Hiya, we’re Jess & Julia!
Welcome to The Lavender Travelers. Our blog is a space for budget conscious travelers in their 30s and beyond who want more out of their trips than hostel pub crawls (though if that’s your thing, no judgment — that’s just not our vibe anymore!).
What We’re About
Whether you’re in your 30s like us, part of the LGBTQ+ community, or just looking for a more thoughtful way to travel, you’re in the right place.
We’re here to help you plan and actually pull off the kind of trip that leaves you inspired, not exhausted.
That means practical budget tips, culture focused travel guides, and honest stories to help you skip the stress of planning a trip.
How We Travel
Between the two of us, we’ve explored 59 countries (and counting) across Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, and the US.
We mostly travel overland (trains, buses, ferries, you name it) because it’s more affordable, more sustainable, and gives us a chance to really enjoy the places in between.
Let’s be clear, though: we’ll happily hop on a flight if it’s the only way or the alternative is a 30 hour ferry over choppy seas.
Our usual budget is around $35 USD per day on average, but that can vary depending on where we’re traveling!
Our Current Budget Travel Style
We’ve done the ultra budget backpacking thing, but these days our travels are a little different: fewer 20 bed dorms and pub crawls, more cozy guesthouses, local food, and long bus rides to places that generally don’t make the top ten on must travel lists.
We’ll happily try the local beer or spirit, but you won’t find us chasing party destinations.
Not only is it not our vibe, but those spots are often overpriced, overcrowded, and tough on local communities.
We’ve found it’s more enjoyable, and often more sustainable, to slow down, explore beyond the obvious spots, and actually enjoy where we are.
At the heart of it all, we want to help you experience places with respect, curiosity, and intention, while keeping travel within a realistic budget.
What You’ll Find on The Lavender Travelers
- Budget tips that go beyond just “eat street food”
- Thoughtful travel guides focused on culture, local experiences, and seeing more without burning out
- Queer traveler insights to help you explore confidently, whether or not a destination is specifically queer focused
- Ideas for nature lovers and introverts who want beautiful places without extreme adventure
- Stories from the road — the wins, the fails, and everything in between
Our Story
We met at a hostel in Melbourne, Australia (so cute, we know), and since our first date at a laundromat, we’ve snorkeled in Koh Tao, road tripped through the Australian Outback, crossed mountains in Albania, and explored over a dozen countries together, all while sticking to a backpacker’s budget.
After two years of living in Australia and multiple trips across Southeast Asia, we’re now building a home base in the UK and exploring more of Europe, while figuring out how to keep traveling in a way that works for us.
Why We’re Here
After years of travel — solo, together, and everywhere in between — we’ve learned that the best trips leave you with great memories, not a need for a vacation from your vacation.
Our goal is to give you the tools, ideas, and encouragement to plan trips that feel intentional and true to you.
Welcome to the journey. 💜
If you have any questions, please get in touch (we’d love to chat)!
