welcome to vanlavita

Hi, I'm Georgina 😄

Welcome to my travel and wellness blog for van lifers, digital nomads and anyone who loves to travel! I'm thrilled to have you join me on this journey of liberation, exploration and discovery.

In 2023 I decided to buy a camper van for full-time van life and to travel as far and as wide as I can.

I created vanlavita to inspire people to travel and follow their own path through my guides, honest reviews, wellness sections and photography. Whether you're seeking tips on remote work, van life hacks, or epic travel destinations, you'll find a growing platform of insights and resources here to fuel your wanderlust.

I'm also chronicling my adventures in Alma (my van!) on the blog - sharing both the highlights and challenges of living in a van!

Here's a little bit more about me and my plan to travel across the globe in a campervan called Alma...

my story

Let's say my life has been as colourful as this jumper!

Born in Lancashire in North West England, I was raised as an only child by my hardworking Mum, who tackled single parenthood with determination. It was a tumultuous childhood as we moved around a lot - as a result I changed schools around 7 times and had to say goodbye to a lot of friends while learning quickly how to make new ones.

But this is not a sob story! All that moving around taught me valuable skills in being independent and adaptable, like a chameleon in a world of perpetual change.

the spark of the wanderlust

I remember gazing at a huge world atlas on my wall as a kid, imagining all the countries, places and people who lived there. Money was tight growing up, so I didn't travel much in my early years - but my Mum surprised me with a trip to Ibiza when I was nine and the trip brought me so much joy that I believe that's what sparked my passion for travel.

Growing up I was very studious and ambitious. I knew education was my way to secure a career - and provide the financial means to travel. And as an older millennial, I became an adult at the dawn of the internet and so was able to harness its power to research destinations, find the best deals on flights and accommodation and plan my adventures!

Over two decades I travelled as often as my bank balance and work vacation allowance would allow!

carpe diem

As I approached a milestone birthday in 2023, I found myself facing an existential crisis. I had worked hard to build a successful corporate career in London, achieving a comfortable lifestyle that many would consider "making it." But despite this outward success, I realised I was no longer growing as a person. I was simply coasting, living for the weekends and vacations that allowed me to indulge my ever-present wanderlust.

So, I took a leap of faith and decided to pursue the life I had always dreamed of.

Travelling the world. Writing. Creating.

I said goodbye to my stable career, sold all my possessions, and left London behind. My next step? Purchasing a Fiat Ducato van, which I named Alma. I had her lovingly transformed into a fully off-grid tiny home on wheels, equipped for full-time van life and cross-continent adventures.

why create the vanlavita blog?

Well, picture this...a project manager turned global van life adventurer, with a degree in Journalism and a creative soul at heart. I guess that’s me in a nutshell.

When I decided to take a career break and hit the road, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do next. What was I going to become in this next chapter of my life?

First and foremost, I knew I wanted to chronicle my adventures in Alma. And not just the picturesque destinations, but also the raw, unfiltered realities of full-time van life and life as a digital nomad. I knew it would be a challenge.

Secondly, despite my years in corporate project management, I remained creative at my core, especially my passion for creating captivating and inspiring content and writing. And so tapping into my buried creativity to capture my van life travels felt like the perfect combination.

And finally, when it comes to travel, I'm not the average tourist. Travel is my hobby, my passion and my love. I’ve devoured blogs, travel guides, Lonely Planet books, reviews—you name it, if it’s travel-related, I’ve pored over it. I’ve spent countless hours honing my travel knowledge.

All of this led me towards a genuine passion for creating a blog.

I feel like I have something to offer - a wealth of experience, stories, and guidance from years of travelling and then now, living and travelling in a van as a digital nomad. Over the years, I've benefited immensely from the knowledge and advice shared by fellow travellers, which has enriched my adventures in countless ways.

This blog is my way of paying it forward, sharing the lessons I’ve learned along the journey: the successes, the mistakes, and the valuable takeaways. What you’ll get from me is complete honesty. I’ll share both the highs and the lows!

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you find value in what I share 😄