In this edition of Celebrity Travel Addicts, we chat with Lauren Carey, the world traveler, writer, and photographer behind Girl Gone Abroad! We chat with her about what first inspired her to explore the world, her journey to becoming a full-time traveler, her favorite places around the world to grab a bite to eat, and much more. Check out her tips on what to do in one of her favorite travel destinations and her advice for people who want to travel!
When I was a junior in college, I decided to study abroad in Sydney, Australia for a semester. It was the first time I’d ever traveled outside of the United States, and I absolutely fell in love with the country. After that, I was dying to see what else the world had to offer.
I travel full-time. I’m sure you’ve heard the quote “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list”, and this pretty much sums up my travel goals. I’m always happy to visit someplace new, and I love all climates and landscapes. For example, in just the last two months I’ve been sunbathing on Brazilian beaches, exploring the English countryside, and currently, falling in love with the Canadian Rockies!
Massachusetts is fantastic, and I’m only recently realizing how much I’ve taken it for granted. The state enjoys four very distinct seasons, and each one is beautiful. There’s nothing like a summer on Cape Cod. In autumn, the foliage is unbelievable. Winter is cold and full of snow, but great if you love snow sports or cozying up next to a fire. And in spring, the flowers come out in full force and it’s a great time to go hiking, or spend some time exploring Boston and catching a Red Sox game.
I never really thought about that, but I suppose it’s helped me navigate a lot of different personalities in a lot of different places! It’s also been interesting to see the differences in how people think and see the world across various cultures.
Life felt very monotonous in Boston, so I left my real estate job and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand. While there I taught English for a semester, and before long, I returned to the corporate world while in Bangkok! Suddenly, I found myself in real estate again working a 9-5. While it was a lot more flexible than working in the states, and it afforded me a very comfortable lifestyle, I soon realized my mistake and quit, thus taking the leap into the world of freelancing! Currently I work as a full-time contractor for a tech startup called Bublup. The job is 100% remote, which allows me to keep traveling, and maintain my own blog on the side.
I just hope that my work inspires others to travel, and helps them to see that you don’t need a lot of money to do it, nor should you ever wait for anyone else to go with you!
I always struggle with this question! Gun to my head, I’d say Portugal, Brazil and South Africa.
Let’s go with Lisbon, Portugal. For a must-eat, empanadas at El Pibe. My absolute favorite place to get drinks is Pavilhão Chinês. Go find a hole in the wall establishment that advertises fado music. Pay a visit to the Tower of Belém, and lastly, you MUST get a pastel de nata from the nearby Pastéis de Belém.
48!
Italian, Mexican, and American, of course.
That’s the hardest question of all! There is one that comes to mind and it’s La Particular de Virginio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I ate there probably four times in two weeks. The spinach and ricotta ravioli in a cheese sauce was AH-MAZING, and so was the strudel for dessert. Ugh, now I’m hungry.
As cliché as it may be, Eat, Pray, Love.
I think Dubai is the only one I’ve frequented enough to call a favorite!
Oh that’s a tough one. Probably somewhere in Thailand or Vietnam!
Myself. I’m quite reliable.
Watching movies, writing, reading, or sleeping when possible!
Brazil was pretty exotic! Zimbabwe and Zambia as well.
Learn to roll with the punches, and never plan too much. You never know who you’re going to meet or where opportunities are going to take you.
My camera, my laptop, my phone, and TEA!
The Seychelles or Maldives.
“I would rather own a little and see the world than own the world and see a little of it.”
After Canada, I’m flying to California. It will be my first time in Los Angeles, and exploring some nearby areas like Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, and Joshua Tree.
Lauren Carey is a full-time traveler and digital nomad exploring the world while holding down a marketing job. She also manages her own travel blog, girlgoneabroad.com, and loves documenting her travels via Instagram, @girlgoneabroad.
Check out Lauren’s blog and Instagram to learn more about her and her travels!
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