MEET THE BLOGGER & Podcaster
Hello, fellow travelers! My name is Nik Stephens and I’m the face behind this travel blog.
I am Nik Stephens, a hairstylist & makeup artist with over 20 years of experience who has a passion for travel. I’ve lived all over the world — from Japan and Hawaii to England and Italy — thanks to my dad’s military career with the Navy.
When I’m not working behind the chair, I love all kinds of travel from camping and hiking in the beautiful US of A to luxurious cruises in the Mediterranean. I also enjoy exploring the world around me by attending fun and interesting local and state events in beautiful North Carolina.
And I travel for work, meeting with my clients in Wisconsin and providing education to Davines salons. I’m excited to share travel tips, tricks and adventures with you both here and on my podcast.
I’m here to share all the cool stuff I’ve found on my own trips, and hopefully, it’ll give you some ideas and the nudge you need to start your own adventures.
There are so many things to know when traveling. How do you pack for three days in New England in the autumn? How do you balance your travel itinerary when you’re with a sister who only eats chicken strips, a husband with ADHD and a daughter who hates museums? What’s the best shampoo to take on a trip that won’t leak out or take up too much space in your bag? Let my travel experiences as well as those of my fellow travelers help you answer these questions so you can spend less time dealing with the blarney and more time enjoying your adventures.
On my podcast Travel Beyond the Chair, I’ll share not only my latest trips but we’ll also explore cultural events and restaurants together. And I’ll have real life fellow travelers as guests who will share their experiences, tips and tricks. Here on the blog, you’ll find an extension of the podcast as well as posts to help you plan and prepare for your next vacation or even just feel inspired to create your own adventure.
An actual sign for me to follow my dream. As if the universe nudged me, whispering it was time to chase the dreams held close to my heart.
01. Cruising around Paris on a scooter with my best friend / 02. Canoeing in Vietnam / 03. Stopping for a coffee break at this cool trailer / 04. Having a blast paddling with friends in Bali
It all started at a tender young age when my mom & I moved to Hawaii.
I started traveling around the world when I was just a baby. Born on the East Coast, it wasn’t long before my mum took us to the Midwest and then Hawaii. Hawaii is where I spent most of my early childhood and with my father’s service in the military, his career gave us the opportunity to to live in Japan, Italy and other parts of the United States. I think it’s because of all those moves and road trips growing up that I know have a tremendous wanderlust.
Whether it’s hiking in Wyoming or taking a highspeed train in Italy, I want to see the world and experience it first hand. I want to be immersed in the local culture and try the food. I want to breathe in salty ocean air and feel the kiss of the sun on my face. I want to share my experiences and those of other fellow travels with you via my podcast and blog and I hope they both inspire you as much as travel inspires me.
This or That
Here’s my take on big issues. Your thoughts?
| ESPRESSO | |
| WATERFALLS | |
| TEXT | |
| BEACHES | |
| PLANE | |
| VACATION RENTAL | |
| GELATO |
My Bucket List
This is my personal list of destinations and travel adventures that I wish to visit and experience before either getting married, having kids, or turning 40.
| Take a Mediterranean Cruise |
| Explore Scotland |
| Take a river cruise |
| Stay in an overwater bungalow in a tropical location |
| Wine tasting in Sonoma Valley, California |
| See the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan |
| Visit Harry Potter World in Orlando |
| Experience La Tomatina in Spain |
| Road Trip on Coastal Highway 1, California |
| Go beach camping on the Carolina Coast |