was forming true bonds and deep relationships with family, my partner and even with myself.

Now it’s your turn and I’m here to inspire you to get out and LIVE regardless of restrictions and other things we can’t control.

That’s why I created the 365 Days of Adventure List! CLICK HERE TO GET and START YOUR ADVENTURES TODAY!

Fun Facts About Marina ‘Travel Experta’

I am a Soviet Union Refugee arriving to the US on my 6th birthday. I guess you can say it was one of the worse times yet one of the most impactful times of my life.
I speak 3 languages fluently (Russian, English and Spanish – read below to find out why Spanish)
The number one thing that brought my family together when I was young was travel. This was when we truly bonded and connected and had a chance to escape the adjustment of living in the States and all the complexities of being immigrants during the cold war.

After graduating high school I went to 4 different universities (still graduated on time) because my heart needed travel and diversity.
My second year of University I did a study abroad program in London, UK and that solidified my need to travel and experience the world. It became my #1 passion in life.
After my study abroad stint I backpacked most of Western Europe and one thing everyone I met in the hostels, that were not US citizens, was saying to me how beautiful the United States was. At 19 years old I only saw the East Coast so I was determined to learn more of this immense nation.

After graduating university at 22 years old me and my boyfriend (ex) took off and lived in Colorado and California for two years while exploring this amazing country.
I never used my university diploma but instead became a successful aerobics instructor. I was actually one of the first SPIN and PILATES instructors in NYC.
Before the age of 26 I had visited over 40 states including Alaska and Puerto Rico (a commonwealth of the US).

At 28 years old after living in NYC for several years, on October 20, 2000, I took off with a backpack. I was on an open-ended SOLO trip, with no interest to ever return.

March 5, 2001 as I crossed over from Belize to Guatemala to visit the Tikal Mayan Ruins. While camping (something I don’t ever do) I met my husband. He was also the first Guatemalan person I had ever met. READ HERE ABOUT OUR LOVE STORY

January 12, 2003 we got married and shortly after that moved to Costa Rica where we lived for almost 7 years and where our first son was born.

On June 25, 2009 (same day as Michael Jackson died) we moved to Antigua, Guatemala to start a new life and where our second son was born.

During my life as an expat we have traveled to over ten countries with our two boys and have seen and experienced most of Central America inside and out.
I am also a proud mama and wife of ROCK CLIMBERS. My husband is an addict and introduced our sons to it. They are now competing worldwide. What does this mean for me? Instead of my planning our trips around what I want to do, I now have to make sure where ever we travel to has a good place to rock climb and a good climbing gym.

To work with Marina ‘Travel Experta GO HERE

And I love questions! So please contact me.

Let’s Make Every Day an Adventure!

Marina ‘Travel Experta’

Travel Experta is part of MKB5 Enterprises LLC

Fun Facts About Marina ‘Travel Experta’

To work with Marina ‘Travel Experta GO HERE

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