Here we go again; third time’s the charm, right?
I’ve attempted several versions of this blog post for many years now, but honestly, anytime I’ve started to draft the content, I get scared. Scared of going after something that I thought wasn’t attainable. Scared of putting myself out there in a public forum. Scared of failing at something that I have dreamt about for most of my adult life. But let’s be honest, being scared is no way to live your life, and it’s not an excuse to at least try.
With a lot of support and encouragement, I’m finally here, ready to begin this new journey of starting my first travel blog (eek!)
Now for some introductions; my name is Caitlin Baronti.
I’m a Chicagoland native, and I love reading a good book, enjoying a delicious meal, drinking coffee (or wine), and of course, traveling. But you probably could have guessed that last tidbit. I’m married to my best friend, Bill, and we have a goofy sheepadoodle named Gus. Bill is the man behind the camera in most of the photos you will see featured on the blog.
I grew up with two parents in the airline industry, so I was fortunate enough to be exposed to travel at a very young age. By the time I was ten, I was reading books about different countries and cultures while dreaming about visiting these far-off lands. I remember turning the pages of the books and constantly being amazed at how unique the world is compared to the suburbs of Chicago. That’s how it all started for me.
As I entered my twenties, I was restless and ready for an adventure. I was accepted into my university’s summer study abroad program in Florence, Italy, and I began saving all my pennies so I could go and experience something completely out of my comfort zone. I was only twenty years old; it was my first time traveling out of the country, heck, it was my first time traveling alone, and I was going somewhere I didn’t speak the language. It was only mildly intimidating. I learned a lot about myself, the person I wanted to be, and how to travel during that summer. I quickly realized that I had no idea what I was doing in the realm of planning, and I relied on organized bus tours. It was an adventure I needed, and I quickly fell in love with exploring new places.
My main takeaway from my summer abroad is that if I wanted to travel, I would need to put more effort into the planning side of things. On my next trip to Barnes and Nobles, I picked up a copy of Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring and dove headfirst into the content. My ten-year-old spirit was renewed while I turned the pages, falling in love with the idea of far-off lands like Ireland, Poland, and The Czech Republic. I pictured myself riding a bike along the canals in Amsterdam, drinking beer in Brussels, and hiking in Iceland.
I continued reading about and researching dream trips like it was my job. As I began traveling more, I compiled research in Google Docs that I would happily share with my friends and family members when they expressed interest in a place I had visited. It brought me endless joy when they returned from their trips and would tell me that they enjoyed a restaurant or hike that I recommended. Needless to say, something clicked for me in those moments.
Compiling research, mini-guides, or full-blown trip itineraries became essential anytime I started to dream about a new trip. I referenced books, fellow bloggers, Instagram, Google, local websites, anything that would shed a light on a great experience I couldn’t miss out on, or a fantastic restaurant to try the local cuisine. When you come to this site, that’s what you can expect – Well Read Travels. Thoughtfully curated advice and suggestions that I hope will make your travel experiences truly unforgettable.
That is how I ended up here, now, writing this post for the third time.
If you’re reading this, thank you for joining me on this new adventure. As I find my footing in this space, my goal is to build a site that provides you with a beneficial travel tip you have never heard before, ignites your curiosity to check out a new destination on your bucket list, and (hopefully) gives you a laugh here and there.
If you have suggested blog content you want from me or simply want to say hello to your new internet friend, please don’t hesitate to send me a message.
With endless gratitude,
Caitlin
