Travel and lifestyle blogger Annette White shares her bucket list journey

Travelling is good for everybody. We all know that, but some people not only travel to see new places and discover new things. For travel and lifestyle blogger Annette White, it’s also important to learn more about herself.
Read on and learn how Annette got into travelling, how she travels and what she has learned through her bucket list journey and serial adventures (including her best advice for new adventurers and travellers).
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m Annette, the author of Bucket List Adventures, co-owner of Sugo Trattoria, a serial adventurer and creator of the award winning travel blog, Bucket List Journey. I am from the little town of Petaluma in Northern California and my passion is for checking the world off my bucket list one experience at a time.
How and why did you get into traveling?
My first overseas trip was many years ago, when I was just 16 years old, but it has just been only in the last five years that I have racked up 40 of my 45+ countries. Before that, I had always had a curiosity of the world, but was too afraid to get out there and explore it. There was one specific day that I made myself a promise to never let fear make my decisions for me and since then I have been keeping that promise! My first trip after that one when I was a teen was actually back to Italy and I prepared by doing way too much research and over planning. I spent countless hours looking for hotels, the best restaurants and coolest attractions. It was a great trip, but not as relaxing as I would have liked.
Why is traveling important for you?
I travel to have an authentic experience that my imagination could have never possibly conceived. I travel to encounter places so beautiful that a sense of peace overcomes me. I travel because of a pure fascination with the world and desire to get to know it better. But, mostly I travel to learn, not only about the places I visit and people I meet, but also about myself. Navigating the world has been an empowering experience and not only have I taken away countless memories, but also gained a lot of confidence in myself.
Many brushes with nature are brief escapes from an otherwise stressful day; you may pause for a moment to look out your office window at an afternoon rainbow or spot a deer in the fields across from your child’s school. For an instant, the accidental encounter energizes and calms you at the same time, but you may not be sure why. Connecting with nature means more than simply getting a little fresh air, rather it has the potential to make us aware of an existence bigger than the latest Apple product, and possibly even ourselves. The world is an incredible collage of natural plants, animals, and landscapes—filled with unforgettable places organically created.
Something spiritual happens when you are connecting with nature and experiencing wildlife. There’s nothing quite like witnessing the peacefulness of a mother baboon cuddling her child in a Ngorongoro crater, the soothing sound of the rushing water of the Iguazu Falls in South America, or being amongst the stillness of the giant redwoods along the California coast. These experiences can spur creativity, bring happiness, relieve stress, and cause you to look at the world with a sense of awe.
Traveling gives you many opportunities to be among animals and consciously connect with them in their natural environment, not at a zoo or animal park. Look for places that allow you to interact with dolphins in the wild, participate in turtle protection programs, and spot birds in natural habitats; visit national parks, sanctuaries, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Feel the grass beneath your feet, catch snowflakes in your mouth, or climb to the top of a deserted mountain.
What has been the best parts of your travels?
I have been fortunate to have had many amazing experiences around the world. A few of my favorites were going on an African safari in Tanzania, swimming in a lake filled with a million jellyfish in the Micronesian country of Palau, sleeping in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan and kayaking with the beluga whales in Manitoba.
What has been the most difficult parts?
Traveling to and from the destination is the most difficult part for me. My fear of flying combined with jet lag and long lines is a little bit tiring, especially the older I get. With that said, when you are doing something you are passionate about, all the hardships are totally worth it. Experiencing a culture, participating in a tradition or standing in front of a site most have only seen in a book trumps any difficulties of getting to the destination.
How do you eat and sleep on the road?
Being that I am a restaurant owner and chef, I love to visit the local markets, dine on traditional street food and in the hottest restaurants. It is rare that I would prepare my own meal while traveling unless I am taking a cooking class.
I typically sleep in a guesthouse or hotel while traveling, unless it enhances the experience to do otherwise. For instance, while in Wadi Rum desert in Jordan we step in Bedouin-style tents and while on safari in Serengeti we glamped in the middle of the park surrounded by wild animals.
What are your best advice for new adventurers and travelers?
My advice would be don’t put travel off because you think you may not be able to do everything you want to on the trip due to your financial situation. There are so many experiences around the world that are free. One of the most memorable for me was witnessing the Call to Prayer in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Powerful and totally free. Most cities also have cheap street food, economical hostels and free attractions. You can always revisit a city when you are more financially secure and have a totally different experience.
Another piece of travel advice would be to always comparison shop when it comes to booking flights and hotels. Never settle for the pricing on just one website! You can start with checking directly on the airline and hotels homepage, but venture beyond this and you’ll be surprised how much you can save.
Also, even if you can not afford to travel out of the state or country, you can always start by exploring what’s in your own backyard. I have been fascinated by what exists less than an hour drive from my home!
How do you prepare for your adventures and travels?
I start by doing a lot of research and then creating the perfect itinerary using Evernote. It is usually a mix of adventure and culture with lots of room for unexpected experiences. As far as keeping in shape, I do exercise on a regular basis at home because traveling to many destinations requires being physically fit. Plus while I am on the road, when it is feasible, I will always choose to walk and take stairs so I can keep my fitness level up even when I am not able to go to the gym.
How do you finance your adventures and travels?
In the beginning, my travels were funded by savings and choosing budget destinations. I also redefined my definition of travel. It didn’t have to mean a two-week international vacation, it could mean a weekend getaway close to home.
Now, there are two things that help support my travels:
The first is my blog, Bucket List Journey. I make money through advertisements, product reviews and earning commissions through affiliate programs. Plus, I partner with many different companies and tourism boards who sponsor my travel. Secondly, my husband and I own a successful Italian restaurant in Northern California that gives me a degree of financial freedom. With that said, we have worked diligently for the past several years in order to set it up to fit around my traveling lifestyle.
Let me also say that I believe that some of the reasons I can afford traveling is because it is what I choose to be able to afford, it is what I am truly passionate about. I would forgo designer clothes, fancy coffee or a manicure any day of the week if it were in exchange for a memorable experience.
How do you balance normal life with traveling?
I travel about 30% of the time, approximately ten days per month and it is my normal life. My goal is to bridge the gap between travel life and home life, so they are not two separate entities but just my lifestyle.
When I travel, the thing I miss most about home is the pillows on my bed! There’s nothing like a good down pillow.
What inspired you to write your book?
Writing a book (this book) had always been on my bucket list, so I knew that I wanted to do it at some point. There just never seemed to be enough time to whip out 70,000 words! It wasn’t until a publisher contacted me and offered a book deal that I just couldn’t refuse. This was the push I needed.
Writing a book was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Because I am a blogger, everybody assumed it would be easy for me. But, blogging and book writing are two totally different beasts. The most difficult part was all the research that was involved in order to make certain the facts and figures were correct.
What has been your best adventuring purchase below $100?
One of my most used items is my Joby GorillaPod. It is a compact tripod for my Canon 6D that has bendable legs and can wrap around trees or stair railings. It’s perfect when I need to take selfies for my blog, but there’s no one around to take them.
What other favorite gear do you have?
My other favorite gear is my Lowepro ProTactic backpack, GoPro, Beats headphones and Humangear Gotoobs.
What will the future bring?
Of course, there will be lots more travel in the future — Antarctica, New Zealand and Peru are all on the list. As far as gear goes, I am always on the look out for things that are smaller, lighter and more compact!
Read more here.
Visit Annette's website here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: mightygoods.com
Source: mightygoods.com
27/05 20:29
50 years of Greece-China diplomatic relations marked at Laskaridis Foundation in Piraeus
27/05 18:22
Saudi-Greek Business Forum to take place in Athens on Monday
27/05 16:25
Sharp price rises expected to cut deep into Greek supermarket sales
26/05 23:58
Onassis’ island of Skorpios in Greece turns into European resort for billionaires
26/05 22:48
Firefighters from six European countries to be deployed to Greece this year
26/05 20:43
Tourism Minister attends sports hotel inauguration at Greek island of Limnos
26/05 17:06
4,048 new Covid-19 cases and 13 fatalities recorded in Greece on Thursday
26/05 14:54
Minister: National Strategic Extroversion Plan brings growth in Greece
26/05 00:15
Greek PM talks with Microsoft, Google and Meta executives at Davos Forum
26/05 00:10
Media: British Museum offers Greece only loan of stolen Parthenon Marbles
26/05 00:02
IATA and ICP join forces to promote air cargo security in the UAE
25/05 21:46
Face masks mandate lifted in Greek schools and universities as of June 1
25/05 21:32
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili delivers message on Africa Day 2022 (video)
25/05 20:13
United States Ambassador to Athens visits Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki
25/05 19:33
Greek island of Delos to host its first concert following thousands of years
25/05 19:23
4,141 new Covid-19 cases and 17 fatalities recorded in Greece on Wednesday
25/05 18:57
18th Athens Digital Arts Festival takes place at Kotzia Square on May 25-29
25/05 18:18
UNWTO: World Commitee on Tourism Ethics issues statement on war in Ukraine
25/05 13:53
Greek Tourism Minister urges Emirates to add direct flights from Thessaloniki to NY and Dubai
25/05 10:08
25/05 09:26
Cyprus aims at more than two million tourist arrivals this year
25/05 00:10
US ambassador to Athens: Greece can expand its role as an energy hub
24/05 23:17
Greek PM meets with investors at the World Economic Forum at Davos
24/05 22:56
Athens and Izmir mayors meet in Greek capital as part of city diplomacy
24/05 21:48
IATA: Canadian government must reduce delays at local airports
24/05 21:37
Greece includes new €1.7 billion projects to Recovery & Resilience Fund
24/05 20:59
UNWTO: International code informs efforts to promote tourist confidence in Americas
24/05 20:22
Delta Airlines offers more travel options between the US and Greek islands
24/05 19:44
Filming to begin in Greek city of Thessaloniki on film starring Robert De Niro
24/05 19:13
Underwater Museum in Greek island of Alonissos is “the Parthenon of Shipwrecks”
24/05 18:05
24/05 17:02
5,588 new Covid-19 cases and 11 fatalities recorded in Greece on Tuesday
23/05 19:05
23/05 18:57
Greek Prime Minister to address 146th Boston College graduation ceremony
23/05 18:54
No monkeypox virus in lab examination of suspected case sample in Greece
23/05 18:42
Europe Union Commission approves disbursement of €748 million to Greece
23/05 18:38
Delphi AHEPA Chapter 25 organizes backgammon event at New York Athletic Club
23/05 17:49
EC greenlights €890,000 to support Cypriot halloumi producers
23/05 17:45
2,235 new Covid-19 cases and 21 fatalities recorded in Greece on Monday
23/05 16:34
Greek National Tourism Organisation chief at World Economic Forum in Davos
21/05 21:36
George Papaeleas AHEPA Chapter 367 marks AHEPA Sunday in New York
21/05 17:38
3,424 Covid-19 cases and 21 fatalities recorded in Greece on Friday
21/05 15:41
Foreign Ministers discuss close coordination between Greece and Cyprus
21/05 12:32
Minister: Greece has entered dynamically the international academic map
21/05 11:47
European Commission: Greece plays key role for independence from Russian gas
20/05 22:31
Boxing champion Alvarez strolling around in Greek island of Mykonos (video)
20/05 21:12
Events in Athens to present theater, literature, and music of Israel to public
20/05 21:01
SNF cancels Greek Culture Ministry grant for ancient mass graves museum in Faliro
20/05 19:58
World Tourism Organization members in the Americas advance common goals
20/05 19:18
UNWTO enjoys high-level meetings with American tourism sector leaders
20/05 18:25
Italy returns Parthenon Marble fragment to Greece setting precedent
20/05 17:51
Greek Tourism Minister continues meetings in Serbian capital of Belgrade
20/05 17:08
3,708 Covid-19 cases and 16 fatalities recorded in Greece on Friday
20/05 14:28
Greek PM announces allocation of €171 million to support organic livestock farming
20/05 12:21
Nobel Foundation returns to Greece Mycenaean gold ring from necropolis in Rhodes
20/05 00:27
19/05 22:34
Archbishop of America announces the Centennial Pilgrimage to Pontos
19/05 19:24
Minister: Joist Innovation Park another step in Greece's turning into innovation hub
19/05 18:29
3,928 Covid-19 cases and 23 fatalities recorded in Greece on Thursday
19/05 17:33
Return of Parthenon Marbles to Greece discussed at UNESCO meeting in Paris
19/05 16:37
The President of Hellenic Republic continues her official visit to Vietnam
19/05 15:43
AEGEAN airways will operate twice-weekly flights between Athens and Eindhoven
19/05 14:52
Greek Tourism Minister: 900,000 visitors from Serbia expected in Greece this year
18/05 22:44
Athens British Embassy virtual event on Asia Minor Catastrophe available to view
18/05 22:11
18/05 20:06
Covid-19 mandatory masks scrapped indoors and outdoors in Greece from June 1st
18/05 20:02
10th Syros International Film Festival to take place on July 28-31
18/05 19:39
Booster vaccines for Greek teenagers traveling abroad for educational programs
18/05 19:10
Survey: Most Americans still plan to visit Europe this year despite war in Ukraine
18/05 18:23
Greece records 4,626 Covid-19 cases and 19 fatalities on Wednesday
18/05 17:48
Ukrainian refugees in Athens can board public transport for free for 90 days
18/05 17:15
Media report: Greek PM praises Diaspora during US Congress speech (video)
18/05 15:51
Greek PM is honored by community and honors Greek-Americans in turn
18/05 13:40
Greek-US strategic cooperation dominate Dendias-Blinken meeting in DC
18/05 00:34
17/05 23:04
Greek PM delivers historic address at joint session of US Congress (video)
17/05 21:16
Biden and Mitsotakis deliver common statements at the White House (video)
17/05 21:14
Jewish inscriptions exhibition opens in two museums of Greece
17/05 20:32
World Tourism Organization launches digital futures program for SMEs
17/05 19:27
International Air Transport Association urges to accelerate Asia-Pacific sector recovery
17/05 19:01
Greek islands of Crete, Zakynthos and Kos favorite for Dutch summer 2022
17/05 17:22
6,252 Covid-19 cases and 21 fatalities recorded in Greece on Tuesday
17/05 16:38
17/05 15:41
17/05 15:35
Almost 9,000 temporary asylum permits issued to Ukrainians in April 2022
17/05 13:30
Wallpaper magazine lauds Tinos, Mykonos, Paros and Santorini as ideal destinations for wine tourism
16/05 23:52
Media report: Spike in demand for Greece-Turkey ferry services
16/05 23:24
Greek Prime Miniser meets US President at the White House (video)
16/05 22:40
16/05 22:04
Horror of Ukraine War seen in outdoor photo exhibition in the center of Athens
16/05 20:18
President of Hellenic Republic welcomed by Vietnamese counterpart in Hanoi
16/05 19:58
Greece records 3,066 Covid-19 cases and 24 fatalities in Greece on Monday
16/05 19:32
Greek Tourism Minister meets with 7 ambassadors about Greece's travel market
16/05 18:47
Passenger traffic in Greek airports soared 383% during the first four months of 2022
16/05 18:14
16/05 17:09
PM: US tourists to arrive on a record number of direct flights to Greece (video)
14/05 21:38
14/05 18:50
Greece records 4,324 Covid-19 cases and 15 fatalities on Saturday
14/05 15:08
Elon Musk’s fast Starlink Internet satellite service comes to Greece
14/05 11:01
Bahrain to enhance bilateral relations in tourism with Greece
Applications now available for FAITH Executive Education Program in US
Coast guard rescues seven Israeli tourists from stranded yacht on fire
Greek Tourism: +15.3% travel revenues in H1 2019 despite marginal arrivals' drop
Cook’s Club opens latest hotel in the heart of Greek island of Rhodes
Saudi-Greek Business Forum to take place in Athens on Monday
Sharp price rises expected to cut deep into Greek supermarket sales
Inscription found in Paleochoria links goddess Artemis to Amarynthos sanctuary
Investments on agenda of Greek and French leaders meeting on Thursday
Symposium organized in Greek island of Lesvos to honor late law professor
AP report: Pilots Union announces dates for British Airways strikes
Greek state budget records primary surplus of €1.763 billions in January-July
Greek island of Samothrace to get port upgrade, stricter contracts for ferries
First museum education dog in Greece as Cretan summer camp assistant
Prime Minister: Greece Eurozone's 'pleasant surprise' in coming years
US Ambassador in Athens and Greek Deputy FM discuss deepening ties
Police operation in central Athens Exarchia district to end 4 building squats
Merkel: New opportunities for German businesses to invest in Greece
Media: British Museum offers Greece only loan of stolen Parthenon Marbles
Greek Minister and Russian Ambassador discuss investments in tourism
Minister: News in September on flights to Cyprus and German market
World’s top Librarian conference comes to Athens between August 24-30
Greek government: Higher collection rate for property tax offsets revenue loss
Firefighters from six European countries to be deployed to Greece this year