Sydney Baker
School
University Of Washington
University Of Sydney
University Of Luxembourg
Expertise
European, Canadian, And West Coast U.S. Travel Destinations, Hiking And Nature-oriented Trips, Expat Life
- Sydney has visited 14 states, mostly around the West, and 23 countries, many as a solo traveler. Through her travels, she has learned that not every trip is Instagram-perfect and shares this reality and lessons with readers through her writing.
- A fan of languages, Sydney has studied numerous to varying degrees. In addition to English, Sydney is fluent in French, has attempted (and failed) to learn German, and would like to improve on her roughly 30 vocab words of Spanish next. And no matter where she travels, she always tries to learn a few basic phrases.
- A true Pacific Northwest girl, you can usually find Sydney in nature. When visiting a new city or country, she'll quickly find the closest body of water (whether that be a river, lake, or ocean) and/or nearest mountain (and constantly compare them to those back home). She typically prioritizes national parks and outdoor destinations in her travels as well as her favorite activities like hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and boating.
Experience
Sydney has been recording her life and travels in journals for over a decade, and more recently, for various online publications. Originally from Seattle, she has also lived abroad in Sydney, Montreal, and Luxembourg. A few years ago, after writing alongside a career in international education, she switched to full-time freelance and hasn't looked back. She's been published in Fodor's Travel, Good Housekeeping, Matador Network, Travel + Leisure, and more. She is passionate about sharing everything about outdoors-oriented trips and destinations and life and language abroad with readers through informed and well-researched writing.
Education
Sydney holds a BA in public health from the University of Washington and spent time as an exchange student at the University of Sydney. Most recently, she studied multilingual education and communication at the University of Luxembourg. Her multidisciplinary academic background helps her view travel from multiple angles and has given her top-notch research skills that inform her writing.
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Stories By Sydney Baker
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What better way to break up informative walking tours, art descriptions, and tasting menus than time in nature? Here's the best things to do outside in Europe.
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From the Midwestern plains to the deep South and everywhere in between, there's no shortage of natural scenery and mountain views to appreciate.
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From New Zealand's coast to the peaks of Central Asia, there are countless beautiful hikes in the world. Find out which trails should be on your bucket list.
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It can be daunting to plan a vacation to the Last Frontier. Here's everything you need to know and consider when planning a trip to Alaska.
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The West Coast is a haven for nature and beach lovers alike, which is why it's a fantastic place to combine the two and spend a night camping on the beach.
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While the popular cities might be more obvious choices to add to your itinerary, we've got suggestions for lesser-known historic sites you need to see.
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There are quite a few differences and quirks regarding laws, signage, and more when driving through Canada. This guide has everything you need to know.
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You don't have to travel to Japan to enjoy the beauty of cherry blossom trees. These are the cities in the U.S. known for their pink and white blooms.
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Planning a European backpacking trip? We can help you plan out your budget based on when you're traveling and which countries you plan to visit on your trek.
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Culture shock is an unwelcome but totally natural part of traveling. Let's discuss the phases of those feelings and some tips for coping with it while abroad.
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Paris is an incredible destination. But did you know there are lots of wonderful day trips you can take just outside the city of lights? Check out our list.
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Planning a trip down California State Route 1? We've picked 14 of the best stops from north of the Bay Area down to SoCal to help you plan your trip.