Have you ever had that mini panic attack realizing you might’ve just lost all your travel photos? Yeah, us too. That’s why we dove into the world of cloud storage and found Sync.com, our trusty sidekick for the last three years.
What is Sync.com?
Sync.com is like the Fort Knox of cloud storage. It’s a secure, easy-to-use service that keeps all your files encrypted. Imagine having a magical backpack with all your memories that only you can open, no matter where you are in the world. Pretty neat, huh?
Why We Chose Sync.com
After trying out a bunch of different options (and nearly pulling our hair out in frustration), we settled on Sync.com for a few solid reasons:
Top-Notch Security: End-to-end encryption means no one but you can see your stuff. Not even Sync.com. It’s like having a secret vault in the cloud that isn’t scanned, AI accessible or trained on or used by the company for data acquisition or third party monetisation.
User-Friendly: Even if you’re not tech-savvy, Sync.com is super easy to use. Uploading and accessing files feels as smooth as booking a direct flight.
Affordable Plans: Traveling can be expensive, but Sync.com offers affordable plans that won’t break the bank. Plus, you get a generous amount of storage.
Original Files: While some online backup services give you deals for storing your pictures with them, the original pictures are often scaled down to conserve disk space and often videos aren’t even included. Sync does a full backup of the original files plus you can backup any other important documents besides just pictures.
Storage Space: Personal plans start with 2TB of space so you have plenty of room for the next decade of pictures if you’re not a professional photographer and plans scale up even if you are.
Sync.com coupon!
Exclusive Offer: Visit Sync.com/barefoot for an exclusive discount just for our community
Over the past three years, Sync.com has been our online backup solution. Whether we were on the go working or just preserving our family memories, it’s always been running in the background on our phones and our computers.
It’s been a great relief to know that if our phone fell into a lake, got stolen or left on a table somewhere, that we haven’t lost our last day, week, month or year of memories.
Storage and Sharing
Over the past few years we’ve uploaded everything from important document scans to thousands of photos from our trips to Mexico and Europe. We push both our phones up to the same account so we can easily share everything, keep everything together and keep our costs down.
Sharing files with friends and family is pretty simple as well. Just a few quick clicks and they can access your latest travel album without even needing a Sync account.
If you’re working with a company, then their Teams integration is a great feature giving you plenty of ways to collaborate online plus all accounts give you ways to share folders and files with plenty of ways to secure those. There’s also a preview only feature with pdf and Word documents that let people view those without needing the corresponding app.
Offline Access
One of our favorite features is offline access. Perfect for those times when you’re in the middle of nowhere with zero Wi-Fi. Just download your files beforehand and you’re set to go when you get there.
Sync Across Devices
Whether we’re using our phones, tablets, desktops or laptops, Sync.com keeps everything updated. No more emailing files to ourselves or dealing with USB drives. Hallelujah!
We even often grab pictures from our phones using the Sync app on our computer or via the web. Since backups happen nearly instantly when we’re on WiFi, you don’t have to wait long for the files to show up online and no needing to plug anything in or using another sharing app.
WiFi or Mobile
By default, Sync only backs up your phone files over a WiFi connection to ensure you’re not paying for any unnecessary cellular data.
While this is perfect for normal day to day use as most of us hit a Wi-Fi zone a few times a day, if you’re out of Wi-Fi range for an extended time, you can enable Sync to update over data if you’re worried about losing anything you’ve taken since the last Wi-Fi backup.
Just make sure to disable that feature when you get back to civilization as you don’t need backups to be eating away at your precious data limits.
What we don’t love about Sync
No review would be complete without a bit of critique. While Sync.com is awesome, it’s not perfect. Sometimes, the sync speed can be a bit slow, especially with huge files. Also, a built-in photo gallery would be a nice touch for us photo junkies to easily peruse our large quantities of pictures.
While we haven’t had the opportunity to test out the iPhone app, the Android app can sometimes be a bit cumbersome when searching for a specific picture and not sure where you put it. Large folders can also take a while to open as it generates thumbnails for quick perusal though once it has made those, subsequent views of the same folder are much quicker.
A small quirk we routinely have is also one of it’s greatest strengths. When you take a picture or a screencap and your device is connected to WiFi, it almost instantly backs up the file to the server. While this is awesome 95% of the time, it can also lead to extra files on the server if you don’t really want (or need) the file to be backed up.
While these files can easily be deleted off the server, we generally just leave them there since we have plenty of storage still available. That said, if you’re a shutterbug who routinely takes a dozen pictures for every event then goes back and deletes all but the best, you could find your storage filling up more quickly. The bonus is that if you accidentally delete the wrong one, you likely still have a backup in the cloud.
Final Verdict
After three years and having tried all the other major providers out there, we’re sticking with Sync.com. It’s reliable, secure, and makes managing our travel memories a piece of cake. So if you’re looking for a cloud storage solution that can keep up with your adventurous lifestyle, give Sync.com a try.
If you’re unsure if Sync is right for you, they offer a free 5 GB account with basic sharing that will let you see if the product is right for you. Visit Sync.com/barefoot to get a special deal as well.
It’s no secret, we’ve been to a lot of countries over the years. Whether by luck, providence or a penchant for choosing warm countries surrounded by water, more than a few of the places we’ve visited have had some amazing beaches.
I didn’t realize just how many great beaches we had actually walked on until I read an article a few years ago talking about 25 of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The funny part is I just happened to be sitting on a plane heading to an island that would undoubtedly have another beautiful beach waiting for me when we landed. What struck me was that we had already walked, napped, swam or set up a hammock on 20 of those 25 beaches on that list.
I wish I had kept that article to make this list easier (and to see if we have crossed any of the remaining 5 off their list) but here are 10 of our personal favorite beaches in the world. While some of these might not have the finest sand, the best surf or the lack of crowds we generally yearn for, they all have something that makes them intrinsically special to us. I’ve kept it to a single beach per country just to spread the love but have given a small nod to another beach in the same country we also enjoyed.
Our Favorite 10 Beaches from 20 Years of Travel
20 years of travel sounds like a lot but it’s less than half of what we hope the future brings. As the kids start to go off on their own adventures, so too will we start visiting places that have been on our bucket list as well and maybe revisit some of our favorite places for the last few decades. This list is for those beach lovers that can never get enough of sand, sun and surf. Enjoy!
Whitsundays – Queensland – Australia
As the largest island country in the world, Australia probably has more beaches than some countries have people. How do you decide which of those is your favorite? Simple, you think back to which beach struck you as unforgettable. For us, that was the Whitsundays and more specifically, Whitehaven Beach.
We had been sailing the Whitsundays for days and when we clambered onto the island and walked over the trail from one side to the other, to say Whitehaven Beach left a mark on us would be an understatement. Beautiful aquamarine water overlapping sandbars of pure white sand with almost zero civilisation in sight? Yes please.
Australia: Special nod to Fraser Island (now known as K’gari). At 122km, Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and we had a great week of 4x4ing and sleeping on it’s main beach. While it can’t compare to the Whitsundays for sheer beauty, it makes up for it in sheer size and activities. Besides, who can resist driving on a beach so long (75 miles) that it’s classified as both a highway as well as a airplane runway.
Sailing to Whitsunday Beach!
Long Beach – Ko Phi Phi – Thailand
Our three week stay on Long Beach on Thailand’s backpacker riddled Ko Phi Phi is still one of our fondest memories. We were staying in a small hut just feet from the surf and the simple days of swimming in the ocean, snorkeling with fish and reef sharks a stones throw from our door and watching movies on our old laptop with the ocean crashing in the background never got old.
We haven’t been back since the island got wiped out a decade ago however we heard the island is still as popular as ever these days. Taking a quick water taxi to town to grab a bite to eat or taking a half day tour out to Monkey Beach was a great way to change things up as well.
Thailand: Small nod to Ko Lanta has to be said as well. Though we walked and swam on dozens of beaches in Thailand (and some of the smaller island beaches even stand out among this entire list as truly beautiful), Micki and I fell in love with Ko Lanta. The sand was more gritty and the water clarity doesn’t even belong on this list but we spent weeks there in the off season when things had calmed down after the busy tourist season. Of course there was amazing Thai food everywhere but a quick walk down the beach we had found an Italian restaurant that rivalled any place we ever ate in Italy (the Italian owner had just moved there) and we couldn’t get enough of it.
We also fell in love with a beach in Emerald Cave on Ko Mook, Thailand. It’s such a cool place, that’s only accessible by swimming through a cave!
Looking back now or time on Ko Mook is always filled with a different memory. Micki had a kidney infection that we couldn’t ignore and we had to take a private boat off the island then an ambulance to get the nearest hospital. Because of that experience, we always recommend getting travel medical insurance before you leave the country.
SafetyWing Nomad 2.0 insurance has become a favorite since we can choose the clinic we want (something that was vital when we were in Greece and the hospital was closed), it’s a pay-as-you-go subscription and we’re covered up to 250k in 180 different countries. It also has $0 deductible so we’re covered for even small claims like travelers belly or ear infections and their new Nomad 2.0 policy allows both an Adventure Sport addon as well as an electronics insurance addon. Plus, now with the new Nomad 2.0 claims process you can start a claim with a new simple form in as little as five minutes and get reimbursed within 2.8 days.
Akumal – Yucatan Peninsula – Mexico
Mexico has hundreds of beautiful beaches on both sides of the country but our favorite is still probably Akumal. Not as busy as Cancun or Playa Del Carmen nor as unspoiled as Tulum, Akumal is known primarily for their sea turtles. We’ve spent days on the beach there over the years from before we had kids to now and every time we go there’s just something special about the place. The water is super calm, the many fronds reach down to the beach and we just always enjoy our day there.
Getting ready for Cole’s first time snorkeling in Akumal Mexico!
The funny part is though we’ve spent months (years at this point) staying up and down the Mayan Riviera coast, we’ve never actually spent the night in Akumal. So, if you’re looking to book a week or two in the area, just outside Playa Del Carmen or close to Playa Paraiso down in Tulum would be the area I would suggest but just make sure you take a day to spend on Akumal Beach with the sea turtles. You’re welcome.
A typical day in Akumal bay
Mexico: Small nod to Yelapa, Jalisco. It’s only a quick 30 minute boat ride from Nuevo Vallarta but it feels like you’re in another area of the country. It has an amazing laid back charm and the water and sand are both great compared to many places on the Pacific side of the country.
Lanikai Beach – Oahu – Hawaii
Hawaii is filled with beautiful beaches and while the surf on the North Shore is impressive, the water and sand at Lanikai Beach is hard to beat. One of the reasons this beach stands out to us is that it’s the first beach we ever went stand up paddle boarding on and partly why we currently own four paddle boards today.
our kiddos making flower leis at the Hale Koa Luau Waikiki Oahu Hawaii
Also known as Kaʻōhao Beach, Lanikai Beach makes it onto plenty of lists of the best beaches in the world and is popular for a reason. With nice views of the Mokulua Islands and it’s relative proximity to almost everything on the island (we toured the entire island in a day and stopped for hours at plenty of areas), it’s a great place to spend a day when on Oahu.
Hawaii: Small nod to Witches Brew beach in Hanauma Bay for snorkeling as well if you’re already on the island. While the beach itself doesn’t compare to Lanikai, there’s some great protected snorkeling right off the beach where we saw sea turtles, moray eels and more colorful fish than we could ever count just feet off the shore. It was a hit with both us and the kids as the surf is incredibly gentle.
Tortuga Bay – Galapagos Islands – Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are primarily known for their giant Galapagos tortoises however they should be equally famous for their salt encrusted sea iguanas, playful sea lions, blue footed boobies and the only penguin in the world found north of the equator. Most of these can be found on nearly any beach in the island chain and they make any beach excursion in the Galapagos unforgettable.
Tortugas Bay, located on the island of Santa Cruz, isn’t a beach you go swimming on but still remains unforgettable for it’s length and the amount of sea creatures you find while walking this long beach. Due to the constant current, swimming isn’t allowed on the beautiful beach itself but as you reach the end you’ll find a small cove on the other side with nice water you can swim in. On our walk to the cove, we saw plenty of sea lions and a tons of sea iguanas basking (and snorting out salt) in the sun. Right before we got the cove we also saw a few of the iguanas venturing into the water and swimming out to find lunch.
Galapagos: Small nod to Gardner Bay on Española Island has to be added due to it’s exceptional beauty. While you can’t stay on the island itself, there are plenty of day trip cruises that will get you to this idyllic long white sand beach. It has great swimming and if you’re lucky, one of the resident sea lions might decide to play with you in the surf.
Varadero Beach – Cuba
While not remote nor that hard to get to, there’s no denying that the long white sands of Veradero Beach are popular for a reason. The beach, also known as Playa Azul for it’s crystal clear blue water goes on for miles (at 21km or 13 mi, it’s the longest in the Caribbean) and though it’s now littered with all-inclusive resorts, the water is still gorgeous and the sand still smooth. The bonus to having civilization so close here is that their world famous mojitos or a Cuba libre (rum and coke) are only a few feet away and taking a day trip into Havana is like stepping back in time.
Cuba: Small nod to Cayo Blanco as well. While it’s only accessible by boat, it’s a beautiful strip of white sand and aquamarine water as well with a much more rustic vibe. You really can’t go wrong heading out there for a day but note that it can get busy some days.
White Beach – Boracay – Philippines
What can I say about Boracay besides that the place is always busy and yet the sand is some of the finest you’ll find anywhere in the world. It’s so fine that it actually squeaks when you walk on it and good luck getting the sand out of your clothes after playing in the aquamarine surf. I would have loved to see the area 50 years ago before all the development took over but White Beach and Boracay Island itself are popular for a reason.
The beach can get quite crowded at certain times of the year however if you go to the farther edge you can often find a quieter place to set up a towel. It’s a great swimming beach with plenty to see while walking it’s 4 kilometer length and if you crave a little more excitement, walk 10 minutes and you’ll be on the other side of the island and can enjoy some amazing kitesurfing and windsurfing (whether watching or renting) on Habagat Bay.
Philippines: A small nod to Entalula Beach is owed. It’s a gorgeous stretch of sand however you’ll need to take a tour to get there. Most tours depart from El Nid and often visit the unique sandbar of Snake Island. Make sure to check out Nacpan Beach if you’re staying in the area as well, as it’s a gorgeous beach on it’s own and is easy to get to.
Cathedral Cove – The Coromandel – New Zealand
For an island nation, New Zealand has tons of beaches however unlike their Australian neighbors, the sand isn’t generally as fine here. That said, we fell in love with the country and even decided to get married there. What has that to do with Cathedral Cove in the northern Coromandel area of the northern island? Not much except we had a few beautiful days in the area and really enjoyed the nice beach and the famed arch.
Micki in Cathedral Cove New Zealand
Back then you could hike out to the beach but these days the trails are closed and you need to take a water taxi to get there. It’s still worth the trip and the backdrop is simply beautiful plus there are some other cool things to see in the area including Hot Water Beach where natural hot springs meet the ocean and with a bit of digging, you can make your own sandy hot tub only feet from the surf.
Cathedral cove New Zealand
New Zealand: Small nod to Abel Tasman Park on the south island. I can’t really tell you the exact beach we loved the most but the entire Park is just a beautiful wonderland of nature. Our pic on the side with the kayaks in the background was taken there and seeing it still brings back great memories of our time there.
Bavaro Beach – Punta Cana – Dominican Republic
Full of all-inclusive properties and huge resorts, Bavaro isn’t for you if you demand a quiet beach away from the crowds. What it does give you is miles of gorgeous white sand and beautiful water to swim in. To be fair, while you’ll never find yourself truly alone, the sheer size of some of the resorts lining this little pocket of paradise means that you can find tons of quiet places to lay out a towel. Like some of the others on this list, the place is busy for a reason. The beach is beautiful.
Dominican Republic: Small nod to Playa Rincon a few hours away. This gorgeous stretch of unspoiled beach is a great place to drive to. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist sites, it can give you a feel of what the Dominican Republic felt a few decades ago.
Praia da Falésia – Algarve – Portugal
There are hundreds of amazing Mediterranean beaches in Europe with clear blue water and beaches worth moving there for but it’s hard to pick out any single beach that had meaning to us more than the others. So rather than list one of those, I’m going to look more towards the ocean and name a beach with some amazing backgrounds. The 6km Praia da Falesia in the Algarve region of Portugal can really be broken into 3 areas, with the cliffs around Olhos de Agua being the most scenic.
Hugely popular in the summer months, shoulder season is when the area truly shines and the beaches are quieter and the days not scorching hot. The cliffs that line the Praia da Falesia make the entire beach feel like you’re cut off from civilization and you might spend just as much time watching the cliffs as you do the blue green water. Our kids loved the cliffs so it might be why the beach stuck so vividly in my mind but as is everything on this list, it’s the memories that connect us to these places that make them memorable.
Portugal: A small nod to Praia da Mareta near Sagres. While the sand isn’t as nice as Falesia, the views are just gorgeous as you look south and west across the ocean. The cliffs in the area aren’t bad either.
Special Mention – Anguilla
Micki and I have almost exclusively traveled together over the years however there are a few places that only one or the other has been to. Micki took a trip a few years ago to Anguilla and fell in love with the many beaches however her favorite was Shoal Bay with it’s quiet vibe and white sands.
Final thoughts on our favorite beaches in 20 years of travel
Every beach is unique with something that means something to someone. Whether it be a lake beach your family visited every summer or a once in a lifetime trip to the Maldives you took on your honeymoon, it’s a personal thing. Choosing your favorite bit of sea and sand when you’ve had the good fortune to have walked on so many beautiful beaches over the years gets tough.
If you’re not in agreement with this list, that’s okay. Every beach has it’s unique charms and sometimes the people, the food, nature, the crowds (or lack of them), the quality of the sand, the booming of the surf, the color of the water and the non human residents who call the beach home outweigh any of the other things going for them.
There are hundreds of beaches we’ve walked on over the years that are probably more secluded, more beautiful and more untouched by mankind but sometimes they’re forgettable for exactly that reason. Sometimes there are so many idyllic beaches on an island or faraway coast that they all blend into on another and don’t leave an impression except for the general notion of “wow, there are a lot of nice beaches around here”.
Maybe that’s for the best and they remain off these lists of the best beaches in the world for a good reason. Maybe we are just preserving their untouched beauty for generations to come or maybe, we just want them to stay as pristine as the day we first stumbled onto them…
If you want to list some of your favorite beaches here and tell us just how wrong we are, you’re welcome as well. We love hearing about new places and why a certain beach is important to you and not to be missed.
