Lauren Monitz - Travel Blogger and Travel Influencer

THE DOWN LO

An Unfiltered View of Life on the Go

ABOUT LO

I’ve always had ADD with people, places and things. I’m a city girl trapped in a wanderer’s world. The more off the beaten path, crazy, never been done before adventure, that’s my jam. And if you’ve never heard of it, that’s my butter.

Growing up, we traveled quite a bit but our family vacations generally alternated between some nondescript beach, Vegas, and Disney World. It was always great to get away, but never particularly inspiring. My first “real” trip was teaching English in Israel for a summer in college. I couldn’t have been more out of my comfort zone, but man, did it ignite a fire. Now I travel to see the world. Travel opens your eyes to things you never knew existed, challenges your beliefs, and showcases our similarities as much as our differences.

I’m a strong proponent that only experiences can make you richer. Other things I believe in: micro-adventures (you don’t have to go halfway across the globe to do epic shit), food is a luxury worth sparing no expense for, there’s no such thing as a flyover state (or city), and traveling like a local. Leave each place better for having been there; if that only means telling one other person about it.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have some amazing experiences around the globe and close to home. From becoming a certified Viking in Iceland to blackwater rafting in New Zealand, horse surfing in Florida (because, Florida), staying at the first underwater hotel in the Great Barrier Reef to ski biking in Colorado, I always seek out the weirdest, most offbeat adventures you didn’t even know you wanted on your bucket list. I’ve also eaten plenty of outrageous things along the way from rainbow, unicorn monstrosities for the ‘gram to bugs in Thailand, guinea pig in Peru, and whale and puffin in Iceland. All for the story, right?

Everyone thinks I’m racing through my bucket list, but every time I cross one thing off, 10 more get added. My goal is to visit all 50 states and 50 countries before 50 and I’m little over halfway there. These are my stories from the road and the places I know best. The tales I want to remember, the legacy I want to leave. You’ll quickly learn that I have no filter, which is why my perspective is fresh. And it’s always about the journey, not the destination.

Some people joke that they don’t trust people who don’t drink. I don’t trust people who don’t travel. Without it, your view of the world is infinitely smaller – so get out there. But be warned, it’s the most addictive hobby you can have.

Happy travels,