Seeing as we’ve had such a recent rise in travel patchworks, we thought we’d get a real expert in to share some experiences and tips. Meet Monica Stott from thetravelhack.com who has the brilliant job of travelling the world and documenting her adventures with gorgeous photographs along the way.
After looking at her most recent blog post on the amazing Wynwood Art District in Miami, we had a few burning questions for Monica:
Tell us 3 reasons why you love Miami?
- The food! There’s a huge Mexican and Cuban influence in Miami and this had lead to so many amazing places to eat. I took a foodie tour of Miami and it was great to see the huge variety of tasty treats on offer. Little Havana is the best for authentic Mexican food.
- The beaches. With golden sands and blue seas, what’s not to love?
- The nightlife. The restaurants, bars and clubs are one of the main attractions in Miami so pack your dancing shoes and your stamina because you’ll need it to party all night in Miami.
We love how you capture the atmosphere of the places you visit. Any photography tips?
I go by the 10% rule and hope that if I take enough photos, at least 10% of them will be great! I take photos of everything, not just to capture places but to help my remember everything when I come to write about it. Photography is my version of note taking.
I use a DSLR and also my iPhone for images I want to quickly share. I like to add fun filters to my Instagram photos to help bring a place to life. Remember that you’ll never regret taking too many photos!
What are your top tips for travelling on a budget in style?
It’s all about cutting back in some areas and splurging in others. Fly economy but stay in a gorgeous hotel. I usually avoid generic 5* resorts and opt for smaller boutique hotels that have some stylish character and unique features and are usually more budget friendly. Eat and drink where the locals go and avoid tourist traps to save money.
Why did you start blogging and what do you love about it?
I started blogging in 2009 when I left the UK to backpack around Asia and Australia. I was working for my local newspaper and they asked me to write a blog for their website. I was happy to write it because I planned to return to journalism when I got home so I used the blog as an online portfolio of my work.
I quickly developed a passion for blogs and social media and launched The Travel Hack as soon as I got home. What began as a hobby quickly led to career opportunities and now it’s my full-time job.
I love being able to share my adventures and love it even more when I manage to inspire people to travel. The travel blogging community is a huge support network of friendly travel lovers and many of them have become my closest friends.
Where are you off to next?
I’m going to Wales this weekend, Belgium the week after and then at the end of the month I’m back to the Caribbean for a week in Dominica!
Thanks so much for sharing, Monica, you’ve definitely inspired us.
If you’d like to read more from Monica go to her blog. If you’re dreaming of adventure and are looking for a practical and personal way to fund your trip you can fund it here.