Lillie enjoys herself in Provincetown, MA. (aroundtheworldl.com)
Lillie does it all: when she is not a teacher at the Boston Public Schools, she is traveling the world during summer break, meaning she is just as excited for summer as her students are! She has seen umpteen cities and countries, making for over 700 articles that cover 5 continents on Around the World “L.” A mother of two young children, Lillie also shows families that traveling with kids is not only doable, but can be a fantastic experience.
Lillie has explored the globe, including destinations across the United States like the Finger Lakes region of New York, which is gorgeous during the summer. In Lovely Vineyards of the Finger Lakes, New York, she demonstrates the beauty of this area through her writing and photography. She also recently wrote about Provincetown, MA, a perfect summer family travel destination with incredible regional foods like lobster rolls and fish tacos.
Around the World “L” is a fabulous resource for people traveling solo or with children, as Lillie shows that no matter what your circumstances, exploring the world is always a great decision.
Lillie shows that traveling with children is possible! (aroundtheworldl.com)
What inspired you to start a travel blog? Was there a specific reason or an event that made you decide ‘I’m gonna start a travel blog today’?
I started Around the World “L” in 2009 when I took a leave of absence from my job as an English teacher in Boston to travel around the world for a year. It began as a way to keep in touch with friends and family, but soon I realized that people around the world were reading it!
I didn’t anticipate how much I would LOVE writing for an online audience, but I suppose there are many English teachers out there who are frustrated writers. I started www.TeachingTraveling.com in 2010 when I returned to America and my mother yelled, “Your website is all about YOU! What about featuring other people?”
What have been the most challenging and the most rewarding aspects of running your blog and social media presence? Do you keep in touch with your readers?
The most rewarding aspect has been the real friendships and real opportunities that have emerged from the hundreds of thousands of online connections I now have. Indeed, I do keep in touch! Most challenging has been when I’ve unintentionally upset someone or hurt their feelings. I write because I love sharing positivity and joy and that’s what I aim for.
Lillie enjoys a meal in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. (aroundtheworldl.com)
What’s your favorite place that you have visited & what’s a dream destination that you still haven’t conquered?
My favorite place was Ghana in West Africa, where I taught for three months. I would be happy to visit a whole host of other places, but have been particularly interested in bringing mountains back into my life, so anywhere with awesome mountains will do!
If you had one piece of advice for people who want to travel throughout the U.S. and around the world but want to stay on budget, what would it be?
There are so many great tools out there! I’ve compiled a list of 40 travel and life resources to save time and money, so you’re welcome to check those out. Happy travels!
