Traveler Tuesday – Lauryn of LE Travels

Lauryn of LE Travels (Lauryn + Eric – so cute!) is a corporate gal who loves to travel and packs as much adventure into those PTO days as possible – hmm, sound familiar?!? Scarcity makes things more precious and I love how she attacks her trips and her post-trip blog posts with gusto!

Let’s meet Lauryn!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
My parents used to love to go on cruises so I got bit by the travel bug pretty early. I loved seeing all the pretty islands in the Caribbean and experiencing the different cultures. My first big trip abroad was when I was 16 and went to Italy, Greece, and Turkey with a group of 6 girls and a teacher of mine from high school. It was like I felt at home wandering through these new European cities and I knew I needed more!

[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?
Fast-paced, curious, and adventure-seeking!

[3] Which country do you come from/call home?
The United States of America

[4] What do you crave from home when you are traveling?
My bed!

[5] Tell us about your blog
LE Travels started as a way to log all the interesting details and pictures from the trips me and my husband took. I have always loved to write but I felt stifled in school. Writing is very personal and everyone has their own style. When I finally realized that maybe the professors who were so critical of me just didn't enjoy my style of writing, it was like I was finally free. Writing has become a passion of mine and being able to freely write about a topic I love so much is truly a dream.

[6] What do you love most about traveling?
There are so many things, but learning about different and new cultures is a big one.

[7] What do you dislike about traveling?
How much it costs!

[8] How do you prepare for a trip?
I am very Type-A and plan like a mad woman. Every little thing is organized in a detailed spreadsheet. Being organized calms my nerves and anxiety. So if something goes wrong, it will never be because I wasn't prepared. No matter how much I travel I will always be a little anxious before every trip. I also start packing at least a week before any trip because it allows me time to remember things I forgot.

[9] You have won the lottery, now tell us where you want to live.
On a beautiful Greek island in a big villa with an incredible view and a pool… *sigh* if only!

[10] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.
My DSLR camera, my phone, and a good pair of walking shoes

[11] What is your favorite article of clothing?
I have a travel jacket from L.L. Bean that's packable (folds up in its own pocket), water resistant, and super warm. It's the most perfect jacket for traveling, but I wear it even when I'm at home!

[12] Your single most treasured personal possession.
Probably my DSLR. I love being able to capture the incredible beauty around me on something other than my phone.

[13] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?
Don't just start writing and think you're going to get readers overnight. I've been blogging now for two years and just now feel like I'm starting to get somewhere. I've learned so much over time and wish I had done more research on the technical and marketing aspects of blogging before I created my site.

[14] What are three other blogs that inspire you?
Kirsten from The Blonde Abroad
Andrea from Andrea's Travels
Helene from Helene in Between

[15] Your favorite travel resource on the web?
TripAdvisor
Booking.com
Rick Steves (for Europe travel)

Lauryn's Lightning Round of Favorites

Airport: Incheon (Seoul, South Korea)
Mode of Transportation: Plane
Window or aisle: Window!
City: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Country: Greece
Travel Gear: GoPro
Travel snack: RX Bars
Book: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
Movie: Under the Tuscan Sun
Song: Sun Models by ODESZA
Quote: It's a long one, but my absolute favorite: “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain

Thanks, Lauryn!

You can keep up with Lauryn on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and of course on her blog, Lauryn of Le Travels. Wherever you catch her (and her hubby!), I am sure you will enjoy her adventures!

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