FAQ
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Explore everything from our travel guides and country tips to academy courses, memberships, and shop policies.
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Academy & Community
All of our live coaching and strategy sessions are conducted online via Google Meet.
Once you select your slot and complete your booking, you’ll automatically receive an email with a secure meeting link and calendar invite.
Absolutely. We know life happens! You can easily reschedule or cancel your session up to 24 hours before your start time using the link in your confirmation email.
Not at all. For discovery and trial calls, just bring yourself and an open mind!
We’ll use the time to chat about your current level, your global goals, and what’s been holding you back so we can map out the perfect path forward.
Leon is your go-to expert for precision IELTS prep, high-level business English logic, and specialized feature classes.
Jenn focuses on mindset shifts, confidence, and location-independent brand strategy.
If you want a complete, 360-degree push that tackles both your strategic skills and your mental barriers simultaneously, choose the joint "Double Trouble" session to get both of us in your corner!
After years of teaching, coaching, traveling, and working with thousands of students from around the world, we wanted to create something bigger than individual lessons.
Closer Lives Academy combines coaching, community, courses, and real-world experience to help people improve their communication skills, prepare for major life transitions, pursue international opportunities, and continue growing long after a single session ends.
Store & Business Policies
Closer Lives accepts a variety of payment methods to ensure a seamless and secure transaction process for our customers.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, with all transactions being processed through Square for added security.
Additionally, we offer the convenience of paying through PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
We prioritize the security of your payment information and, as a result, never receive your card information directly.
This ensures that your financial details are always protected when purchasing our travel guides, products, exclusive content, or any other offerings from Closer Lives.
Please see our Shop Policies for other queries.
Yes! While our store defaults to display currencies dynamically based on your location, all final checkouts are safely processed.
You can easily view local conversions anytime using our currency converter widget located in the website footer.
Absolutely. All transactions are processed through secure, encrypted payment gateways managed by Wix, ensuring your personal and financial information is fully protected.
We never store your credit card details on our servers.
Your payment method will be charged as soon as your order is successfully placed at checkout.
Once processed, you will receive an immediate email confirmation with your order receipt.
Travel & Destinations
Yes, though safety varies from country to country. We’ve personally felt very welcome in Egypt, where tourist areas are heavily protected and locals are helpful.
Research each destination, avoid political demonstrations, and book trusted transport.
Our Africa Country Guide include practical, first-hand safety insights for specific regions.
A yellow fever certificate is mandatory for some countries, and malaria prevention is recommended in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Visit your travel clinic at least 6 weeks before departure to discuss vaccines, mosquito protection, and travel insurance.
We always travel covered by SafetyWing Nomad Insurance.
June to October (the dry season) is ideal for wildlife spotting in East and Southern Africa. Animals gather around rivers and watering holes, and visibility is superb.
For desert and coastal regions, October to April brings milder weather.
Flights are increasing, but overland travel can still be slow. Buses, shared taxis, and rail routes exist between key cities like Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Johannesburg.
Always check visa requirements for each crossing in our country guides.
They differ widely. Some nations, like Kenya and Egypt, offer online e-Visas, while others issue visas on arrival.
West African countries may require pre-approval. Confirm with official embassies before you travel.
It’s usually cheaper to buy a local SIM or an international eSIM.
We recommend GigSky (10 % off with code CLOSERLIVES10) or Saily for data coverage across borders.
You can compare more providers in our Best eSIMs for Travel guide.
Top picks include Cairo’s Pyramids, Zanzibar’s beaches, Cape Town’s Table Mountain, and Marrakech’s souks. For ancient history lovers, the Valley of the Kings and Luxor are unforgettable.
Dress modestly in conservative regions. Lightweight cottons are perfect for hot climates, while long sleeves help protect from sun and mosquitoes. Neutral tones are best for safaris.
It depends on your route. North and East Africa can be affordable, but safaris and remote lodges raise costs.
Traveling by bus, using local guesthouses, and bargaining respectfully can help your budget stretch.
Check out our top travel resources for convenient essentials to support you on your journey.
Visit the Africa Blog Hub to explore posts from Egypt and beyond, including scam warnings, cultural tips, and our honest experiences from the road.
Travel Planning Essentials
Absolutely. Cruises bundle accommodation, food, entertainment, and transport into one package, making them excellent value. You can wake up in a new destination without ever repacking your bags.
Princess Cruises is our top pick for beginners. They balance comfort, accessibility, great food, and a relaxed atmosphere without overwhelming first‑time guests.
Yes. We met in person for the first time on a cruise (we initially met on Instagram—see our story for more) and still love them years later.
Modern cruises offer nightlife, bars, enrichment classes, gyms, shows, and quiet spaces—something for every mood.
Most major cruise lines, especially Princess, offer accessible cabins, wide corridors, smooth deck transitions, elevators, reserved seating in theaters, and helpful crew support.
Always request an accessible cabin early, as they are limited.
Yes, during port days and while sailing close to shore.
We used GigSky instead of buying the cruise Wi‑Fi package to test performance, and it worked perfectly in ports.
At sea, expect no signal until you’re near land.
Get our full range of eSIM recommendations here.
It varies. Some ships (especially newer ones) offer faster speeds, but connection can still drop during sea days or in rough weather.
It works fine for messaging and browsing, but uploads can be slow.
If your work is flexible and you plan around port days, yes.
For heavy uploads, meetings, or time‑sensitive tasks, cruise Wi‑Fi may be challenging. Many digital nomads use a mix of ship Wi‑Fi and eSIM data at ports.
Balconies are worth it for long voyages and sea‑heavy itineraries, although they are more expensive and can be windy (outside).
Inside cabins are great for budget travelers who don’t mind artificial light.
Oceanview is a nice middle ground without the balcony price.
Arrive early. Boarding usually starts several hours before departure, and earlier passengers enjoy lunch on board with fewer crowds.
Keep documents and health forms handy for a smooth check‑in.
Yes, buffets, main dining rooms, and select casual venues are included.
Specialty restaurants cost extra but offer unique experiences.
Most ships cater to dietary needs with advance notice.
Modern ships have stabilizers, but sensitive travellers may still feel movement.
Bring medication, ginger tablets, or acupressure bands. Booking midship cabins on lower decks can reduce motion.
Most cruise lines add automatic gratuities to your bill.
You can adjust them at guest services if needed, but they support the hardworking crew.
We recommend removing them and paying individuals in cash directly, at your own discretion.
Pack comfortable shoes, smart‑casual evening wear, swimwear, light layers, and a daypack.
Most cruises usually host a formal night, so be sure to prepare for this (although it is not mandatory to participate).
Don’t forget a cruise‑approved power strip, sunscreen, and your eSIM ready for port days.
Policies vary. Many cruise lines allow one bottle of wine per adult at embarkation. Spirits are usually restricted.
Yes. Cruise travel involves medical protocols, port changes, weather disruptions, and long distances from hospitals.
Insurance gives peace of mind. Get our travel insurance recommendations here.
Work With Us
We’re full-time travelers and creators who left the UK to build a life on the move. Since 2019, we’ve explored 42 countries and 200+ cities while documenting the reality of travel, alternative living, remote work, and personal growth.
Closer Lives grew from our desire to share what we’ve learned: the culture, the challenges, the stories, and the freedom that comes from stepping off the traditional path. Everything we publish is grounded in lived experience, not theory.
Our Travel Hub brings everything together: country guides, city highlights, transport help, local tips, cultural context, and practical advice based on real visits.
Each guide links to our YouTube videos, hotel maps, eSIM comparisons, travel insurance options, and the tools we use daily.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or building a long-term nomad lifestyle, the Travel Hub gives you the structure and clarity to plan with confidence.
Yes! The Travel & Lifestyle Emporium is where we share curated products inspired by our journeys and designed for people who travel often or live creatively.
Our store includes travel essentials, photography accessories, digital downloads, lifestyle tools, and our signature Mexican Tile Collection.
Everything is hand-picked or designed by us, based on what we actually use on the road.
You can join us across all major platforms.
Instagram (@jennandleon) for daily travel moments, behind-the-scenes stories, and creative experiments.
YouTube for full travel videos, guides, and vlogs from more than 40 countries.
Threads & Facebook for real-time thoughts, conversations, and community discussions.
We also run Community Groups for travel help, creative discussions, social media tips, and community support.
Closer Lives began with creativity, distance, and an unexpected love story. Before we ever travelled together, we met through poetry, writing from opposite sides of the world, sharing pieces that gradually shaped a connection built on expression, curiosity, and honesty.
That creative bond became the foundation of our relationship. We eventually met in person on a cruise ship, a moment that turned years of conversation into a shared journey.
As we began travelling together, Closer Lives grew naturally alongside us, first as a space for poetry, then as a place to document our experiences, thoughts, and evolving life on the road.
What started as two people exchanging poems has become a platform that blends travel, creativity, lifestyle, and alternative living.
Today, Closer Lives reflects our story, our work, and the community that has formed around it—all rooted in the same intention that brought us together: to express, to explore, and to live differently.
We explore more than just maps—we journey through mindsets.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions or concerns that are not addressed here, here's how you can get in touch:
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