• about
  • City Guides
    • Europe
      • Czechia
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • Scotland
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
    • Canada
    • Caribbean
    • Middle East
    • New Zealand
    • USA
      • Atlanta
      • Chicago
      • COMO
      • Dallas
      • Destin
      • Kansas City
      • Los Angeles
      • NYC
      • Orlando
      • San Francisco
      • Seattle
      • St. Louis
      • Waco
      • South America
  • Tips + Tricks
  • Lifestyle
    • Blogging
  • shop

round trip travel and lifestyle blog

6 Things I Didn’t Know Before Starting A Travel Blog

November 30, 2016
Pin11
Share2
Share
Tweet
13 Shares

Two whole years.  I still can’t believe I started my WordPress blog two years ago on December 1.  No, I haven’t sold all my possessions (which would really only be a phone and a laptop) or stormed out of my 9-5 office job to travel the world, but I have learned a thing or two in these several years. I didn’t know I’d go on to create an online travel budgeting course with more than 2,300 students enrolled and create a video series to help new bloggers set themselves up for success.

I didn’t know I would look at life differently. 

My love of travel began when I went on a European tour in 2014.  I kind of kept a travel journal, ate a lot of gelato and made a scrapbook (in that order).  When I decided I wanted to start a blog and then that it would be all about travel, I realized I needed to look beyond the surface.  And it was months after I returned from Europe that Round Trip was born.  I’m so glad I had the opportunity to visit Europe, but I wish I would’ve taken better notes.  I wish I would’ve gone deeper and really taken in the experience not just as an educational or vacation opportunity.  I wish I would’ve taken better note of the things I ate, the emotions I felt, the laughs I shared. 

But it gave me perspective for the trips I would take after Europe.  Starting Round Trip has given me the opportunity to practice looking as life as a way to improve myself and continually learn.  It’s helped me learn to absorb every drop of life—to not just travel flippantly, to not eat something without tasting it, to not leave without reflection.

I didn’t know I’d learn to live life to the fullest. 

I began to look at life as an adventure.  It’s not about waiting in line for rides at Disney World or moving to the next place.  Starting this travel blog and looking at travel through a different lens have taught me to drink it all up and to not waste experiences.  You’ve seen those cheesy movies and read those low-qual books where the main character raves about how they “just want to the travel the world.” 

And you roll your eyes because hey, don’t we all, buddy?  You probably think they’re crazy and going to end up homeless or kidnapped.  But travel is so much more than just backpacking Europe or braving the jungles of Costa Rica.  It’s living life in the moment and choosing to engage the unknown.

I didn’t know I’d eventually give myself some credit.

Why would anyone want to read my travel posts?  When I first started blogging, I didn’t know how I would come up with content.  I loved travel, but I hadn’t dropped everything to travel 24/7, 365.  Stop right there if you’ve been thinking that way.  First off, it’s not entirely realistic for most to quit their day job to adopt a nomadic life.  Second, if you had a friend who recently visited Los Angeles and you’re headed there next month, it’s only natural that you’d ask for recommendations.  Just by visiting the city with an attentive mind, your opinion matters, so share it.

I didn’t know how great of a conversation starter it would be.

Few people will hear you’re a travel blogger and look at you as if you want to be a middle school math teacher.  (Except for my grandmother who would rather look at a picture than actually travel there.)  But for the most part, they’re going to ooh and ahh.  Yes, it’s nice to rake in the admiration, but even more, it’s a fantastic to relate to people.  Where have you been?  Did you go to Crab Island?  Did you try escargots?  You may have just met this person five minutes ago, but you instantly can bond, discuss the different neighborhoods of L.A., debate the best park at Disney World and weigh the pros and cons of paying to go up the Eiffel Tower.  I didn’t know I’d look at travel as more than just a hobby or a fun thing to do; it unites people by showing them places and people beyond their own circle.

I didn’t know I could help people.

When I started Round Trip, I did it to develop my writing skills.  But the longer I’ve done this and learned more about journalism, I’ve learned it’s not about bragging on your 5 star trip to Europe.  It’s not just a silly travel blog.  My mission is to encourage readers to step out there and try something new whether or not they can hop on a plane.  My passion is for people to be authentic and to push themselves to be the best they can be.  When I started my blog, this vision was not even on my radar.  But as I’ve developed as a traveler and writer, I’ve experienced the beauty of travel and the major impact it can make on my life.  Some posts may not receive as many views as others, but when a reader comments and tells me how it encouraged them, that’s when I’m reminded that yes, this is what I’m supposed to be doing.

I didn’t know I’d learn how to better market and network. 

My blog used to be “a thing I did.”  Now it’s honestly a part of my daily routine whether I’m posting something on Insta or whipping out my phone really quick to write an idea floating around in my head.  I believe each person has great ideas whether it’s related to travel or exercise, beauty or cooking, but if you don’t know how to market it, readers will have a hard time stumbling across it.  Over the months and years, I’ve learned to be more direct and lay out information in a clear way so as to achieve #5. 

And I’ve also learned to network.  I casually met Cate in passing, but once I found out she blogged (and fan-girled hardcore), I gushed to her about how much I loved her blog.  (Did I mention she collaborated with her local Anthropologie?!)  Mind you, I think I’d known her for a week at this point.  But a deep friendship followed via lunch dates, heart-to-hearts and, of course, A Cinderella Story.  (Because Hillary Duff, duh.)  The blogger community understands each other’s writer’s block, brainstorming and the not-so-occasional obnoxious photo-taking at restaurants.  You learn to network, exchange tips and maybe even guest post.

For more tips on taking your blog to the next level and getting more traffic.

Version 2

When you hit publish for the first time on your new blog, you’ve signed up to join a community of hardworking creatives who are addicted to social media and photography.  Your blog evolves from something you do to a big piece of your heart.  Yes, you need passion for something to write about it on a fairly regular basis, but the passion only grows and takes on a life of its own.  So, buckle up.

Happy 2nd birthday, Round Trip, and here’s to many more.

Author Signature

Share with a friend & save for a future adventure!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Pin11
Share2
Share
Tweet
13 Shares
0
25 Comments

My Fave Finds

Previous 7 Gift Ideas for the Traveler
Next When Traditions Fail Us

Related Posts

5 Travel Room Ideas

Best Gifts for the Traveler | Round Trip Travel

Round Trip Roundup: JANUARY

100+ Blog Post Ideas for Any Blogger

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. nadine cathleen (@karateandcaviar) says

    December 7, 2016 at 3:53 am

    Love this post. I recently did a year long trip around the world and am still writing up my posts about all the beautiful destinations and experiences. At the same time I also started reading lots of travel blogs, it’s such an inspiring community and so much fun to be part of it!

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      December 7, 2016 at 7:01 am

      Wow, that’s so inspiring, Nadine! I can’t wait to check out some of your posts. Where was your favorite destination? (I’m sure it’s hard to pick just one!)

      Reply
  2. Forever Travel Bug. says

    December 8, 2016 at 6:37 am

    Great post – I love you’re writing. Starting a travel blog is definitely a learning curve for sure!

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      December 8, 2016 at 7:10 am

      Thank you for the read! Hope you got some inspo for your travel blog 🙂 happy travels!

      Reply
      • Forever Travel Bug. says

        December 8, 2016 at 11:00 am

        I did! You too 🙂 x

  3. thegreyeye says

    December 20, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    I so agree with you

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      December 21, 2016 at 6:42 am

      Thanks so much!! I appreciate you reading 🙂

      Reply
  4. OhLavenderblue says

    January 7, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Kristen, this is just what I needed to read! Thankyou 😊 I have such a passion for travel and have just published my First post! However I still am extremely new in this blogging world and would love and help or tips you could give me? X

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      January 7, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      Aww that speaks volumes to me! I read your first post, and may I say that you have incredible voice?! I literally laughed out loud at meeting certain specimens 🙂 I love that you don’t just take trips; you analyze them and think big picture. Which I am ALL about! Keep writing and seeing how your individual experience can help and grow others to step outside their comfort zones! Happy travels!!

      Reply
      • OhLavenderblue says

        January 7, 2017 at 1:53 pm

        Thankyou so much! I was so unsure whether to go for it, but thought why not! I must say I am dubious Bantu others wanting to read my post, but why wouldn’t they 😂Travelling is definitely something we can all learn through and I would Love other people to embrace it as much as we have! I love how you have written your posts and look forward to reading more! 😊

      • roundtriptravel says

        January 7, 2017 at 1:57 pm

        Of course! As any trip, writing a travel blog is a journey. But it’s allowed me to better embrace and reflect upon my trips. Hold tightly to your genuity and desire for adventure. If you read some of my first posts, I held back so much of my voice in writing, and I love that you don’t hold back. There are lots of travel blogs out there so make your blog YOURS. Looking forward to hearing more about your travels in your posts!

      • OhLavenderblue says

        January 7, 2017 at 2:03 pm

        That is very true! I will read some of your earlier blogs and compare them to your blogs now! Thankyou so much, I will keep posting and hopefully improving! Here is to 2017 😊🌏

      • roundtriptravel says

        January 7, 2017 at 2:13 pm

        you WILL improve! I can’t explain how it works, but over time, you’ll read more blogs and take your next post deeper. Some blogs of my favorite blogs for inspiration: World of Wanderlust (http://www.worldofwanderlust.com) and Helene in Between (http://heleneinbetween.com).

      • OhLavenderblue says

        January 7, 2017 at 2:17 pm

        Fantastic! Thankyou so much, I shall check them out x

  5. lottieflint says

    January 9, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    I would love to write a travel blog one day and this is very inspiring! i love it! 🙂 🙂

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      January 9, 2017 at 3:35 pm

      Hi Lottie! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 the beautiful thing about blogging is you don’t have to have it all figured it out when you start. PS we have the same DSLR camera!! I didn’t use it much at first, but the more I blog, the more I realize what an investment it was! Happy blogging!

      Reply
  6. planitaroundtheplanet says

    February 7, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    Awesome Post!

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      February 7, 2017 at 2:40 pm

      Thanks for stopping by! Hope these tips help 🙂

      Reply
  7. 'Jadore says

    February 14, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    This was great, I recently started a travel blog and I share many of the same sentiments. Keep it up!

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      February 14, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 We travel bloggers gotta stick together! Looking forward to reading your blog. I like your photos–very classy!

      Reply
      • 'Jadore says

        March 9, 2017 at 9:12 am

        Thank you! I look forward to reading future posts

  8. The Business of Life Club says

    February 16, 2017 at 8:13 am

    Great post – looking forward to reading in the future!

    Reply
    • roundtriptravel says

      February 16, 2017 at 8:31 am

      Thanks for stopping by! Happy blogging!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 5 Free Blogging Tools I Love – Round Trip says:
    February 15, 2017 at 11:12 am

    […] two years later, I can’t imagine my life without Round Trip.  I’ve made many mistakes and have learned more than I ever imagined.  Recently I was scrolling through old posts of mine and cringed at the low-quality pictures whose […]

    Reply
  2. How to Start a Blog – round trip says:
    August 29, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    […] best way to learn how to blog is reading other blogs. If you’re wanting to start a travel blog. If you’re wanting to make money through your blog. Some of my favorites are Helene in […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Bonjour

Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
learn more about my story

Ad

Top Posts & Pages

  • 50 Most Used French Verbs to Know + Free Flashcards
  • The Beginner’s Guide to Universal Studios
  • bonjour
  • about
  • Useful French Phrases

About

Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
learn more about my story

Want free access to my 30-minute travel budgeting course?

(AD) I could literally stare at my map from Trip M (AD) I could literally stare at my map from Trip Map - Push Pin Travel Maps for hours😍 (Honestly, I probably already have!) 

📍I am entirely impressed with how detailed it is, especially because my hometown of St. Louis is on the map.  I love being able to show my French friends *exactly* where I live because most maps aren’t big enough to show my mid-sized hometown of St. Louis. 

💪Although the map is plenty big – and I ordered the smallest size – it’s not excessively heavy, which makes it easy to move and install. 

🇱🇹Although their small team is based in Lithuania, they ship worldwide. They have a crazy big selection of colors and styles, and naturally, I picked the pink one. Are we surprised?

🌟As much as I love maps, a map is a map. But with Trip Map World, I can make it mine. The whole point of their maps is to personalize them, and I love that I can showcase my postcards. I love that I can grow into my Trip Map World board for years to come.

Use code KRISTIN5 for 5% off!

Link in bio has 3 ways to decorate your home with maps🗺

#tripmapworld #mytinyatlas #tapif #tapifusa #assistantdelangue #assistantsdelanuge #cartography #maps #worldmaps #worldmap #postcard #postcards #postcardlover #postcardtraveler #homedecor #homedecorideas #vivelafrance #francophile #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder10k #map
Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if yo Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if you agree!

It's so easy for me to get stuck in the past or focused on the future — so much so that I made this quote my lock screen for a looooong time. It's funny how forgetful we are as humans: We long for the future, but once we're there, we crave the past.

🌍I love how travel reminds me to be present. When you've saved up, planned and dreamed about a trip for so long, OF COURSE you want to savor each moment. But it's a great lesson for our everyday life, too.

❓How do you keep yourself in the present? I like keeping a gratitude journal. Tell me in the comments!

 #blogginglife #dametravel #dametraveler #blogger #girlswhotravel #travelquotes #quotes #inspirational #bloggerunder5k #bloggerlifestyle #bloggersofinstagram #bloggervibes #bloggersgetsocial #travelblogger #instablog #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #quotable #eze #ezefr #tapif #assistantdelangue #tapifusa
Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine day Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine days truly changed my life😍 About 7 years ago, I was taking AP European History and heard about a summer trip to Europe with my high school. London, Paris, Florence and Rome.

Yep, we were that group of students walking around Europe with our lanyards and headsets. I got those jitters when I saw Europe in its glory for the first time. And I still do.

If you would’ve told me then that I’d move to France during a global pandemic, I’d tell you you’re complètement fou.

But here’s the thing: that trip with @EFtours stirred something inside of me, and it has yet to settle. It was a longing to see and experience the world with my own two eyes. And it inspired me to start my travel blog, to continue with my French studies, to study abroad and to move to France.

This ain't sponsored (but I sure wish it were!), and I mean with my whole heart those few days in high school set me onto this path. And for that, I am beyond grateful.

🤔What about you? Can you point to a specific moment or experience that set you on the path you're on today, all these years later? Tell me about it⬇️

@ef #eftours #efabroad #educationfirst #inspo #inspiring #efgapyear #efexplorer #completementfou #expatlife #whereicamefrom #expat #expatdiary #microinfluencer #microinfluencers #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder10k #francophile
One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so mu One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so much dang paperwork and many complicated processes🙈

💰I have several bank accounts in the U.S. and France. I'm paid in euros, but I still have recurring subscriptions on my American credit card. I'm also all about growing my savings and getting those credit card points on my American account.

What👏to👏do?👏

❌I tried sending money directly from my French bank account to my American credit card bill. It worked, but there was bigger fee. And it was only to pay off charges, not grow savings.

✅But then a friend introduced me to @TransferWise and now I am set! I can easily transfer between my different checking accounts for the lowest rates I ever did see. Plus,  I'm still able to grow my savings and investment accounts in America.

❓OK but what is it?! @TransferWise is a third-party site that transfers money between accounts from all over the world. They price compare their rates with other companies. Their site is super easy to use and explains the whole process. And the rates were crazy low and not as high as the transfer I made directly through my banks.

🔗Bop over to link in bio for the link to get a free account and the other 5 things every expat needs.

#expat #expatlife #americanabroad #americansabroad #assistantsdelangue #eslteacher #teflteacher #tefl #esl #englishteacher #americaninfrance #americansinfrance #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder1k #microinfluencer #wanderlust #tapif #tapifusa @tapifusa @assistantsdelangue #albi #albifrance #france
Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small w Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small world” moments?🌏

☀️Back in 2017, I spent a summer in Toulouse. One weekend, my friends and I went on a road trip to a slew of villages in southwestern France. They were truly some of the best days of my life: we stayed in my friend’s castle🏰(casual), we swam in the river + sunbathed, we drank wine + played games, we explored idyllic villages.

One of my favorite spots with the sweetest of nostalgic memories was in a small village called Laguépie. Population: ~600. Whenever people asked me my favorite place in France, nobody ever knew where I was talking about. It wasn’t in the magazines or travel blogs. (Ahem, it’s on mine!)

➡️Fast forward to 2020. I’m preparing to leave for France and am keeping a close eye on my teaching program’s Facebook page. An American girl posted in the group about her time in Marseille, and we began messaging. She helped me with a million and one things during my move to France, and we’ve stayed in touch and become good friends.

Earlier this month, I visited Albi to see her along with her French boyfriend, who’s from a small village. He never told me the name, but as we were sipping wine and eating saucissons, he said something about Laguépie.

“WHAT?! Did you say Laguépie? I’ve been there and fell in L O V E!” He said, no, we can’t be talking about the same place, no one ever goes to my hometown😂 But after showing him my photos, including ones the village’s castle @chateau_louvielcastel reposted, it was one and the same.

Can someone queue “Invisible String” because what a small world this is that we’re all connected. Do you have any wild stories like that? Tell me in the comments⬇️

#laguepie #laguépie #viaur #franceprofonde #lafranceprofonde #microinfluencer #tarn #garonne #occitanie #frenchvillage #vivelafrance #stmartinlaguepie #bloggersunder5k #bloggersunder2k #bloggersunder1k #bloggersunder10k #itsasmallworld #smallworld #jaimelafrance #patrimoine @occitanietourisme
What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌 What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌

✈️I love finding travel destinations + itineraries, easy recipes and decorating ideas. My guess is that you've found some blogs and ideas you love through this site. 

😍I'm even more obsessed with how @pinterest serves to grow my blog and brand.

Currently kicking myself for not getting on the Pinterest for Business train sooner because this site is truly a game changer. I went from a personal account with a wedding board and gluten-free board with recipes I’d never tried to a bustling business board with more than 400,000 monthly visitors. And most of that is not from advertising.

📈I took a free @jennakutcher webinar on how to use Pinterest for Business and saw massive growth. And the best part? You can schedule out content for an entire week in just 30 minutes to an hour. 

⏩Pinterest is my top driver of traffic, and if you want to upgrade your blog like a pro, this is where you need to invest your time, hands down.

Want to learn how you can use Pinterest to grow your blog, brand or biz? Head over to link in bio for my best blogging tips💯

#bloggergirl #blogginglife #blog #blogger #girlswhotravel #bloggingtips #bloggingadvice #getrich #sidehustle #sidegig #monetize #monetizeyourblog #bloggerunder5k #bloggerlifestyle #bloggersofinstagram #bloggervibes #bloggersgetsocial #travelblogger #instablog #monetizeyourbrand #monetizeyourpassion #cassis #france #cassisfr
Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰 This med Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰

This medieval village enchanted me so much so I almost teared up as we left because I just didn’t want to go. If there are castles, sea views and charm, I’m so there. And Èze checks all these boxes✅ 

😍This medieval village is a labyrinth of cobblestone and windy paths, but the steps are worth it. There are shops and restaurants along the way to the top where you get sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

🌵Once you make it to the top, you have to pay to enter the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, and I can't recommend it enough. (Be sure to ask about the combo deal that includes both the garden in Èze and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild nearby.)

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 30-minute drive or 15 minute train ride

Craving more photos + day trip ideas from Nice? Head over to link in bio ❤️

#nicefrance #nicefr #nice #southernfrance #eze #èze #ezefr #ezefrance #ezevillage #medievalvillage #seaside #seasidedining #seasidelunch #mediterraneansea #mediterranean #oceanviews #microinfluencer #tapif #tapifusa #assistantsdelangue #assistantdelangue #tefl #esl #eslteacher #teflteacher #teachabroad #teachabroadfrance #jardinexotique #microinfluencer
Copyright © 2021 round trip
Theme by SheShoppes
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.