Yucatan
When it comes to travel accounts to follow on Instagram, Dame Traveler is THE one to follow for any woman considering traveling solo. Dame Traveler was founded in 2014 by Nastasia Yakoub who wanted to break out of her comfort zone and take the leap to immerse herself in another countries culture. Since beginning her solo travels, Nastasia has traveled to over 65 countries, and on March 3rd, she released her first book Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure which shares both her own story and those of her fellow dame travelers.
You founded Dame Traveler back in 2014, a brand that celebrates both the diversity and bravery of women from around the world who are ‘not afraid to think and live outside the box.’ Tell me a bit about why you founded the brand, and why you chose the name ‘Dame Traveler’.
Dame Traveler was born out of my own personal experience of being told that I couldn’t do various things simply because I was a woman, so I chose the name Dame Traveler because it takes a lot of courage to travel outside of a comfort zone and to become totally immersed in another country’s culture. Though, the reality is that a life of travel isn’t always glamorous and it takes guts to travel, especially as a solo female. Yet, there are thousands of solo women travelers out there that do this every day! And so, the definition of ‘Dame’ in the dictionary is ‘the title of a woman who has been awarded the Order of the British Empire’. I wanted it to exemplify strength and fearless courage.
Since beginning Dame Traveler, your Instagram following has grown to over 600,000 followers and you’ve been to over 65 countries. When you first began your journey as a travel writer and photographer, what was the first country you visited?
My very first trip as a traveler was to Ireland in 2011 and that was my first time in Europe. My very first trip as a solo traveler was to Cape Town, South Africa. I remember feeling incredibly empowered and proud of myself, particularly on my flight back home. I still get that feeling 67 countries later – and it never gets old. I believe traveling solo is vital for self-discovery. Those moments looking out onto the ocean, climbing a mountain, or sitting at a cafe and just people-watching allow for moments of self-reflection… and that’s a very good thing for the soul.
Petra
What camera do you shoot your pictures with?
Sony Alpha A7RIII from Adorama in New York City.
What are some of the travel essentials you never travel without?
I always carry a small notebook with me to write notes and thoughts while I’m on the road. There’s something powerful about putting pen to paper, digital just doesn’t do it for me. You can find that notebook years later and it’s special reading your thoughts back. I love Rifle Paper’s Notebook Sets because they’re small and light as well as pretty.
Cusco, Peru
Out of everywhere city/country that you’ve visited. What city has felt the most like home (or) which city/country do you find yourself visiting often?
I’m lucky to be living in my favorite city in the world- New York City. I’ve lived here for 4 years and it still gives me butterflies. Other than NYC, Italy has my heart. I’ve gone back to Italy every year since my first visit back in October and I usually go in October because I love Autumn in Italy. The weather is still warm, but the leaves are turning color and the majority of the crowds have dispersed.
Your photography has been featured in publications such as Travel & Leisure, Fodor’s and Vogue. What was it like seeing your work in such well-known publications?
Incredible! I still have pinch-me moments when that happens and it’s a great reminder of how far I’ve come!
Mexico City
Dame Traveler has partnered with hotels, transportation, and tourism boards. What are your words of advice for those partnering with a hotel for the first time?
Try not to look at it from a transnational perspective. For most of the hotels I’ve worked with, I’ve taken the time to get to know the team and to have more of a relationship with them rather than a one-off transaction. I think it’s very important to do that, especially in the long run because you never know what other opportunities may arise from that first experience.
On March 3rd, your first book, Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure was released. When did you first decide to write a book?
I was approached by a different publisher back in 2017, but it ended up falling through. However, the woman who approached me referred me to a literary agent and she sent my proposal to over 40 publications in which Ten Speed Press of Penguin Random House was the first to pick up in March of 2019! I remember the @dametraveler account on Instagram was first starting to grow and gain popularity back in 2013/2014, I envisioned the beauty of the community in tangible form and now look where we are! They do believe in the power of visualization.
Morocco
The book is divided into four sections (architecture, water, culture, and nature) How long did it take to select the photos that would be featured in the book, and what did you enjoy the most about sharing the stories and photography of your fellow dame travelers?
The publisher only gave me exactly 2 months to complete the entire book/manuscript so it was an incredible feat, but I was up for it. I’m quite the perfectionist so choosing the images and the layout took a lot of effort, but I had a vision of what I wanted it to look like and I stuck with that. I also wanted it to be as inclusive and diverse as possible, as well as including destinations that were both exotic (Yemen) and approachable (flower field in Ohio). I loved interviewing each contributor and creating captions for each. Their insights really give the book a personal touch and that was also important to me, that it was both useful and aspirational to the readers.
In the book, you share tips for solo travelers. For those who are traveling solo for the first time, what is the number one tip they should follow?
You’ll have to read the book to find out! 😀 I think they’re all important, but being conscious and alert is probably the first thing to keep in mind.
Pick up your copy of Dame Traveler: Live the Spirit of Adventure.
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