A tribute to the top female travel bloggers.
She’s the woman who you invite somewhere and will actually go.
Unless of course she can’t, only because she’s on her way to another adventure.
She’s the woman who has been enough places to treat everyone with kindness.
But probably did so before her first road trip.
She’s the woman who isn’t always unafraid, but willing to face her fears.
She’s the woman who shares the traveler spirit, even when she isn’t going anywhere. But who are we joking — she is going everywhere, both physically and figuratively.
She’s compassionate, strong-willed, polite but unconventional, and redefines pretty with an adventurous heart.
In lieu of International Woman’s Day this week, I would like bring your attention to several women pushing the boundaries of business, media, culture and adventure.
You might know them as the top female travel bloggers; but they are doing so much more than jumping out of airplanes.
It struck me when browsing through a post showcasing a new “normal” Barbie doll how much time and money the media spends telling us that our fat, our acne, our scars, our physical “imperfections” are still beautiful. Hello, you’re still focusing on what’s on the outside, and not who’s getting out there.
I guess I’ve never worried that I’m too short (5 ‘1 1/2 + heels), or too brunette, or too whatever to be beautiful. This is mostly because I’ve assumed that my bubbly personality, strengths in leadership, and a heart bigger than my butt is what makes me attractive. I don’t feel intimidated by women who look Photoshopped because I’m too busy being inspired by women who climb mountains, start businesses, and are billboard examples of how to treat others.
I feel pretty when I think about who I am and what I’ve done, not what I look like.
I am not sure what makes you feel “pretty,” but when I look at these women, I think pretty awesome.
Happy day, every day, to International Women.
Cheers to my favorite alpha females, and strictly as an opinion from a fellow solo female traveler, the top female travel bloggers:
When You Thought Adventure Was Too Expensive.
Top Female Travel Bloggers for Budget Travel:
When people say that travel is too expensive, I direct them to legends Anna and Sabrina, who have both travelled full-time with an income less than $10,000 a year before building their blogs into a budget travelers’ paradise.
1. Anna Kate, The Legendary Adventures of Anna
For five years, Anna has been a full-time solo adventure traveler. Being alone didn’t stop her from hiking Trolltunga in Norway, bungee jumping in Ecuador, and taking twelve hours of buses across the Dominican Republic.
Connect with Anna: Blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
2. Sabrina Iovino, Just One Way Ticket
From Malaysia’s islands to volunteering in wildlife orphanages in Africa and uncovering the less glamorous side of the Philippines. Sabrina’s blunt, whole-hearted adventures show us that not only can you see the world on a budget, you can make it a better place too.
Connect with Sabrina: Blog, Facebook, Twitter
3. Gloria Altanmo, The Blog Abroad
With a powerful and memorable voice, Glo pens her adventures as a black American woman taking on the world. From festivals to beaches, Gloria will warm your heart with her smile and passion.
Connect with Glo: Website Facebook Instagram Youtube
Best Solo Female Travel Bloggers
I’m not the only one who has given up a cubicle career post-graduation to work while on the go. The following ladies have managed to match business and passion, facing real-life fears greater than bungee jumping (although we’ve all done that too ;))
4. Kristin Addis, Be My Travel Muse
The UCSB alumni traded banking for solo hikes and hitchhiking throughout Asia (seriously). A digital nomad, Kristin continues to be a full-time adventure seeker across borders and is your go to female travel blogger.
Connect with Kristin: Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
5. Kiersten Rich, The Blonde Abroad
Goodbye corporate life, hello food, fashion, and festivals around the world. This bikini #BossBabe is more of a lady in leadership than meets the eye. She’s a keynote speaker, brand consultant, and global advocate for female adventure. Kiersten kicked the cubicle, and even features a series on her blog of women who have challenged traditional careers for a professional life of adventure.
Connect with Kiersten: Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
6. Brooke Saward, World of Wanderlust
At twenty-two, Brooke left her home in Tasmania, Australia to conquer the globe. She quickly became an internet sensation and personal favorite of my own. Brooke sells e-books, created an app, and blogs transcontinentally, 100% full time.
Connect with Brooke: Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Best Female Travel Bloggers for Couples Travel
Being a female traveler doesn’t mean that you have to venture on your own. The following women are partners in the adventure world, proving that fairy tale endings are for thrill seekers too.
7. Deb, The Planet D
Deb and Dave started their transcontinental journey pursuing careers as musicians. Reality hit and they pursued creative, yet conventional careers abroad in Toronto. Eventually, they made their dreams into goals and became full-time travelers. If their photos don’t inspire you, I really don’t know what will.
Connect with The Planet D: Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
8. Mapping Megan
Oh hi, imagine being American and falling in love with an Aussie in Tanzania, Africa, getting married with a volcano as a backdrop, and then continue traveling the world as a pair. Megan has skydived in the Swiss Alps, gone sand-boarding in Peru, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, and overcome the obstacles of a traveling as a couple.
Connect with Megan: Blog, Facebook, Twitter
The YouTube Experts
Best Female Travel Bloggers on YouTube
The YouTube industry (much like the adventure industry, oh wait, most like most industries) is strongly dominated by men. These women show that adventure sees no gender!
9. Rachel Rudwall, Rachel Roams
After shining behind the scenes, Rachel finally got in front of the camera to put a lens on the world. Seen in Thrillist, the Travel Channel, and an Emmy award winner, she partners up with Andrea (below) for How 2 Travelers.
Connect with Rachel: Blog, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
10. Andrea Fzecko, Ultra World Host
Because a degree from NYU isn’t enough, Andrea jet sets around the world to host ULTRA Music Festival. Can I have your life please?
Connect with Andrea: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube
The Professional Instagrammers
Best Female Travel Bloggers on Instagram
Yep, no big deal.
Well, it is a big deal. Developing a community on social media, sharpening your photography skills, and giving up a traditional job to see the world isn’t easy (I would know — it’s actually miserably difficult). However, these women triumph with adventure and are role modelers in the traveler Instagram community. You’ve probably seen me mention them before because I have groupie love for their photos. There are real, strong adventurous women behind those cameras (or like iPhone’s). Check them out here!
11. Lauren Bath, @LaurenEpBath
Recognized as Australia’s first professional Instagrammer, Lauren Bath will take you from Alberta to Dubai on your mobile device. A marketing strategist specializing in tourism, she CREATED a dreamy new career for all of us after giving up life as a chef.
Connect with Lauren: Instagram, Facebook, Google +
12. Sylvia, @Goldie_Berlin
Imagine being so good at what you do (traveling and taking pictures) that you can develop an entire company connecting fellow influencers to brands? Germany based founder of Brandnew IO manages her business while country hopping, and somehow still manages to comment on my Instagram photos. Goodness Sylvia, I don’t know how you do it!
Connect with Sylvia: Blog, Instagram, and Facebook
13. Ciler, @AudioSoup
Turkish hospitality and kindness is nothing will have you loving Ciler, a photographer, music junkie, and world traveler. An Istanbul native who reminds us that home itself has many wonders; she’ll also take you from Tanzania to Greece.
Connect with Ciler: Instagram and Facebook
14. Jewels Zee,
There’s a transparent kindness to Jewels Zee. You just know she was terrified to pursue Instagram professionally. but with talent like hers, it was an inevitable route. She continues to travel the world being a role model for her own daughters as well as young and old women and men alike.
Connect with Jewels: Facebook and Instagram
Women Whose Health Led Them To Travel
Most Inspirational Female Travel Bloggers
There’s nothing that I admire more than people who turn their obstacles into opportunities to live life to the fullest!
15. Nastasia Yakoub, Dame Traveler
Nastasia had just finished her nursing degree when she became bedridden from back surgery.
Unable to perform the physically demanding career she had invested her time and money to pursue, Nastasia developed a female-empowering community through Instagram which has since become a motivational blog. Nastasia also recently release a coffee table book featuring her favorite solo female travelers. Check it out.
Connect with Dame Traveler: Blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
16. Misha, Wild Luxe
Misha, mother of two, combated cancer by unleashing her adventurous side. Her honesty and experiences make her more than a survivor: she’s an inspiration to live life everyday like you’re alive… because guess what, you are!
Connect with Wild Luxe: Blog, Instagram, Facebook
For the Love our Earth
Best Female Travel Bloggers for Eco-Tourism
I would like to think that all professional travelers are environmentally conscious. After all, how can we show you the world if we don’t take care of it? This next female travel blogger is a hero type of her own.
17. Alison’s Adventures
Alison Teal was a “Tarzan Child” raised in the wild by award-winning National Geographic photographers. She has been deemed “The Oprah of Adventure,” yet holds degrees from USC and UC Berkley. A pioneer in sustainability, the avid surfer also advocates for Go Green. Her surfboards are “made from soy based sustainable products, recycled coffee cups, and other Styrofoam.” If that wasn’t cool enough, she actually sells clothing (yoga pants, bikinis, and shirts) made from recycled water bottles! Your green hero in pink: Alison Teal :)
Connect with Alison: Website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
18. Vanessa Rivers, Glitter&Mud Travel, SummerLove Swimwear
Vanessa went beyond her love of surfing and travel to create an eco-friendly swimwear line. The fabric consists of “100% regenerated polyamide fiber made from pre-consumer and post-consumer materials such as fishing nets, carpet fluff, and other waste diverted from landfills.”
Connect with Vanessa: Glitter&Mud Travel, Summer Love Swimwear, Facebook, Twitter
Female Travel Bloggers with a Full-Time Job
For anyone who runs one of the best female travel blogs, you know that travel and work is a full time job. However, there are people who have a conventional career and live an adventurous life.
Above all, I admire women who are doers, who push the boundaries of life and live to the fullest. You don’t have to quit your job to travel. So many more cheers to the women who don’t have a blog or social media community based on their adventurous lifestyle.
One of my best friends, included:
19. Laurie Satran
What better way to get past a divorce than allowing your company to re-locate you? Moving from Philly to Amsterdam, then a small town in Sweden, Laurie spent her weekends exploring Europe and discovering her true self. An “Ikea Backpacker,” photographer and Huffington Post blogger, Laurie jet-setting proof that you can always pursue your wildest dreams.
It’s never too late.
Connect with Laure: Instagram and Twitter
20. Who would you have added to this list?
You can learn more about me by navigating through this blog and connecting with me on social media. Links are below.
TravelBreak Posts You Might Like:
My Top 25 World Travel Experiences at 25 (Photos)
Baby, Don’t Buy Me Roses – – Take Me Somewhere New
My Top 25 USA & Mexico Travel Experiences at 25 (Photos)
This list is pretty awesome. In honor of International Women’s Day these lists are highly inspiring. Thank you for introducing me to everyone here, on this list.
Thank you for reading Kerry!
Great post and I love seeing the diversity. Thanks so much for including me in this list of excellent women. I know and love many of them and I’ll be sure to check out those that I don’t Nice to see that you included some couples too.
Thanks Deb for being so awesome! I think that sometimes in the #girlpower movement, it’s easy to over-look the power of women who are also in relationships!
Cheers!
Loving this post- thank you for highlighting REAL women worth the title of role model. xo
Thanks for reading Hannah!
What a great post Steph! Thank you for including me =)
Oh, Paula Froelich NEEDS to be on your list. http://www.abroadabroad.com
Yes very inspirational!
Love this inspiring post! Adventurous is def the new pretty!
Hi Nicole, thanks for reading!
This is great. I will have to show this to my wife – she will love it too! She is a military spouse/mom travel blogger who has had to put her career as a clinical mental health counselor on hold for me but thrown her passion into our family adventures. She has sacrificed so much but always focuses on the good. She isn’t blogging for the followers, but instead as a “gift” for our children, which makes the writing pure, not pandering. I know all that work is helpful and inspiring to others, too! You should have a “mom” category! :) Check out homebasehungary.com !!
Congratulations Megan – what an exciting post. Always enjoy your adventures – you are so inspiring and so very very proud of you. xo
Hi Pam, thanks for reading. Megan is AWESOME.
Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for including me on this list! I see some women I really admire and I can’t wait to check out those I haven’t heard of before! Great job!
Thanks Anna :) It was my pleasure to include you!
This is such great inspiration! I also quit the cubicle life and have started a blog at atlasxangela.com to document my full time travels. I hope to one day have as awesome of a presence as these girls! I will be tagging #travelbreak soon for sure!
Thanks Angela! Congrats on your decision, and everything you are over-coming in this process. I know how challenging it can be!
Team #TravelBreak
What a fantastic collection of inspirational women! I look forward to reading about their adventures! Now I know what I will be reading between training hikes for my second adventure on the Camino de Santiago this summer… Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like you’re on team adventurous :) Thanks for reading Elissa!
Thx for the feature, I’m honored to be named along such great bloggers…!
I had to include you! Keep doing your thing Sabs, I love it!
What a great list! I just started traveling solo for the first time last month and with this list of great women, they surely inspire me to do it again and again!
Keep at it Syezzy! If it makes you happy, do it!
Great list. Am familiar with less than half so I have some weekend reading here to catch up. Only comment is how about some older women? The travel life isn’t exclusively for the young! Barbara from Hole in the Donut springs to mind for one.
Hi Linda, Thanks for reading! A lot of these women are actually a little older (40s), not that that is old, just older than me :) I know that there are some women in their 50s and likely over 100 still living life to its fullest — my grandma is one of them!
Great list! Though you should also include women of other ethnicity like to the far east. I am a reader of your blog and would love if you could feature Asians too like me!
I recommend Aileen of http://www.iAmAileen.com! She is an inspiration much like these girls here! :D
Hi Mia,
Thanks for reading! I’m Mexican-American, so I understand your interest in diversity.
Nastasia is Chaldean which is Iraqui Christian, Ciler is Turkish and based in Istanbul, and Laurie is Asian-American. I did invite a few Europeans, Americans, and Australia because that happens to be where I know most travelers from. A lot of these women I have had the privilege of meeting in person and who have given me the time of day even as a newer blogger. It was important for me to include and celebrate the women who are supportive and inspire me, personally. I’ll check out the other blog though, thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for including me on this wonderful list. I am honored. You are awesome Steph!
It was such a pleasure to have you! You are such an inspiration!
Aaaaannnd there goes my night as I dive into a black hole of discovering these wonderful lady bloggers! I knew about half on the list but thanks for introducing a few more fabulous addictions to my blogging stalk list! Awesome way to celebrate International Womens Day (or any Sunday!)
Great Post and such an amazing group of ladies! I literally went to every page and felt so inspired by each one!
Gabby
@local_nomads
localnomads.com
Thanks for reading Gaby, great blog!
Awesome list! Can’t wait to get to know the women here that I’m not familiar with, always looking for new sources of inspiration! :)
Thanks for reading Leah!
Wow, love this list! I’ve added some new blogs to my reading list. Looking forward to following more amazing women :) (and appreciate the inclusion of some couples!)
Thank you for reading!
I think you are missing a Latina one! Olga Maria of http://www.dreamsinheels.com and love her Instagram. Instagram.com/dreamsinheels because it has inspired me to start traveling more. I don’t see many Latinas being represented in the travel industry. Something I wish to help change in the future.
I am Latina :) First-generation Mexican-American. You must not read my blog very often or follow me on social media because I often write my captions in Spanish now.
I got left out :(
There are so many great travelers that aren’t included in this blog post. I wrote it a year and a half ago, and these were the first women who I discovered — furthermore, the ones that encouraged me as a newbie blogger.
Yay! I love a lot of these bloggers, and so many of them are great people to boot <3
Me too! There are others that are incredible too. These are some of the first I was introduced to. Thanks for reading :)
Great! Love to see women being so inspirational!
We travel almost everywhere by 2 or 3 women, lot’s of laugh and fun this way:))
Surprised “Hey Nadine” wasn’t mentioned :)
Will definitely check out the people in the aerticle
Nadine is fantastic! Most of the women in this article I had personally met — I met Nadine later!
Great list. You missed Alyssa Ramos @mylifesamovie.com or Instagram @mylifesatravelmovie
She is amazing! This article had been written before Alyssa really started blogging.
AMAZED REALLY I MEAN ALL THESE LADIES ARE SO INSPIRATIONAL ..THEY JUST QUIT OF GOOD LIVING STYLE JUST BECAUSE OF HAVING TRAVELLING AND NEW ADVENTURES OF LIFE
Hey Stephanie, great list. I appreciate your effort in putting this great list of female travelers. While I don’t get to travel as much as these adventurous women do (office wage slave here), they sure are a healthy source of inspiration.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for reading! I feel you — working in travel media makes us a slave to airports and instability. Route isn’t always terrible! Everything is a cost-benefit equation. I do hope they serve as an inspiration, given they inspire me too :) Happy travels and remember that it’s quality experiences, not quantity of travel that counts!
Great post! I totally agree…
Love to read your blog, I´ve discovered this Blog at the right moment. Thank you!
Thanks for reading and best wishes in your travels!
Yes, Yes and Yes! I love this post! especially because not only do they all look awesome, they’re also extremely practical!
My own experience of travelling alone made me to work on a project to provide women safe travel platform.
Looking forward to bring this project to business with a message for ladies to step out of their comfort zones.
Amazing! Listing a female travelers was great. I like this blog, seems interesting. I hope I could be the one on the list someday, I should travel more. One word I described your blog ” WOOOW” , keep on posting on your blog. God bless!
I love this! I met a lot of these women in my travels and they truly are remarkable. I haven’t seen Rachel Rudwall in years but she’s certainly a great fit for this list. :)
Cheers to adventurous women.
Thank you for introducing me to more of “my tribe”. It’s so inspiring to follow the adventures, life-lessons, and pure joy that accompanies travel.
“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
Thank you for introducing me to more of “my tribe”. It’s so inspiring to follow the adventures, life-lessons, and pure joy that accompanies travel.
“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.”
Mary Anne Radmacher
Thanks for reading!
Great blog. Female traveller is the symbols of bravery and independence. So proud being ONE.
What a great post! I love your blog in general, but I think this is my favorite post. I’m going to check these bloggers out asap. Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading :)
Wonder blog post. Love to read more stuffs based on travel the world, travel to nepal, Himalayan exploration and stuffs.
One of the perfect destinations for all the tourist who love adventure and seek places for backpacking in Nepal. Not only being small, safe and comparatively cheaper, Backpacking Nepal comes along with an array of other activities that drive tourist attraction.
I’d love to visit Nepal sometime!
Great blog, I just created my blog and hoping I will be also posted in your blog. :) These female bloggers will be my inspiration in creating my posts.
Thanks for sharing this travel blog. I found this list very useful. Hope you will update more information soon. Happy to read your fantastic blog.
Thanks for reading! I’m in the process of re-designing the site, and with it will roll out new articles!
Awesome article, thank you! Adventures in Good Company is an active travel company for women with adventurous spirits. We offer small group adventures that encourage women of all ages.We create experiences of a lifetime for women seeking a new adventure. Every year an amazingly diverse group of women join us on our adventures but one thing connects them all- women who travel with us are women who love being outdoors.
Awesome blog.. ❤️❤️ So if you have time, I invite you to have a look at my diyaluma_falls site. Have a nice day!
Amazing post, thanx for sharing this article. I am truly motivated by your post.
Thanx again!!!
Yes! i love this blogger, thanks for sharing the list
I absolutely loved highlighting the female bloggers in the different travel niches. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks for introducing me to so many great women travel bloggers. It will be fun getting travel inspiration from these ladies.
Nice article!
Thankѕ for the mаrvelous posting! Really helpful travel blogger tips.
Congratulations for the initiative. We women need to empower ourselves more and more. I loved the profiles.
Such a nice article. Thanks for sharing
Excellent! Thank you for sharing such quality travel blogs with us! I have a question for you) Where did you decide to leave your luggage?
Great article, great blog!
Great stuff
Thanks for sharing 🙂! I learned a lot through this.
really inspiring for travel around world,, hope you see you visit Mt kailash in Tibet …
Incredible! Reading travel blogs truly is the best way to get tips that are backed up by personal experience, and seeing more and more females take on travel destinations that were previously seen as ‘dangerous for women’ is truly fab. Here’s to us!