Hi, I’m Amanda, a travel blogger planning to go everywhere. I’m getting there one spreadsheet at a time.
Why I Travel and Where I’ve Been
I’ve prioritized travel for the past five years, ever since (finally) paying off my student loans. I take several trips every year while working a full-time job, making the most of my weekends and vacation days.
I tend to fixate on destinations I love, revisiting them to explore as thoroughly as I can.
For example, I’ve traveled to Scotland three times now, and I can’t wait to visit again and write even more about it.
Starting This Blog
I started my blog, Wanderful Plans, in 2023 in order to have a space to share all of the on-the-ground research and Type-A planning I do for every trip.
I love writing and planning, and I thought blogging might be a good fit for me. So far, it is!
My blog has grown from a few hundred views a month to almost 50,000 views a month in just over two years.
My Blogging Philosophy
I’ve learned a lot on my blogging journey (and am still learning), but my number one goal remains to tailor my content to help you, the readers, plan your travels.
EVERY post on this blog is written by me based on first-hand experience and my own research. I spend hours crafting each post to make them as helpful as possible. I also take my own original photos (sometimes with the help of a travel partner).
I’m incredibly honored and grateful for every single reader who has come across this blog.
It means the world to me, so thank you for stopping by!
Even More About Me: Q&A
Where are you from?
I grew up in Southern California, U.S.
How many places have you been?
So far, I’ve been to 8/195 countries, 15/50 U.S. states, and 25/63 U.S. national parks.
What’s your favorite destination you’ve been to and why?
My favorite would definitely be Edinburgh, Scotland, a city that surprised and amazed me.
Where are you going next?
I have immediate plans to visit several more countries in Europe and Asia.
Do you have social media?
I’ve been personally stepping away from social media the last few years for various reasons but mostly because it’s so time consuming. I find that my time is better spent working on my blog. I now only have one social media account which is on Instagram (@wanderfulplansblog). Lately, I don’t post much there, and it’s currently private. But you are welcome to request to follow me! If you’d like to stay in touch with my travels and updates, the better option would be to subscribe to my newsletter. 🙂
What camera do you use to take your photos?
My starter camera was an Olympus PEN E-PL8, and I used that for years. In 2022, I upgraded to the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, which I love. Both are lightweight, mirrorless cameras, perfect for traveling. The built-in WiFi on both cameras makes it super easy to transfer photos on the go. I own four lenses and primarily use two when traveling because they are so lightweight: Panasonic Lumix 25mm f/1.7 and Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5. I also own the Olympus kit lens that came with my first camera as well as a zoom lens, the Olympus 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6.
What is your travel style?
- I love traveling to discover nature, history, culture, stories, and food.
- No matter where I go, I always seek out nature — that’s the recurring theme in all my travels.
- I like hiking, but I am a soft hiker, so I’m your source for the best easy hikes with scenic views in any destination.
- I love touring historic places and learning new things.
- I go to sleep early, so I’m not a source for night life, and then I also wake up early to get a head start on the day and enjoy cities without the crowds.
- As for food, I’m a vegetarian, so I love trying new desserts and veggie dishes around the world.