The Travelista

About Me

The Travelista is an award-winning UK blog about luxury travel and stylish living. Created by Jess Gibson in March 2013, The Travelista is now regarded as one of the most influential and established travel blogs in The UK. With a loyal and engaged audience of travel and style lovers, the blog has consecutively been listed as a Top 10 Luxury Travel Blog by Vuelio between 2015-2018.

Packed with city guides, stylish hotel reviews and travel shortlists, The Travelista aims to inspire your own trips and arm you with honest and trusted recommendations.  The recent re-design welcomes a new ‘stylish living’ theme to the blog, so as well as Jess’ worldwide adventures, you can also expect to see more content about her life at home in Yorkshire.

Featured in: The 30 Best Travel Instagram Accounts to Follow in 2018 by the Evening Standard

Listed in: The Top 10 Luxury Travel Blog by Vuelio from 2015-2018

Winner of: Highly Commended Travel Blog at the Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2014

Editor's Letter

Hi guys! Welcome to The Travelista. My name is Jess Gibson and I am the Founder and Editor of The Travelista. I’m 28 years old and live in Leeds with my boyfriend Scott. After graduating with a 2.1 in Media, Communications and Cultural Studies, I started my career as an Editorial Assistant and later moved into various Digital Content roles. I created The Travelista in March 2013 and ran it alongside my full time job for 4 years. In July 2016 I made the leap to become a full time blogger and have never looked back.

As a blogger and content creator I wear many hats, but The Travelista was born from a passion for writing and travel. Creating The Travelista has transformed my life in ways I could have never imagined and it continues to evolve every day. The Travelista is an intrinsic part of my identity and I am so honoured that I get to share my life with a community of people who love travel just as much as me.

Thank you for taking the time to find out a little bit about me. I hope you enjoy this corner of the Internet and that my blog inspires you to dream big and travel in style.

Jess x

Comments

  1. Oh wow, Jess! I am so impressed by the amount of travelling you do. It was great meeting you yesterday and I am glad I’ve discovered your blog. Your trip to Tanzania sounds lie our dream holiday!

  4. Dear Jess,

    I really liked your story and how you ended up putting your dream together with this blog. Its people like you who give inspiration to others for making it big. I think most of us are too scared to leave our 9-5 jobs and just go for it!

    You have to have this believe in your self and only then you can make it big, like you did. I really have all the respect for you as an individual and would like to see you succeed more.

    Best of luck!

    Cheers,
    Zeb

  5. Hi TheTravelista!! I am so hopeful more now than ever that writing and traveling for living, both things that I love, is possible because of your blogging adventures. I know you have many people asking you for help, but if you can point me in the right direction to start with this particular field I would be so grateful! Thank you in advance. You are awesome!

    • Hi Nina, Thanks so much for your sweet comment. I do write and travel for a living, but it’s not all glamorous press trips. Lots of hours are spent in the office, chained to a desk like any other job. I don’t mean to send out an unrealistic message that people can travel around the world and get paid for it, even if that’s how it looks sometimes. If you want to get into travel writing, setting up a blog is the best place to start. It allows you to publish your work immediately and get your name out there. Try to build a following and a community and once you have this set up it demonstrates a pro active side to you and a passion for travel writing. If you go into any content / copywriting / journalistic job in the travel industry, an established travel blog would put you in great stead. Wishing you all the best in your career and your ventures 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you create!

      Jess x

    • So glad to hear you enjoy my blog – it’s comment’s like yours that make it all worthwhile. Thanks so much and hope you keep on reading 🙂

      Jess, The Travelista x

  10. It does inspire me! I’m a very visual person (the curse of having a short attention span) so all the bright beautiful photos really got my attention!

    Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. It can be so daunting first starting out!

    I would definitely love to keep in touch, please let me know if you’re ever in Sydney!

    Chrissy x

  11. Jess, you are pretty much living my dream life!

    As an aspiring travel writer/blogger I’m ecstatic I’ve come across your blog 🙂 I’m currently in the process of saving and planning a RTW trip and hope to long term travel for as long as possible.

    Can’t wait to follow your journey!

    Chrissy
    Sydney, Australia
    x

    • Hi Chrissy! Thank you for your lovely comment. I’m so glad you like my blog and hope it inspires you for your RTW trip. I’ve just checked out your blog and think its a great start. I read you worry you don’t have enough blog worthy material but remember travel blogging can include past present and future travels – you could even include dream destinations! Believe in yourself and have confidence In your writing because it’s great! Keep up the good work. let’s stay in touch 🙂

      Jess, The Travelista x

  13. Hello. Thank you for following my Blog. Yours is top-notch; very informative. Thanks again. Ray.

    • Thanks for your comment Ray! Your blog is great too, I love your photos of Pulteney Bridge in Bath. My sister goes to University there, what a wonderful city! I shall be looking out for more. 🙂 Jess – The Travelista x

Follow on Instagram

  • When Theo is older we will talk about the scars on his tummy. I will teach him that they are something to be proud of. I will tell him that they make him unique. I will tell him that they make him extra brave. I will tell him that anyone with a scar is very lucky because it means they are stronger than whatever it is they had to fight. I will teach him to be proud of his journey 💕✨ #PreemieStrong #25Weeker
  • What a weekend! 🇬🇧🥰 These girls keep me young. We all live in 3 different corners of the country but whenever were together we cry with laughter like naughty school girls, and will continue to do so when we’re old and grey 👵🏼 Bring on NYC in April 2020! 🇺🇸 #LondonBarBus @naomi_wright17 @fifi_mcmc
  • Mum on the loose in London town! 🇬🇧 In having a baby it’s so easy to neglect yourself and your own needs. I was lucky enough to gain a son, but I lost myself in the process. I feel like I’m entering a new phase of my motherhood journey, which is all about balance. I’m so pleased I decided to do something for ME this weekend and visit my friends in London. Theo has had a lovely weekend with Daddy and Mummy has let her hair down for the first time in a very long time, and I chose not to let any feelings of guilt creep in. Currently whizzing back up to Leeds now on the train. Thanks to my amazing friend @fionafleurdesign for hosting and showing us her amazing work on the #LondonBarBus. Now get me back to my boys! 🚈💨❤️ Mamas, when was the last time you did something for yourself and how do you find balance? #MotherhoodJourney
  • It’s exactly 6 months since Theo’s due date, which means he is 6 months corrected today! 🎉💫 He’s developing such a cheeky, loveable and determined little personality. Plus, nobody has ever been so happy to see me when I walk in a room! This weekend I am heading down to London for a girls weekend which includes a friends fabulous engagement party. It will be my first weekend away from Theo and I’m going to be honest... although I will miss him so much I can’t wait to have a bit of time for myself, to wear nice clothes, to laugh until I cry, to sip prosecco (and to go out with just a handbag? Sorry what!?). I already know it will be good for my soul 💫🙏🏼. Theo and his Daddy will be spending the whole weekend together so I know he will be in the best of hands. No pressure @scottwh9 😁🤣 Look at how far we’ve come #PreemieStrong #25Weeker
  • #ad 💫G I V E A W A Y💫 To celebrate completing my blogger challenge with @busleedscity last week, I’m giving away a £100 voucher to spend at my favourite shopping destination in Leeds @victorialeeds_ . To enter, all you need to do is make sure you’re following me @thetravelista and @busleedscity, then comment on this post by tagging someone you’d love to go on a shopping spree with. The voucher can be used in most retailers and restaurants within Victoria Gate! A winner will be selected at random and announced ‪on Monday 12th August‬ on my IG stories. The winner must reply by DM within 48 hours. The prize is not transferable, no whole/part cash alternatives. Stay tuned for my blog post all about my blogger challenge with First Leeds and my experience of travelling on the bus with a baby! #TechTheBus 💕 This giveaway is not affiliated with, in conjunction with or endorsed by Instagram
  • This photo makes motherhood look easy. It isn’t easy, and don’t let anyones glossy IG feed convince you otherwise. I’ve had the highest highs and the lowest lows since becoming a Mum. There’s been fear, anxiety, exhaustion, trauma, self-doubt and serious loneliness to contend with. But sometimes, right when I need it, Theo does something that makes every second of this crazy rollercoaster ride worthwhile. In fact, today he gave me a double whammy. Firstly, he reached 12lb 9oz at his weigh in, which means he is finally on the centile chart for his corrected age. A huge milestone and achievement for any preemie 🎉 Secondly, he did first proper giggle, right in the middle of Sainsbury’s no less (swipe to watch with sound ON). Seriously is there any sound in the world better than hearing your baby giggle? Today my heart is full. Today I am grateful for the journey we’ve been on. Today was a good day 💕

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