Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Ryan.
Brittany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a native Dallas-ite and a proud Texan, but from a young age I knew I wanted to see the world.
I grew up going over to my grandmother’s house to learn French. She was a French teacher and used to spend every summer in France with her family. I could listen to her speak French for hours – though I didn’t understand it all! The language sounded so delicate and refined coming from such a classy, poised lady. She told me stories about her time there – spending the afternoon in a café while nibbling on a buttery, flakey croissant, picking up a baguette and some cheese for an impromptu picnic, taking an entire day to explore The Louvre and their vast art collection. Those stories were magical – I had fallen in love with a destination that I had never even experienced yet. I knew in those young years that I had to see it for myself one day and follow in her footsteps.
Though I had been on some family trips in the US growing up, I first started venturing abroad in my college years to participate in summer study abroad programs. The summer before Junior year, I studied at the University of Oxford in England; the following summer, I studied in Arezzo, Italy. During this time, I finally made it to Paris and fulfilled my childhood dreams! And at that point, I was hooked.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For over a decade now, I’ve been traveling nationally and internationally, both for work and pleasure. I’ve had many more pleasant travel experiences and memories than I have unpleasant, but I’ve certainly learned many travel lessons the hard way over the years. I have many stories to share – like the time I got into a cab in China and realized mid-transit that I didn’t have enough cash to pay driver who spoke ZERO English. Or like the time the conductor shook me awake, yelling at me to get off the train, as we arrived at the last stop of the night…hours past my original destination. Or my personal ‘pièce de résistance’ – that time I was detained at the Amsterdam airport for an empty shell casing that I had saved as a souvenir from my first buck shot…I’m a Texan after all!
Things will go wrong when you travel – it’s not a matter of if, but when. Travel, by nature, is unpredictable. But it’s how you respond to those challenges that make you stronger and wiser. Living through these mistakes and facing these unexpected trials have forced me to find a self-reliance and self-confidence that I never knew I had in me. These experiences, however daunting at the time, can spit you out on the other side as more resourceful and prepared for whatever life throws your way.
I’m grateful to still be touring the world in one piece despite the potential of travel struggles, and I hope that my stories, tips, and suggestions inspire others to overcome their doubts and fears in order to feel one of the most remarkable experiences life has to offer – the joys of travel!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Jet Set Blonde – what should we know?
In more recent years, my friends started asking me for advice on where to travel, how to prepare, what to pack, etc., so I felt that it was the right time to start a blog to share with others my tips and recommendations. In July 2019, I started The Jet Set Blonde, a travel blog that focuses on travel tips, micro-vacation itineraries, and authentic cultural experiences.
There are a lot of travel blogs out there that cover things like luxury travel, traveling with kids, budget travel, and sustainable travel. But I struggled to find much out there for children-free Millennials that are career-minded and like to enjoy nice vacations but can’t take too much time off of work.
There’s a rising number of Millennials who are choosing to live their lives child-free. The number of babies born in the United States in 2018 fell to the lowest level it’s been in 32 years, according to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Millennials are diligent young professionals who may make a solid income but have chosen to spend their hard-earned money on things other than children – like travel experiences. So when they get some time off or want to take an extended weekend vacation (aka micro-vacation), they want to make the most of their travels, preferably in a child-free hotel, in a location with adult-friendly activities that are unique to that particular destination.
The purpose of The Jet Set Blonde is to create a community of like-minded travelers who love to work hard and play hard. The posts featured on this blog center on concise travel itineraries that incorporate authentic travel experiences travel tips for Millennials, and reviews of adults-only and adult-friendly hotels and venues.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I am very lucky to have many supporters while I’m on my journey. From my family to my fiancé, to my friends, I have a large circle of support to keep me inspired as I try to grow a community of travelers that share the same interests and values. Creating a community of like-minded individuals can make you feel uplifted, encouraged, and motivated. It’s a safe space to learn and grow together.
I’m more comfortable working independently, so I don’t naturally like to ask for help. I have to remind myself to reach out to others for guidance. Community and connection are so important. It’s crucial for our well-being and our self-realization. Having a loving support group reminds me to lean on my circle in times of challenge and celebration. I’m so grateful for the love and encouragement I’ve received, and I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Pricing:
- 2 Skype/Facetime 45-minute Travel Planning Sessions – $150
- 1 Skype/Facetime 45-minute Travel Planning Session – $80
- Travel Planning Questions via Email (6 questions) – $50
- Travel Planning Questions via Email (3 questions) – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jetsettingblonde.com/
- Email: brittany@jetsettingblonde.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejetsetblonde/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejetsetblonde/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejetsetblonde
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/jetsettingblonde/
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