Jeremy Branham is the owner and author of Budget Travel Adventures which is a great website for people who are interested in both travel and sports. He also has a series called College Football Tour which you will definitely find interesting. I’m not much of a sports fan but I did enjoy and learn a lot from this series. Jeremy also shares a lot of great tips about budget travelling in the places that he’s been to.
Learn more about Jeremy and visit him at Budget Travel Adventures.
But before you click away, check out my short interview with Jeremy.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
“As a kid, I went on family vacations. However, my passions were elsewhere. I skipped vacations and even a cruise in high school to stay home and play baseball – my first passion.
In 1995, I was in college at the University of South Carolina. I decided to join a church group on a trip to Estonia. It was only the second flight I had ever taken and my first international trip. When I arrived, I discovered I had a passion for travel and culture I never knew existed. I spent hours on a bus learning Estonian phrases, talking to strangers in the cities and on the streets. This shy, introverted kid was transformed. I even fell in love with an Estonian girl – sort of.
I’ve been traveling ever since.”
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
“For me, my bad travel experiences weren’t a case of things going wrong or bad travel story. These were just really down moments in my life.
There were two that come to mind. In cities that people find romantic, beautiful, and fun, I was depressed. Years ago, I was in Paris and sat in Luxembourg Gardens feeling depressed and alone. I was worn out from traveling through Europe and life in general had me down. It was that way throughout the entire trip. Then I ate at McDonald’s (which I actually hate) and everything changed on my last day.
The other time was my last day in Miami. Similar experience – I was tired of traveling and emotionally drained. I can’t even put into words all that was going on. But for the first time, I almost quit traveling. I learned a few lessons from that one.”
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
“Back in 2011, I was in Seattle starting a brand new travel series. Everything was coming together and knew that this was what I was meant to do. A few months later, the College Football Travel Tour became an Expedia sports travel series and I traveled to 8 college football games all over the country sharing my passion for sports and travel..
Then there’s the one time I was at a Scottish Highlands Games Festival talking to big men in kilts and got tears in my eyes. Not very manly but con firmation that I loved what I was doing.”
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
“Travel isn’t about the destination. It’s about the journey. The best travel memories are those experiences with people. Destinations are an opportunity to connect with places and cultures. Seeing the world is nowhere near as important as being changed by it.”
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
“Because travel is an ever changing, evolving thing in my life. If I ever look at travel as just another place to go, I think I would get tired of it. However, I am continuing to evolve as a traveler.
Growing up, I was a huge sports fan. As I got older, I loved to travel. Then a light bulb went on in my head and I decided to put the two together. And my perspective on travel changed. When I was a kid, I never camped and did a lot of outdoors stuff. In college, I started going on a few hikes. Now, hiking and nature are a huge part of what I want to experience when I travel because it gives me peace. Add a growing list of places that I want to see and ideas that I have and travel continues to evolve and change.
Writing about travel also keeps me going. When I first started writing, I wrote like a newspaper reporter or guidebook. Now I try and tell stories that have impacted me and share that passion and emotion with other people. When I travel, if there’s no story to tell from that trip then I failed to connect with a place.
Yes, there are times I get tired and want to quit but these things are what keep me going.”
This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?
“I am surprising myself a little with this answer. For one, people wouldn’t think of him as a celebrity or popular but he is well known. And secondly, this guy might cramp their travel style.
However, I am going to say Jesus. He always had a way of connecting people and always had stories to tell. He could go anywhere. He had a way of getting to know the locals. Sometimes traveling with him may be hard because some parts of my soul may be revealed that I don’t want to see. There would definitely be times where I would be in uncomfortable situations.
As a budget traveler, Jesus would be the man. He never had a place to lay his head and wasn’t high maintenance so we could sleep anywhere. And he could turn fish and bread into a meal for thousands. It would be fun, interesting, eye-opening, and challenging.”
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
“Well I know you asked for one but I am giving you three answers. As a travel destination, I am going to say Slovenia (the destination I’ve written more about than any other). It’s a small but beautiful country and I had such a peace there. Close to home, I love Lake Tahoe. There is something about the peace and quiet of nature that puts life in perspective and makes me happy.
Finally, home. No matter where I go I always enjoy coming home because it is the place that keeps me grounded and reminds me what are the most important things in my life.”
What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?
“Meet people. As a guy that is introverted and quiet, it’s a lesson I’ve had to learn in my travels. As exciting as travel is, it really as much about the destinations or the items to check off your bucket list as it is the people. Your best experiences will the memories you make and the stories you tell with the people you meet along the way.”
What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?
“Ah yes, my nude beach experience in Portugal. I discovered it by accident. As Americans, nudity is taboo so experiencing it at the beach is a bit awkward. Honestly, it is so different than what people think it is. However, it took me two hours to go fully nude and a lot of suntan lotion. And that wasn’t even the embarrassing part.”
What do you think about yourself?
“Very difficult to answer as it’s hard describing yourself and be completely honest about it. As a traveler, I enjoy the outdoors, connecting with places, and sports. As a person, I am way too analytical and nerdy. I am a decent athlete who is fighting age and a few gray hairs. Inside, I am shy, quiet, deep thinking, insecure, clumsy, but personable. I am the place where my inner and outer worlds collide and I’m still living this life trying to figure out what the result of that collision is.”
“Budget Travel Adventures is dedicated to helping travelers, sports fans, and hikers create memorable travel experiences with tips, destination guides, and inspirational travel stories from my travels in the US and around the world. Personal reflections on travel and thoughtful travel musings will challenge the way you travel and view the world while inspiring you to travel passionately, spend wisely, and experience more!” – Jeremy Branham”
Photo Credits: All pictures are provided by Jeremy Branham.
Next: Stefan of Redcat Travel Previously: Kenin and Lauren Bassart of The Constant Rambler For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.
Thanks for allowing me to be a part of this series. My desire is to share my passion for travel and connecting with people and places in my own unique way. Hopefully this is something people can identify with and be inspired to explore the world in their own unique ways!