Traveler Tuesday – Lauren Nicholl

I introduced you to Lauren yesterday when I spotlighted her for Community Manager Appreciation Day and I thought it would be fun for you to continue to get to know her as a traveler.

I posed the standard Traveler Tuesday questions and this is what she had to say!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
My first trip was to Western Europe when I was three months old. Three months later, my parents took me to Hawaii. I can’t thank them enough for introducing me to travel at such a young age. They always say that I was the perfect travel companion in that I slept on every mode of transpiration, ate anything I was given, and was always smiling. So I’m pretty sure I came out of the womb having already caught the travel bug and I’m happy to say that my travel style hasn’t changed much.

[2] What is travel to you in 10 words or less?
Travel is one’s opportunity to understand the world and his/her self.

[3] What is your favorite mode of transportation and why?
Tough one. I love almost all modes of transportation and it really depends on the trip itself. I guess I’ll have to say train since it’s one of the rarer forms of travel for me, but one that always evokes excitement and a different perspective.

[4] What do you typically do while traveling by plane?
First of all, I LOVE airports. So I often like to explore airports, especially international ones that I haven’t been to before. If I have time, I usually get a drink at one of the overpriced bars and just people watch. On the plane itself, I usually read the latest issue of AFAR cover to cover. I always bring a book, my laptop, and headphones so I can cover all areas of entertainment; however, I usually end up sleeping for a good chunk of the flight, if not all of it!

[5] What is your favorite travel memory involving food?
Oh man. Really? So many just come flooding my mind. I’m going to go with the three magical days I spent in Abruzzo, Italy for my uncles wedding. We had already been spoiled by our couple nights in Rome – it was the first place where I never felt like I needed to ask a concierge or open a guide book. When we were hungry, we’d go to the nearest restaurant, and had the best meal of our life.

In Abruzzo, however, we were there for an occasion, and Italians love occasions. Each night leading up to the wedding, we’d gather at my soon-to-be aunt’s family’s house where she and her mother and sister had been cooking all day long. They’d have all their relatives and closest friends over for a feast. It was like ten Thanksgivings in one – and instead of turkey and gravy, it was the freshest cured meats, cheese, salads, breads, homemade pastas, and endless wine. This food, along with the company eating outside on a warm summer’s night, playing music and singing for hours on end, made this the perfect memory involving food.

Lauren with the AFAR team

[6] What is one blogging tip or lesson that you have learned along the way that you can share with my readers?
Use your community! The online travel community is one of so much passion, curiosity, and support. It is not at all competitive. I’m sure by being readers of this blog, they understand how fun and easy it is to just talk about travel and share experiences. When running a travel company’s blog or writing my own, I have never faced any reservations when reaching out to other travelers, whether it’s to run an idea by them, request a guest post or interview, or ask for a second set of eyes for editing purposes. Travel is often about collaboration and learning from others. I believe the most successful and enlightened travel blogs are those that do just that.

[7] Where to next?
Norway! I just booked my flight to Oslo yesterday! I have never been to Scandinavia and I’ve only heard incredible things. I’m especially excited to travel with my best friend. We have never been on a trip together and this will be her first time traveling internationally.

Thanks Lauren, it was great learning more about you!

Check out Lauren’s own Wanderlists on AFAR, follow Lauren on Twitter.

[All photos supplied by Lauren, except the Italian food, photo credit She Knows]

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