Random Traveller #99 with Sofie from Wonderful Wanderings

Welcome to round 99 of ‘Meet a Random Traveller’. The series dedicated to bringing attention to fantastic people all around the world doing their thing.

Random Traveller #99

Who are you?

I’m Sofie and I live in Leuven, a Belgian university city. Ever since I was little my parents have taken me (and later also my younger brother) abroad during school holidays. At first we went on typical family holidays. You know: all-inclusive resorts or hotels where you get two meals per day and that have at least two swimming pools.

As we got older, my parents thought us to really travel. We went city tripping and road tripping, took walks into nature and learned what fine dining was. Those trips mostly took us around Western Europe, but also to the US, Turkey and Egypt.

I’ve inherited my fondness of planning from my father and as soon as I know I’ll be going somewhere, I’ll start researching and organizing, even if the trip itself is still months away.

Unlike many successful travel bloggers I’m not a nomad, nor an expat. I share an apartment with my boyfriend in the same city I studied in for four years and have a full time job at an editorial company. Although I’d love to travel more and longer, I don’t feel the urge to be on the road all the time. I like having a place I can really call my own and being able to see my parents whenever I want. That doesn’t mean I’d say no to an RTW-trip or would never move abroad. It’s just not a priority at this moment. (Very) Frequent travel is, though.

A few other things about me: I love chocolate and tea, am very impatient and have a terrible fear of heights.

Choosing pinxtos in Bilbao

What’s the deal? 

Ever since I started high school I knew I wanted to do something with language: write, edit, translate… I’ve studied Literature and Linguistics at university (and Cultural Management after that) and landed my first real job at the Belgian Press Agency Belga.

But something was missing. I wanted to share something from myself and after a great day trip to Düsseldorf I knew what: my travels. I’d always loved to travel, to tell other people about my experiences abroad and to help friends plan their own trip, so why wouldn’t I take things to a bigger scale?

I’d been following a couple of blogs for a while already and after more than a month of thorough research and writing my first articles I took the leap: Wonderful Wanderings was born!

At first I just wanted to share travel tips and reports, but the more I learned about blogging and especially about the online travel community, I wanted to get more involved. With Wonderful Wanderings I want to show people that you can perfectly combine travel with a job and that everyone can create his or her own wonderful wandering.

In front of the amazing chocolate shop and bar Gut & Gerne in Düsseldorf

If you had to settle down in one location tomorrow where would it be?

Los Angeles. I know this is an answer not many people would give, but I’ve been there twice now (plus one night, but that doesn’t count) and I just love the vibe there. It’s a city that makes me feel like anything is possible. On top of that, you’re close to the mountains, to the sea and to great nature. And, most importantly: the climate ROCKS.

Enjoying a quiet moment in Los Angeles

What’s your favourite type of transportation and is there one particular journey that sticks in your mind?

I definitely prefer traveling by car, although I mostly travel by plane because it’s easier, cheaper and a time saver in comparison with traveling by car.

I usually just rent a car when I’m somewhere for a longer period of time. I just love the freedom it brings. Being able to drive wherever you want, whenever you want, regardless of time tables and such.

I’ve really enjoyed driving through Portugal the past summer. Boyfriend and I flew to Lisbon where we picked up our car. We then made a loop to the north and back down again. Portugal is great to drive through. Wonderful nature and with a GPS, everything’s easy to find. The fact that we had a convertible didn’t hurt either.

An amazing view cruising through the Douro Valley

How do you fund your travels?

I have a full time job at an editorial company so I have a steady salary to fund my travels. I do have to pay attention to what I spend when I’m not traveling, though. Travel has become my number 1 spending priority so I don’t go shopping or eat out very often.

Besides that I’m trying to monetize and professionalize my blog a bit and… *drums* I’m starting a freelance side-gig on January 1!

You’ll be able to hire me for practically any online writing: SEO, blog posts, magazine articles, website content … You need it, I’ll create it. I’ve always been passionate about writing and I figured now’s as good as any time to take the leap.

What’s Next?

In the summer of 2014 Boyfriend and I plan to go to the south of France for two weeks. To Barcarés, to be precise. When he was younger his parents took him there to go wind surfing and he’d love to do that again, so we’ll just make it happen. We plan to drive there from Belgium (where we live) and stop at some places along the way.

Besides that trip I don’t have any concrete travel plans for 2014 just yet. I’ve already got a couple ideas and I’m doing some research, but nothing’s set in stone just yet. So, if anyone has a nice offer: feel free to let me know! ☺

A big thanks to Sofie for taking part, great to have you.

Be sure to check her out here:
Blog: Wonderful Wanderings
Twitter: @WondWand
Facebook: /WondWanderings

Fancy being Random Traveller #100? Contact us.