Next up on Travel Tales is Sam and Pete who blog over at www.travellingking.com. They’ve been focusing on travelling a lot more after their honeymoon to Thailand a few years back. Read on to find out some more about them…..
Tell us where you’re from, and a little about your blog?
Hi, we are Sam & Pete from Travellingking.com.
We are both based in our home town, Adelaide Australia, however Sam was born in Zimbabwe and moved over to Australia in 2000, Pete was born in Adelaide. We met in 2006, got married in 2011 and the rest is history.
You’ve been travelling for quite some time now, where did you start your journey, and where are you currently?
We aren’t full time travellers, both Pete and I work full time and travel when we have a free moment.
We started travelling “seriously” after our honeymoon to Thailand in 2011, since then we have been hooked!
We are both home at the moment in Adelaide however have some big trips coming up this year.
You’ve stayed in some cool spots along your travels – which one stands out the most for you?
I don’t have a favourite because they all have something unique, like our stay at the Four Seasons hotel in Sydney, we had the most amazing view of Sydney harbour. Where as when we stayed at the Palazzo Versace, we were extremely impressed by the service and facilities.
What’s your country count at the moment?
Not many – haha! Lets say 2 for the both of us (with Sam counting as 4). However we have travel extensively through Thailand and Australia.
Is there any country you’ve not yet visited that’s a must see destination for you?
Every country! Haha! I would love to go to Europe (I –Sam – just came back from a very quick trip to the UK, with a day trip to Paris), Neuschwanstein Castle, is VERY high on my bucket list.
What first made you want to travel?
Travel has always been in my blood, I have always travelled when I was little to visit family and then spending weekends away with Pete.
If you had to choose your favourite destination so far, what would it be and why?
At the moment, I LOVE London, the underground was my favourite thing, which seems silly but our public transport system in Adelaide isn’t very good. However my favourite destination changes form week to week J
Name two personal items that you can’t live without while travelling?
Only 2!!! My Laptop and my phone (or camera). I am a “techno” nerd, I love my technology.
What’s your most epic travel story to date?
I don’t really have one… I’m pretty boring! Haha! I haven’t really had anything funny or crazy happen. We did have a little incident with an emu while in the Flinders ranges, its head kind of “popped off”….
Is there one post on your blog that you prefer over all the rest? If so, then why?
Not really, they each tell a story of a different part of my life or a different experience. Some show the good and some show the bad. My most popular seems to be one about Where to Stay in Phuket. I did enjoy writing it because I get asked the question so often and it can be difficult to get your bearings if you haven’t been somewhere.
Was there a specific moment when you realised that travel was a lifestyle you wanted to pursue?
After our honeymoon to Thailand, we immediately planned another trip over to Thailand for a longer period, once we got back I decided to start an online “scrapbook” which turned into my blog.
What motivates you to keep travelling, and do you have days where you think a more settled life back home is more attractive?
We have the best of both worlds. We are at home, working full time but then travel whenever we can. I wish we could quit our jobs and travel full time however I do enjoy working and I think I enjoy my travels more because I work, I’m able to appreciate the time off more.
During your travels, what’s the best travel tip you’ve received?
Buy travel insurance! It’s so important! If you get injured while travelling it’s a great option to have. Don’t be one of those people who thinks “it wont happen to me”.
Connecting with locals can be one of the most rewarding things about travel. Do you agree?
I do agree however given the way we travel, we don’t often come into contact with many locals in their own environment, but its very interesting when we do.
Is there any one country that you’ve been to that you didn’t like, and would make you not want to return?
Not really, we have enjoyed everywhere we have travelled. I was a little put off my Paris, lots of homeless people or drunk people fighting themselves on the street… But I don’t think I would write Paris off because of it.
In order to sustain a life of travel, you need to have some sort of income stream. How have you funded your travels?
Pete and I work full time and we have a little bit of money from our blog. This is becoming more of a focus now however it is not the most important thing to us, we enjoy travelling and talking about travelling.
What are your travel plans for the future?
I’m off to QLD in a few days for the Problogger conference and then I’m working with Tourism Queensland on a Famil trip to Magnetic island (which I’m super excited about!). Then Pete and I are off to China, Singapore and the Philippines for a 3 week trip in October (travelling business class and luxury hotels the whole way!). Then I will be off to Rome for a week (yes a week from Australia!) to spend Christmas with my dad.
Favourite travel quote?
The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
Biography:
Travelling King is a luxury travel blog that focuses on affordable luxury travel and fun tourist attractions. It’s our mission to see and promote Luxury travel and all that it has to offer, through our own personal means and our website.
Website URL: http://www.travellingking.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ Travellingkingcom
Twitter name: https://twitter.com/ TravellingKing1
Hey Carlo & Florence!
Thanks so much for having us 🙂
Pleasure. Thanks for taking part. Safe travels 😉
Fellow Travel blogger here. Great Interview Samantha! Loved it! way to go!