Envision your dream job. Ice cream taster? Nail polish namer? Hollywood stuntman? Vineyard owner? Personal shopper? Professional travel blogger would top my list of most desirable professions. Until that day comes, I’ll stick to part time travel writing while perusing travel blogs for an endless source of inspiration.
Which begs the question, are travel blogs surpassing guidebooks? I’d argue, yes. In a rapidly changing world, physical books simply can’t keep up with new trends, price changes, closures and places popping up. Not to mention, most guidebook recommendations are overwhelmed with hoards of tourists.
Bloggers, on the other hand, give their readers an honest perspective on a destination and their personal experiences. By surfing the interwebs, you can find a plethora of viewpoints, rather than the opinion from a single book.
So, whether a seasoned nomad or just building up the courage to take your first big trip, there’s a travel blog out there to encourage you to get out there and explore this vast, beautiful world.. I’ve narrowed down my favorites to bring your daily dose of wanderlust.
Empowering Women
The Fit Traveller
Skye is a a former personal trainer and a passionate advocate for helping others reach optimal health and wellness, all while travelling the world. The Fit Traveller is a hub for inspirational coverage of luxury travel, health and fitness, wellness, and culinary innovation from around the globe. Join Skye on her mission to teach you how to retreat, explore, nourish and move; to help you create a life you love; your best life.
Ottsworld
Sherry has been homeless for 10 years. But wait! Her story is a great one. As a former corporate cube dweller, she ran away to see the world. Venture with her to off-the-beaten-path destinations as she gets real with bad stories and dangers you may encounter. She’s proud to live this life solo, with no one to lean on; the good, bad, and alone…but seldom lonely.
Adventurous Kate
At 26 Kate quit her job to travel the world alone, and hasn’t looked back since. After six months in Southeast Asia, she was able to make her travel blog a full-time business. Since then, she’s been shipwrecked in Indonesia, gotten naked in public and visited 60 countries! Her mission is to show women that solo travel can be safe, easy, and tons of fun.
Teacake Travels
Alice is a rad, 31 year old British chick traveling the world for as long as humanly possible. On a whim, thanks to a chance train encounter in 2012, she decided to start teaching English in Korea. Her life has never been the same. She throws herself outside of her comfort zone regularly and does it all solo.
Check out more of my favorite fearless females.
Courageous Couples
The Planet D
Dave and Deb live and breathe by the motto “Adventure is for Everyone” If you are feeling overwhelmed, overworked and just plain exhausted, you’ve come to the right place to change that. Their mission is to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones and prove that you don’t have to be an uber-athelete, adrenaline junkie or part of the ultra rich to be an adventurer. All you need is the desire and passion to get out there and live a life less ordinary.
Peanuts or Pretzels
It all started with a cup of coffee with a stranger. This lead to a life of travel as best friends… and beyond. After two years of marriage, Liz and Josh set off on a round the world adventure together. They wanted to see and do it all.. the Mt Everest base camp, trekking through Patagonia, cruising down the Amazon, an African Safari. What better time than now?!
1000 Fights
Not your typical couples blog, Mike and Lucy are the self proclaimed fighting couple! They believe healthy debates can be a good thing if you fight fair. It’s simply an act of passion. They leave the kids at home to take alone time to strengthen their relationship through travel. Learn how to fight right.
Check out more of my favorite dynamic duos and pursuitful pairs.
Men on a Mission
Migrationology
Mark is a self-proclaimed “full-time travel eater,” exploring exotic locations around the world in search for the next best taste. He believes the best way to learn about another culture and connect with other people is through food. Based out of Bangkok , he covers virtually everywhere from major U.S. cities to… try out authentic local cuisines.
Jones Around the World
Meet Dave, more affectionately known by his travel alias: Jones; meaning an obsession, a burning desire, an undeniable passion. Hailing from SoCal, he had an itch to get out of America, where international experience isn’t such a priority. Dave went from studying abroad in Rome, to leading tours around Europe, to backpacking through his Masters degree in Southeast Asia, on to a working holiday in Sydney. Now, he’s location independent and travel blogging his way around the world! Sigh, gush, gasp. Sign me up.
Check out more of my favorite Globetrotting guys.
Family Matters
y Travel Blog
Kids are no reason to stay home! Caz & Craig are an Australian pair that caught the travel bug 17 years ago, started a family in the midst, and haven’t looked back. Even when society tells you to chase the stable career and white picket fence, don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back. What’s their secret to this life? They believe that you too can make your travel dreams reality without spending a fortune by following their simple 12-Step Plan: finding the inspiration, finding the money, planning your trip and getting on the road. To date, they’ve lived in 5 countries and visited 52.
Travel with Bender
Erin and Josh left their home of Perth, Australia to start a life of non-stop, around the world travel. They have visited 60+ countries with their two youngsters, Mia and Caius in tow. No, they didn’t win the lotto. They use their laptops, internet connection and a bit of creativity to keep working on the road. Although their kids at 5 and 6 aren’t in formal education, they learn geography, history, biology, literature, currency and foreign language by experiencing it first hand. Their educational experience on the road is far broader than what could be taught in a classroom.
Also check out Expats living far away from their families.
Budget Babes
The Professional Hobo
n 2006, Nora sold her financial planning practice in Toronto, Canada to free herself for the adventure of a lifetime. Through 50 countries, she has endured a variety of lifestyles by working in trade for free accommodation. She has discovered a way to travel in a financially sustainable way (perhaps forever!) She’s changed up her travel style, from long-term volunteering, to perpetual wandering (in 2010 she didn’t spend more than 5 nights in one place) She’s survived natural disasters, passport theft, hospital trips, head-on collisions, romances gone wrong, and travel fatigue, that only make travel all the more colourful.
Wanderlusters
Charli wasn’t born a traveler… As a teenager she suffered from anxiety and just the thought of boarding a plane was terrifying. Fast forward to today, she quit her job and has been on the road for five whopping years! She lives out of a backpack and housesits to afford a life of adventure. Her content is engaging with beautiful scenery, you’ll feel as though you’ve shared in her experience
Adventure Seekers
Wander the Map
Jenna and Micah are filmmakers and photographers who travel the world in search of outdoor and urban adventure. Hailing from Minnesota, they’ve been gallivanting the globe together since high school. They capture stories, visual and written, through the people, cultures and destinations. Their philosophy is that adventure is an outlook on life and that anyone can have one anywhere, anytime. Pushing boundaries, one exhilarating experience at a time.
Stoked for Saturday
If you dream big, crave adrenaline and thrill, you’ve come to the right place. Jordan and Jenna are an adventurous and active Canadian couple, who left their jobs and sold all their belongings in 2013 to pack their bags for New Zealand (one of the most beautifully scenic countries in the world!) This pair takes advantage of every spare moment to get outside and explore, and encourage you to do the same! Come swoon over their epic adventure proposal. #goals
Responsible Trekkers
Don’t Forget to Move
Jules and Christine have traveled the world together since 2012 as international volunteers, responsible tourism advocates, vegetarians and full-time digital nomads. They crossed paths in Latin America during long solo trips and since have been to 6 continents and 50 countries. They believe that we as travelers have the power to shape the world, by choosing destinations, tour operators, experiences, and eco-friendly initiatives that prioritize the care and protection of local culture, as well as the environment and animals. Together we can start a movement towards responsible tourism that positively impacts the cultures, communities and environments that we explore.
Uncornered Market
Daniel and Audrey have hit 90 countries and counting together, the ultimate dream team. Their goal is to create a community of respectful travelers who are “driven by curiosity, guided by respect” They crave to travel deeper while caring for our planet and its people. Check out their Offbeat Hotlist to join in the movement. A movement that outlasts the need to reach a destination and affects positive change.
Wanderstricken! Check out these travel bloggers to watch in 2017!
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Now over to you! Which of your favorite travel blogs did I miss? I’m constantly seeking out fresh, new inspiration!