Rolf is one of the most accomplished travel journalists of our time, having reported from over 60 countries for major venues like National Geographic Traveler, The New Yorker, Outside, and the Travel Channel. He is a high-profile proponent of independent travel. His book Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel was one of only four “fundamental books” Tim Ferriss mentioned in The 4-Hour Workweek, and was one of the two main sources of inspiration behind my nomadic lifestyle. His second book, Marco Polo Didn’t Go There, details personal anecdotes from 10 years of traveling and travel writing. With his extensive experience traveling on a shoestring, Rolf shows how nearly anyone can achieve the dream of extended overseas travel.
You can learn much more about Rolf on his bio site and at Vagablogging.
In this call, Rolf phoned in from Philadelphia (where he’s currently a writer-in-residence at University of Pennsylvania) and we discuss:
- Rolf’s past life prior to writing two acclaimed books
- His 2 years spent teaching English in Korea
- The impetus for writing Vagabonding and his philosophy behind the book
- Mentioned: Walt Whitman, other favorite books and sources of inspiration: vagabonding.net/resources
- How living out of a van, traveling around the US in 1994 helped give him the long-term travel itch
- How Rolf went from first published article to his first book deal in less than 2 years, and his advice for those seeking to get a book deal and agent
- Mentioned: Rick Steves, also Travel Writing 2.0 by Tim Leffel
- Great places for generating online buzz: The Guardian, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, and networking in the travel & lifestyle design blogging community. Make yourself very accessible on your blog…
- “To become a good travel writer, you need expertise.” Rolf recommends travel blogging, infusing your writing with personality, being as engaging as possible, and wise use of free content online to get your name out there. Listen in for much more…
- How to avoid being a walking dollar sign when you travel in developing countries
- Is there a rule-of-thumb for avoiding the typical tourist route and traveling to places that are not full of tourists, where you can find a more non-commercialized or unique experience?
- All about Rolf’s workflow, how he finds the motivation to keep working even after becoming a stunning success (and being featured in interviews and media all over the internet and the world), and how to maintain discipline as a freelancer
- About the sacrifice of traditional stability, home & family, and how to tell your family you’re going off to travel long term (note: it wouldn’t hurt to give them a copy of Vagabonding)
- How Rolf started the No Baggage Challenge in 2010—traveling light to 12 countries on 5 continents
- Mentioned: luggage-less traveler Jonathan Yevin
- Lessons learned in hyper-minimalism: don’t weigh yourself down with things. And what items does Rolf now travel with and consider essential?
- About the writing workshop Rolf runs in France every July at the Paris American Academy
- Why he loves Bangkok and why revisiting Khao San Road feels like going back to kindergarten
- and much much more…
This was a great one, so make sure you give it a listen! Find Rolf at rolfpotts.com and vagabonding.net and if you have questions for him, email [email protected]
