Armchair Travel: Put your finger on it

06 April 2016 - 02:13 By Andrea Nagel

Up-to-date and on the spot, travel blogs are a great source of information for tourists brave enough to take on the exchange rate and those who prefer the less-expensive option of exploring the world from the comfort of their armchairs.The Times chose eight of the best travel blogs in the country and will run a weekly series of interviews with each blogger.EAGER JOURNEYS, by Iga MotylskaMy surname means butterfly in Polish, so that's the reason I love exploring new places.I write about travel with some business and tech stories.Have you always been a big traveller?My parents instilled in me a fervour to travel. I prefer to forgo Nine West shoes, Louis Vuitton handbags and manicures to buy airplane tickets and camera gear.How did you get into blogging?I started my first travel blog in early 2010, when I moved to South Korea to teach English and travel around Asia.Your most memorable trip?In early 2014 I went to Peru and Bolivia for six weeks with a friend. We summited Salkantay on my 27th birthday and watched the sun rise over the valley at Machu Picchu the following day.What makes a trip great?The best trips are those where I get to experience what life is like for the locals - to be invited into someone's home for dinner, eat at the local markets . I enjoy exploring destinations that have yet to be discovered .Favourite travel blog?Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere Travel Blog has my dream job. His blog is predominantly photographic. He was named travel photographer of the year and has won a number of awards. Following him on Instagram can give you a serious case of wanderlust.Do you use blogs to plan trips?Absolutely! I follow a number of blogs for personal accounts. I still do my traditional research, but blogs will often tell it how it is in a way that guidebooks don't. On a recent trip to Tanzania I did all my research about what to do in Dar es Salaam via travel blogs. ..

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