This week on The Traveler Series, I am thrilled to introduce Brooke Saward of one of my favorite travel sites, World of Wanderlust! Brooke is a globetrotter turned successful travel blogger and author whose award-winning blog has grown to over 300,000 views and shares stunning imagery of the world alongside compelling stories. Having worked with numerous tourism boards and traveled across continents, Brooke is permanently living out of a suitcase and fueling the wanderlust of her many fans and readers. Here Brooke shares her inspiration behind traveling, what inspired World of Wanderlust and her best piece of advice to budding travel writers looking to follow in her footsteps.
What inspires you to travel?
The feeling of exploring remote corners of the world first hand and being able to share my experiences with readers and fans every day. It’s always exciting, always different, and always inspiring.
For those who don’t yet know you, can you explain your travel style?
I some how wound up reviewing luxury hotels for a living! I spend most of my nights in 5 star hotels, review Michelin star restaurants, get pampered in luxury spas, the works! But when I’m on my own time exploring, I’m the complete opposite – I love to trek outdoors, bike ride, row boats, experience destinations to their full extent. It’s a great mix of luxury and adventure.
How do you afford your travels?
I’m very fortunate to make a living off my website; that pays for all my travels!
Where has been your favorite destination?
It’s constantly changing because I’m constantly exploring new places – but I think I can safely say my absolute favorite city will always be Paris… and of course New York comes in at a close second!
If you had to settle down in one location forever, where would you choose and why?
New York. I just love the vibe of New York, the feeling that whenever you walk out your door you don’t know what you will see/experience/who you will meet. It’s an incredible city.
What’s the funniest or weirdest cultural idiosyncrasy you’ve either witnessed or experienced?
Eating cow’s heads that are actually in the shape of cow’s heads in South Africa (I’m a vegetarian, I would never eat a cow let alone a cow’s head haha).
What keepsake do you have to get at all your destinations? (Whether it’s something free like ticket stubs or brochures, or something you have to buy)
I never buy souveniers because I travel so much – but I always have to get a photo. I never go anywhere without getting a photo to at least say I’ve ‘been there’.
How about the one thing you cannot travel without?
Headphones! I feel so inspired by music – it’s always good to have a pair of headphones handy.
What is the best piece of travel advice you’ve picked up over the years?
You’ll never see them again. I have no shame when it comes to taking my own photos with a tripod or vlogging in the middle of the street – chances are the people who screw up their nose at me will not remember I exist in 2 hours time!
Why did you begin your website? And how did you come up with your website name?
I began my website to tell my friends and family about my travels as I have always traveled very frequently. The name – I wanted my website to be my own little ‘space’ of the internet, kind of like a world in itself devoted to inspiring people to travel more often. What is your one piece of advice to budding travel writers looking to start a blog or website?
Read my book! My e-book,The World of Wanderlust Story, tells the complete story of how I turned my love for travel into a full time career – hopefully it inspires you to do so, too!
What’s next for 2014? (Trips planned, etc.)
As I travel full time with various companies/sponsors/etc. it’s always hard to say. My schedule is constantly changing and new trips are coming up all the time! For now I’m in Ireland, next week I’ll be in Scotland, the week after I’ll be in South Africa, and the following month I will be in the USA. After that I’m in South America visiting Argentina and Brazil with more to be confirmed soon!
Keep up with Brooke & her travels here:
Blog: http://www.worldofwanderlust.com
Twitter: @worldofwlust
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldofwanderlust
Instagram: @worldwanderlust
Great interview! I will definitely check out her book as I’m curious to learn more about how she turned her blog into such a successful venture.