Traveler Tuesday – Shandos of Travelnuity
In all the years I've been running the Traveler Tuesday interview series, I've never had a travel blogger focused on dogs! I'm so exicted to have Shandos of Travelnuity and her travel companion (besides her husband!) Schnitzel. If I went back 10 years and said what could I have a travel blog about, I would choose a travel dog blogger – I know it has its challenges, but how fun is that!
Her blog is such a important resource for travelers wanting to bring along their best friend, I love her blog and her guides for countries like the UK and Malta, and she even has guest-posters relating their dog friendly tips for other towns. I spotted this one for San Francisco from Paroma who lent a hand with my Western Addition/Japantown San Francisco Profiles guide.
Let’s meet Shandos!
[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
I’ve traveled extensively since I was a child. When I was 9, my parents took my siblings and I out of school for 2 months, to travel around Australia. However, it wasn’t until I left university that I headed overseas for the first time.
[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?
I’ve tried to be a slow traveler, especially this year since I started traveling around Europe with my dog. With the extra complexities and his needs, it would be easier.
But, I’ve always been addicted to ticking off lists and not long after we arrived in Europe, my husband came up with the idea of visiting every UNESCO World Heritage site around the world, all 1073 of them. At the moment we’ve visited around 200 sites, mainly in Europe, and have left slow travel behind for now, although we’re spending a lot of time in each country.
[3] What do you love most about traveling?
It’s magical seeing places in person for the first time that I’ve heard or read about so often. Usually, they’re so different to what I had imagined! And then there are so many little differences around the world that you only pick up through traveling.
[4] What do you dislike about traveling?
Since I started traveling full-time 1.5 years ago, there are times that I miss having my own comfortable, familiar (and beautiful!) house to return to at the end of the day. (My husband and I sold our house in Sydney to unlock the money for traveling.) This is especially the case when hotels and Airbnbs have lots of “issues”.
[5] Why should people travel?
I like to think that the world is increasingly becoming one world, all interconnected. Traveling gives people a chance to meet people from different places and realise how much we have in common and how friendly nearly everyone is.
[6] What famous person would you like to travel with?
I’m a bit of an introvert, so would prefer not to travel with someone famous who would attract crowds of attention. Sometimes it’s frustrating enough when we’re with our dog and he gets lots of attention!
[7] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.
My dog, at least for now. (There are some countries where we won’t take him.) My iPhone, both as an essential travel tool and to take photos. And a swimming costume.
[8] If you’re a foodie, what's your favorite food city? Do you have a restaurant recommendation?
I’d have to choose my home city of Sydney, simply because it has so much good food from all over the world, so many different cuisines.
[9] What's one location on your bucket list?
I really want to go to South America, as I haven’t yet stepped foot on the continent. I had planned to head there this year, but for my first overseas trip with my dog, Europe was an easier choice.
[10] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?
Realise that travel blogging is a lot of work, and you’ll need to wait a few years before you see results. Also, choose a niche or work out what is unique about you and your writing.
Shandos's Lightning Round of Favorites
Airport: Changi
Mode of Transportation: Walking
City or Country: Paris
Travel Gear: iPhone
Travel snack: Something local
Book: War & Peace
Movie: Amelie
Song: Something by Bon Iver
Thanks Shandos!
You can keep up with Shandos on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and of course on her blog. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her (and Schnitzel‘s) travel adventures!
How about you? What would you like to know about Shandos?
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I love that she travels with her dog how cool! I would consider myself a slow traveler too!
I love walking a lot when traveling too! also love the idea of the dog tagging along, that’s pretty cute! Agree that blogging is a lot of work.
It’s so cool that Shandos travels with her doggy. That is so incredibly cool and adorable. I would love to travel more when my kids are older, maybe. I am scared to go overseas, just yet. Europe does look beautiful though.
That’s where I’m stuck: discovering what is unique about me and my writing.
It’s a neat thing that she travels with her dog. I’m sure the dog enjoys getting out and about with her, as much as she does!
HOw much fun! I love to travel, but have yet to take my pup with me. I used to have a long haired black and tan dachsi- such they are such fun dogs. I miss him!
As a dog owner, I love the idea of traveling more with my pet. She makes it look so effortless to explore the world and do it with a pup as a travel companion. I love the idea of slow travel also so you can really soak it in.
Wow! Such an adventurous woman! I can’t believe she travels with her dog like it’s nothing! Good for her!! Takes a lot of guts to give up the comfort of a home to travel the world. Kudos!