Hi, I’m Ashley.
If I remember correctly, I’ve been interested in WWII history since high school when my best friend outright refused to read Night by Elie Wiesel because of its “graphic depictions.” For her, that book was about taking her first moral stand as a pseudo-adult—one I’m pretty sure resulted in a big fat failing grade. For me, well I just wanted to know more… how could these things have happened? Did this stuff really happen? There’s just no way… right?
Twenty years later and I still haven’t digested enough information. I’ve tried to explain (for myself and to curious readers) why I’m so interested in this topic, and I can’t come up with an answer. It’s probably similar to how my friend really cares about dogs or how my dad is, for lack of a better word, obsessed with golf. Everyone has their “things” I guess. It’s just something I’ve been innately drawn to, as horrific as it can be. Why, oh, why couldn’t I have just been a cake decorator or an origami enthusiast? I think I could even be a badass scrapbooker if I put my mind to it? The world may never know.
As far as WWII travel goes, I can track my interest back to my first trip to Hawaii in 2007. While there I visited the Pearl Harbor memorial site in Honolulu and it was then it occurred to me I could actually visit the places I’ve read about in so many books and seen in so many movies. (Yeah, I’m a slow learner, let’s move on). Since then, I’ve visited WWII sites at home and abroad and have no plans to stop. World War II may have ended in the 40s but it’s still very much a part of my life and travels here in the… 20s? Is that what we’re calling this decade?
ABOUT DESTINATION: WWII | MY MISSION
Destination: WWII was formed from a desire to encourage travelers to visit WWII sites around the world. In doing so, we help this incredibly complex time in history–and the millions who lost their lives–to not be forgotten, especially among younger generations. There is no better way to learn about WWII than to experience these places for yourself.
Through this website, my goal is to help you discover and visit these sites yourself and to get the most out of them that you can–through research, logistical assistance, inspiration, and more.
MORE ABOUT ME
I am currently based in Boston, Massachusetts and am the owner, writer, and photographer for My Wanderlusty Life, an international travel blog focusing on what I call “Time Budget Travel”—helping you get the most out of a destination regardless of how little time you have to travel. In other words: let’s move, move, move!
Looking to get in touch? Check out this page, leave a comment directly underneath a blog post, or hit me up on social media (look for the icons on the top and bottom of this site).
Looking to work with me? Yay! Head here.