Interview with Stefania van Lieshout, Travel Blogger And Photographer

Following her own words, Stefania van Lieshout is an award-winning Dutch Travel Blogger, traveling the world when time and money allows her to do so.

I shared a 2 weeks journey through the Indian state of Kerala with this woman, and then I met her in a couple of other places around Europe. It was about time to interview her about her travels to more than a half of hundred countries as well as how her passion for blogging and photography started on our On the Road series.

Enjoy!

#1: Hello Stefania! And thanks so much for joining our On the Road interview series. It is a pleasure to have you!

Let’s get this started. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and how you started to travel? Do you remember your 1st travel experience? Why are you (if that’s so…) passionate about traveling?

I lived and worked in seven different countries as a Shell Expat in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. So far I have visited more than sixty countries. I love discovering new places, food and nature.

Landscape - Interview with Stefania van Lieshout - A World to Travel

#2. Now that we know where do you come from… could you tell us where are you heading to? Which are your plans for the future in terms of traveling?

At the moment my children are still in school. In a couple of years, they will graduate. Our plan (my partner and I) would like to travel the world as global nomads from that point onwards.

Almond tree Spain - Interview with Stefania van Lieshout - A World to Travel

#3. What do you think of traveling with a purpose or meaning in mind? What do you look for when traveling long term?

I like the idea of long term traveling because one can take the time to really get to know a place and its people and the places off the beaten path.

#4. How do you fund your travels? Have you found a job or income source that allows you to be on the road fulltime? Could you tell us what exactly you do for a living?

I make a bit of money with my blog (affiliate links, ads and paid-for posts), I write for magazines and I go on press trips (some paid).

Malaga graffiti barrio Lagunillas - Interview with Stefania van Lieshout - A World to Travel

#5. Did your job, studies, volunteering experiences, or other projects help you to travel the world? Where have you been thanks to those? If so, tell us a bit about those experiences.

I lived in Syria, Oman, England, Russia, and Malaysia because of my work for Shell. It was great because by working in a place you get a different viewpoint than merely being in a country as a tourist.

#6. What would you recommend to someone who wants to follow your steps? Which kind of training or studies is necessary? Would an investment be needed in the first place? Please, give 3 pieces of advice (you wish to have known before starting) of what to do and what to avoid in order to succeed.

When I started my blog I did not even know what travel blogging was. For me, it was just a means to document my journeys. Only years later I got to learn about SEO, the value of good pictures, storytelling, etc. In hindsight, it would all have been a lot easier if I had had that knowledge before I started writing.

#7. What does a perfect day in your life look like? Do you follow any particular routine?

Breakfast with good coffee. That is crucial to a successful start of the day.

#8. Where do you come from originally and where you call home now? Can you give us some local tips we cannot find in a guidebook but you highly recommend about your hometown?

I was born in the Netherlands by a Dutch father and an Italian mother. I married in England to a Dutchman and my first son was born in Damascus in Syria. For the last six years, I have lived in Malaga, Spain. When visiting Malaga head to the Baños del Carmen, the best place in town for a sundowner.

#9. Do you read, write, draw, listen to music, sing, watch movies, or do something else while traveling? How do you interact with technology these days and which gadgets you definitely take with you everywhere? What is your favorite book? And the movie?

I read a lot when at home, less so when traveling as I don’t like e-books and don’t want to carry the weight around. I love my notebook, which is a small portable computer. I take my camera everywhere.

#10. Do you keep a bucket list? Which are your craziest travel dreams? Where are your favorite destinations on earth?

I would love to visit the Galapagos, the Arctic, and the gorillas in Uganda.

Thanks once again, Stefania! Can’t wait to catch up with you somewhere around the world soon.

Follow her site and Social Media networks: Facebook, and Twitter.

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