2013 – my first international trip. I had no idea what I was doing, and it was actually for work. But that weekend, I took the two-hour Eurostar from London to Paris and had an absolute blast.
Thus began my love of travel, and eager reading of travel blogs. I love to live vicariously through them on morning commutes or in that last five-minute stretch of the workday. We can’t all be exploring a new continent every week, but we can see the world through their eyes!
1. The Blonde Abroad (and her hair)
I nominate Kiersten Rich of The Blonde Abroad for most girl crush-able travel blogger. She’s basically a traveling supermodel whose Instagram is a stream of scenic shots featuring her flowing golden hair.
She’s also an amazing source of information! Her solo female traveler’s guide to Bali really soothed my nerves before I took my own trip, and she really, really made me want to visit the Scandinave Spa when I went to Whistler. Alas, I don’t know how to drive in snow. So that turned out to be problematic for me.
2. Nomadic Matt
Matt Kepnes is like the Vito Corleone of travel blogging, or the Yoda, or basically whatever master of everything nickname you want to give him. His journey started here, with a friend who flaked on their planned trip to Australia. Matt decided to go it alone, and he pretty much never really came home.
Also, he’s been traveling for a long time. In a lot of ways, sifting through his blog is like taking an adventure with him, like when he shifted perspectives big time in this post.
His best traits are his honesty and expertise. He has proven time and time again that he’s not hung up on corporate sponsorships or trying to sell to his audience, he just wants you to get out there and see the world even if you have to do it yourself. There’s no overhyped glamour or pretentiousness here. He’s just a regular dude who’s been traveling for 10 years and wants to show you how to do everything from saving up to staying safe.
3. Alex in Wanderland
I’m not sure if I ever would have had the gumption to try scuba diving if not for Alex Baackes, whose bread and butter is preaching the fantasticness that is Thailand. She’s an ambassador for PADI scuba diving, so it’s no wonder she loves spending her time underwater.
As I mentioned above with Nomadic Matt, I love it when travel bloggers get real about the digital nomad life – good and bad. She’s got a great post here about feeling uneasy when your life looks like a mashup of The Amazing Race and The Bachelorette.
I also loved this post about whether you can go back to a place and have it be the same – a question I’ve asked myself many times (my answer is no, although Paris has been kickass for me twice in very different ways).
4. Hey Nadine
Nadine’s zany personality is what lands her on my list. If Anna Kendrick was Canadian and had a travel vlog, she’d be Nadine Sykora. She seems like the best friend you’d go traveling with, inevitably get lost with, have a weird crazy adventure with, and at the end of the day, laugh it off over a beer with.
My favorite posts from other travel bloggers
Ashley Abroad: Remembering My First Love – South America
My stomach really drops when I see posts about Santiago. Or when I’m at the airport and I read “SCL” on the list of departures, my breath catches – because I won’t be getting on that flight.
Go Live Explore: Why You Should Learn to Scuba Dive
Think about how many amazing sights and adventures there are to explore on land – but did you know that land covers only 30% of the world? Imagine how many amazing things you can discover under the water. Being able to dive allows you to explore so many new areas, so why restrict yourself?
Expat Edna: Why I Feel Lucky To Be American
I am absolutely in love with my passport. It means I am free to travel to almost anywhere in the world. To me, it’s one of the ultimate symbols of my freedom and I am so grateful every time I look at that eagle on the cover.
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