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Exploring Ancestry Tourism with 23andMe
When it comes to picking a travel destination, we usually go for places that fit our vibe: great weather, delicious food, and fun activities. However, lately, we’ve been drawn to the idea of Ancestry Tourism—traveling to places that connect to our roots. It adds a deeper, more personal meaning to our adventures.
Discovering Our Ancestry Through DNA Testing
To kick off this new travel concept, we decided to take a step back and explore our ancestry in a more scientific way. We recently sent in our DNA through 23andMe’s saliva collection kit. The process is super simple: you get a kit, spit into a tube, and then send it back in a prepaid box. After that, all you have to do is wait for your results to come in.
For us, it didn’t take long at all—just less than two weeks. I mailed my kit, and a few days later, I got an email saying it had reached the lab. By July 2, I received the results email. The process was much quicker than the expected 6-8 weeks, which was a pleasant surprise!
Exploring Our DNA Results
When we got our results, we were pretty excited to compare the findings. As sisters, we imagined that there might be some slight differences in our results, but we expected a large part of our DNA to trace back to Japanese and German roots. What we didn’t expect was a surprise: a small percentage of Scandinavian heritage!
Key Findings from Our DNA Test
- 50% East Asian (mostly Japanese)
- 50% European (German and French were the highest at 10.9%)
- A small Scandinavian percentage that was a total surprise!
One of the coolest parts of the 23andMe results was the fun stats and comparisons. Apparently, we’re 13% less likely to be superstars than the average 23andMe customer! Also, Candy has a lot of Neanderthal variants in her DNA, which we thought was pretty funny.
Family Connections and Surprises
23andMe also shows how many DNA relatives you have who are also using the service. While we haven’t reached out to any of these relatives yet, it’s fascinating to see how many people share similar DNA with us.
As we explored our results, it really hit us how connected we felt to our heritage. It sparked something in us: the desire to not just travel to new destinations, but to travel to the places our DNA is linked to. It wasn’t just about sightseeing anymore; it was about personal exploration—learning more about where we come from and what makes us who we are.
Crystal’s Love for Iceland and Scandinavian Roots
You may already know that Crystal is obsessed with Iceland—she’s visited twice already! After finding out that we have Scandinavian DNA, she was even more excited to plan future trips to the region. Iceland now feels even more connected to us, and we’re eager to dive deeper into that part of our heritage.
Enter the Golden23SM Sweepstakes for a Chance to Travel Based on Your DNA
To make things even more exciting, 23andMe is giving away 23 trips to 23 winners between July 12, 2017, and August 3, 2017. The winners will get the chance to travel to destinations based on their 23andMe Ancestry Composition results. So, how do you enter the Golden23SM Sweepstakes? It’s simple:
- Buy a 23andMe kit or enter for free here.
- No purchase necessary! Visit the page for more details and the official rules.
- Deadline: Enter by August 3, 2017.
Why Ancestry Tourism is Worth Exploring
We’ve always loved discovering new places, but now we’re taking it a step further by planning travel around our ancestral roots. It gives the trip a deeper connection, beyond just seeing the sights. When you travel to places tied to your heritage, the experience feels more meaningful, like you’re walking in the footsteps of your ancestors.
We think Ancestry Tourism could be the future of travel, and we’re excited to see how this journey will unfold for us. So, whether you’re interested in exploring Scandinavia, Germany, or Japan, we’re looking forward to seeing where our DNA takes us!
FAQs
1. What is Ancestry Tourism?
Ancestry Tourism is about traveling to places that are connected to your ancestral roots, giving you a deeper, more personal connection to the destination.
2. How does 23andMe’s DNA testing work?
You simply order the kit, spit into a tube, and send it back. You’ll receive your results in about 6-8 weeks, though it may come faster.
3. What were your DNA results?
Our results were a mix of 50% East Asian (primarily Japanese) and 50% European (mainly German and French), with a surprise Scandinavian connection.
4. How did 23andMe help you with your travel plans?
Our DNA results opened our eyes to places we hadn’t considered before. For example, we’re now planning to travel more in Scandinavia, thanks to our Scandinavian heritage!
5. How can I enter the Golden23SM Sweepstakes?
You can enter the sweepstakes by purchasing a 23andMe kit or entering for free. The contest runs from July 12, 2017, to August 3, 2017.
Conclusion
Exploring our ancestry through 23andMe has not only deepened our connection to our heritage but also sparked our next travel adventures. If you’re curious about your roots and want to make your travel experiences even more personal, we definitely recommend diving into Ancestry Tourism. Who knows what hidden connections you’ll discover that could lead you to your next unforgettable journey!