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Wednesday Women: Katalin

hdr — Kupari, Croatia ; Abandoned hotels of Kupari in the background. A memorable place from the Balkans trip.

Meet Katalin. I’m Katalin, originally from Hungary. I have lived for 5 years in Finland and currently I am a kind of digital nomad (mostly working remotely) and traveling with my husband.

What inspired/inspires you to travel?

I love hiking and nature. First, I just took weekend trips around my home town, but after a while I wanted to see more and visit new places.

Where is your favorite destination to date?

My favourite place is either Lapland or Singapore. Lapland is the calm nature as far as you can see while Singapore is an always busy city with super summer weather.

How do you prefer to travel? Solo or With a group? Why?

I have been backpacking solo in Southeast Asia and Turkey, but I still preferred to group up with other travelers. Lately I am on the road with my husband. I love exploring cities with others, and usually safer to hike or try new sports if you are not alone.

atins_brazil_katalin_waga-1 — Atins, Brazil ; It is well known from its rainforest, but I have visited a little ‘desert’ there too while backpacking there a month.

Do you think there is a difference traveling as a woman?

You have to be much more careful – but it shouldn’t discourage you from traveling. I think after a while you learn how to avoid the risky situations, although in some countries you will still get different kind of offers, no matter what.

How do you plan your trips?

Usually after browsing a map for hours we just notice a bargain flight offer and we end up on a totally different country/continent.

When is your next one?

Now! We are continuously on the road since March (2016), changing country in every month or so. We were on the Balkans in Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Czech Republic and Finland. Currently we are in Vancouver, Canada.

Any advice you would like to give to your fellow travelers?

You can live with much less items than you first imagine! One (big) backpack is enough. ☺

hiking_albania_katalin_waga — Albania ; Hiking in the Albanian Alps around 2000m. No trails, no tourists.

Want to learn more about Katalin?

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Wednesday Women: Habon

Remember Habon from Fashion Friday?

My name is Habon. I was born and raised in the south, Georgia, but both my parents migrated from Djibouti, a small east African country.

What inspired/inspires you to travel?

Growing up as first generation born American to Somali/Djibouti parents, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of traveling at a young age and learning the importance of cultures and what the world has to offer. This has definitely inspired me to travel.

Where is your favorite destination to date?

My favorite destination to date has to be Djibouti. I love going back and spending time with extended family members, learning more about my culture, and seeing where my parents have come from. There’s definitely a sentimental attachment to this beautiful country.

How do you prefer to travel? Solo or With a group? Why?

I usually end up traveling solo and then meeting up with family and friends at the destination. I think it’s great being able to have someone there experiencing the adventure with you, but sometimes traveling solo allows you to learn more about yourself and focus on just the trip.

Do you think there is a difference traveling as a woman?

I definitely think there is a difference traveling as a woman. Women around the world may have different rules or traditions that I think we should be mindful of. I also think traveling as a woman (and even as a man) we have to be cautious and safe, that being said, this should not discourage woman from traveling, we all just need to be more aware of our surroundings.

How do you plan your trips?

I usually start by deciding on the destination and the dates, once I have those locked in, I go and book my ticket. I research hotels, activities, the local cultures and things that I should see at that destination. I book the hotel and make a list of things to do. I won’t have a day by day itinerary, but I will have a list of what I’d like to do there. I’m a big fan of lists. I need to be a bit more spontaneous, but my slight OCD doesn’t really allow me to do that.

When is your next one?

My husband and I got married in January and haven’t had the opportunity to take our honeymoon yet due to work and me moving up north to Toronto, but we’ve finally have some free time and will be heading to Mauritius. I’ve never been and I’m really looking forward to exploring the country and local culture!

Any advice you would like to give to your fellow travelers?

The best advice I could give to my fellow travelers would be to explore the different countries. The ones most people haven’t heard of and to really immerse yourself with the culture as much as possible. I believe by doing this not only do you gain a wonderful experience but usually a different perspective on life and yourself.

Still curious about Habon?

Wednesday Women : Sarah

Meet Sarah.

lover of the earth – and great food.

Traveling has changed my life so much and I am so grateful for that, because I love my life right now.

What inspired/inspires you to travel?

Feeling free.

Having (almost) no responsibilities.

Learning new things.

I guess that sums it up really good.

Where is your favorite destination to date?

that is hard to tell because every place – every piece of the earth has its own charm which makes it difficult to compare. in general i like places that have a great nature but also places where i know people that i have met a long my way.

How do you prefer to travel? solo or with a group? why?

i like to travel on my own or with one other person. more than that becomes actually quite annoying because everybody has their own needs and own way of seeing things and at the end one will always be disappointed. being just by myself can be the best thing ever because you decide what you want to do and see. But it can be more expensive. i found it less expensive to travel with one other person. it is just not easy to find the right person for that because you have to keep in mind that you spend 24 / 7 with that person. i am glad I found my travel buddy.

Do you think there is a difference travelling as a woman?

i believe that there is but if it is a big or a small difference depends on the person itself. if you are afraid and feel unsafe other people will see that and act differently than to somebody who doesn’t care about that. i think that the difference doesn’t come from yourself but from the people you will encounter. depending on how the people were raised – culture and religion wise – they will act differently. so to me it is not all about the gender moreover about the individual. and don’t forget – there is not only bad out there in the world. great things will happen there too.

How do you plan your trips?

i don’t spend much time planning. most of the time i end up buying a plane or train ticket to a place i always wanted to go and then i will read a few blogs to get some insider tips. but when it comes to day-to-day activities i decide what i’ll do right after i get up in the morning. the same when it comes to booking an accommodation or my next move. i just like to see what “naturally” happens rather than planning everything ahead and not being able to do something spontaneous.

When is your next one?

besides a few weekend trips my next flight will go to vietnam and for the next year i plan on going to iceland and do a roadtrip through scandinavia. i am so excited about that.

Any advice you would like to give to your fellow travelers?

enjoy every moment of it and don’t forget that every memory you create while travelling is unique. nobody has or ever will experience the exact same thing. nobody can take that away from you!

Want to learn more about Sarah ?

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Wednesday Women: Courtney

Meet Courtney.

Hi, my name is Courtney, and I’m a travel-obsessed twenty something! I come from a city called Wollongong on the south coast of NSW, Australia, about an hour and a half south of Sydney. I love the outdoors and exploring beautiful landscapes, and in the summer I basically live at the beach. I work in marketing & communications at a travel company, and save every penny I earn to go on adventures!

What inspired/inspires you to travel?

The thing I love most about travel is that every destination you visit, every person you meet, every culture you discover, and every experience that you have is different. You’re continuously challenging your perspective every time you visit somewhere new. I’m inspired by these differences, and am determined to seek out as many as I can, and become as worldly as humanly possible.

Where is your favorite destination to date?

It’s hard to choose a favourite destination, but if I had to then I can’t go past Rarotonga, Cook Islands. I’m a beach lover, and Raro is a paradise like no other. The people, the beaches, the landscape, the culture…. Everything about it is incredible. Plus, there’s something for everyone; from those who seek a relaxed, beach holiday to those who seek an adventure holiday full of thrills. It’s also perfect for families, couples, groups of friends or solo travellers!

How do you prefer to travel? Solo or With a group? Why?

I’ve never done a fully solo trip, but even if I had I think I’d have to say a group, or at least with one other person. I like to share experiences, especially when travelling. Obviously, solo travellers meet plenty of new people on their journey, but I prefer to travel with at least one other person I know. I spent a week in San Francisco by myself at the end of my summer working as a camp counselor and I felt incredibly lonely without someone to share the experience with.

Do you think there is a difference traveling as a woman?

I guess that depends on where you go! As much as I hate saying it, I do feel safer when I’m travelling with a male. My friend and I (both girls) had a few uncomfortable moments during our eight-week stint in the USA, and I think these could’ve been avoided had we been travelling with a guy. I do admire those independent women who travel to dangerous countries on their own – their spirit and desire to change the way others think is very inspiring.

How do you plan your trips?

Usually I figure out a destination I want to visit, and then go from there! I see if there’s anyone interested in going with me, work out the best time I can go, and pretty much wing the rest. I like to be spontaneous when I’m travelling, but there are some things you do need to plan in advance!

When is your next one?

Although I’ve got nothing booked, I’m planning to travel to Europe in the northern summer next year. I’ve only touched upon mainland Europe in my previous trips, and am dying to visit Italy! Specially, Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast – get me into that hot Mediterranean sun!

Any advice you would like to give to your fellow travelers?

My biggest piece of advice would be to save, save, save! There’s nothing worse than looking forward to a trip, then realizing halfway through that you can’t afford to have the experience you expected. I’ve found myself short of cash on too many occasions due to my terrible budgeting, and have vowed to never again go anywhere unless I have saved enough!

Want to learn more about Courtney?

Courty Stelt

IG: @courtystelt

Twitter: @courtystelt

How to survive being the traveling friend

You see the inside of airport terminals more than you’ve seen your friend’s (not-so) new apartment. You feel like an outsider at brunch because “you should’ve been there last Sunday to see blah do blah blah & blah”. You’ve had layovers that lasted longer than girls’ night.And while you love your friends, you love exploring new soils more. I’ve noticed that the more trips I go on, the more distance there is between my friends and I. This recent trip has brought more light to my eyes than any other. When I first came back from my move to Milan, they were excited to have me back but of course I was greeted with the famous question “So when do you leave again?”. That’s also my family’s number one topic! “What?! You’re in town? Must not be for long, when do you leave? When is your next trip?” While I would love to say that there is a loving tone when asked but more often than not its more a tone of resentment. Towards me, or the fact that I’m always on the go. At first, I was sad about it. I should be able to travel and have friends, right? I mean it makes no sense that I can make and keep in touch with friends from all over the world but I’m not even be able to connect with my friends from back home. I think its more of a travelers woe. After talking with a friend (she gets me, she’s a traveler too) she let me know that it happens to the best of us, and I’m not alone.

Of course you can’t help but wonder though, is there a remedy? Even if there is, is the relationship worth fixing? I think with many test and trials, the strong will survive. I may lose friends to traveling, but its shown me friends that I should value a lot more. Muneek said it best “Not everyone signs up to be a long distance friend”.

While any departure is typically sad, these lost friendships haven’t been. People come and people go, myself included. But what makes this sorrow a little sweet, is that I am a traveler, I’m an expert at moving on. That’s how you’ll survive.

Walk With Me: Paris, France

So, I’m scrolling through my phone while on my flight to San Diego, and I stumble upon a plethora of images from my trip to Paris. Some are gems that I’ve never shared with anyone until today. Take a walk with me…

Bernard The Traveler Interview

Hey guys,

So I had an amazing opportunity to be interviewed by Bernard from Bernard The Traveller for his Wednesday interview series. In the interview we talk about all things travel and how I became such an avid traveler.

Check it out here !!!

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