Whew, another week come and gone already? Seriously, time flies when you’re all grown up. However, another week means it’s time for another Saturday Spotlight-and they’re one of my favorite things throughout the week! I LOVE showcasing other bloggers, and I LOVE when my readers find a new friend from it. There are so many fantastic bloggers out there that you may not even know about yet, and I hope I can find the ones you connect with and introduce you.
Today I have a very fun blogger named Sarah. Sarah blogs over at Sarah Sees the World. What does Sarah do? See the world, duh! Just kidding… Well, she does do that, but mostly she travels and blogs about it! What a fun life-I’d love to do more travelling and writing about it here. Based out of New Zealand, Sarah loves sharing things she finds along her journeys. She loves to showcase delicious food, great coffee, wine, and even exercise. A travel blogger who has time to exercise? I’m convinced Sarah is secretly Wonder Woman. Talk about dedication!
Anywho, I interviewed Sarah so you could get to know her a little better. Please take the time to read the following Q&A, leave a meaningful comment, and even visit Sarah! Also, if you’re a small(ish) blogger or handmade shop that could really benefit from a little exposure like this, feel free to fill out this form HERE. I love to give out the first spotlight free to those who need it most. 🙂 Don’t worry big-time bloggers, I’d love to interview you too-you can purchase a Saturday Spotlight from my Sponsor page!
What inspired your love of travel?
Growing up in New Zealand we’re in such a small country which is so geographically isolated from the rest of the world that travel can easily become a bit of an obsession.
I started off close to home with my first trip overseas to Australia with my parents when I was 14. I subsequently visited some of the Pacific Islands as well as seeing more of Australia (we got Car Rental a few times so we could really explore the country, which I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to get the most out of a trip to Australia) before I finished Uni and was basically hooked – each time I went somewhere I just wanted to travel more and further.
Where has been your favorite place to visit so far and why?
So hard to pick a favourite but I did love Croatia – it just seemed really underrated as a destination. It was cheap, beautiful, had stunning beaches and the people were friendly. In fact any of the Southern European countries are absolutely stunning. Greece especially is another one I’d return to. I remember taking one of the famous Athens tours round the city and how stunning it was. I think there are too many wonderful places around the world, all lovely in their own way! It’s so hard to pick one!
Where was your least favorite place to visit?
There hasn’t been anywhere I’ve really hated but there were some smaller places I’ve stopped in Italy while travelling the country which were not particularly memorable, would perhaps have taken a different route had I known and I would certainly not visit again.
If you could live permanently in anywhere, where would it be and why?
I love London (especially in Summer) and would love to live there, but also be able to spend the southern hemisphere Summer in New Zealand. Full time summer is the dream with the chance to see all my family and friends and travel easily throughout the world as I pleased from these bases would be the ideal.
How did your blog, Sarah Sees the World, get started?
I started blogging as I had been reading a few blogs and wanted my own space on the internet. I started a blogspot blog in 2011, and it took a year or so to find my way and my niche before Sarah Sees The World became closer to what you see today. Meanwhile I was travelling a lot at the time and writing about it as I went.
I think a lot bloggers start by sharing with their friends and family initially and grow from there. I was much more comfortable sharing with strangers than people who know me!
Do you buy souvenirs or keep mementos of your travels? If so, what are some of your favorites?
I’m not a souvenirs girl as I’m naturally not a hoarder but someone who prefers to own as little as possible so I could pack up and leave whenever the opportunity may arise to live elsewhere in the world.
What I have bought on occasion though are Christmas tree decorations and my favourite is a Delftware one from Amsterdam.
What tips do you have for better packing while traveling?
You never need as much as you think you do! In the past couple of years I’ve taken to hand luggage only for shorter trips when I can to save on hassle and baggage costs. If you’re not sure you’re going to need it, don’t take it!
If you could offer one piece of advice to any newbie traveler, what would it be?
Don’t overplan or cram too many activities into your itinerary as you’ll likely come to regret it.
Get to know Sarah’s blog a little bit better with these posts:
8 Must Visit European Cities for First Timers
Festivals Around the World – What, When and Where?
Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The Yacht Week – Greece
Follow and keep up with Sarah here:
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