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Hello & welcome! I’m Marlou, the voice behind Wandering Nomada. A resource for honest, budget-conscious travel guides, itineraries, and practical tips.
Where I started
As a child, I was mesmerized by wildlife documentaries about Australia and I dreamed of exploring it all someday. When I finally got the opportunity to study in Melbourne during university, I seized it. It was my first solo trip, my first adventure far from Europe, and it totally changed me. What started as a semester abroad in Melbourne turned into 1.5 years exploring Australia, and ignited a travel passion I haven’t shaken since.
Over the past decade of traveling, I’ve explored 40+ countries across six continents. From through Southeast Asia to South America, and now calling the Canary Islands home. Along the way, I’ve learned how to travel on a budget while still having experiences that matter to me, and discovered that the best adventures often happen when you let go of the “checklist” and step off the beaten path.
When people asked me for travel advice, I realized how much I loved sharing what I know; the good, the hard, and the magical. After years of “maybe I’ll start a blog,” I finally made it happen while traveling South America. I had the ambitious idea to create a multi-language blog and chose an English-Spanish blog name to be ready for that, but for now just writing in English is taking up all my time. So for the time being the Wandering Nomada blog is only available in English, but I hope to build it into a multi-language blog in the future.
What You'll Find Here
Wandering Nomada is where I share honest, practical travel guides built from real experience. You’ll find:
- Detailed destination guides: In-depth looks at cities, islands, and regions, including hidden gems beyond the usual tourist spots
- Tested itineraries: Practical plans for 2 days to 2 weeks, whether you’re backpacking or traveling more slowly
- Budget travel strategies: Real tips, tools, and apps I use to stretch the budget as much as possible without sacrificing the experiences I want
- Honest opinions and recommendations: What worked and what didn’t, what’s worth it and what’s overhyped and everything in between
My Approach to Travel
- Authenticity over glamour: You won’t find picture-perfect Instagram clichés here. Instead, you’ll get real advice. I write about the beauty and the mess, about what’s worth it in my opinion and what’s not.
- Nature first: I’m drawn to nature above all else: hiking volcanic trails, spotting wildlife, and remote beaches far from the crowds. But I love mixing it up: combining epic hikes with exploring local towns, trying regional food, and soaking in the culture of a place.
- Empowerment through knowledge: My goal is to turn readers into confident travelers. I want you to feel equipped whether you’re navigating the public transport or heading for a remote hike.
Let’s Connect
If you need help planning a trip, dreaming of your first big adventure and don’t know where to start, or just want to ask a question: reach out!
Send me a message via the contact page or follow along on Pinterest or Facebook and Instagram where I share photos, budget-travel inspiration, and real-life moments from the road.
Thank you for being here. Whether you’re just starting your travel journey or you’ve been wandering for years, I hope Wandering Nomada gives you the confidence, tools, and inspiration to take the next step.
Thanks for reading and happy wandering!
Marlou
