{"id":14885,"date":"2019-03-03T08:35:27","date_gmt":"2019-03-03T06:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smile4travel.de\/?page_id=14885"},"modified":"2020-01-30T19:32:41","modified_gmt":"2020-01-30T17:32:41","slug":"about-the-author","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/smile4travel.de\/en\/about-the-author\/","title":{"rendered":"About the Author | Smile4Travel"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am Stefanie. My passion is my passport and travelling makes me smile since I started exploring the world on my own back in 2007. I have travelled in and around more than 50 countries and made the world my living room and travel hub. Now based in Portland, Oregon<\/strong>, I create helpful itineraries<\/strong> and travel guides<\/strong> of destinations in the US, my former country of residence China<\/strong>, adjacent Asian travel destinations, as well as my home country, Germany<\/strong>, and beyond. As a travel enthusiast with a big love for writing and photography<\/strong> my mission is to inspire and empower people to pursue their wanderlust and travel dreams by sharing individual experiences and personal insights combined with hands-on travel tips and eye-catching pictures on my bilingual blog<\/strong> (English & German) and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My background<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

Born in Thuringia\u00a0<\/strong>(Germany), literally on the borderline of Franconia, I am a nature kid, who enjoys the idyllic sceneries and the beauty of my home country Germany. At the same time I feel the constant urge to be carried away into foreign countries and big metropolises of the world. That\u00b4s one reason why I loved to call Frankfurt \/ Main my home for six years (2009 – 2015), while working as a Content Marketing Specialist and PR Manager<\/strong> for one of the biggest German travel companies<\/strong> and explore the world from Germany\u00b4s largest aviation turnstile. Not only travelling, but living abroad, has always been my dream. So I packed my bags for the first time back in 2007 to live in Cape Town (South Africa) while completing my studies of Media Management<\/strong>. In 2015 I moved back to Franconia (Nuremberg) for private and professional purposes, before shifting my life and travel hub <\/strong>to Asia: In January 2018 my hubbie and I moved to the bustling Chinese metropolis Shanghai, <\/strong>from where we made our way to Portland, Oregon<\/strong> in summer 2019, where we are currently living and exploring.<\/p>\n

How it all began<\/h2>\n

\"\"I discovered my passion for travelling<\/strong> long before I had the opportunity to explore the world through my job. Travelling, preferably individual-style, only equiped with backpack and camera, has always fascinated me. Since I left to explore the world on my own for the very first time, I am driven by getting to know foreign cultures and ways of living<\/strong>, trying out the unknown<\/strong> and growing beyond myself <\/strong>– something back then I only knew from and admired out of (picture) books and documentaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

My first big transcontinental trip all by myself<\/strong> in 2007 took me to picturesque Cape Town<\/strong> for an internship. I was only 21 years young and hungry for an escape, distance, freedom and something extraordinary \u2013 which I found in South Africa. For the first few months I went in-and-out the parliament on a daily basis. In the further course of my engagement I worked for a documentary-making agency and had the opportunity to enter the local townships, met the poorest of the poor and joined the campaign-team for local elections. I cannot really state how much it benefitted my studies of Media Management, but one thing is for sure: This journey helped me to see my own life with different eyes. I felt this was my first real journey – but definitely not my last to countries far far away.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/em>Post graduation in spring\/summer 2009 I went on a four-month backpacking trip across Central America<\/strong>. While travelling through Guatemala, Belize, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama I started documenting my experiences in a personal travel blog, basically for family and friends as an opportunity to follow me along my trip.<\/p>\n

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I am Stefanie. My passion is my passport and travelling makes me smile since I started exploring the world on my own back in 2007. I have travelled in and…<\/div>\n
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After entering worklife, <\/strong>my potential time for vacation days decreased to shorter periods and weekend-trips. But this didn\u00b4t hold me back from travelling. In 2013 I estbablished Smile4Travel, first-and-foremost to share my travel experiences<\/b>, but even more to prove that also with only a few time at your hands everyone can explore the world and discover its beauty. In the meantime I turned Smile4Travel to an inspiration platform and research source for fellow travellers and everyone who wants to pursue their wanderlust. With travel hacks, practical tips and self-tested itineraries combined with personal insights and inspirational footage, I empower people to fulfill their own travel dreams. As someone who lives <\/span>far away from home I will also continue to make you a part of my daily discoveries, challenges and cultural insights in and around the Pacific Northwest and China<\/strong>. To learn more about my mission and work, check my references<\/a>, media mentions<\/a> and opportunities to collaborate with me<\/a>.<\/p>\n