About Passport for Living

Meet Zara

Hey, I’m Zara – travel blogger here at Passport for Living.

I’m a travel addict, forever seeking new experiences and adventures! I’m a wildlife-obsessed, outdoorsy kind of girl who loves hiking, nature and great food.

I enjoy travelling with friends and family, but as an introvert, I also love travelling solo. Whether you’re a fellow solo traveller or are looking for inspiration to start travelling the world, I hope this blog inspires you to try solo female travel and fall in love with it as I did over 15 years ago!

I’m based in the UK but travel regularly throughout the year. I’ve never believed in the idea of settling down in one place and buying a house. I don’t subscribe to this world’s idea of success – I think success is freedom! Freedom to travel, do the work I love and laugh my way through life, usually with a glass of wine in hand!

Where Can You Find Me?

Facebook

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Zara Aitken, travel writer and blogger at Passport for Living, takes a selfie in front of a gorgeous lake and mountain backdrop. She is wearing a maroon wooly hat and winter clothing and is smiling at the camera.

How Did Passport for Living Start?

In 2014, I fell head over heels in love with exploring our planet. After a trip to The Gambia in February 2014, I realised there was a hell of a lot more to life than the tiny corner of earth I called home. An insatiable addiction to travel was born, and I haven’t looked back since!

I started this travel blog as a creative outlet and a place to share my photos and experiences. I also wanted to share my low-cost travel tips to help others travel on a budget, as so many people were asking me how I travel so much while only working part-time!

Fast forward 10 years – I now have tens of thousands of people landing on this blog every month, and I make an income from it! I never dreamed I’d be able to turn this passion into a job one day.

Zara Aitken sits on a concrete viewpoint overlooking the famous bridge in Ronda, Spain. She is wearing a denim skirt and khaki top and is leaning back on one arm, while looking at the view.
Zara Aitken stands inside the courtyard of the Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. She is smiling at the camera while wearing a green headscarf.
Zara Aitken stands at an amazing viewpoint, overlooking the city of Malaga and distant mountain ranges. It's a clear sunny day and Zara is wearing a patterned summer dress and sunglasses.
Zara Aitken, travel writer at Passport for Living sits in a relaxed way in an inflatable canoe in Thailand. There is a local guide sitting behind rowing the canoe while they travel through dense rainforest scenery.

Living a Digital Nomad Lifestyle

For many years, I worked full-time in an office, while travelling the world on my vacation days and updating this blog.

Now, I make an income from this travel blog while also working remotely as an Operations Manager for a wonderful charity based in the UK and running my own web design business.

My work is incredibly flexible and I work with some great people who support my love for travel! As I work remotely, I can work anywhere in the world and often take off to work in a new destination for a few days or weeks spontaneously.

However, I know a lot of people aren’t in the same boat. So, if you want to learn how to travel the world on a budget while holding down a day job and home life, you’re in the right place!

Zara Aitken sits at a magnificent viewpoint overlooking the scenery of Krabi in Thailand. This photo was taken on the hike to Khao Ngon Nak, an incredible viewpoint hike in South Thailand.

What Will You Find Here?

As well as destination and hiking guides, you’ll also find budget and solo travel tips, stories, and food inspiration from around the world.

I don’t travel in luxury – you’ll rarely find me in 5-star hotels, preferring instead to save money for authentic cultural experiences and more frequent trips. So, you can expect to find budget travel tips and advice on how to make your money go further, as well as first-hand insider info from destinations I have visited to help you travel on a shoestring.

This Website is Perfect For You If…

  • You’re a woman who is dreaming about your first solo trip, but you lack the confidence to book it.
  • You want practical, realistic, and experience-based safety tips.
  • You’re an introvert who wants genuine connection and alone time while travelling, rather than parties and constant socialising.
  • You’re looking for destinations that go beyond the usual tourist hotspots and offer authentic experiences, local culture, nature, and outdoor adventures.
  • You want to travel more often without spending a fortune and need budget-friendly tips.
  • You want honest, straightforward advice from someone who has actually visited the destinations they write about.
  • You want inspiration and guidance to travel independently with confidence.
Zara walks along a castle wall walkway at Silves Castle. She is wearing a blue floral top and light denim shorts. It's a sunny day as she explores the ruins of Silves Castle, a great stop on a Portugal campervan road trip.
Silves Castl