Vacationers of the Week: Trent Brock and Jamil Price

We were scrolling on the Gram and found our Vacationers of the Week, Trent Brock and Jamil Price, a traveling gay couple that will celebrate their first anniversary together in marriage next month. Congrats! As a couple, they’ve been together for almost eight years, but it started as a long-distance relationship until they decided to move to Tampa, Florida, where they’ve lived for six years. 

You could say that both Trent and Jamil were bitten by the travel bug early in life. Trent comes from a military family, so he moved around throughout his childhood. He was born in Kansas, but his family would eventually move to Nashville, Tennessee, which is where Jamil was born and raised… at least in the area. However, the two didn’t meet until they lived and worked in Knoxville. 

Well, we wanted to get to know these two a little better. In our open and honest Q&A with Trent and Jamil, they reveal what sporting event sparked their first trip together. They give us a glimpse at each of their travel styles, describe a funny perk as a traveling couple, offer recommendations when visiting Tampa, and tell us which podcasts are usually on their travel playlists.

Vacationer Magazine: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?

Trent Brock:  My family lived in Germany for a few years, so I had my first passport before I was two years old.

Jamil Price:  At age nine, I got my first passport for a family trip to Cancún, Mexico.

What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel? 

Trent:  I returned to Germany between my junior and senior years of college on a three-week study abroad trip. I went with my childhood best friend, and it was a trip that I’ll never forget. We ate delicious food, experienced the nightlife scene in Berlin, and appreciated how the world is much more alike than different. Traveling, especially internationally, can be daunting, but it’s super easy when you’ve got a plan and even easier traveling with someone.

Jamil:  I went on a 30-day, 8-country excursion around Europe between my junior and senior years of college. I visited the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, to name a few of the countries, and thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in each culture. I also liked the adrenaline rush of visiting so many countries in such a short amount of time.

What inspires you to travel?

Trent:  I love that traveling is a learning opportunity – both personally and about other parts of the world.

Jamil:  I agree! There’s no better way to learn about different cultures than immersing ourselves in them. There’s only so much you can learn from afar. We also enjoy the cuisine. No better way to eat authentically! I also love the challenge of getting lost in a big city and finding my way around.

Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel. If so, how?

We both identify as gay. We always research where we’re headed beforehand, specifically LGBTQIA+ acceptance. We’re also constantly aware of our surroundings and understand not every culture is as accepting or diverse as others. If a country or city isn’t known for being LGBTQ-friendly, we’ll still consider visiting, but we’ll be respectful to help prevent any issues. 

Is there a travel destination that most queer travelers would think isn’t safe to visit, but you’ve visited and enjoyed it? If so, where?

LGBTQIA+ rights and marriage equality have been contentious topics in some Asian countries we’ve visited, including Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia. However, we can’t recall a situation where we felt we were in danger. We even spent a few nights in Shinjuku Ni-Chome, Tokyo’s famous gay district. On a separate note, we were pleasantly surprised at how extremely welcoming Puerto Vallarta was when we visited last fall.

How long have you been traveling together? What was your first trip together? Would you recommend it to other LGBTQ+ travelers?

We’ve been traveling together since the beginning! One of our first dates was a weekend trip to Atlanta. Jamil is a big Yankees fan, and they were playing the Braves. Our first international trip was to Cancún, and we were only four months into our relationship. Most recently, we visited the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Was it naturally easy to start traveling with one another? What are the perks of traveling as a couple? 

Thankfully, we’ve always traveled well together. We’ve even gotten to the point where we’ve started sharing one checked bag if we need more than a carry-on but not enough to bring two checked bags. There are a lot of perks of traveling as a couple, but perhaps one of the best is having someone to watch your bag while you’re in the restroom.

How would you describe your travel style in three words?

Trent: Organized, efficient, and active

Jamil: Fast-paced, strategic, and immersive 

What are three things LGBTQ+ travelers should do when visiting Tampa Bay, Florida?

Definitely check out Ybor City. It’s similar to Bourbon Street in New Orleans and is home to most of the city’s LGBTQIA+ bars. Be on the lookout for Sadie Elise, a local performer who always slays the house down boots! We love Sadie! We also love Adriana Sparkle across the bay in St. Pete.

You’re in Florida, so you, of course, must hit the beach! Our favorites are Treasure Island and Belleair Beach. They’re about 45-60 minutes from Tampa. Captain Bill’s Oyster Bar is a delicious post-beach day restaurant.

Arrive ready to eat! Tampa is an up-and-coming culinary destination. We recommend dining at Columbia Restaurant (the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida), Steelbach, Oxford Exchange (where we got married!), The C House, La Segunda Bakery, Ulele, Meat Market, and The Battery.

What are your top three favorite places to visit? Why?

We loved Japan! We specifically visited Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka in late 2019 on our first trip to Asia. Each location was so distinct and different from America. The food was also so delectable. We even made sushi with a local in Tokyo after shopping with them at a market.

Napa/Sonoma is always a blast! We always try to squeeze in as many wineries as possible whenever we go. Some of our favorites are Sterling, Domaine Carneros, and Davis Estates. For food, we enjoy Oakville Grocery and The Girl & The Fig. We highly recommend Wine County for groups of friends that want to go on a trip together.

The photos and videos you’ve seen of Tahiti don’t do it justice! Seriously, book a flight now. You won’t be disappointed. We went for our honeymoon and stayed in an overwater bungalow. It’s the ultimate form of relaxation! We jet-skied, swam with sharks and sting rays, and we went snorkeling daily.

What three places are still on your bucket list to visit? Why?

South Africa is number one on our bucket list! It’ll be our first trip to Africa. We’ve also heard so many great things about the weather, safaris, and wineries from friends and family who have visited. 

Brazil is up there, too. Carnaval!

Here in the United States, we haven’t been to Alaska yet. Jamil’s childhood best friend and wife recently moved there. It’s going to be a completely different experience than Florida. We also want to experience daylight at midnight, fishing, and seaplanes.

What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?

Trent:  I don’t leave our house without my hand sanitizer, something I’ve been doing long before the pandemic. When we travel, we engage with so many people and things (tray tables, menus, door handles, etc.). I play it safe and use it frequently to avoid getting sick.

Jamil:  My noise-canceling headphones are essential. I’m either listening to music, a podcast, or watching stuff I’ve downloaded from Netflix.

You’re going on a road trip or a long-haul flight. What singer or band is always on your music playlist?

Trent:  Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, RuPaul, Lizzo, and Shania Twain are currently on repeat. I also enjoy listening to a couple of podcasts: Psychobabble with Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl and Miguel & Holly Uncensored with Miguel Fuller and Holly O’Connor.

Jamil: Beyoncé is always my go-to. I also listen to The Daily podcast from the New York Times. With the fast-paced nature of traveling, I will also put on Music for Deep Sleep by Healing Meditation Zone to help keep me grounded.

You can follow Trent and Jamil using their handles: @trentbrock and @priceisright28 on Twitter and Instagram.