About Bon Traveler
Meet Jessica
Hey, I’m Jessica, a Northern California-based creative who fell in love with the world of travel and design.
Completing my degree in communications, the time came to accept a job offer at a Fortune 500 company and it didn’t feel right to take it. The decision to say no set me on a crash course of entrepreneurship, where at 22 years old, I opened my first business as a travel consultant.
Through this work, I fell in love with the “why” behind travel and had the opportunity to explore the world. After a year as an advisor, my passion for capturing travel outgrew my desire to book it, so I chose to pursue my blog full time. This is the Bon Traveler you see today.
I’ve always believed that a life well lived will be a photo album full of transformative stories. Travel is empowering — it provides an opportunity to open us to the abundance that awaits in faraway lands and realize the abundance at home. And amidst it all, there are inspiring spaces. It’s these treasures found in whether it be a hotel room or an art gallery, that helps us create our own story in our homes. Our travels give us a sense of discovery that goes far beyond a trip.
Now, I am one-part Northern California and two-parts abroad. The majority of the year I spend in foreign lands, curating travel guides for the design-focused traveler and sharing what I find. When at home, my husband and I are designing our home, constantly drawing inspiration to create a space that tells our story and experiences.
Thank you for indulging my story and welcome!
Places I Still Talk About
Spaces I Would Travel For
Photography Tips
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica