Hello from the sunny shores of Cape Coral, Florida, land of manatees, midday thunderstorms, and the eternal question, “Was that an alligator or just a floating log?”

My wife Rebekah and I have recently relocated here and are hoping to put down proper roots (preferably not in flood zones). We’ve traded the Arizona saguaros for swaying palms and freshwater canals, and we’re loving every second. Hosting is still very much in our hearts, we miss it terribly and would be delighted to welcome like-minded travellers into our home again soon.

About Us:

I’m Sam, British-born, dual citizen, and a firm believer that life’s better with a cuppa, a dog at your feet, and a decent story to tell. My wife Rebekah is a fiercely compassionate nurse, serial animal cuddler, and all-round travel partner-in-crime. Together we share our home with three scruffy little dogs and an ever-growing number of owl-themed garden decorations (long story, ask us when you visit).

We love connecting with people from all walks of life and sharing a bit of our world, whether that’s tales from the road, local secrets, or just a really good plate of snacks.

Our Couchsurfing Philosophy:

We host the way we’d want our own mums to be hosted, warmly, generously, and without fuss. It’s not just about a free place to crash (although you’re very welcome to crash), it’s about connection, kindness, and the occasional dad joke.

Our Backpacking Highlight:

Last year, we took a Eurail adventure through some of Europe’s most magical corners. We danced through Denmark, got lost (on purpose) in the streets of Lisbon, chased ghosts in Krakow, drank our body weight in coffee across Vienna, and ended up in Swindon (which, frankly, deserves its own Netflix drama).

Some stops along the way:
•Berlin, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague, Krakow, Budapest
•Brasov, Chisinau, Belgrade, Bratislava, Vienna
•Postojna, Venice, Seville, Lisbon, Marrakesh
•Geneva, Luxembourg, the Black Forest, Bruges, and finally Swindon, England (cue dramatic music)

It was unforgettable—and only cemented our love for Couchsurfing and the beautiful spontaneity it brings.

A Final Thought:

If you’re the kind of person who finds joy in sunrise walks, passionate chats about life and culture, or simply sitting in the garden with a chilled drink and a dog on your lap, we’ll probably get on just fine. Drop us a message if you’re nearby or fancy staying. Our home is open, and we’re always keen for good company.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Because the world is far too interesting to experience from a hotel room. Rebekah and I are on Couchsurfing to meet new and fascinating people, hear your stories, learn about your culture, and hopefully leave each other better than we found one another, whether that’s through a shared meal, a deep conversation, or a laugh over something lost in translation.

There’s nothing quite like connecting with someone whose life looks completely different from yours… and finding out you’re not so different after all.

Interests

Between the two of us, we’ve got enough hobbies to fill a calendar, and then some.

We both enjoy staying active: I (Sam) hit the road running or hop on the Peloton when guilt strikes, while Rebekah prefers long walks with our dogs and pretending the treadmill doesn’t exist. We’re big nature lovers and spend loads of time in our garden by the freshwater canal—perfect for watching birds, spotting turtles, and occasionally speculating whether that splash was “just a fish” or something far more dramatic.

We’re absolute Eurovision superfans, yes, both of us. We don’t just watch it; we live it. Costume judging, voting outrage, obscure semi-final acts—we’re fully committed. If you’re not emotionally invested in Moldova’s yearly chaos(Sad they didn’t compete this year!), can we even be friends?

At home, we’re usually cooking up something (sometimes intentionally), as we both love trying new recipes. Rebekah’s the baker, I’m the savoury chef, and the dogs are the clean-up crew.

Gaming is another shared love, we play Xbox and Steam games together in our downtime. Whether it’s surviving on a raft in shark-infested waters or arguing about who forgot to stock food in a co-op mission, it’s one of our favourite ways to relax and laugh together.

We’re also big readers and longtime Harry Potter fans (yes, I queued at midnight for the books). If you’ve got a good book, game, or Eurovision conspiracy theory, we’re all ears.

• animals
• cats
• dogs
• horses
• chickens
• rabbits
• acting
• running
• coach
• traveling
• surfing
• swimming
• nursing
• tours
• parks

Music, Movies, and Books

My music taste is what you’d call “chaotically eclectic.” If it’s got a good melody, a clever lyric, or a beat that makes me bop my head like a dashboard nodding dog, I’m in. I can go from acoustic folk to synthwave to 90s R&B in the space of a single dog walk. No rhyme or reason, just vibes.

Film-wise, I’m a lover of all genres. From the Yippee-ki-yay brilliance of Die Hard to the cosy, rainy-day perfection of Sleepless in Seattle, I’ll watch anything with a good story (or even a bad one if there’s popcorn).

Books? I adore reading, but I’m currently between literary relationships. Suggestions welcome! Back in the day, I devoured Harry Potter as each book released, I was one of those queuing at midnight in a wizard hat. No regrets.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One unforgettable adventure Rebekah and I had was swimming with a gang of nurse sharks in the turquoise waters of Compass Cay Harbour in the Bahamas. There we were, both in the water, completely surrounded, trying to look calm while these toothy torpedoes brushed past our legs like curious underwater cats. Rebekah was braver than me, of course, grinning for the camera while I was mentally drafting my will. It was thrilling, surreal, and a little bit ridiculous… the kind of moment you never forget and possibly never fully recover from.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can’t juggle flaming torches or speak fluent dolphin (yet), but I can share stories from a life well-travelled, a few lessons learned the scenic way, and probably a decent joke or two. Rebekah and I both love swapping perspectives, learning from others, and picking up random skills along the way—whether it’s a new recipe, a local tradition, or how to avoid being stung by a jellyfish (again… ask us later).

We’re always up for learning something new, so if you’ve got a skill, a story, or a surprising party trick, we’d love to hear it.

What I Can Share with Hosts

As a guest, I bring a cheerful spirit, a good appetite, and a suitcase full of stories (plus probably a few dog hairs, if I’m honest). Here’s what Rebekah and I love to share with our hosts:

•Cooking Skills: I genuinely enjoy cooking and would be delighted to whip up a meal for you, whether it’s a proper British roast, American-style comfort food, or whatever we can conjure from your fridge and a bit of optimism.

•Travel Tales: We’ve gallivanted through quite a bit of the world, from the cobbled lanes of Lisbon to the eerie beauty of the Transylvanian hills. There’s always a story in our back pocket, some funny, some heartwarming, and at least one involving mild food poisoning.

•Tech Support: I’m fairly handy with tech, so if your Wi-Fi’s sulking or your smart speaker thinks it’s cleverer than you, I’m happy to help wrangle it into shape.

•Language Exchange: I speak English (with both British sarcasm and American optimism), and Rebekah speaks Spanish. If you want help practising either, we’re your duo.

•Friendly Company: We’re both laid-back and love a good chat, be it over coffee, tea, or something a bit stronger. No pressure, just pleasant company and some honest laughs.

•Cultural Curiosity: With one foot in the UK and the other in the US, I’m happy to offer a peek into both worlds—just ask me about tea etiquette and tipping anxiety.

For us, Couchsurfing is about more than a free bed, it’s about connection, kindness, and shared moments. We’re always eager to learn from others and give back in whatever way we can.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bahamas, England, United States