Vacationers of the Week: Chris Peskosky and Alex Murphy
Born and raised in New Jersey, Chris Peskosky (28) and Alex Murphy (30) are living their best queer lives documenting their travels on YouTube, but you can also follow @itschrisandalex on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to see where they’re traveling next.
These content creators currently live in Ocean County, New Jersey, and took time out of their busy schedule to chat with us about all things related to travel, including the transformative experiences that sparked their passion for travel, why they travel well together, what’s next on their travel bucket list, and why you shouldn’t rule out New Jersey as an LGBTQ+ travel destination. Meet Chris and Alex our Vacationers of the Week!
Vacationer Magazine: At what age did you receive your first passport? What was your first trip?
Chris Peskosky: I got my first passport at age 16 but used it for the first time internationally when I left to study abroad for a semester in England. I was 20 and a junior in college. I got a lot of stamps in my passport then – England, Ireland, France, Italy, and Scotland!
Alex Murphy: I was 10 years old when my family got our passports for a cruise in the Caribbean. I can still vividly remember all the excursions we went on – taking a glass-bottom boat in Aruba, riding through the Panama Canal, swimming in a cave in Mexico, and taking a cable car up into a Costa Rican rainforest.
What trip or travel experience sparked your passion for travel?
Chris: Growing up, I was lucky to be the child of two parents who were passionate about travel and having their children see the country. That looked like summers spent traveling different sections of the U.S in a Lance truck-camper packed with two adults, three kids, and two dogs. We visited National Parks and other historical sites along the way. From that point on, I just knew there was so much more to see and experience and that passion to travel has only grown since. With that routine, I was able to visit 45 of the 50 states and have been knocking out the remaining ones with Alex by my side! Only Alaska, Hawaii, and North Dakota to go now!
Alex: When my sister and I were kids, our young age never hindered my parents from whisking us all over the country and beyond. They constantly asserted that travel was just as important as working hard. Growing up, my mom always went into detail about the many trips she took around Europe as a young adult. So when I got the opportunity to study abroad in England in college, it was as though I took the metaphorical baton from my mom to have my European adventures to get to recount one day. And I haven’t looked back since!
What inspires you to travel?
Chris: I truly believe that travel is the common denominator that connects us in this world. I think travel is the key to dismantling prejudice because it exposes you to different places, cultures, people, and ways of life. Secondly, as a woman and queer person, I want to represent and be visible for those communities to show them it is possible to see the world safely and that they are deserving and capable of it.
Alex: I’m fueled by the concept of endless exploration – there are so many places on this planet that I don’t even know about yet! I want to spend the rest of my life going out and seeing all of it!
Please tell us how you identify on the LGBTQIA spectrum. Tell us if how you identify influences the way your travel. If so, how?
Chris: I identify using the terms queer, bisexual, and pansexual. I love and experience attraction regardless of gender. The way I identify on my own does not affect the way I travel so much as when we travel together. On my own, I’m fairly femme presenting so most people just assume I’m straight.
When Alex and I are together, a lot of people connect the dots that we’re a queer couple so I’m always cognizant of that and on the lookout for our safety. It forces us to do a lot of research before visiting a destination, like looking up the local laws and legislation to see how LGBTQ+ friendly a place may be. If we are unsure of how accepting a location is, we’ll limit our PDA and/or limit details about our relationship.
Alex: I identify as gay, or as a lesbian. The way I present as an androgynous woman pretty much impacts my life on a day-to-day basis, let alone travel. To put it frankly, my sexuality is apparent from a first glance. I’m lucky that I grew up and worked professionally in a largely tolerant metropolitan area, but I’m well aware that there are places in the world where I could be in danger of presenting the way I do.
Fortunately, I’ve never had much issue, but it doesn’t stop me from being constantly aware of my surroundings while we’re traveling. There have been a lot of instances where I often get the politest treatment because I’m mistaken for a man due to my unisex name and androgynous appearance! People are often more embarrassed than offended by misgendering me. In that way, I hope I can serve as a lesson so when someone who does identify differently comes along, maybe they’ll have an easier time.
What are three things LGBTQ+ travelers should do when visiting your current hometown or where you currently live?
Everyone sleeps on New Jersey because it’s sandwiched between two major US cities (New York and Philadelphia) but we promise there’s something here for everyone, no matter the season! The best place to visit in our county is Asbury Park, a city on the ocean with a rich LGBTQ+ history. We would tell LGBTQ+ travelers that the three things they need to do there are:
1. Spend a day on the beach at the Jersey shore
2. See a show at the legendary Stone Pony
3. Go for a night out or drag show at Paradise!
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? What made it a memorable experience?
Right before the “Big Ick” changed the world, the last trip we took was to Puerto Rico. It’s a predominantly Catholic and religious island, so we were initially worried that there could be some conflict because of the church’s views on same-sex relationships. But we had the most wonderful experience! During our time on the island, we felt quite safe and came across expressions of pride in plain sight. Locals would pick up that we were a couple and then give us recommendations on where their LGBTQ+ relatives liked to go in the city!
The people of Puerto Rico are, hands down, some of the friendliest and warmest we’ve ever met. But it’s also important to note this was our experience as a white, cis-gendered, female couple spending the majority of our time in San Juan and Old San Juan. Our experience of a destination differs greatly from someone of a different background with different intersections and it’s always important to note that.
How long have you been traveling together? What was your first trip together? Would you recommend it to other LGBTQ+ travelers?
Alex: We have been traveling together for as long as we’ve been dating, so seven years! Our first big trip together was taking an impromptu road trip to Nashville to see the solar eclipse back in 2017. I remember texting Chris while I was at work to quickly gauge her interest and I was already looking at accommodations by lunchtime. Everything that could’ve gone wrong on that trip did, indeed, go wrong – gridlocked traffic patterns, the longest waits for every restaurant and attraction, dealing with two million extra people in the city, and running on almost no sleep. But what honestly stood out was our mutual ability to adapt to the rolling punches on our trip and adjust to any crazy circumstances along the way.
In our opinion, don’t let Nashville’s reputation for bachelorette parties and country music keep you from going! There’s such an incredible food scene and the city is wrapped in so much history. It’s also home to one of our favorite zoos! We would recommend it to anyone.
Was it naturally easy to start traveling with one another? What are the perks of traveling as a couple?
Chris: Nothing was more natural than us traveling together because we quickly realized we had the same travel style and looked for the same things in exploring a destination. We both prioritize local food, the great outdoors, unique stays and experiences, and seeing and doing as much as possible. Our trips aren’t relaxing vacations by any means – they’re definitely adventures and that is not for everyone! The biggest perk to me is getting to share all of these experiences, stories, and memories with another person. I love being able to reminisce on an adventure or food memory with Alex. It helps keep those travels fresh in my head!
Alex: Honestly, travel is our favorite thing to do with each other. We both show up as our best selves on our travels. I think that’s largely because we complement each other and fortify where the other lacks. I’m very impulsive and adventurous while Chris is logical and calculated. We borrow each other’s best mental assets on the road, and it makes for some amazing adventures.
My travel style could be described as an immersive cultural explorer with a side of luxury travel and outdoor adventure. How would you describe your travel style?
That’s nearly identical to how we travel! We would describe ours as experience-based travelers with a side of the great outdoors and a heaping helping of marathon eating! We try to avoid touristy spots and opt for what the locals experience, but that also doesn’t inhibit us from enjoying some of the more luxurious sides of travel. Where we don’t budget is in our dining habits. We will never hesitate to drop coin for delicious food or to try unique restaurants. Heck, we often organize our trips and hotel locations around the places we want to eat and have second breakfasts and two dinners just to try everything we want!
What are your top three favorite places to visit? Why?
Hands down, our three favorite places to visit are where we would love to live: Miami, Arizona, and England. Three completely different places and climates, but all equally friendly and distinctively beautiful!
What three places are still on your bucket list to visit? Why?
Chris: Hawaii, Thailand, and Spain! I want to experience Hawaii as soon as I can and not save it for a special occasion, like a honeymoon. The hospitality in Thailand just seems unparalleled, and I crave the siesta culture of Spain!
Alex: I’ve got Iceland, Utah, and Nepal on my bucket list! I’ve been meaning to get out to Iceland since high school. And as a late-to-life hiker, Utah has five national parks that are calling my name! And to experience Nepal has been a lifelong dream of mine!
What’s one thing you never forget to pack in your suitcase?
Chris: My camera gear. Memories to look back on are absolutely priceless to me.
Alex: Our tripod is definitely a travel gamechanger because it doubles as a hiking pole! One of the legs on our Geekoto tripod detaches to make a super sturdy walking stick. We can confidently say it saved our butts on our hike in the Grand Canyon.
You’re going on a road trip. What singer or band is always on your playlist?
This one is easy: Cher! We are big road trip people and create a playlist for each road trip that’s inspired by our travels and songs we pick up from being in that location. If anyone would like to be privy to those playlists, we have them shared on our Spotify account!
