I absolutely LOVE to travel. If I wasn’t so passionate about science and animals, I’d probably try to make a career for myself out of travelling. If anything, I know I want to spend my retirement travelling the world and saving animals along the way. Until then, I live vicariously through other travel bloggers and Instagram influencers. One of these people is a woman I started following three years ago, and I absolutely love her content.

Nicola Easterby from Brisbane, Australia is only 24 years old, and may honestly have one of the best jobs out there! She is paid to travel the world, promoting various companies and destinations. Her profile is one of my go-to’s when it comes to discovering new places, and learning about fun excursions to do in various cities.

Nicola started travelling solo when she was 19, and on her first trip a tour company noticed her photos and asked to use some of them for their brochures. This turned into an ongoing relationship where the company started paying her to travel and take photos for them. “During this time, I started my travel blog, Polkadot Passport, and eventually it grew to the point where I could make a full-time career from it!” Talk about the dream!!

Since then, she has travelled to over 57 countries across 5 continents. “What I have learnt throughout this journey is there is so much more to life that just myself. In the world of travel blogging, it’s an ongoing challenge not to be self-focused.” Nicola wants to do more with her travelling, and aims to help others through it. On her blog site, the slogan is ‘A travel blog for women who are passionate about pursuing adventurous lives’. One of her goals this year is to focus on empowering others to pursue their dreams. A way she aims to do this is to create a women’s retreat which fosters a really intentional space empower each other. This sounds so incredible – sign me up!

Out of all the places she has travelled, Nicola says Switzerland is her favourite destination. “I absolutely love mountains and there really isn’t anywhere like the Swiss Alps!” Still a place on my travel list, for sure!

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A place she still needs to visit? “I am heading to Peru to hike the Inca Trail & visit the Amazon.” She is beyond excited for this trip, as it will be her first time ever in South America. I’m definitely looking forward to following her along on this trip, and seeing all her photos from it on the gram!

When travelling, Nicola packs these essential items: noise-cancelling headphones, an eye mask, earplugs, a neck pillow, a portable battery pack and her camera, of course! I can second this – these items are truly travel essentials!!

When asked what her current favorite obsession is, Nicola said, “I’ll admit, I’ve become slightly obsessed with the whole KonMari tidying movement!” I mean, who isn’t?? Marie Kondo has changed my life – but that’s for a different blog post 😉

Travelling solo can be tough. It can get lonely. And I’m there’s no doubt running your own business can be exhausting as well. But through tough times like this, Nicola says her friends, family and God keep her motivated.

Nicola’s advice to all women out there: “You have been created beautifully unique; and to live your fullest life, you need to embrace who you are and not compare yourself to others!”

Want to know where to travel to next? Need ideas of what to do on your holiday? Appreciate good photography? Be sure to follow Nicola on Instagram (@polkadotpassport) and stay up-to-date on her latest travels by signing up for her newsletter via her blog site.

Bon voyage!