Vacationers of the Week: Luke Freel and Tyler Milton
You may know Luke Freel and Tyler Milton on Instagram as @lukeandtylertravel, and together the couple has visited 33 countries… and counting. Although these nomads are currently based in Dumfries, Scotland, they were both born in Toronto, Canada, but Freel grew up in New Jersey.
By day, Freel, 34, works as a speech-language therapist and Milton, 33, is a physiotherapist. However, you can catch them vlogging about their travels on their YouTube channel, Luke and Tyler Travel.
We thought we’d catch up with these world travelers to see how they’ve faired as married travel companions for more than seven years.. We find out what places they recommend traveling in Canada for first-time visitors, why queer travelers should consider visiting Romania, what top three destinations are on their travel bucket list, and what travel trend they’re most excited about this year. Meet our Vacationers of the Week!
Vacationer: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?
Tyler Milton: I received my first passport when I was 21. My first international trip was in 2010 after graduation to the US for a group camping trip for two weeks through California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Luke Freel: I received my first passport when I was a young kid considering I traveled back and forth between Canada and the US so often. My first real trip was a cruise to the Caribbean when I was 13.
What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel?
Our first major international destination together was a trip to Iceland in 2011. We absolutely loved the natural beauty of the country and its unique culture. It really gave us the spark to travel as much as we could from then on.
What inspires you to travel?
We love to try the local food and immerse ourselves in the local culture and language as much as possible. Although we enjoy visiting the cities and towns of each country, exploring the natural beauty is what really inspires us.
Please tell us how you identify yourself on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel.
We both identify as gay men. Our identities do influence how we travel, mostly with regards to safety for LGBTQIA people. For that reason, we are careful to select more LGBTQIA accepting countries, or we are especially mindful when traveling to less accepting countries. For example, we recently traveled to Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine where we were cautious about how we interacted with each other in public.
What domestic and international destinations do you think will be popular travel destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers in 2022?
Tyler: In terms of domestic travel here in the UK, I think people are going to capitalize on traveling around their own country, especially up to the highlands in Scotland. On a more international scale, I would say Thailand for the weather and the growing LGBT+ scene there.
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?
Tyler: I would say some of the cities in Romania like Bucharest. We were a bit worried given the politics and conservative/religious undertones of the country, which no doubt is a reality there as is the case for several countries in Eastern Europe. But we found cities like Bucharest to have more of a gay scene than we expected, and smaller university cities like Cluj-Napoca have small (and growing) LGBTQIA spaces.
Was it naturally easy to start traveling with one another?
Yes, it was! We are very fortunate in that we have very similar traveling styles, so it was a perfect fit. Some of the perks of traveling as a couple are splitting the cost of accommodations and always having someone to keep you company.
How often do you get back to Canada to see family?
About once a year. It’s been trickier with COVID restrictions for sure, but we do try our best to make it back when we can.
I’m an LGBTQ+ traveler and I’m visiting Canada for the first time. What places or cities should be at the top of my list to visit?
Toronto and Montreal should be at the top of your list! They can be visited easily in one trip, and they have some of the most flourishing LGBTQ+ spaces in the country. If you are into a more chill city vibe combined with the outdoors, Vancouver is a great option as well!
What’s the best tip you’d offer travelers?
Never be afraid to try something new and different, and always learn a few words in the local language, people really appreciate it!
What’s are your top three favorite places to visit? Why?
Switzerland for the mountains and amazing train travel. A bit more off the beaten path too would be a place like the Faroe Islands, which for us felt like a blend of Iceland’s wild and rugged volcanic landscape mixed with Ireland’s vibrant greens. Last but not least, Hawaii for the weather and a little taste of what paradise feels like. Can you tell we like mountainous locations?
What three places are still on your bucket list to visit?
Thailand, New Zealand, and Japan. All three offer such amazing culture and natural beauty.
What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?
Our laptop
You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?
Tyler: Backstreet Boys for the win!
Luke: I love a bit of Ben Platt.
What travel trend or industry shift are you most excited to see this year?
We want to see more slow travel as people have increased flexibility to work remotely. Travel used to be considered something you did once a year to escape your real life, whereas now people have opportunities to forge new ways of working, and with that being the case, why not build the best parts of travel into your everyday life?
Click here to see more travelers featured in our Vacationer of the Week franchise.
