Don’t have a trip planned for 2017 yet? Don’t worry after learning a little bit more about Jessica and scrolling her Instagram feed you will start booking flights and mapping out your next adventure. The founder and traveler behind Bon Traveler, Jessica started it as an outlet for sharing her passion for travel and it ended up turning into a full time adventure. Bon Traveler has everything from curated guides and hotel insights to the best in cultural and adventure travel. Make sure to check Bon Traveler out here and see her latest trips!
Can you tell us a bit about you and your background? I first entered into the travel industry when I graduated college. A friend who had booked my husband and I’s honeymoon, offered me an opportunity of a lifetime — becoming a travel consultant. At 22 years old, I filed for my first business license and opened up my travel agency at home. I fell in love with travel.
Growing up, I was fortunate to travel often with my family as my mother was from France. These were some of my fondest memories. Exploring small villages, embracing the unknown, and finding my way in a new city. It wasn’t until I started my business as a travel consultant where I fell in love with the logistics of travel — I adored a well-designed hotel, airlines that changed the way we journey, and curating on-ground experiences.
I found that after a year of consulting that my true passions aligned more with capturing and inspiring rather than booking. In December of 2014, I booked my first campaign to Sun Valley, Idaho as a blogger and the same week I closed my business as a consultant. To this date, it’s been a surprising journey, a labor of love, and a fulfilling adventure.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Hotel & Resort in Costa Rica
What 3 words would you use to describe yourself? I’d have to say practical, passionate, and sociable.
What Profession other than yours would you love to attempt? The other profession I would love to attempt would be cooking. I always wanted to be a chef, and enjoy putting together recipes.
What inspired your blog? Design. For me, it’s always been about spaces whether it’s local coffee shops, a food cart, or a boutique hotel. Our world is inspiring, and seeing how each place interprets space continues to inspire me.
What is your favorite social media platform and why? Instagram is definitely my favorite as it is a great visual journal.
Whitefish, Montana
What do you think it is about your blog that keeps people coming back for more? My goal or hope is that it’s easy to navigate, inspiring through imagery, and practical in that the curated guides can be used for travel.
What do you love most about blogging? The community is always encouraging. It’s given me an opportunity to connect with creatives that share similar passions, and inspire me to continue creating.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Ooh! I’m hoping my husband and I will have kids!
What are 3 things you can’t live without? My husband, the mountains, and a good coffee.
Bali
If you could spend an entire day with one person, who would it be and what would you do? My husband. We’d fly to Seattle, rent a car, and drive to Winthrop, Washington. We’d stay the night in the Rolling huts designed by Olson Kundig, wake up to the fresh air of the mountains, make a pour-over coffee, and sit on the porch talking about life together.
