Who is Tom of The Travelling Tom?
Always looking to provide travellers with top trending, influential information and allowing you to ‘stay connected’ before and while you travel, Wise Traveller profiles up and coming travel blogger Tom Stevenson, who is behind The Travelling Tom. Our profile series allows you to get to know the person behind some of the most popular and influential travel blogs.
About Tom
In 2012, Tom Stevenson is an English travel blogger started The Travelling Tom, which focuses on budget travel and backpacking, in 2012 after a car accident prompted him to make a change. He packed his bags and moved to Australia to work and travel for a year. He’s since been to countries all over the world and is currently planning his next trips in Europe and Canada. When not on the road, he likes to read and write and works a few odd jobs in finance to fund his upcoming adventures.
Let’s Get to Know Tom
We asked Tom a few questions about his life as a traveller.
What is your favourite destination and why?
That’s a difficult question. I’ve been to a few places that I thoroughly enjoyed. If I had to choose one, I would say New Zealand. I don’t think there was one place in the country that I wouldn’t want to return to. It’s one of the most scenic destinations I’ve been to.
What was your worst travel experience?
The worst was sleeping in a car for three days while I was in Melbourne. We didn’t book a hostel in time while the Formula 1 was in town, and all the rooms were taken. We decided to rent a car and sleep in it until we could return to a hostel. Not having access to a shower and being able to clean at will is a horrible feeling. I wouldn’t like to go through that again!
What was is your most memorable, inspiring or life changing travel moment?
Definitely, when I stepped off the plane in Australia at the start of my backpacking life. I realised that travelling to the other side of the planet by myself wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be. It gave me the confidence and self-belief to trust in myself and embrace a life of travel.
If you could only give one single travel tip that you think would be the most helpful what would it be?
Don’t plan too much. I see a lot of people planning their trips down to the finest detail. I don’t understand this at all. It takes the enjoyment and spontaneity out of travelling for me. One of my favourite things is to go to a city and just walk around and discover things for myself.
What is your favourite travel related quote?
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page” - St Augustine of Hippo
Who are your three favourite travel bloggers and why?
I really like Indie Traveller. The blog is full of amazing advice and suggestions. Marek’s tips are fantastic! I also like The Girl With The Map Tattoo and One Weird Globe. Sarah’s stories about her travels are both funny and touching. While Chris’ blog details his travels to lesser-known destinations that have various quirks. I love reading about the weird and wacky places he comes across!
What was the single most influential thing/moment that drove you to travel blogging?
When I was in the Philippines we were constantly googling how to get around the country without too much success. It dawned on me that I could use my experience to help people who had similar queries.
What advice you would give someone wanting to become a travel blogger?
Just go for it. Set up a blog and start writing. Join groups on Facebook and learn from various bloggers how to promote your blog and get the content to rank in Google.
Summary
The Travelling Tom provides destination guides on Australia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Spain, and Wales. Tom also covers how to work abroad and has compiled packing lists for many destinations in his “Travel Gear” section. Read more about Tom here, and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
