Traveller Profile - Lucy
Introducing our featured traveller profile for the month of October - Lucy. Check out Lucys travel background below…
Hi, I’m Lucy, a 31-year-old Aussie who moved to the UK 5 years ago to work as an imaging technologist. Wanderlust inherited from my parents was a big factor in my move across the world. Using the UK as a base I have spent a lot of time travelling throughout Europe, documenting my adventures in photographs that you can find on my Instagram @aliceabroad88 (Alice is my middle name). I’ve been to 18 countries so far, but I have many more on my list. My last trip was to Russia, which I highly recommend, and my next will be Portugal when we’re able to travel again.
1. Why do you travel?
I think I was born with a sense of wanderlust. I’ve always loved to learn about people, their history and their culture and travelling provides the opportunity to explore these things in exciting new environments.
Saint Augustine’s quote ‘the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page’, emphasises my belief that if you never go anywhere, you’ll have a very limited view of the world.
2. Tell us your favourite: a place to visit, mode of transport and source to get travel info.
Of all the places I’ve visited, Iceland and Russia are my most memorable travel destinations. From its black-sand beaches to glacial plateaus, endless waterfalls and giant lava fields, Iceland is simply stunning.
With its imposing architecture and communist history, Russia might sound like an intimidating travel destination, but it was a pleasant surprise.
My favourite mode of transport is walking or cycling. Besides saving money, by taking side streets and less popular routes, I have stumbled across some hidden gems in my travels. I’m also quite partial to underground rail systems like the S-Bahn and Metro as I find them easy to navigate.
For travel advice, I often turn to friends and I love travel sites like Lonely Planet.
3. What is your favourite travel memory?
Too many to just pick one! A couple of my favourites would have to be road-tripping across Iceland chasing the Northern lights and trying the world’s fastest zipline in Wales.
4. What's the most important thing you've learned while travelling?
I travel solo a lot and I’ve learnt not to be afraid to ask for help if I need it. Locals can usually pick tourists and are generally happy to assist if you ask.
5. Who would you love to sit next to on your next flight?
David Attenborough would be a dream to sit next to on a flight. I think he’s remarkable, especially considering his age, and I’m sure he’d have some incredible stories to tell. He’s been everywhere too so I’m sure he’d have some great travel tips!
6. What's your best money-saving tip to travel?
Whilst I do enjoy trying local cuisine, I tend to book accommodation with kitchen facilities so I can cook every other night to save money on eating out. I find the experience of shopping in local stores for supplies a bit of an adventure too.
7. How do you deal with the post-holiday blues?
Start planning my next adventure.
8. What's one thing you like to do in every place you visit?
Visit a local supermarket. I love to see and try different produce that may be unavailable in my own country.
9. Travelling can leave a big environmental footprint, how do you minimise yours?
As stated before, I try to walk as much as possible, or if bikes are available I’ll cycle. I always carry my own re-fillable water bottle too.
10. Plan an around the world trip for us, stopping in one city only on each continent.
Sydney, Australia
Kathmandu, Nepal
Cairo, Egypt
Lisbon, Portugal
Havana, Cuba
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Thanks, Lucy. I love your perspective on travel.
To read past traveller profiles; click here.
Each month an enthusiastic traveller will share with us their personal stories from their adventures around the world. If you would like to be featured in the upcoming months then please drop us a note below…