Tour Your Hometown:
Jen of the Trusted Traveller

1. For starters, where is your current hometown and how long have you lived there?
I’m a born and bred Sydneyite and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Apart from two years living in London I’ve lived here for the other 30 years of my life.

2. For many people, travel is not always feasible or desirable all year round. How do you make the most of your hometown when you are not traveling?
I love a staycation and usually have two or three a year. I live in the far southern suburbs of the city so a night or two in a nice hotel or cool new hostel is something I like to do when I’m attending an event or something special in the city centre. There are also heaps of great beaches in and around Sydney so during summer I like to try and get out and explore them. And then there’s festivals. Sydney has some great ones like the upcoming Vivid Festival which is all about lighting up some of the city’s most iconic buildings and the endless array of food festivals all over the city throughout the year. There is always something new to see, do or experience in a big city like Sydney.

3. What is the most creative technique you use to save up for your travels while you are at home?
I have so many savings tips but I think the most creative would have to do with my weekly grocery shop. Food is so easy to waste, so when I shop I make a list of what I’ll be eating that week, taking into consideration items that can be used multiple times to ensure nothing goes to waste. Then I take my shopping list to shops and make sure I stick to it.

4. What is the best part of your hometown that other visitors should know about?
The Royal National Park on the southern outskirts of Sydney is often overlooked by international visitors which is such a shame. It is the second oldest national park in the world and is packed full of picturesque walking trails through the Aussie bush, low scrub and even rainforest. There are tons of nice picnic spots and the beaches are completely unspoilt unlike some of Sydney’s other more popular beaches.

5. Finally, we can’t forget about the food! Where is your favorite place to eat in your hometown and why? 
Sydney’s cuisine is so diverse which is one of the reasons why I love living here. You can eat food from just about every corner of the world, most of which is really authentic because of our growing cultural population. It’s tough to choose just one favourite but right now I am loving Mejico. It’s been in Sydney for a few years now and serves up some of the best Mexican food I’ve had. I haven’t been to Mexico myself yet but friends who had all say it’s on par with what you would actually get over there. The guacamole is TO DIE FOR!

About Jen
Jen has been travelling most of her life, but it wasn’t until 2009 that the travel bug really started to bite. Images and stories from the adventures of family and friends around the world inspired her to sell her house in Sydney, put her belongs in storage and take off to Europe. This eventually led to a few years living and working in London, exploring Europe as much as she could. Since then she and her husband have visited over 20 countries on four continents with many more trips planned for the future. Jen’s website, The Trusted Traveller, is all about inspiring and informing others to get out there and see the world in the most prepared way possible. You can follow Jen on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.