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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. Le Coin de Mel says

    6th September 2015 at 11:52 pm

    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!

  2. Ayla says

    15th July 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Hey Jess! I’ve nominated you for a Versatile Blogger Award! 🙂 http://mrsaylasadventures.com/2014/07/15/the-versatile-blogger-award/

  3. mecopybird says

    14th July 2014 at 10:42 am

    Congratulations on getting shortlisted for Cosmo Blog Awards! I’m hoping one day my travel blog will be as popular as yours!! You can see it here: http://firstimeworld.wordpress.com/

    Any thoughts or advice? And I’d be thrilled if you gave me a boost by following it!
    Cx

  4. zebonline says

    21st February 2014 at 3:20 pm

    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. Nina Phillips says

    18th February 2014 at 3:42 am

    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!

    • Nina Phillips says

      18th February 2014 at 3:47 am

      How do you financially get started?

    • thetravelistablog says

      18th February 2014 at 10:50 pm

      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

  6. alexraphael says

    4th February 2014 at 10:37 pm

    What a really cool blog.

    • thetravelistablog says

      9th February 2014 at 2:31 pm

      Thanks Alex 🙂

  7. steffichic says

    29th January 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Hi Jess, I love your blog!! What a perfect job 😀 I’ve nominated you for the Liebster Award, hope you choose to accept it. Details are on my blog http://www.eatsleepchic.co Have fun with it XX

  8. Anna Roberts says

    28th November 2013 at 9:49 am

    Good morning! I nominated you for the versatile blogger award 🙂 My reasons are here: http://thelondonscrapbook.com/2013/11/28/an-award-for-me/

  9. confessions-of-a-nomad says

    8th August 2013 at 2:16 pm

    What a wonderful blog you have. Really enjoying reading your travel tips and stories, I look forward to reading more!

    • thetravelistablog says

      8th August 2013 at 9:47 pm

      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. Chrissy Glenn says

    17th July 2013 at 6:55 am

    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

    • thetravelistablog says

      26th September 2013 at 9:52 pm

      Hey Chrissy, how are you? How are you getting on with your travel blogging?Are you still working towards your RTW trip?

      Jess x

  11. Chrissy Glenn says

    17th July 2013 at 3:40 am

    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

    • thetravelistablog says

      17th July 2013 at 6:09 am

      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

  12. The Rider says

    5th July 2013 at 11:26 am

    This looks like fun- I am Riding along…

  13. Ray Luke says

    15th May 2013 at 8:29 am

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

    • thetravelistablog says

      15th May 2013 at 12:58 pm

      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

Yesterday I had knee surgery to repair my torn car Yesterday I had knee surgery to repair my torn cartilage and finally unlock my knee. After a long wait and 3 cancelled surgery dates, I managed to get transferred to the trauma list at Leeds General Infirmary, which was a very, brilliant, last minute plot twist. 

I will need a second surgery to repair my torn ACL ligament in a few months, but yesterday’s surgery will allow me to get back on my feet and walking again which is the most important thing. Yesterday brought many PTSD triggers surrounding Theo’s birth, but I kept reading over the affirmations I wrote with @naomipsychotherapist as well as calming breath work. I am proud of myself for getting through the day.

I’m now back home recovering, very sore and drowsy from meds but feeling relieved and grateful that everything went well. The staff were wonderful and all truly deserve medals for what they do. Now time to rest, start gentle movements and ultimately get back on my feet ☺️💪🏼💫
Do you ever find yourself day dreaming about that Do you ever find yourself day dreaming about that first holiday post-Covid? Do you ever think about how profound it will feel? I wrote a poem about it to escape these long, dark days.

Warm skin, 
Frizzy hair. 
Soul alight, 
Without a care. 

Tanned legs, 
After sun. 
Mind is calm, 
Just having fun.

A day of new experience, 
Has just taken place. 
You embrace the unfamiliar, 
And every new and friendly face. 

The sun begins to set, 
And tomorrow is unplanned. 
You sip on something cold,
Toes buried in the sand. 

Midas touch is on the horizon, 
Peace is in your heart. 
Surrounded by those you love,
This moment is a work of art. 

Something feels different, 
You've seen sunsets before. 
But all your sense are heightened, 
You feel it at your core. 

Over a year of loss and struggle, 
The entire world is healing. 
Simple, little, wild things, 
Now have so much meaning.

As the sun sets, 
You realise the magnitude.
All you’re feeling in this moment, 
Is a new found sense of gratitude. 💫
Hey guys 👋🏼 This is my little self-developme Hey guys 👋🏼 This is my little self-development project. On 1st January I set some new intentions (not resolutions). The main one was to try and start waking up 1 hour earlier (I am not a morning person). But I wanted to make a change to start each day slowly and mindfully; to wake up and put my own needs first. Usually I would roll out of bed and be straight into Mum mode. Now I sit in silence with a hot cup of tea. Honestly, it has transformed my mornings and I can’t believe I’ve not done it sooner. Here are a few things I’ve been doing in my new daily hour of mental self care; 

⭐️1. The 5 Minute Journal - This book has been the greatest gift I have received in a long time. It has helped me to find gratitude in the smallest things, even when the world feels like its falling apart. I start my hour by filling out this journal. @fiveminutejournal 

⭐️2. Affirmations - I bought these beautiful affirmation cards from @lovaine_store on Etsy. Each morning I pick out a new affirmation and write it in my journal. Then I pluck another from my head. They're definitely teaching me to be kinder to myself and make me feel mentally stronger.

⭐️3. Mindfulness - After my journal I practice a guided meditation using the @calm app. 13 days in, I feel a lot more clarity. Tomorrow I’m also starting an 8 week mindfulness cognitive behavioural therapy course with @natalieenglander. I am a novice and I am excited to learn more.

Whilst we all feel like we have very little control over our lives right now, the one thing we CAN still control is our mindset. If you’re feeling frazzled and overwhelmed by the world right now, I really can’t recommend trying things enough ✨ 

What are you doing to look after your mental well-being right now? It’s brutal at the moment. Take care guys 💓
When your knee surgery gets cancelled AGAIN. If I When your knee surgery gets cancelled AGAIN. If I don’t laugh I’ll cry 😅 Another month on crutches for me. At least I got to see my boy experience snow for the first time today instead. Will keep being grateful for the small things ✨
Hey guys! I’ve decided to sign off IG for the fe Hey guys! I’ve decided to sign off IG for the festive period to focus on my family and my mental health. My knee surgery was booked for today but it has been cancelled last minute as the surgeon has tested positive for Covid. Classic. To say I am devastated is an understatement. I’ve cried many, many tears.

This means despite already isolating for 14 days, we need to continue isolating over Christmas in the hope that I can get the surgery on 29th December instead. So like all of you in tier 4, we will also be having a merry ‘little’ Christmas as a family of 3. We’ve spent Christmas before in hospital with Theo in an incubator, so to have him home and healthy is still a big step up from that. 

Still being on crutches after 7 weeks, I am stuck in a very frustrating situation. I am feeling low but trying to pick myself up and focus on the one thing I can control right now: my mindset. I still want to make Christmas special for our little boy despite the unwanted plot twist (shout out to my dad who is currently scouring supermarkets trying to piece together a Christmas food shop for us). 🙌🏼🥴

Merry Christmas guys. What a year. We can only try to make the very best of the cards we’ve been dealt. Stay safe and keep it little. See you all soon ✨🎄✨
⚡️FESTIVE NEWS FLASH ⚡️ 🌟You don’t n ⚡️FESTIVE NEWS FLASH ⚡️

🌟You don’t need matching family pyjamas to have a good Christmas.

🌟You don’t need to make a Christmas Eve Box to be a great parent.

⭐You don’t need expensive Christmas days out to make it magical.

🌟You don’t need to watch Christmas films in a tidy, ambient room.

🌟You don’t need a perfect, colour coordinated Christmas tree.

🌟You don’t need to overindulge if you don’t want to.

🌟You don’t need a sprawling mass of presents under the tree.

🌟You don’t need to cook everything featured on the Jamie Oliver Christmas special.

🌟Hell, you don’t even need to change out of that trusty loungewear set you’ve been wearing all year.

💓 Embrace the chaos and all the things that make your Christmas unique. Stop letting social media trick you into thinking you don’t have it all. Honey, you do 💓

Merry Christmas and thank you for following us this year, love from me and Theo 🎄✨

(Inspired by Bd Blogs)

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