For McCool Travel’s 178th travel interview, I am pleased to present Gemma Armit. Gemma is prolific with her amazing travel content and also with her advice for people who want to improve (like me). Her brand, Make Traffic Happen (with partner Laura Lynch), has changed the way I think about publishing online. Gemma and her husband Craig are the duo behind Two Scots Abroad. She is funny so read on.
Gemma Armit’s bio:
Gemma and Craig are two Scots who love to travel. They work intensely and save extensively so they can adventure around the world. Gemma creates ridiculously useful travel guides and packing lists at Two Scots Abroad, Craig looks good in the pictures. They have a model husky/German shepherd who does not like being photographed.
Gemma Armit of Two Scots Abroad
HOMETOWN …
I come from a seaside town in the Kingdom of Fife called Burntisland. No, it isn’t burnt and it isn’t an island!
ON EVERY TRIP I MUST BRING …
Suntan lotion. Even in -3. Jokes, I’m not that Scottish although my see-through skin does need factor 30 if I’m in hot climates. I always have my phone. It’s my computer, office, music device, social activity, and my camera.
3 FAVORITE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME PLACES …
BC in Canada. I don’t actually have three! British Columbia has been the only place that has felt like home. Maybe because we made it home for six months.
A FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORY …
Getting hitched in Austin, Texas. We eloped after the South By Southwest festival in 2016. Just me, Craig, our officiant, and photographer.
3 FAVORITE TRAVEL BRANDS …
- Lush for solid toiletries and recyclable plastic. No-spill FTW. Love the avocado conditioner, smells like summer to me.
- Tree Tribe water bottles, 10 trees planted with every sale. Great hook on it for attaching to hiking bag too.
- Batoko swimwear made from recycled materials. It’s literally rubbish, as their slogan says. Really cute designs and a great fit too.
3 MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TACTICS I USE …
- Use the ‘Canada or crap’ mantra, do you really need to buy it?
- Pack a water bottle and fill up before you leave your accommodation.
- Low season travel, now I’m no longer a teacher I’m not a hostage to the holidays and holiday prices.
3 WAYS THAT I HAVE FUN WHILE TRAVELING …
- Mixing up my travel buddies. I love Craig, but also love when friends and family meet us on trips too. My parents and my friend Laura are serial travel stalkers, they’ve met us in Canada, Hungary and my parents even joined us in the Scottish Highlands. Any excuse!
- Hiking or cycling I love day hikes/rides to get out in nature.
- Finding rooftop bars for sundown drinks. I always get hiiiiigh on city trips.
8 WORD (OR LESS) TRAVEL MANTRA …
“Make travel happen.”
FAVORITE NON-TRAVEL WEBSITE …
The weather 🙁
MOST MEMORABLE SOUVENIR …
Plastic straw cover fashioned into an engagement ring. Craig proposed under the fake stars of Macmillan Space Centre in Vancouver. He gave me a paper version in South America, then a plastic version in Cuba. I attached it to my day bag and he sourced it the morning he planned to propose (Hallowe’en), typical Craig behaviour! It’s in a frame at home now.
FAVORITE CHEAP EAT …
Anything Thai street food. Craig says Colombian empanada.
RECENT DISCOVERY …
Holiday weight gain
I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE MET …
The phrase ‘sin cilantro’.
I WOULD LIKE TO MEET …
Authentic Mexican food, sin cilantro… Does it exist?
Thank you so much, Gemma, for sharing your travel advice and wisdom.
Follow Two Scots Abroad on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Two Scots Abroad.
McCool Travel presents tips from travel experts in our 5 Minutes travel interview series—featuring travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons. Previous 5 Minutes travel interview: Lesli Peterson.
Thanks for sharing. It’s been fun to see all the interviews!!
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