In this episode of the Meet The Blogger Series we meet Nick H., another blogger that I met and became friends with in Chicago while attending BlogHouse. Nick is the author of the travel blog ‘Nick’s Travel Bug‘ and each week, the ‘adrenaline junkie’ shares his adventure stories and travel tips.

Nick with a monkey in Costa Rica

Currently Resides In: Austin, Texas

Current Occupation: Travel Blogger / Financial Consultant

Number of years Traveling: 6

Countries Lived In: Spain (3 months); Thailand (1 month)

Nick on Blogging

How did you get into travel blogging?

I started my blog back in early 2009 when I had just graduated university and was taking off for a 6-month backpacking trip around Europe. It started as a way for my family and friends to keep in touch with me. Then I started attending TBEX travel blogging events and realized what a great community it is.

What 3 articles should everyone check out on your blog?

Nick at Pai Canyon

Advice for travel bloggers:

With all of the travel blogs out there now, make sure you have a unique angle on whatever you’re writing about. Also, make sure your personality shines through in all of your writing, whether on your own blog or writing for some other publication. That’s why your audience will follow you.

Nick on Traveling

What is your first travel memory/How did you begin traveling?

I spent a summer living in Barcelona, Spain during college for a study abroad program. After the program I traveled around Spain a bit and was almost instantly hooked.

How do you plan the destinations you are going to travel to?

Planning trips for me is part attending cool events or festivals going on in a certain place (like when I went to the London Olympics) and part recommendations from friends and other travelers (like Sagres, Portugal).

What places have you traveled to that surprised you?

I knew I was going to like Prague based on photos I had previously seen, but I couldn’t believe how much it felt like it was straight out of a Disney fairy tale. It’s definitely one of the most photogenic cities I’ve been to.

Prague (Photo by Nick)

What are three things that traveling has taught you?

Be flexible about your travel plans. Don’t make strict plans because things ALWAYS change and you may get some great recommendations from people you meet on the road. Plus, you may decide you want to spend more or less time in a place once you arrive.
The people you meet will influence your opinion of a place more than anything else. Nights out with great people will be a lot more memorable than that museum or cathedral you saw.
Folks living in relatively poor countries that don’t own much are usually the happiest, most friendly people I’ve met compared with people in more consumer-centric places like the US.

Favorite travel quote:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

People Who Inspire You To Travel?

Chris Guillebeau
Ken Kaminesky
Matt Karsten

How do your friends/family feel about you traveling alone?

My parents used to worry about me going all over the place. Now they just follow my Facebook page to make sure I post at least every couple days.

Yi Peng Lantern Festival (Photo by Nick)

Upcoming Travel Plans:

I’m planning to hang out in Austin for a while even though it’s ungodly hot here right now, although the people and the BBQ make up for it.

Since most of my trips I don’t usually plan more than a couple weeks ahead of time, I’m sure I’ll go somewhere this Fall. I’d like to get back to Thailand to see the lantern festival in November, but we’ll see how it goes. I’m also thinking about doing a scuba diving trip either to Honduras or Belize.

Other Projects/Websites:

If you are into craft beer, make sure to check out my upcoming site Craft Beer World. Sign up for the mailing list to get updates before the site launches!