As part of our goal to make life easier for bus travelers, we keep in touch with travelers who have had firsthand experiences wandering the world. Last time, we featured Fiona Flores Watson from Scribbler in Seville. Today, we’re happy to feature Marie-Eve Vallières from To Europe And Beyond.
Marie-Eve Vallières has spend a considerable amount of time exploring the ins and outs of Europe and documenting them in her blog (so much so, that she recently shared her insider tips with us on Spain!). Today, she juggles between traveling, blogging, and her freelance career. She is also an avid Montrealer, like us here at Busbud! We caught up with Marie-Eve to chat briefly between her exciting travels.
1. You’re originally from Montreal, lived in Europe for a while, and still traveling around the world. Where are you now and where are you headed next?
I am in Montreal right now. I had two press trips lined up this fall: I was just in the UK (Glasgow and London) in September, and I will also be visiting Cuba for the first time in December!
2. Apart from travel blogging, you work in translation, photography, and write for various travel publications. What tips do you have for someone looking to carve a similar career path?
Since blogging itself doesn’t pay the bills, I have to wear many hats in order to have a roof over my head and food in my fridge. I do a bit of translating, lots of copywriting, and I sell some advertising on my sites. My best tips would be to remain flexible; being good at one thing simply isn’t enough in the blogging sphere. You have to be the writer, the editor, the marketing manager, the accountant, and the PR contact – but if the workload doesn’t scare you off, it’s the best job you’ll ever have, regardless of the topic you write about!
3. As mentioned, you’re also a proud Montrealer! What’s the first thing you do when you come home and what do you miss the most about our city while you’re away?
I know this sounds incredibly cheesy, but I really do miss poutine! La Banquise is one of my first stops. I never miss out on the occasion to Instagram each of the Plateau Mont-Royal’s staircases and colorful houses. I also make a point of visiting a new restaurant every time I’m in Montreal.
4. Moving to another city can be scary! What advice do you have for those about to make a big move?
Obviously, keep an open mind. Very few things are going to be similar to how they are at home, and there’s just no point in traveling halfway across the world to complain about things being different. Don’t openly criticize; adapt and thrive.
5. You spend a lot of time visiting Europe. Which European cities are your favorites and have you used the bus to get around before?
I haven’t used the bus much in Europe but I do remember a fantastic ride in the Norwegian countryside on my way to Gothenburg in Sweden. It was in the middle of October and the foliage was in its brightest state – it was such a gorgeous sight to see. Scandinavia still remains one of my favorite places in Europe, along with Andalusia, the Loire Valley, and the Dutch countryside.
6. At Busbud, our mission is to make bus travel information easy to find so that travelers can make better travel decisions. What do you think about this mission and do you think this type of service would benefit the travel community?
I really don’t think there are enough ways to encourage people to travel! Every new initiative aiming to make travel easier for everyone is worth it in my book. Bus travel provides a nice alternative to those who aren’t big fans of flying or those who can’t afford to travel by high-speed train, for example. More proof that anyone can travel!
7. Lastly, do you have a memorable bus story to share with our readers?
I took the bus from Nice to Monaco, a notoriously gorgeous ride along the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean that costs just 1 euro. It is literally my favorite memory of that trip, and it was also the cheapest one! I will always remember the glorious panoramas, filled with marinas, cliff-side houses, and bougainvilleas everywhere.
Thanks, Marie-Eve!
You can follow Marie-Eve’s adventures on her blog, To Europe And Beyond as well as on Facebook & Twitter.
Photos by Marie-Eve Vallières