Interview With Adventurers - Travelblogger Emily Luxton

• What does adventure mean to you?

It’s all about challenging yourself and getting outside of your comfort zone. Adventure doesn’t have to be anything crazy or extreme, it’s just about getting out there and pushing yourself. For me, it’s as simple as trying something new – which is always good for the soul.

• What advice would you give to someone who wants to start blogging about their adventures?

Go for it! The most important thing is to just get started – there’s only so much thinking and planning you can do! Just start writing things down and see how it goes.

Another tip I’d give is to form relationships with other bloggers on a similar level to you. Some of my closest friends are bloggers who were getting started at the same time as me. We went through it all together, grew together, and now we work together loads and share opportunities. It’s so helpful to have a strong network of people I trust around me. You can meet bloggers by going to events and conferences, or by joining groups on Facebook.

• Who’s been your biggest inspiration and why?

A lot of people have inspired me over the years! My grandad sparked my love of travel writing by sharing a few books with me, as well as stories of his own travels in Asia. My mum was another of my biggest inspirations. She went through a lot and always dealt with everything life threw at her with a smile.

• What has been your best adventure yet?

I think spending five months backpacking through South America is probably top of the list. That really was the most amazing experience – from sailing down the Amazon river in search of dolphins, to trekking to Machu Picchu, to sandboarding in the desert. There were just so many incredible adventures!

• What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about travelling solo for the first time?

Again – go for it! I honestly think that solo travel is one of the best things for the soul. You’ll learn so much about yourself and what you’re capable of. If you’re nervous or worried about being shy, I promise it will get easier as you go along. You really do just have to go for it! I wrote a blog post full of tips for solo travellers which might help anyone who is unsure about taking the plunge for the first time.

• Do you have some specific places you would recommend for solo travellers?

There are loads! I think the more well-travelled backpacker destinations, like Thailand, are a good start. The Thai islands are full of cool hostels, so it’s easy to connect with other travellers. Plus they already have a really good tourist infrastructure and there are loads of helpful blog posts and travel guides out there, making life a little easier. It’s a good way to ease yourself in.

• If you had to pick a country (other than your home country) to stay in for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?

Such a tough choice! I think it would most likely be Mexico. It’s a country I adore, and I’ve spent few months living there before. Great food, amazing weather, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people… what’s not to love?!