Traveler Tuesday – Victoria of Follow Me Away

In all my years of doing the Traveler Tuesday interview series, I can honestly say I've not met a couple quite like Victoria and Terence of Follow Me Away. They are very talented – however, there are a lot of talented travel blogging couples – but I haven't met ones that were quite so forthcoming about their style, their personalities, their likes and dislikes – it's kind of refreshing to know that there truly is something for every type of traveler and blogger out there. Bonus, they are great photographers – I love this photo session they did in the French Alps!

Let’s meet Victoria!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
I have been traveling pretty much since birth and grew up in an RV traveling across the USA and Canada. Terrence lived most of his life in New York City before moving down to Florida 15 years ago. That move really sparked him to want to explore more. Together, we have been traveling since 2015 when we took our first trip together to Europe. After that, we couldn't stay home and really changed our lives around to make travel a priority.

[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?
We define ourselves mainly as “relaxed travel” and “soft adventure” travel with a dash of luxury thrown in. Relaxed, because we don't go out a whole lot. We will wake up and stay “home” until 1 pm when longterm traveling and may be back by 5:30 pm to cook dinner and that is all! “Soft Adventure” because we do not trek or do super long hikes…we are more into driving our car and then walking 10 feet to see a waterfall 😉 We have never camped in a tent and don't intend to, but we still love fun things like zip lining, kayaking, and swimming. And luxury because who doesn't love all the comfort some of the time?

[3] What do you love most about traveling?
We love getting to experience places you have only seen in photos first hand. There is nothing like looking at photos of the Taj Mahal for your entire life and then standing in front of it one day! We also love getting to see how similar other cultures truly are to our home culture, while at the same time, being vastly different. People everywhere are generally the same. They are all happy or sad or have to go to work or hang out on their smartphones or play with their friends. Seeing the similarities is very cool to us! Finally, we love getting to see things that you may not find in Florida [where we are from] or even in the United States!

[4] What do you dislike about traveling?
We dislike long plane flights, the high price of food in airports, exchange rates that aren't in favor of the USD, and any timezones that are ahead of the EST by more than 8 hours.

[5] Why should people travel?
People should travel to lose everything they have ever known the world to be and rebuild that experience from the ground up. People should travel to learn. To learn about themselves and to learn about others. People should travel to appreciate their culture more by experiencing the culture of others. People should travel to visit landscapes that they may have never seen or even knew existed on earth. People should travel for their own reasons and not ours! Whatever you decide is your reason to travel is the reason you should 100% go!

[6] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.
Not counting a smartphone which is a basic essential we already have when not traveling….
– Good walking shoes
– A camera and 20lbs+ of gear
– Earplugs!

[7] If you’re a foodie, what's your favorite food city? Do you have a restaurant recommendation?
We have been to so many cities and eaten so many places and there is no better foodie city than New York City. Prices can range from affordable to expensive and it is a city of immigrants so there is a type of food from almost every corner of the world! Our suggestion? Any rundown looking Italian pizza place…those are the best!

If we could choose a close second it would be Toronto and for the above reasons! Who doesn't want immediate access to all sorts of yummy global food?

[8] What's one location on your bucket list?
Antarctica!

[9] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?
One piece of advice? How can we narrow it down that much? 😉 Can we do two? Okay…two it is!
#1. Focus on SEO and take time to learn it from the beginning. Do NOT listen to Yoast only…just because the “green light” is green does NOT mean that your SEO is good to go! Also, invest in a keyword research program such as Keysearch! A little money invested will help you in the long run.

#2. Understand that Pinterest is a search engine [like Google] and NOT as much a social media. Followers do not matter on Pinterest. We have 1.5 million monthly views on our boards and only have 9,000 followers. Make sure to create beautiful and bright vertical pins that have keywords in the description!

[10] What are two other blogs that inspire you?
Mapping Megan – Because she so freely shares her information with the world and is killing it in the blogging world. She will share her own personal email templates and will answer any questions. The kindest and sweetest person ever.

Hand Luggage Only – Their content is out of this world amazing. They are another interracial travel couple. They have 1 million monthly views on their blog which is like #bloggerdreamgoals. Their photography is crisp and clean and amazing. They are the nicest guys you will ever meet!

Victoria's Lightning Round of Favorites

Airport: Tampa International Airport [There is no more efficient, calm, and well laid out airport in all the world!]
Mode of Transportation: Cruise ship!
City or Country: City: Paris Country: Cross between Ireland and Iceland
Travel Gear: Our DJI Mavic Pro Drone [So much fun to see the world from above!]
Travel snack: Oranges [they don't bruise easily and no germs get on the fruit. plus they are hydrating!]
Book: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo/Millenium Series
Movie: Don't ask this! There is soo many to choose we are huge movie buffs!
Song: Victoria: Defying Gravity from Wicked the Musical Terrence: Stay from Blue October
Quote: Blood of the covenant is thicker than water of the womb

Thanks Victoria!

You can keep up with Victoria on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and of course on her blog. Wherever you catch her, I am sure you will enjoy her travel adventures!

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