Where it all began 

These two experienced world travelers met in a small town outside Baltimore, Maryland. Since high school, they've been inseparable. Ryan knew he wanted to spend his life with Amourelle, a genuine case of love at first site. Their relationship blossomed from a close friendship, and seven years after they began dating, they got married. 

Both Ryan and Amourelle were born in New Jersey and lived active childhoods, playing sports and spending much time outside. After leaving Maryland, they spent nearly a decade living in California. During their college years, they took weekend trips exploring the western US. The places they traveled to were different from those they grew up visiting, a benefit of living in another region of the country. These short trips set a foundation, incorporating consistent travel into their lives and teaching them how to plan meaningful adventures. They realized that exploring new areas would educate them better than any classroom and that cultural experiences were essential to their personal growth.

Their "Aha" moment

Ryan's family encouraged him to travel from a young age. In 2004 he traveled to Europe for the first time, exploring France and Holland. In the years that followed, he returned to Europe numerous times. During his adolescence, this impressionable time, he had the opportunity to immerse himself in many different cultures. Ryan spent his teens learning other languages, tasting foreign cuisines, and familiarizing himself with new customs. At 16, he spent his summer traveling the Middle East, discovering old-world cities. And at 17, Ryan spent his entire summer living in Antwerp, Belgium. During this time, Ryan learned he had a knack for navigation and used this to get around European cities by foot, bike, bus, and train. It was while in Barcelona, Spain, that Ryan had the realization that he no longer wanted to travel without Amourelle. He had spent too much time looking for phone cards and locating pay phones to call her while away, and This time could've used exploring the world with her. 

On the contrary, Amourelle didn't travel outside the United States until she was 22. Her first time beyond the borders was on a cruise to the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos. It was on this trip that Ryan got down on one knee and asked for Amourelle's hand in marriage. Two years later, they were married. Amourelle dreamed of getting married in Paris, France, and she dreamed hard enough to make it happen. They honeymooned along the French Riviera, and during this time, they vowed to one another that on every anniversary, they would travel to a new place. Amourelle came up with the idea of following an alphabetical system (A-Z) and each year, choosing a city or country that began with the letter correlated with the number of years they had been married. Their first anniversary had to be a city or country that started with the letter A, so they chose Aruba. On the second anniversary, they decided Bangkok. On the third anniversary, they went to Colombia. And the tradition continues. Their "aha" moment registered on their honeymoon when they realized they could dedicate that same period every year to strengthening their relationship while exploring new destinations.

The beginning of a new life

Ryan and Amourelle live and work in fast-paced New York City. It's a great area for them because it has multiple international airports, a cruise port, railroads, and highways that spread out in every direction. They also don't take for granted everything the Big Apple has to offer; museums, concert halls, sporting arenas, and restaurants that offer every culinary experience imaginable. They're constantly pushing one another to try new things and to be the best version of themselves. They've learned that actively working on their physical and mental health is vital to their happiness. They're environmentally conscious and are mindful of their carbon footprint. They want to help protect the planet and be healthy so they can travel for a long time while maintaining a good quality of life.

Where they are now 

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic halted everyone's lives. In 2020, Ryan and Amourelle planned to visit England for their fifth anniversary. Unfortunately, for the first time in their relationship, they had to cancel a trip. After lockdown, they got creative with their travel. They followed all health guidelines/requirements and only traveled to areas they were permitted to visit. They restarted their adventures by only making day trips, including hiking or paddle boarding. Then they took it up a notch and began camping. By late summer ‘20, they were ready to try a hotel again. They've been loyal to Marriott International’s collection of hotels for many years because of the cleanliness and attention to detail found across all their brands. Ryan and Amourelle were especially pleased throughout the pandemic that Marriott followed health guidelines, and each hotel's measures to disinfect high touch points exceeded their expectations. In 2021 Ryan and Amourelle planned to travel more than ever. They celebrated their sixth anniversary by traveling to a city that begins with an F, Flagstaff. From there, they drove 837 miles and explored Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest NP, Painted Desert NP, Zion NP, Colorado National Monument NP, and the Rocky Mountains. In fall/winter ‘21, they explored the Northeast United States and Canada. In 2022, they took on their biggest adventure as a couple to date, 12 cities across seven countries in 21 days. 2023 brought them to the Aloha state where they learned about Hawaiian traditions and soaked up the Polynesian sun. 2024 will take them to a destination that begins with the letter "I". They share where they go and travel tips, so follow them across their social media accounts @the_bernhey_way for new content.

Where you can be 

Ryan and Amourelle believe travel is attainable for all. They will show you that you don't need to stay in a 5-star hotel or eat at a Michelin-rated restaurant to have an incredible trip. With a bit of planning and a healthy attitude, you can go anywhere you set your mind to. If ever you need a little help or inspiration, please reach out.