A Conversation with Laura Cox at Travel 80 by 80
Every Friday, I interview a different traveler for my Instagram and Facebook pages. I love following along and sharing their journeys. Find a recap below from my Q&A with Laura Cox of Travel 80 by 80.
About Laura
On a continual quest to reach her travel to 80 countries by the age of 80, Laura writes the Travel 80 by 80 blog to capture her family’s travels.
She is the kind of traveler who prefers to stay in local neighborhoods, interact with the local people, and independently explore when in a new destination. She tries to see the world through others’ eyes—in a way that is entirely different from what she is used to experiencing.
Laura hopes visitors to her blog can pick up tips from her different adventures and create their own travel adventures along the way.
What do you love most about traveling?
I love meeting the local people of the country I’m visiting. Hearing their stories and participating in their community activities and cultural events brings meaning to travel for me.
Some of our favorite experiences have been when we’ve immersed ourselves in the local culture, such as during our time in Vietnam, Spain, Cuba and Colombia.
Why do you believe people should travel?
Travel is the gateway to understanding other cultures. Travel opens your eyes to a world you might not be familiar with and leaves you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the place you have visited. It adds perspective.
And sure, while we may be “aware” that others in the world might not live exactly as we do, getting a first-hand glimpse into the lives of other cultures is so powerful.
Carry-on or baggage check? Why?
Carry-on all the way! While it might make traveling through the airport less convenient, I believe overall, it’s way more practical once you get to your destination.
To start, it makes you pack less. And if traveling by public transport, or trekking long distances through city streets to reach your accommodation (which we have been known to do), it’s much more convenient to have a smaller bag.
Plus, the handful of times I have checked bags, they have always gotten delayed (once in New Orleans, Italy, and recently Guatemala). And each of those times, it was delayed for 3 days or more.
Where Can You Find Laura?
Find Laura on her blog Travel 80 by 80, featured below. Or on any of her social media sites, also shared below.
Discover more traveler interviews here. Or sign up to receive my Discovery e-newsletter for more Q&As and helpful travel tips. You will receive a free trip budget calculator as a thank you for signing up.
Hi, I am Janice and and I run the Gather and Go Travel blog. I am a travel writer, blogger, and bookhound, specializing in family and group travel. I have traveled extensively domestically and internationally to 40+ countries. I am fascinated by other cultures, religions, and languages—and love to share what I have learned in my writing. For more on my background, read my bio, our story, and how to work with me.
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